US President Donald Trump made his third state of union speech today at the same house chamber where he was impeached last December. His speech focused on what he called 'The Great American Comeback' from snubbing Pelosi to taking a dig at the Democrats.

Soleimani was the World's Biggest Terrorist : Trump

The deadly new coronavirus has spreads to 28 countries. Iran has evacuated 56 of its citizens. 59 Iraqis and 24 Syrians have been evacuated from Wuhan. While Uzbekistan has also evacuated 84 people.

Coronavirus spreads to across 28 countries

Iran has evacuated 56 of its own citizens, 59 Iraqis, 24 Syrians, and, 1 Lebanese national from China's Wuhan. The number of confirmed deaths from China's coronavirus outbreak jumped to 490 on Wednesday (February 5). The infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continues to spread in China.

Coronavirus outbreak: Iran evacuates its citizens from China's Wuhan

Iran on Sunday offered its full support for new Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and reiterated its backing for the government's demand for U.S. forces to leave the country.

Iran has deep ties with many Shi'ite political parties and militias in Iraq as well as Kurdish parties from the north. Iranian officials have tried to use their influence to keep a government sympathetic to their interests in power in Baghdad.

"In continuing support for the independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and strengthening the foundations of democracy in Iraq along with the legitimate request by the government and people of Iraq for the exit of American forces from the soil of that country, Iran welcomes the selection of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as the new prime minister of this country," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-minister-mohammad-allawi-named-as-iraqs-new-pm-protesters-divided-278070">Ex-minister Mohammad Allawi named as Iraq's new PM, protesters divided</a>

Iran is willing to give any assistance necessary to help Iraq overcome problems and to pass through a sensitive time, Mousavi said, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Allawi appealed to Iraqis for their support on Saturday hours after his appointment by President Barham Salih, but protesters have already rejected him as a stooge of the political elite.

The United States killed Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad last month, giving renewed impetus to Iran's allies in Iraq to call for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Iran on Sunday offered its full support for new Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and reiterated its backing for the government's demand for U.S. forces to leave the country.

Iran on Sunday offered its full support for new Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and reiterated its backing for the government's demand for U.S. forces to leave the country. Iran has deep ties with many Shi'ite political parties and militias in Iraq as well as Kurdish parties from the north. Iranian officials have tried to use their influence to keep a government sympathetic to their interests in power in Baghdad. "In continuing support for the independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and strengthening the foundations of democracy in Iraq along with the legitimate request by the government and people of Iraq for the exit of American forces from the soil of that country, Iran welcomes the selection of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as the new prime minister of this country," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said. Also read: Ex-minister Mohammad Allawi named as Iraq's new PM, protesters divided Iran is willing to give any assistance necessary to help Iraq overcome problems and to pass through a sensitive time, Mousavi said, according to the official IRNA news agency. Allawi appealed to Iraqis for their support on Saturday hours after his appointment by President Barham Salih, but protesters have already rejected him as a stooge of the political elite. The United States killed Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad last month, giving renewed impetus to Iran's allies in Iraq to call for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Iran welcomes Allawi's appointment as Iraqi prime minister, calls for US pullout

On January 27 the US military said an E-11A aircraft had crashed in the province of Ghazni, but disputed claims by the Taliban militant group that they brought it down. Iranian reports say that among the people on board was Michael D'Andrea, the man who arranged the mission that led to Iranian top General Qasem Soleimani's assassination. On the other hand, the United States has confirmed its plane plan but has not released the identity of the men on board.

US plane crashes in Afghanistan, Top US Intel officers dead

Fifty US military personnel have now been diagnosed with shocks and traumatic brain injuries following the Iranian missile attack on US forces in Iraq earlier this month. That's an increase of 16 from late last week when the Pentagon said 34 cases had been diagnosed. Watch report:

50 US troops diagnosed with brain injuries after Iranian missile strike

50 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-stops-weapons-delivery-to-iraq-amid-tensions-with-baghdad-reports-277061">US</a> service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after its base in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-stops-weapons-delivery-to-iraq-amid-tensions-with-baghdad-reports-277061">Iraq</a> was attacked by Iranian missiles earlier this month.

The military had previously announced on Friday that 34 US troops had suffered traumatic brain injury after the missile strike.&nbsp;

Symptoms of concussive injuries experienced by the troops include headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and nausea.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-spy-plane-crash-in-afghanistan-277115">Iran media claims CIA chief behind Soleimani’s assassination killed in Afghanistan plane crash</a>

31 of the 50 were treated in Iraq and returned to duty, including 15 of those diagnosed most recently, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Campbell said.

18 of the total have been sent to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-woman-linked-to-islamic-state-returned-to-germany-264251">Germany</a> for further evaluation and treatment, and one was sent to Kuwait and has since returned to duty, he said.

"This is a snapshot in time and numbers can change," he added.

Contrary to the initial assessment, the injuries of the service members indicate that they are more severe.

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-files-lawsuits-against-overseas-call-centers-for-making-fake-robocalls-277174">Donald Trump</a> and other top officials had initially said that no US service member had been neither been killed nor had suffered any injury in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-sounds-alarm-for-democracy-after-candidates-barred-276882">Iran</a>'s attack on January 8.

At the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50th-world-economic-forum-at-davos-key-focus-on-climate-change-economic-slowdown-sustainable-growth-275631">World Economic Forum </a>last week, Trump had said the injuries were ''not very serious''.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50th-world-economic-forum-at-davos-key-focus-on-climate-change-economic-slowdown-sustainable-growth-275631">50th World Economic Forum at Davos: Key focus on climate change, economic slowdown, sustainable growth</a>

This was&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;by&nbsp;US war veterans.

''The group expects an apology from the president to our servicemen and women for his misguided remarks," William Schmitz, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said on Friday.

According to Pentagon data, about 408,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since 2000.

The attack had been carried out by Iran on the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq as a retaliation to the US airstrike that killed its top revolutionary guard general <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-respond-to-soleimani-killing-any-time-in-any-manner-foreign-minister-zarif-272013">Qassem Soleimani</a> on January 3.

The missile attacks capped a spiral of violence that had started in late December, and both sides have refrained from further military escalation. 
&nbsp;

50 US service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after its base in Iraq was attacked by Iranian missiles earlier this month. The military had previously announced on Friday that 34 US troops had suffered traumatic brain injury after the missile strike.

50 US service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after its base in Iraq was attacked by Iranian missiles earlier this month. The military had previously announced on Friday that 34 US troops had suffered traumatic brain injury after the missile strike. Symptoms of concussive injuries experienced by the troops include headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and nausea. Also see: Iran media claims CIA chief behind Soleimani’s assassination killed in Afghanistan plane crash 31 of the 50 were treated in Iraq and returned to duty, including 15 of those diagnosed most recently, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Campbell said. 18 of the total have been sent to Germany for further evaluation and treatment, and one was sent to Kuwait and has since returned to duty, he said. "This is a snapshot in time and numbers can change," he added. Contrary to the initial assessment, the injuries of the service members indicate that they are more severe. US President Donald Trump and other top officials had initially said that no US service member had been neither been killed nor had suffered any injury in Iran's attack on January 8. At the World Economic Forum last week, Trump had said the injuries were ''not very serious''. Also read: 50th World Economic Forum at Davos: Key focus on climate change, economic slowdown, sustainable growth This was criticised by US war veterans. ''The group expects an apology from the president to our servicemen and women for his misguided remarks," William Schmitz, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said on Friday. According to Pentagon data, about 408,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since 2000. The attack had been carried out by Iran on the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq as a retaliation to the US airstrike that killed its top revolutionary guard general Qassem Soleimani on January 3. The missile attacks capped a spiral of violence that had started in late December, and both sides have refrained from further military escalation.

50 US troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after Iran strike: Pentagon

A motion for Iran to quit the nuclear <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-must-sign-npt-to-gain-entry-into-nsg-patient-negotiations-required-china-194132">Non-Proliferation Treaty</a> (NPT) was introduced in parliament on Tuesday, the assembly's news site ICANA reported, in a move that appears to raise the stakes in Tehran's confrontation with the West.

The report did not say when parliament might vote on the motion.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-could-consider-withdrawing-from-npt-if-nuclear-dispute-referred-to-unsc-zarif-275493">Iran could consider withdrawing from NPT if nuclear dispute referred to UNSC: Zarif</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-sounds-alarm-for-democracy-after-candidates-barred-276882">Iran</a>'s Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-stands-by-revolutionary-guards-after-unrest-over-downed-plane-275015">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, makes the final decisions regarding the country's nuclear policy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-could-consider-withdrawing-from-npt-if-nuclear-dispute-referred-to-unsc-zarif-275493">Javad Zarif </a>said last week that Iran could withdraw from the NPT if European countries refer it to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/united-nations-says-six-civilians-killed-in-afghanistan-airstrike-276918">UN</a>&nbsp;Security Council over a nuclear agreement, a move that would overturn diplomacy in Tehran's turbulent relations with Western powers.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-must-sign-npt-to-gain-entry-into-nsg-patient-negotiations-required-china-194132">India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China</a>

The 1968 NPT has been the foundation of global nuclear arms control since the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-koreas-cold-war-about-to-end-178133">Cold War</a>, including a 2015 deal Iran signed with world powers that offered it access to global trade in return for accepting curbs to its atomic program.

The fate of the 2015 pact has been in doubt since US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-trial-of-donald-trump-all-star-defence-team-scared-of-going-near-bolton-276987">Donald Trump</a> pulled the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-court-sides-with-trump-on-immigrant-welfare-benefits-276959">United States</a> out of it in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Iran has responded by scaling back its commitments, although it says it wants the pact to survive.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-not-to-ban-huawei-in-europe-but-to-impose-strict-rules-european-commissioner-breton-277078">Britain</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-cancels-lunar-new-year-parade-due-to-chinas-viral-outbreak-276669">France </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-deadly-virus-continues-to-spread-outside-china-276966">Germany</a> declared Iran in violation of the nuclear deal two weeks ago and have launched a dispute mechanism that could eventually see the matter referred back to the Security Council and the reimposition of UN&nbsp;sanctions.

A motion for Iran to quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was introduced in parliament on Tuesday, the assembly's news site ICANA reported, in a move that appears to raise the stakes in Tehran's confrontation with the West.

A motion for Iran to quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was introduced in parliament on Tuesday, the assembly's news site ICANA reported, in a move that appears to raise the stakes in Tehran's confrontation with the West. The report did not say when parliament might vote on the motion. Also read: Iran could consider withdrawing from NPT if nuclear dispute referred to UNSC: Zarif Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, makes the final decisions regarding the country's nuclear policy. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said last week that Iran could withdraw from the NPT if European countries refer it to the UN Security Council over a nuclear agreement, a move that would overturn diplomacy in Tehran's turbulent relations with Western powers. Also read: India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China The 1968 NPT has been the foundation of global nuclear arms control since the Cold War, including a 2015 deal Iran signed with world powers that offered it access to global trade in return for accepting curbs to its atomic program. The fate of the 2015 pact has been in doubt since US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of it in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Iran has responded by scaling back its commitments, although it says it wants the pact to survive. Britain, France and Germany declared Iran in violation of the nuclear deal two weeks ago and have launched a dispute mechanism that could eventually see the matter referred back to the Security Council and the reimposition of UN sanctions.

Motion for Iran to quit nuclear proliferation treaty enters parliament

With over 100 passengers on board, a plane skidded off the runway as it landed at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">Iran</a>'s Mahshahr airport on Monday. However, no harm was caused to any passenger on board.

The Caspian Airliner Flight 6936 had left Tehran for Mahshahr with 135 passengers and seven crew members on board.

A technical issue delayed the plane's landing which caused the accident, Khuzestan province's aviation authority told local media.

"Arriving at Mahshahr airport, the pilot landed the aircraft too late and this caused him to miss the runway," local media reported.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-sounds-alarm-for-democracy-after-candidates-barred-276882">Iran's Hassan Rouhani sounds alarm for 'democracy' after candidates barred</a>

The aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

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On Saturday, an Iranian airplane en route from Tehran to Istanbul made an emergency landing at a Tehran airport because of a technical problem.

The Islamic republic had been planning to upgrade its decrepit fleet after long-standing US sanctions were lifted following the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

But when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed crippling economic sanctions, the treasury department revoked licenses for Boeing and Airbus to sell passenger jets to Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)

With over 100 passengers on board, a plane skidded off the runway as it landed at Iran's Mahshahr airport on Monday. However, no harm was caused to any passenger on board.

With over 100 passengers on board, a plane skidded off the runway as it landed at Iran's Mahshahr airport on Monday. However, no harm was caused to any passenger on board. The Caspian Airliner Flight 6936 had left Tehran for Mahshahr with 135 passengers and seven crew members on board. A technical issue delayed the plane's landing which caused the accident, Khuzestan province's aviation authority told local media. "Arriving at Mahshahr airport, the pilot landed the aircraft too late and this caused him to miss the runway," local media reported. Also read: Iran's Hassan Rouhani sounds alarm for 'democracy' after candidates barred The aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. × On Saturday, an Iranian airplane en route from Tehran to Istanbul made an emergency landing at a Tehran airport because of a technical problem. The Islamic republic had been planning to upgrade its decrepit fleet after long-standing US sanctions were lifted following the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. But when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed crippling economic sanctions, the treasury department revoked licenses for Boeing and Airbus to sell passenger jets to Iran. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran: Plane skids off runway with 135 onboard; all passengers safe

A Caspian Airlines plane slid off the runway onto a highway on landing at an airport in southwestern Iran on Monday, but all passengers were evacuated without injury

Iranian passenger plane slides off runway into highway, passengers safe

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">Iran</a>'s president warned Monday of threats to the Islamic republic's "democracy and national sovereignty", after a body dominated by his ultra-conservative rivals disqualified thousands of candidates, weeks before elections.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-hassan-rouhani-rejects-new-trump-deal-tells-us-to-pick-right-path-274435">Hassan Rouhani</a>'s moderate conservatives and their reformist allies are locked in a public quarrel with the Guardian Council over the disqualification of thousands of candidates -- including 92 sitting MPs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump</a>

The council, which oversees Iran's elections, says it has barred some 9,500 potential candidates from standing, almost two thirds of the 14,500 hopefuls.

Rouhani, whose alliance fears losing its majority in the February 21 polls, said the disqualifications risked appointments being made "elsewhere" than the ballot box.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-hassan-rouhani-rejects-new-trump-deal-tells-us-to-pick-right-path-274435">Iran's Hassan Rouhani rejects new 'Trump deal'; tells US to pick 'right path'</a>

"The greatest danger for democracy and national sovereignty is the day when elections become a formality," the government's website quoted Rouhani as saying in a meeting with provincial governors.

"May God never bring this day," he added.

"Let us reassure the people and tell them our system is not a single-party system."

In an apparent reference to ultra-conservatives, he said "they should at least let there be competition and participation".

He called on Iranians of all stripes to vote, "even if... there are shortcomings in elections".

"Sometime I may not want to vote for some reason, but some other time I may not have enough trust to go to the ballot box; this is very dangerous," he said.

Candidates who are disqualified are allowed to appeal before the elections.

The polls come after a traumatic month for Iran, in which it approached the brink of war with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-china-trade-deal-may-not-be-signed-this-year-263497">United States </a>and mistakenly shot down a passenger jet.

A US drone strike in Iraq killed top Iranian general <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/qasem-soleimani-and-irans-plan-to-dominate-iraq-273471">Qasem Soleimani </a>on January 3, and Iran retaliated five days later by launching a wave of missiles at US troops stationed in Iraq.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences</a>

Hours later, with Iranian forces on high alert, its air defences mistakenly shot down a Ukraine International Airlines passenger jet, killing all 176 people on board.

The disaster triggered scattered protests in Tehran and other cities, although they appeared smaller than nationwide demonstrations in November, sparked by a fuel price hike, in which Amnesty International said at least 300 people died.

Iran's president warned Monday of threats to the Islamic republic's "democracy and national sovereignty", after a body dominated by his ultra-conservative rivals disqualified thousands of candidates, weeks before elections.

Iran's president warned Monday of threats to the Islamic republic's "democracy and national sovereignty", after a body dominated by his ultra-conservative rivals disqualified thousands of candidates, weeks before elections. President Hassan Rouhani's moderate conservatives and their reformist allies are locked in a public quarrel with the Guardian Council over the disqualification of thousands of candidates -- including 92 sitting MPs. Also read: US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump The council, which oversees Iran's elections, says it has barred some 9,500 potential candidates from standing, almost two thirds of the 14,500 hopefuls. Rouhani, whose alliance fears losing its majority in the February 21 polls, said the disqualifications risked appointments being made "elsewhere" than the ballot box. Also read: Iran's Hassan Rouhani rejects new 'Trump deal'; tells US to pick 'right path' "The greatest danger for democracy and national sovereignty is the day when elections become a formality," the government's website quoted Rouhani as saying in a meeting with provincial governors. "May God never bring this day," he added. "Let us reassure the people and tell them our system is not a single-party system." In an apparent reference to ultra-conservatives, he said "they should at least let there be competition and participation". He called on Iranians of all stripes to vote, "even if... there are shortcomings in elections". "Sometime I may not want to vote for some reason, but some other time I may not have enough trust to go to the ballot box; this is very dangerous," he said. Candidates who are disqualified are allowed to appeal before the elections. The polls come after a traumatic month for Iran, in which it approached the brink of war with the United States and mistakenly shot down a passenger jet. A US drone strike in Iraq killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3, and Iran retaliated five days later by launching a wave of missiles at US troops stationed in Iraq. Also read: The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences Hours later, with Iranian forces on high alert, its air defences mistakenly shot down a Ukraine International Airlines passenger jet, killing all 176 people on board. The disaster triggered scattered protests in Tehran and other cities, although they appeared smaller than nationwide demonstrations in November, sparked by a fuel price hike, in which Amnesty International said at least 300 people died.

Iran's Hassan Rouhani sounds alarm for 'democracy' after candidates barred

The Iranian man who shot down the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 passenger plane near Tehran’s airport is in prison said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

Latest in Ukrainian plane crash probe

The United States will not lift sanctions on Iran in order to negotiate, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump tweeted late on Saturday, seemingly in response to a Der Spiegel interview with Iran's foreign minister.

"Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed. @FoxNews @OANN No Thanks!" Trump tweeted in English on Saturday and later in Farsi.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from the interview with Der Spiegel published on Friday, where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-caught-saying-get-rid-of-ukraine-ambassador-on-tape-report-276592">Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape</a>

"@realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments &amp; decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators," Zarif said in the tweet with the interview excerpt.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have reached the highest levels in decades after the US&nbsp;killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on January&nbsp;3, prompting Iran to fire missiles days later at bases in Iraq where US&nbsp;troops are stationed.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-capacity-to-enrich-uranium-at-any-percentage-nuclear-agency-276573">Have capacity to enrich uranium at any percentage: Iran nuclear agency</a>

Tensions between the two have been increasing steadily since Trump pulled the United States out of Iran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have driven down Iran's oil exports and hammered its economy.

The United States will not lift sanctions on Iran in order to negotiate, US President Donald Trump tweeted late on Saturday, seemingly in response to a Der Spiegel interview with Iran's foreign minister.

The United States will not lift sanctions on Iran in order to negotiate, US President Donald Trump tweeted late on Saturday, seemingly in response to a Der Spiegel interview with Iran's foreign minister. "Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed. @FoxNews @OANN No Thanks!" Trump tweeted in English on Saturday and later in Farsi. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from the interview with Der Spiegel published on Friday, where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted. Also read: Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape "@realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments & decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators," Zarif said in the tweet with the interview excerpt. Tensions between Iran and the United States have reached the highest levels in decades after the US killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3, prompting Iran to fire missiles days later at bases in Iraq where US troops are stationed. Also read: Have capacity to enrich uranium at any percentage: Iran nuclear agency Tensions between the two have been increasing steadily since Trump pulled the United States out of Iran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have driven down Iran's oil exports and hammered its economy.

US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump

At the core of&nbsp; US President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran lies the belief that Iran can be forced to negotiate terms for the lifting of harsh US economic sanctions even if it has no confidence in US intentions and adherence to agreements.

The Trump administration’s belief, despite the conviction of much of the international community that maximum pressure has failed and risks provoking a devastating all-out war in the Middle East, says much about the president’s transactional approach towards foreign policy that rests on the assumption that bluster, intimidation and the brute wielding of power can protect US interests and impose US will.

Richard Goldberg, an Iran-hawk who this month resigned as the official on the president’s national security council responsible for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction, signalled in an op-ed in The New York Times, entitled “Trump Has an Iran Strategy. This Is It,” that Trump attributes no importance to deep-seated Iranian concerns that he is gunning for regime change in Tehran and that building trust is not needed to resolve the Iran crisis.

“The Iranian regime doesn’t need to trust America or Trump to strike a deal; it just needs to act as a rational actor to avoid collapse,” said Goldberg, who backed by former national security advisor John Bolton, served for a year in the White House.

Goldberg appeared to ignore the fact that the US withdrawal 20 months ago from a 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program sparked doubts not only in Iran but across the globe about the value of a US signature on any agreement.

He also appeared oblivious to the fact that Iranian suspicions were reinforced by allegations that his salary, while at the White House, was paid by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a hardline Washington-based think tank that is believed to have close ties to Israel and the United Arab Emirates. So did anecdotes about how his hardline views provoked clashes with other administration officials.

In his op-ed, Goldberg suggested that any new agreement with Iran could be ratified by the US Senate.

The Trump administration and Goldberg’s misreading of what it would take to steer the United States and Iran off a road of more than 40 years of deep-seated mutual distrust and animosity and towards the turning of a new page in their relationship was evident in indirect responses to the former national security council official’s assertions.

”Even if one day we negotiate with the US, the talks will not be with Trump, won’t be strategic (no normalization of ties) and will be done only by conservatives, not reformists. We need to see changes in the (US) Congress; whether Democrats will pursue a fair policy by which Iran is not under pressure over its missile program,” said a regime insider.

The Trump administration has demanded among other things that Iran curb its ballistic missile program, a core element of the Islamic republic’s defence strategy given that its armed forces lack a credible air force and navy.

Hardliners, who rather than moderates have proven in other Middle Eastern conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian dispute to be the ones capable of cutting deals, are expected to win next month’s parliamentary elections in Iran. The likelihood of hardline advances was enhanced by the fact that scores of moderates have been barred from running for office.

Iranian reformists argue that the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps demonstrates the risk of an Iranian strategy that is pre-empted on eternal hostility towards the United States.

Goldberg offered a rare indication that the Trump administration recognizes Iran’s strategy of gradual escalation that, based on the assumption that neither the United States nor Iran wants an all-out war, aims to bring the two countries to the brink of an armed conflict in the belief that this would break the logjam and force a return to the negotiating table on terms acceptable to Iran.

Noting that Trump had failed in the past nine months to respond to multiple Iranian provocations, including the downing of a US drone and attacks on tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and on key Saudi oil facilities, Goldberg asserted that Trump “recognized those traps for what they were and exercised strategic patience.”

Trump’s patience ended in December when he responded to the death of an American contractor in an attack by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and the militias’ siege of the US embassy in Baghdad by first authorizing airstrikes against militias bases in Iraq and Syria and then the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani

Goldberg would likely describe the president’s decision not to respond to a subsequent Iranian retaliatory attack on housing facilities for US military personnel in Iraq as a renewed act of strategic patience. 
&nbsp;Trump’s strategic patience is bolstered by his retention of options to further increase maximum pressure on Iran. “Many wrongly believe the United States has already reached full ‘maximum pressure on Iran,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg pointed to sanctions targeting Iranian state shipping lines that are set to take effect in June, the administration’s recent identification of Iran’s financial sector as a “primary jurisdiction of money-laundering concern,” this month’s imposition of sanctions on its construction, mining and manufacturing sectors, and Europe’s triggering of the nuclear accord’s dispute mechanism that could lead to the return of United Nations-mandated sanctions.

Goldberg and Trump’s belief that imminent economic collapse and international political isolation could prompt Iranian leaders to suddenly place a call to the White House turns Trump’s handling of the Iran crisis into a litmus test of the president’s approach to foreign relations.

There is little in the torturous history of relations between the United States and the Islamic republic that suggests that pressure will persuade Iran, convinced that Washington is gunning for the fall of the regime, to gamble on an unconditional return to the negotiating table.

Nor does North Korea’s failure to succumb to US pressure even if Trump, in contrast to his remarks about Iranian spiritual leader Ali Khamenei, professed his love for Kim Jong-un.

Trump’s policy towards Iran, rather than reinforcing Gulf confidence in the United States’ reliability as a guarantor of regional security, has sparked a wait-and-see attitude and nagging doubts about US reliability.

If anything, risky US and Iranian strategies are likely to prove that the crisis can only be defused if both sides garner an understanding of the others’ objectives and some degree of confidence that both parties would remain committed to any agreement they conclude.

So far, US and Iranian policies amount to a dialogue of the deaf that is likely to perpetuate the risk of hostility getting out of hand and incentivize regional players to think about alternative arrangements that ultimately could weaken US influence and reduce tensions with Iran by including it, despite US policy, in a more multilateral security architecture.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

At the core of US President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran lies the belief that Iran can be forced to negotiate terms for the lifting of harsh US economic sanctions even if it has no confidence in US intentions and adherence to agreements.

At the core of US President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran lies the belief that Iran can be forced to negotiate terms for the lifting of harsh US economic sanctions even if it has no confidence in US intentions and adherence to agreements. The Trump administration’s belief, despite the conviction of much of the international community that maximum pressure has failed and risks provoking a devastating all-out war in the Middle East, says much about the president’s transactional approach towards foreign policy that rests on the assumption that bluster, intimidation and the brute wielding of power can protect US interests and impose US will. Richard Goldberg, an Iran-hawk who this month resigned as the official on the president’s national security council responsible for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction, signalled in an op-ed in The New York Times, entitled “Trump Has an Iran Strategy. This Is It,” that Trump attributes no importance to deep-seated Iranian concerns that he is gunning for regime change in Tehran and that building trust is not needed to resolve the Iran crisis. “The Iranian regime doesn’t need to trust America or Trump to strike a deal; it just needs to act as a rational actor to avoid collapse,” said Goldberg, who backed by former national security advisor John Bolton, served for a year in the White House. Goldberg appeared to ignore the fact that the US withdrawal 20 months ago from a 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program sparked doubts not only in Iran but across the globe about the value of a US signature on any agreement. He also appeared oblivious to the fact that Iranian suspicions were reinforced by allegations that his salary, while at the White House, was paid by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a hardline Washington-based think tank that is believed to have close ties to Israel and the United Arab Emirates. So did anecdotes about how his hardline views provoked clashes with other administration officials. In his op-ed, Goldberg suggested that any new agreement with Iran could be ratified by the US Senate. The Trump administration and Goldberg’s misreading of what it would take to steer the United States and Iran off a road of more than 40 years of deep-seated mutual distrust and animosity and towards the turning of a new page in their relationship was evident in indirect responses to the former national security council official’s assertions. ”Even if one day we negotiate with the US, the talks will not be with Trump, won’t be strategic (no normalization of ties) and will be done only by conservatives, not reformists. We need to see changes in the (US) Congress; whether Democrats will pursue a fair policy by which Iran is not under pressure over its missile program,” said a regime insider. The Trump administration has demanded among other things that Iran curb its ballistic missile program, a core element of the Islamic republic’s defence strategy given that its armed forces lack a credible air force and navy. Hardliners, who rather than moderates have proven in other Middle Eastern conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian dispute to be the ones capable of cutting deals, are expected to win next month’s parliamentary elections in Iran. The likelihood of hardline advances was enhanced by the fact that scores of moderates have been barred from running for office. Iranian reformists argue that the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps demonstrates the risk of an Iranian strategy that is pre-empted on eternal hostility towards the United States. Goldberg offered a rare indication that the Trump administration recognizes Iran’s strategy of gradual escalation that, based on the assumption that neither the United States nor Iran wants an all-out war, aims to bring the two countries to the brink of an armed conflict in the belief that this would break the logjam and force a return to the negotiating table on terms acceptable to Iran. Noting that Trump had failed in the past nine months to respond to multiple Iranian provocations, including the downing of a US drone and attacks on tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and on key Saudi oil facilities, Goldberg asserted that Trump “recognized those traps for what they were and exercised strategic patience.” Trump’s patience ended in December when he responded to the death of an American contractor in an attack by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and the militias’ siege of the US embassy in Baghdad by first authorizing airstrikes against militias bases in Iraq and Syria and then the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani Goldberg would likely describe the president’s decision not to respond to a subsequent Iranian retaliatory attack on housing facilities for US military personnel in Iraq as a renewed act of strategic patience. Trump’s strategic patience is bolstered by his retention of options to further increase maximum pressure on Iran. “Many wrongly believe the United States has already reached full ‘maximum pressure on Iran,” Goldberg said. Goldberg pointed to sanctions targeting Iranian state shipping lines that are set to take effect in June, the administration’s recent identification of Iran’s financial sector as a “primary jurisdiction of money-laundering concern,” this month’s imposition of sanctions on its construction, mining and manufacturing sectors, and Europe’s triggering of the nuclear accord’s dispute mechanism that could lead to the return of United Nations-mandated sanctions. Goldberg and Trump’s belief that imminent economic collapse and international political isolation could prompt Iranian leaders to suddenly place a call to the White House turns Trump’s handling of the Iran crisis into a litmus test of the president’s approach to foreign relations. There is little in the torturous history of relations between the United States and the Islamic republic that suggests that pressure will persuade Iran, convinced that Washington is gunning for the fall of the regime, to gamble on an unconditional return to the negotiating table. Nor does North Korea’s failure to succumb to US pressure even if Trump, in contrast to his remarks about Iranian spiritual leader Ali Khamenei, professed his love for Kim Jong-un. Trump’s policy towards Iran, rather than reinforcing Gulf confidence in the United States’ reliability as a guarantor of regional security, has sparked a wait-and-see attitude and nagging doubts about US reliability. If anything, risky US and Iranian strategies are likely to prove that the crisis can only be defused if both sides garner an understanding of the others’ objectives and some degree of confidence that both parties would remain committed to any agreement they conclude. So far, US and Iranian policies amount to a dialogue of the deaf that is likely to perpetuate the risk of hostility getting out of hand and incentivize regional players to think about alternative arrangements that ultimately could weaken US influence and reduce tensions with Iran by including it, despite US policy, in a more multilateral security architecture. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Iran crisis test drives fundaments of Donald Trump’s foreign policy

United State has warned Soleimani's successor Esmail Ghaani of a repeat of its January 3 killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani if the latter’s successor follows in his footsteps and kills Americans. Watch report:

US warns Soleimani's successor Ghaani, Imposes new sanctions

The assassination of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani by the US and Iran’s retaliation by missile attacks on the US bases in Iraq early January brought the US and Iran on the brink of war. The subsequent decisions of the two countries to show restraint and step back has helped de-escalation, and thereby, defused the situation for the time being. The core issues which form the cause of the US-Iran conflict, however, remain on the table and are far from resolved. &nbsp;

From the US and Europe’s perspective, Iran must give up its plans to develop nuclear weapons and also its interference through proxy wars in Iraq, Yemen, Syria etc. Iran on its part is determined to drive the USA out of the region.&nbsp;

As far as the nuclear issue is concerned, Iran, it may be recalled, had it agreed to put a cap on its nuclear ambitions by signing the Iran Nuclear deal, officially described as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with US, Russia, China, France, UK, Germany and EU. President Donald Trump’s decision to walk out of the deal (May 2018) and re-impose severe and crippling sanctions on Iran did not meet the approval of the other countries which are party to the deal, and they remained interested in salvaging the deal somehow. In the wake of the recent crisis triggered by the USA, The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran was reported to have declared that from now on, “Iran’s nuclear program no longer faces any operating restrictions,” but also added that “If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from its interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its obligations”. The announcement came after Tehran’s alleged gradual escalation of its nuclear programme in recent months.&nbsp;

France, UK and Germany –three European countries which are also party to the deal- have decided not to respond to the US call for walking out of the deal but have instead invoked the dispute settlement mechanism of the JCPOA to put pressure on Iran and save the deal. While Russia says “we see no reason for this action”, Iran has warned that any misuse of the mechanism would be met with a “serious and strong response”.&nbsp;

It remains to be seen how the situation pans out in the near future. Will the Europeans be able to persuade Iran to return to full compliance of the obligations under the nuclear deal? How will they be able to do so without minimising the impact of the US sanctions? Or will Iran adopt a hard line and stop cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) which is entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the (JCPOA), and even go to the extent of walking out of the deal as well as NPT? Needless to add that any hard-line approach by Iran would have implications not only for Iran’s economy but also the global economy including India. &nbsp;

India has multiple interests in the region which can be hit severely in the event of instability. For instance, India sources significant quantities of oil and gas from the Middle East and armed conflict in the region is bound to adversely impact on oil prices as well supplies due to disruptions in the supply routes; this, in turn, would impact on Indian economy which has registered drop in growth in the recent past. Further, India has invested considerably in the development of Chabahar Port in Iran and any impact on its operations would disrupt India’s connectivity with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond, bypassing Pakistan. India may also have to incur significant expenditure on the evacuation of Indians living and working in the Middle East – a region which is a source of substantial revenue from palpable inward remittances into India.&nbsp;

The situation poses a challenge for the foreign policy of India which on the one hand has a strategic partnership with the US and long civilisational links with Iran on the other hand. Iran is also a source of predictable and affordable energy supplies.&nbsp;

Though the Indian side gave no details, the possibility of PM Narendra Modi having discussed the issue during his tele-conversation with President Trump cannot be ruled out as a White House statement said the two leaders also reviewed the “regional security matters”. The External Affairs Minister in his Tweet was more forthcoming to share that he had “highlighted India’s stakes and concerns" during his telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike &nbsp;Pompeo.&nbsp;

The Indian leadership also reiterated India’s “Strong interest in peace, security and stability in the region” during the Iranian Foreign Minister’s meetings in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister and Prime Minister, besides having earlier urged all concerned parties-to-the-conflict to exercise restraint. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Neither of the two core issues is likely to be resolved in the foreseeable future, and therefore, a simmering conflict would continue to prevail, threatening the peace and stability in the region with worldwide implications.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The assassination of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani by the US and Iran’s retaliation by missile attacks on the US bases in Iraq early January brought the US and Iran on the brink of war.

The assassination of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani by the US and Iran’s retaliation by missile attacks on the US bases in Iraq early January brought the US and Iran on the brink of war. The subsequent decisions of the two countries to show restraint and step back has helped de-escalation, and thereby, defused the situation for the time being. The core issues which form the cause of the US-Iran conflict, however, remain on the table and are far from resolved. From the US and Europe’s perspective, Iran must give up its plans to develop nuclear weapons and also its interference through proxy wars in Iraq, Yemen, Syria etc. Iran on its part is determined to drive the USA out of the region. As far as the nuclear issue is concerned, Iran, it may be recalled, had it agreed to put a cap on its nuclear ambitions by signing the Iran Nuclear deal, officially described as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with US, Russia, China, France, UK, Germany and EU. President Donald Trump’s decision to walk out of the deal (May 2018) and re-impose severe and crippling sanctions on Iran did not meet the approval of the other countries which are party to the deal, and they remained interested in salvaging the deal somehow. In the wake of the recent crisis triggered by the USA, The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran was reported to have declared that from now on, “Iran’s nuclear program no longer faces any operating restrictions,” but also added that “If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from its interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its obligations”. The announcement came after Tehran’s alleged gradual escalation of its nuclear programme in recent months. France, UK and Germany –three European countries which are also party to the deal- have decided not to respond to the US call for walking out of the deal but have instead invoked the dispute settlement mechanism of the JCPOA to put pressure on Iran and save the deal. While Russia says “we see no reason for this action”, Iran has warned that any misuse of the mechanism would be met with a “serious and strong response”. It remains to be seen how the situation pans out in the near future. Will the Europeans be able to persuade Iran to return to full compliance of the obligations under the nuclear deal? How will they be able to do so without minimising the impact of the US sanctions? Or will Iran adopt a hard line and stop cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) which is entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the (JCPOA), and even go to the extent of walking out of the deal as well as NPT? Needless to add that any hard-line approach by Iran would have implications not only for Iran’s economy but also the global economy including India. India has multiple interests in the region which can be hit severely in the event of instability. For instance, India sources significant quantities of oil and gas from the Middle East and armed conflict in the region is bound to adversely impact on oil prices as well supplies due to disruptions in the supply routes; this, in turn, would impact on Indian economy which has registered drop in growth in the recent past. Further, India has invested considerably in the development of Chabahar Port in Iran and any impact on its operations would disrupt India’s connectivity with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond, bypassing Pakistan. India may also have to incur significant expenditure on the evacuation of Indians living and working in the Middle East – a region which is a source of substantial revenue from palpable inward remittances into India. The situation poses a challenge for the foreign policy of India which on the one hand has a strategic partnership with the US and long civilisational links with Iran on the other hand. Iran is also a source of predictable and affordable energy supplies. Though the Indian side gave no details, the possibility of PM Narendra Modi having discussed the issue during his tele-conversation with President Trump cannot be ruled out as a White House statement said the two leaders also reviewed the “regional security matters”. The External Affairs Minister in his Tweet was more forthcoming to share that he had “highlighted India’s stakes and concerns" during his telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The Indian leadership also reiterated India’s “Strong interest in peace, security and stability in the region” during the Iranian Foreign Minister’s meetings in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister and Prime Minister, besides having earlier urged all concerned parties-to-the-conflict to exercise restraint. Neither of the two core issues is likely to be resolved in the foreseeable future, and therefore, a simmering conflict would continue to prevail, threatening the peace and stability in the region with worldwide implications. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Iran-US conflict: Worst is over, but core issues remain unresolved

An Iranian lawmaker on Tuesday offered a $3-million reward to "anyone who kills" US President Donald Trump to avenge the assassination of a top general, semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

Ahmad Hamzeh, a little-known member of the Majlis, made the offer on behalf of the people of Kerman, the hometown and final resting place of storied commander Major General Qasem Soleimani.

"We will give $3 million to anyone who kills Trump," Hamzeh, who represents Kahnouj county near the southeastern city of Kerman, was quoted as saying by ISNA.

He did not say who would pay the bounty offer, which comes a month ahead of a parliamentary election.

Soleimani, one of the most popular public figures in Iran, was killed on January 3 in a US drone strike outside Baghdad airport.&nbsp;

Washington's ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, Robert Wood, told journalists in Geneva that the offer was "just ridiculous".&nbsp;

"But it gives you a sense of the terrorist underpinnings of that regime, and that regime needs to change its behaviour," he said.

An Iranian lawmaker on Tuesday offered a $3-million reward to "anyone who kills" US President Donald Trump to avenge the assassination of a top general, semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

An Iranian lawmaker on Tuesday offered a $3-million reward to "anyone who kills" US President Donald Trump to avenge the assassination of a top general, semi-official news agency ISNA reported. Ahmad Hamzeh, a little-known member of the Majlis, made the offer on behalf of the people of Kerman, the hometown and final resting place of storied commander Major General Qasem Soleimani. "We will give $3 million to anyone who kills Trump," Hamzeh, who represents Kahnouj county near the southeastern city of Kerman, was quoted as saying by ISNA. He did not say who would pay the bounty offer, which comes a month ahead of a parliamentary election. Soleimani, one of the most popular public figures in Iran, was killed on January 3 in a US drone strike outside Baghdad airport. Washington's ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, Robert Wood, told journalists in Geneva that the offer was "just ridiculous". "But it gives you a sense of the terrorist underpinnings of that regime, and that regime needs to change its behaviour," he said.

Iran MP offers $3 million 'to anyone who kills Trump': Report

Iran has confirmed that two missiles were fired at the Ukrainian jet which crashed in Iran in Tehran on January 8, killing all 176 people on board. Iran Civil Aviation body has published the initial preliminary investigation report on its website. Watch report:

Iran confirms two missiles fired at Ukrainian jet

Iran said on Monday that it had not closed the "door to negotiations" in efforts to resolve a dispute over its nuclear <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-iran-gave-us-slap-on-face-calls-missile-strikes-day-of-god-274857">agreement with world powers</a> that has escalated steadily since the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said any further move by Tehran to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-trying-daily-to-prevent-military-confrontation-rouhani-274650">scale back its commitments</a> to the deal would depend on actions by other parties after European states triggered a mechanism that could lead to the reimposition of U.N. sanctions.

<img alt="Iranian Flag" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6f3c61c-c793-4b2d-b535-0f1b09f539b8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-20T132248.149_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;An Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Britain, France and Germany, also signatories to the pact, triggered a dispute mechanism this month, citing Iranian violations. This starts a diplomatic process that could lead to U.N. sanctions being reimposed.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-close-is-iran-to-producing-a-nuclear-bomb-275120">How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?</a>

"Tehran still remains in the deal ... The European powers' claims about Iran violating the deal are unfounded," Mousavi told a weekly news conference in Tehran, saying that the "door to negotiations" had not been closed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Prospects for the 2015 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a> nuclear deal’s survival are dimming. 
 
☛ Washington is tightening sanctions 
☛ Tehran is loosening its compliance 
☛ US.-Iranian clashes are picking up in intensity 
☛ European powers are cracking down on agreement breaches.<a href="https://t.co/PrFBvOPCYq">https://t.co/PrFBvOPCYq</a> <a href="https://t.co/EV10c68vhQ">pic.twitter.com/EV10c68vhQ</a>
— Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrisisGroup/status/1219152612991340546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Whether Iran will further decrease its nuclear commitments will depend on other parties and whether Iran's interests are secured under the deal," Mousavi said.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal and began a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-france-germany-put-iran-on-notice-over-2015-nuclear-deal-breaches-274303">policy of "maximum pressure"</a> on Iran, saying he wanted a new deal that would cover nuclear issues, Iran's ballistic missile programme and Iranian activities in the Middle East.

Britain has said a "Trump deal" could replace the 2015 agreement and France has called for broad talks to end a crisis with the United States, which briefly erupted into tit-for-tat US-Iranian military action this month.

Mousavi repeated Iran's rejection of a "Trump deal". Iranian officials have said Trump could not be trusted, so such deal would not have any value.

Iran said on Monday that it had not closed the "door to negotiations" in efforts to resolve a dispute over its nuclear agreement with world powers that has escalated steadily since the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018.

Iran said on Monday that it had not closed the "door to negotiations" in efforts to resolve a dispute over its nuclear agreement with world powers that has escalated steadily since the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018. Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said any further move by Tehran to scale back its commitments to the deal would depend on actions by other parties after European states triggered a mechanism that could lead to the reimposition of U.N. sanctions. [ An Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Britain, France and Germany, also signatories to the pact, triggered a dispute mechanism this month, citing Iranian violations. This starts a diplomatic process that could lead to U.N. sanctions being reimposed. Also Read: How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb? "Tehran still remains in the deal ... The European powers' claims about Iran violating the deal are unfounded," Mousavi told a weekly news conference in Tehran, saying that the "door to negotiations" had not been closed. Prospects for the 2015 #Iran nuclear deal’s survival are dimming. ☛ Washington is tightening sanctions ☛ Tehran is loosening its compliance ☛ US.-Iranian clashes are picking up in intensity ☛ European powers are cracking down on agreement breaches.https://t.co/PrFBvOPCYq pic.twitter.com/EV10c68vhQ — Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup) January 20, 2020 × "Whether Iran will further decrease its nuclear commitments will depend on other parties and whether Iran's interests are secured under the deal," Mousavi said. US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal and began a policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran, saying he wanted a new deal that would cover nuclear issues, Iran's ballistic missile programme and Iranian activities in the Middle East. Britain has said a "Trump deal" could replace the 2015 agreement and France has called for broad talks to end a crisis with the United States, which briefly erupted into tit-for-tat US-Iranian military action this month. Mousavi repeated Iran's rejection of a "Trump deal". Iranian officials have said Trump could not be trusted, so such deal would not have any value.

Iran not ruling out talks to end nuclear dispute, says official

Heavy snow covered the streets of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-stands-by-revolutionary-guards-after-unrest-over-downed-plane-275015">Tehran</a> on Sunday, causing major flight delays and forcing the closure of schools, authorities in the Iranian capital said.

The snow started falling early in the morning and disrupted the flow of traffic on some of the city's main highways.

"We knew that it would snow as of last night and that it naturally affects traffic," head of Tehran's traffic police Mohammadreza Mehmandar told state television.

"On some highways in the north (of Tehran) there was a bit of ice&nbsp;and accidents were responded to quickly," he added.

Schools in all districts of Tehran city and some parts of the province were closed both in the morning and in the afternoon due to the heavy snowfall.

Tehrani children took to parks to build snowmen and start snow fights as the capital was blanketed in white.

The snow dump caused long delays to flights to and from Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport.

"Flights at Mehrabad will go ahead but with delays due to the lack of proper vision," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-boxes-of-ukranian-boeing-737-airline-found-iran-273062">Reza Jafarzadeh</a>, spokesman for&nbsp;Iran's aviation authority.

But flights were still going according to schedule at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-is-sending-black-boxes-of-downed-plane-to-ukraine-275132">Imam Khomeini International Airport</a>, also in Tehran, he added.

Flights at Mehrabad resumed around noon after more than 30 had been cancelled and others delayed for up to seven hours, state news agency IRNA said.

Several flights from Isfahan, Zahedan and Tabriz to Mehrabad had also been cancelled due to the whiteout.

Snowfall is forecast to continue until Monday in Tehran and other northern provinces.

Heavy snow covered the streets of Tehran on Sunday, causing major flight delays and forcing the closure of schools, authorities in the Iranian capital said. The snow started falling early in the morning and disrupted the flow of traffic on some of the city's main highways.

Heavy snow covered the streets of Tehran on Sunday, causing major flight delays and forcing the closure of schools, authorities in the Iranian capital said. The snow started falling early in the morning and disrupted the flow of traffic on some of the city's main highways. "We knew that it would snow as of last night and that it naturally affects traffic," head of Tehran's traffic police Mohammadreza Mehmandar told state television. "On some highways in the north (of Tehran) there was a bit of ice and accidents were responded to quickly," he added. Schools in all districts of Tehran city and some parts of the province were closed both in the morning and in the afternoon due to the heavy snowfall. Tehrani children took to parks to build snowmen and start snow fights as the capital was blanketed in white. The snow dump caused long delays to flights to and from Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. "Flights at Mehrabad will go ahead but with delays due to the lack of proper vision," said Reza Jafarzadeh, spokesman for Iran's aviation authority. But flights were still going according to schedule at Imam Khomeini International Airport, also in Tehran, he added. Flights at Mehrabad resumed around noon after more than 30 had been cancelled and others delayed for up to seven hours, state news agency IRNA said. Several flights from Isfahan, Zahedan and Tabriz to Mehrabad had also been cancelled due to the whiteout. Snowfall is forecast to continue until Monday in Tehran and other northern provinces.

Iran: Heavy snowfall shuts schools, delays flights in Tehran

Yemen's president told the military on Sunday it needs to be on high alert and ready for battle following an attack on Saturday by Iran-aligned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-investigators-find-yemens-houthis-did-not-carry-out-saudi-oil-attack-273077">Houthis</a> on a military training camp in the city of Marib.

The attack "confirms without a doubt that the Houthis have no desire for peace", <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-climbs-to-seven-in-missile-attack-in-yemen-270894">Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi</a> said, in a statement on Yemen's state news agency SABA.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Saturday's attack.

The attack killed 73 people and left dozens wounded, two medical sources told reporters. The sources said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/17-civilians-killed-in-3rd-attack-on-yemen-market-united-nations-270403">attack</a> targeted a mosque in the camp as people gathered for prayer.

Saudi state TV put the death toll from the attack at 60.

A proxy war has been playing out in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-hits-military-parade-in-yemen-at-least-five-dead-270854">Yemen</a> between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore Hadi's government, which the Houthis ousted from power in the capital Sanaa and is now based in the southern port city of Aden.

The Houthis deny being puppets of Iran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

Yemen's president told the military on Sunday it needs to be on high alert and ready for battle following an attack on Saturday by Iran-aligned Houthis on a military training camp in the city of Marib.

Yemen's president told the military on Sunday it needs to be on high alert and ready for battle following an attack on Saturday by Iran-aligned Houthis on a military training camp in the city of Marib. The attack "confirms without a doubt that the Houthis have no desire for peace", Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi said, in a statement on Yemen's state news agency SABA. The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Saturday's attack. The attack killed 73 people and left dozens wounded, two medical sources told reporters. The sources said the attack targeted a mosque in the camp as people gathered for prayer. Saudi state TV put the death toll from the attack at 60. A proxy war has been playing out in Yemen between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore Hadi's government, which the Houthis ousted from power in the capital Sanaa and is now based in the southern port city of Aden. The Houthis deny being puppets of Iran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

'Military needs to be on high alert': President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi

In his first Friday prayers sermon for eight years, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/these-american-clowns-who-lie-says-khamenei-in-friday-sermon-referring-to-trump-274902">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a> also told worshippers chanting "Death to America" that the elite Guards could take their fight beyond Iran's borders after the U.S. killing of a top Iranian commander.

U.S. President Donald Trump hit back later on Twitter, writing that Khamenei should be careful what he says.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-iran-gave-us-slap-on-face-calls-missile-strikes-day-of-god-274857">Khamenei's address</a> came amid a deepening crisis for Iran as it grapples with unrest at home and rising pressure from abroad.

Tension has steadily ratcheted higher since 2018 when the United States withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers and reimposed sanctions that have hammered the economy.

In the tense aftermath, a Ukrainian airliner was shot down by mistake. But it took days for the Guards to admit this and protesters directed their rage at the elite force and the clerical system it was set up to defend.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-to-lead-prayers-amid-outrage-over-ukrainian-plane-crash-274821">Iran's supreme leader Khamenei to lead 'prayers' amid uproar over Ukrainian plane crash&nbsp;</a>

"Our enemies ... were happy that they found an excuse to undermine the Guards, the armed forces and our system," Khamenei said in his sermon, heaping praise on the Guards for protecting Iran and renewing a call for U.S. troops to leave the region.

Khamenei said Soleimani's work of projecting Iran's military influence abroad would continue and said the Quds Force he commanded "protects oppressed nations across the region."

He said Quds Force soldiers were "fighters without borders".

The U.S. State Department's special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, said in Washington that Iranian threats risked further isolating the country.

But Russia lent Iran some support over the airliner disaster, saying it had been shot down when Tehran was spooked by reports of advanced U.S. stealth fighters in the area.

"I'd like to underline the edginess that always accompanies such situations," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

<img alt="Iranian worshippers chant slogans during the Friday prayers sermon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf0f70db-c26a-4a42-ab67-c116316536ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-18T115726.008.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Iranian worshippers chant slogans during the Friday prayers sermon (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

'BITTER TRAGEDY'

Protests led by students erupted in Tehran and other cities for four days over the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752, in which all <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranians-bury-dead-from-downed-plane-after-days-of-rage-on-the-street-274513">176 aboard were killed</a>, mostly Iranians or dual nationals.

As the unrest picked up, Trump sent tweets in Farsi and English supporting the protesters, who were chanting "Death to Khamenei" and slogans against the Guards.

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The so-called “Supreme Leader” of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe. Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1218297466656829440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump responded on Twitter: "The so-called 'Supreme Leader' of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe. Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words!"

Khamenei said the shooting down of the plane was a "bitter tragedy that burned through our heart," but stopped short of offering a direct apology.

"Some tried to use it as an excuse to overshadow the martyrdom of our great commander Soleimani," he said, urging Iranians to unite and show solidarity by turning out in numbers for the February parliamentary election.

The funeral of Soleimani, long portrayed as a national hero in Iran but seen by the West as a ruthless adversary, had brought huge numbers of Iranian mourners to the streets.

On social media, some Iranians reacted angrily to Khamenei's sermon and his comments on the plane disaster. "Not a word of apology. Only arrogance," tweeted Mike Pouraryan.

Online footage during demonstrations had shown protesters being beaten and recordings of gunshots. Riot police were deployed in force on the streets, particularly outside universities, a focus for the unrest.

Iran's police denied firing at protesters.

Two months earlier, police launched a bloody crackdown on protests that erupted over sharp fuel price hikes, which added to the suffering of Iranians already hurt by U.S. sanctions.

In reaction to Washington's "maximum pressure" policy, Tehran has gradually scaled back on commitments to the nuclear deal, including lifting limits on its uranium enrichment.

Britain, France and Germany, which have been trying to salvage the pact, have subsequently launched the deal's dispute mechanism over Iran's violations, starting a diplomatic process that could lead to reimposing U.N. sanctions.

"These European countries cannot be trusted. Even their negotiations with Iran are full of deceit," Khamenei said.

In his first Friday prayers sermon for eight years, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also told worshippers chanting "Death to America" that the elite Guards could take their fight beyond Iran's borders after the U.

In his first Friday prayers sermon for eight years, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also told worshippers chanting "Death to America" that the elite Guards could take their fight beyond Iran's borders after the U.S. killing of a top Iranian commander. U.S. President Donald Trump hit back later on Twitter, writing that Khamenei should be careful what he says. Khamenei's address came amid a deepening crisis for Iran as it grapples with unrest at home and rising pressure from abroad. Tension has steadily ratcheted higher since 2018 when the United States withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers and reimposed sanctions that have hammered the economy. In the tense aftermath, a Ukrainian airliner was shot down by mistake. But it took days for the Guards to admit this and protesters directed their rage at the elite force and the clerical system it was set up to defend. Also Read: Iran's supreme leader Khamenei to lead 'prayers' amid uproar over Ukrainian plane crash "Our enemies ... were happy that they found an excuse to undermine the Guards, the armed forces and our system," Khamenei said in his sermon, heaping praise on the Guards for protecting Iran and renewing a call for U.S. troops to leave the region. Khamenei said Soleimani's work of projecting Iran's military influence abroad would continue and said the Quds Force he commanded "protects oppressed nations across the region." He said Quds Force soldiers were "fighters without borders". The U.S. State Department's special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, said in Washington that Iranian threats risked further isolating the country. But Russia lent Iran some support over the airliner disaster, saying it had been shot down when Tehran was spooked by reports of advanced U.S. stealth fighters in the area. "I'd like to underline the edginess that always accompanies such situations," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. [ Iranian worshippers chant slogans during the Friday prayers sermon (Courtesy: Reuters) ] 'BITTER TRAGEDY' Protests led by students erupted in Tehran and other cities for four days over the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752, in which all 176 aboard were killed, mostly Iranians or dual nationals. As the unrest picked up, Trump sent tweets in Farsi and English supporting the protesters, who were chanting "Death to Khamenei" and slogans against the Guards. The so-called “Supreme Leader” of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe. Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020 × Trump responded on Twitter: "The so-called 'Supreme Leader' of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe. Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words!" Khamenei said the shooting down of the plane was a "bitter tragedy that burned through our heart," but stopped short of offering a direct apology. "Some tried to use it as an excuse to overshadow the martyrdom of our great commander Soleimani," he said, urging Iranians to unite and show solidarity by turning out in numbers for the February parliamentary election. The funeral of Soleimani, long portrayed as a national hero in Iran but seen by the West as a ruthless adversary, had brought huge numbers of Iranian mourners to the streets. On social media, some Iranians reacted angrily to Khamenei's sermon and his comments on the plane disaster. "Not a word of apology. Only arrogance," tweeted Mike Pouraryan. Online footage during demonstrations had shown protesters being beaten and recordings of gunshots. Riot police were deployed in force on the streets, particularly outside universities, a focus for the unrest. Iran's police denied firing at protesters. Two months earlier, police launched a bloody crackdown on protests that erupted over sharp fuel price hikes, which added to the suffering of Iranians already hurt by U.S. sanctions. In reaction to Washington's "maximum pressure" policy, Tehran has gradually scaled back on commitments to the nuclear deal, including lifting limits on its uranium enrichment. Britain, France and Germany, which have been trying to salvage the pact, have subsequently launched the deal's dispute mechanism over Iran's violations, starting a diplomatic process that could lead to reimposing U.N. sanctions. "These European countries cannot be trusted. Even their negotiations with Iran are full of deceit," Khamenei said.

Iran's Khamenei stands by Revolutionary Guards after unrest over downed plane

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump gave a minute-to-minute account of the US&nbsp;drone strikes that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in remarks to a Republican fund-raising dinner on Friday night, according to audio obtained by CNN.

With his typical dramatic flourish, Trump recounted the scene as he monitored the strikes from the White House Situation Room when Soleimani was killed.

The president spoke in a ballroom at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, at a Republican event that raised $10 million for Trump's 2020 re-election campaign and for the Republican National Committee.

Reporters were not allowed in for the event. CNN said it obtained an audio recording of Trump's remarks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/future-attack-by-terrorist-soleimani-was-imminent-trump-274079">Future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' - Trump</a>

The Jan. 3 killing of Soleimani at Baghdad airport prompted Iran to retaliate with missile strikes against US&nbsp;forces in Iraq days later and almost triggered a broad war between the two countries.

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"They're together sir," Trump said military officials told him. "Sir, they have two minutes and 11 seconds. No emotion. 'Two minutes and 11 seconds to live, sir. They're in the car, they're in an armored vehicle. Sir, they have approximately one minute to live, sir. Thirty seconds. Ten, 9, 8 ...' "

"Then all of a sudden, boom," he said. "'They're gone, sir. Cutting off.'"

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies - Donald Trump</a>

"I said, where is this guy?" Trump continued. "That was the last I heard from him."

It was the most detailed account that Trump has given of the drone strike, which has drawn criticism from some US&nbsp;lawmakers because neither the president nor his advisers have provided public information to back up their statements that Soleimani presented an "imminent" threat to Americans in the region.

CNN said that in the audio, Trump did not repeat that Soleimani was an imminent threat. Trump said Soleimani was "saying bad things about our country" before the strike, which led to his decision to authorize his killing.

"How much of this shit do we have to listen to?" Trump asked in the audio. "How much are we going to listen to?"

US President Donald Trump gave a minute-to-minute account of the US drone strikes that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in remarks to a Republican fund-raising dinner on Friday night, according to audio obtained by CNN.

US President Donald Trump gave a minute-to-minute account of the US drone strikes that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in remarks to a Republican fund-raising dinner on Friday night, according to audio obtained by CNN. With his typical dramatic flourish, Trump recounted the scene as he monitored the strikes from the White House Situation Room when Soleimani was killed. The president spoke in a ballroom at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, at a Republican event that raised $10 million for Trump's 2020 re-election campaign and for the Republican National Committee. Reporters were not allowed in for the event. CNN said it obtained an audio recording of Trump's remarks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Also read: Future attack by terrorist Soleimani was 'imminent' - Trump The Jan. 3 killing of Soleimani at Baghdad airport prompted Iran to retaliate with missile strikes against US forces in Iraq days later and almost triggered a broad war between the two countries. × "They're together sir," Trump said military officials told him. "Sir, they have two minutes and 11 seconds. No emotion. 'Two minutes and 11 seconds to live, sir. They're in the car, they're in an armored vehicle. Sir, they have approximately one minute to live, sir. Thirty seconds. Ten, 9, 8 ...' " "Then all of a sudden, boom," he said. "'They're gone, sir. Cutting off.'" Also read: Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies - Donald Trump "I said, where is this guy?" Trump continued. "That was the last I heard from him." It was the most detailed account that Trump has given of the drone strike, which has drawn criticism from some US lawmakers because neither the president nor his advisers have provided public information to back up their statements that Soleimani presented an "imminent" threat to Americans in the region. CNN said that in the audio, Trump did not repeat that Soleimani was an imminent threat. Trump said Soleimani was "saying bad things about our country" before the strike, which led to his decision to authorize his killing. "How much of this shit do we have to listen to?" Trump asked in the audio. "How much are we going to listen to?"

Trump gave dramatic account of Soleimani's last minutes before death: Report

How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?

Iran is sending to Ukraine the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane that its military accidentally shot down this month, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

The Iranian authorities are also prepared for experts from France, Canada and the United States to examine the data from the boxes, the semi-official news agency said.

All 176 people aboard the plane were killed when the Ukrainian International Airlines flight was shot down on January&nbsp;8 shortly after take-off from Tehran en route to the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-iran-shot-down-ukranian-passenger-plane-after-us-jets-were-seen-at-its-borders-275045">Russia says Iran shot down Ukranian passenger plane after US jets were seen at its borders</a>

"With the use of the expertise of the countries of France, Canada and America we will try to read the (flight data recorder) in Kiev," Hassan Rezaifar, a director in charge of accident investigations at Iran's Civil Aviation Organization was quoted as saying by Tasnim.

"If this effort is unsuccessful then the black box will be sent to France."

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The black boxes will not be read in Iran, Rezaifar said, according to Tasnim.

Fifty seven of the dead were Canadian. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been pressing for a full investigation into the plane downing, said on Friday that Iran should send the black boxes to France for analysis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-countries-demand-iran-compensate-relatives-of-plane-crash-victims-274790">Five countries demand Iran compensate relatives of plane-crash victims</a>

France was one of the few countries with the ability to read the flight and cockpit data recorders from the jet, which he said were badly damaged, Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa.

Iran has faced a deepening crisis abroad and at home over the plane disaster, with authorities taking several days to announce that its military had accidentally shot the plane down.

The downing occurred as Iran was on high alert for possible retaliatory action following its strikes on Iraqi bases housing US&nbsp;troops.

Those strikes were in revenge for the US&nbsp;killing of top military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Baghdad on January&nbsp;3.

Iran is sending to Ukraine the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane that its military accidentally shot down this month, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

Iran is sending to Ukraine the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane that its military accidentally shot down this month, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday. The Iranian authorities are also prepared for experts from France, Canada and the United States to examine the data from the boxes, the semi-official news agency said. All 176 people aboard the plane were killed when the Ukrainian International Airlines flight was shot down on January 8 shortly after take-off from Tehran en route to the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Also read: Russia says Iran shot down Ukranian passenger plane after US jets were seen at its borders "With the use of the expertise of the countries of France, Canada and America we will try to read the (flight data recorder) in Kiev," Hassan Rezaifar, a director in charge of accident investigations at Iran's Civil Aviation Organization was quoted as saying by Tasnim. "If this effort is unsuccessful then the black box will be sent to France." × The black boxes will not be read in Iran, Rezaifar said, according to Tasnim. Fifty seven of the dead were Canadian. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been pressing for a full investigation into the plane downing, said on Friday that Iran should send the black boxes to France for analysis. Also read: Five countries demand Iran compensate relatives of plane-crash victims France was one of the few countries with the ability to read the flight and cockpit data recorders from the jet, which he said were badly damaged, Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa. Iran has faced a deepening crisis abroad and at home over the plane disaster, with authorities taking several days to announce that its military had accidentally shot the plane down. The downing occurred as Iran was on high alert for possible retaliatory action following its strikes on Iraqi bases housing US troops. Those strikes were in revenge for the US killing of top military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Baghdad on January 3.

Iran says it is sending black boxes of downed plane to Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Iran's accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner. He said, "There were at least six (U.S.) F-35 fighters in the air in the Iranian border area. This information has yet to be verified, but I'd like to underline the edginess that always accompanies such situations."

Sergei Lavrov: Six F-35s were spotted on Iranian border

An Iranian chess referee who got accused of violating her country's Islamic dress code while making the decision of a women's tournament said she did not want to return home from Russia out of fear for her safety.

After getting accused of violating Islamic dress code, Iranian chess referee refused to go home

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