Iran president Hassan Rouhani today warned the US against pulling out the nuclear deal asserting that the Trump administration would "regret" the decision.

"We will not be the first to violate the accord but they should definitely know that they will regret it if they violate it," Rouhani said.

President Trump has repeatedly said he favours pulling out the nuclear deal which is jointly signed in 2015 by the European Union and P5+1 countries namely China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States and non-UNSC member Germany.

Under the agreement, Iran is supposed to dismantle its nuclear arsenal, however, President Trump has often accused the Rouhani government of reneging the deal, terming it as the "worst and one-sided transaction".

"We are much more prepared than they think, and they will see that if they violate this accord, within a week, less than a week, they will see the result," Rouhani said indicating a tit-for-tat response.

President Trump has often accused the Rouhani government of reneging the deal, terming it as the "worst and one-sided transaction.

Iran president Hassan Rouhani today warned the US against pulling out the nuclear deal asserting that the Trump administration would "regret" the decision. "We will not be the first to violate the accord but they should definitely know that they will regret it if they violate it," Rouhani said. President Trump has repeatedly said he favours pulling out the nuclear deal which is jointly signed in 2015 by the European Union and P5+1 countries namely China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States and non-UNSC member Germany. Under the agreement, Iran is supposed to dismantle its nuclear arsenal, however, President Trump has often accused the Rouhani government of reneging the deal, terming it as the "worst and one-sided transaction". "We are much more prepared than they think, and they will see that if they violate this accord, within a week, less than a week, they will see the result," Rouhani said indicating a tit-for-tat response.

US will see result in less than a week if nuclear deal is violated: Iran

&nbsp;

Hackers have attacked networks in a number of countries including data centres in Iran where they left the image of a US&nbsp;flag on screens along with a warning: "Don't mess with our elections", the Iranian IT ministry said on Saturday.

A number of Iranian websites were reportedly “down” for several hours following the Friday night attack.

"The attack apparently affected 200,000 router switches across the world in a widespread attack, including 3,500 switches in our country," the Communication and Information Technology Ministry said in a statement carried by Iran's official news agency IRNA.

The statement said the attack, which hit internet service providers and cut off web access for subscribers, was made possible by a vulnerability in routers from Cisco which had earlier issued a warning and provided a patch that some firms had failed to install over the Iranian new year holiday.

A blog published on Thursday by Nick Biasini, a threat researcher at Cisco's Talos Security Intelligence and Research Group, said: "Several incidents in multiple countries, including some specifically targeting critical infrastructure, have involved the misuse of the Smart Install protocol...

"As a result, we are taking an active stance, and are urging customers, again, of the elevated risk and available remediation paths."

On Saturday evening, Cisco said those postings were a tool to help clients identify weaknesses and repel a cyber attack.

Iran's IT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi posted a picture of a computer screen on Twitter with the image of the US&nbsp;flag and the hackers' message. He said it was not yet clear who had carried out the attack.

“Several Iranian data centers came under cyber attacks tonight. Some of the smaller routers have been changed to factory setting,” he wrote.

Azari-Jahromi said the attack mainly affected Europe, India and the United States, state television reported.

"Some 55,000 devices were affected in the United States and 14,000 in China, and Iran's share of affected devices was 2 percent," Azari-Jahromi was quoted as saying.

Later, in another tweet, Jahromi claimed that MAHER, Persian acronym for the Computer-related Events Operation and Coordination Center, “Has monitored and controlled the attack and the data centers’ settings have been brought back to normal.”

One day after the cyber-attack, Jahromi said that MAHER should have issued a “special warning.” He promised that his ministry would investigate and deal with the failure.

MAHER announced on Saturday, “Major companies and data centers including Afra Net, Asia Tech, Shuttle, Pars Online and Respina have resumed their normal operations.”

Hadi Sajadi, deputy head of the state-run Information Technology Organisation of Iran, said the attack was neutralised within hours and no data was lost.

'The attack apparently affected 200,000 router switches across the world in a widespread attack, including 3,500 switches in our country,' the Communication and Information Technology Ministry said in a statement carried by Iran's official news agency IRNA

Hackers have attacked networks in a number of countries including data centres in Iran where they left the image of a US flag on screens along with a warning: "Don't mess with our elections", the Iranian IT ministry said on Saturday. A number of Iranian websites were reportedly “down” for several hours following the Friday night attack. "The attack apparently affected 200,000 router switches across the world in a widespread attack, including 3,500 switches in our country," the Communication and Information Technology Ministry said in a statement carried by Iran's official news agency IRNA. The statement said the attack, which hit internet service providers and cut off web access for subscribers, was made possible by a vulnerability in routers from Cisco which had earlier issued a warning and provided a patch that some firms had failed to install over the Iranian new year holiday. A blog published on Thursday by Nick Biasini, a threat researcher at Cisco's Talos Security Intelligence and Research Group, said: "Several incidents in multiple countries, including some specifically targeting critical infrastructure, have involved the misuse of the Smart Install protocol... "As a result, we are taking an active stance, and are urging customers, again, of the elevated risk and available remediation paths." On Saturday evening, Cisco said those postings were a tool to help clients identify weaknesses and repel a cyber attack. Iran's IT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi posted a picture of a computer screen on Twitter with the image of the US flag and the hackers' message. He said it was not yet clear who had carried out the attack. “Several Iranian data centers came under cyber attacks tonight. Some of the smaller routers have been changed to factory setting,” he wrote. Azari-Jahromi said the attack mainly affected Europe, India and the United States, state television reported. "Some 55,000 devices were affected in the United States and 14,000 in China, and Iran's share of affected devices was 2 percent," Azari-Jahromi was quoted as saying. Later, in another tweet, Jahromi claimed that MAHER, Persian acronym for the Computer-related Events Operation and Coordination Center, “Has monitored and controlled the attack and the data centers’ settings have been brought back to normal.” One day after the cyber-attack, Jahromi said that MAHER should have issued a “special warning.” He promised that his ministry would investigate and deal with the failure. MAHER announced on Saturday, “Major companies and data centers including Afra Net, Asia Tech, Shuttle, Pars Online and Respina have resumed their normal operations.” Hadi Sajadi, deputy head of the state-run Information Technology Organisation of Iran, said the attack was neutralised within hours and no data was lost.

Iran hit by global cyber attack that left US flag on screens

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/government-to-file-scst-review-petition-today-127736">Government to file SC/ST review petition today</a>

Union Minister of Law Ravi Shankar Prasad took to his Twitter account on Sunday to inform that the Union Government on Monday will file a review petition against the Supreme Court judgment regarding the legal clause of immediate arrest and registration of alleged cases under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/tiangong-1-space-lab-broke-up-over-south-pacific-china-127731">Tiangong-1 space lab broke up over South Pacific: China</a>

China said today its space lab named Tiangong-1 broke up into pieces as it headed towards Earth in the South Pacific. The eight-tonne Tiangong-1 "mostly" burnt up above the vast ocean's central region at 8:15 am (0015 GMT), China's Manned Space Engineering Office said.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/india-replaces-vietnam-to-become-second-largest-mobile-phone-producer-after-china--127743">India replaces Vietnam to become second largest mobile phone producer after China</a>

India's mobile phone users have been increasing by the day, various reports suggest the same and now, another study points at the fact that Indian mobile manufacturing industry is leaving no stone unturned to meet the ever-expanding demand.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/bodies-of-38-indians-killed-in-iraq-to-be-brought-back-to-india-today-127739">Bodies of 38 Indians killed in Iraq to be brought back to India today</a>

The mortal remains of 38 out of 39 Indians, who were killed by the Islamic State in Iraq, are due to reach India late today. Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, who is overseeing the entire process of bringing back the bodies, left for Mosul on Sunday. He said that one man's remains would not be brought as his case was still pending.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/cameron-diaz-calls-it-quits-confirms-retirement-127727">Cameron Diaz calls it quits, confirms retirement</a>

Prominent Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz has made an announcement lately that she has retired from acting, thus putting an end to her cinematic career. Diaz last appeared in the 2014 remake of musical 'Annie,' in which she starred alongside Jamie Foxx

Government to file SC/ST review petition today Union Minister of Law Ravi Shankar Prasad took to his Twitter account on Sunday to inform that the Union Government on Monday will file a review petition against the Supreme Court judgment regarding the legal clause of immediate arrest and registration of alleged cases under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Tiangong-1 space lab broke up over South Pacific: China China said today its space lab named Tiangong-1 broke up into pieces as it headed towards Earth in the South Pacific. The eight-tonne Tiangong-1 "mostly" burnt up above the vast ocean's central region at 8:15 am (0015 GMT), China's Manned Space Engineering Office said. India replaces Vietnam to become second largest mobile phone producer after China India's mobile phone users have been increasing by the day, various reports suggest the same and now, another study points at the fact that Indian mobile manufacturing industry is leaving no stone unturned to meet the ever-expanding demand. Bodies of 38 Indians killed in Iraq to be brought back to India today The mortal remains of 38 out of 39 Indians, who were killed by the Islamic State in Iraq, are due to reach India late today. Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, who is overseeing the entire process of bringing back the bodies, left for Mosul on Sunday. He said that one man's remains would not be brought as his case was still pending. Cameron Diaz calls it quits, confirms retirement Prominent Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz has made an announcement lately that she has retired from acting, thus putting an end to her cinematic career. Diaz last appeared in the 2014 remake of musical 'Annie,' in which she starred alongside Jamie Foxx

News brief: Big stories of the day

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit western Iran on Sunday, injuring at least 38 people, a spokesman for the country's medical emergency services said.

Most of the 38 were released after receiving treatment in hospitals in the affected province of Kermanshah, Mojtaba Khaledi told the semi-official news agency ISNA.

The quake struck 9km from the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in western Iran at a depth of 10km, reports said.&nbsp

The epicenter of the earthquake, which took place at 13:05 am local time (0835 GMT), was in Sar pol zahab city.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake in the same area in November killed at least 530 people and injured more than 8,000.

Most of the 38 were released after receiving treatment in hospitals in the affected province of Kermanshah, Mojtaba Khaledi told the semi-official news agency ISNA

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit western Iran on Sunday, injuring at least 38 people, a spokesman for the country's medical emergency services said. Most of the 38 were released after receiving treatment in hospitals in the affected province of Kermanshah, Mojtaba Khaledi told the semi-official news agency ISNA. The quake struck 9km from the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in western Iran at a depth of 10km, reports said. The epicenter of the earthquake, which took place at 13:05 am local time (0835 GMT), was in Sar pol zahab city. A magnitude 7.3 earthquake in the same area in November killed at least 530 people and injured more than 8,000.

Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude strikes Iran, at least 38 injured

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi's film Beyond The Clouds, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan will release in 34 territories including Pakistan and Majidi's own country Iran.&nbsp; 
 
Zee Studios International, the film's producer, is taking the film to the foreign shores.&nbsp; 
 
The film will see a 34 territory release including a wide release in Iran as well as over 70 screens in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions including Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, read a statement.&nbsp; 
 
Apart from the GCC region, the film will also open in the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Maldives, Luxembourg, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, East West and South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
Beyond The Clouds&nbsp;narrates a heart-warming tale of a brother and sister, and how they find happiness in separation and turbulent times. The film celebrates the triumph and adoration of life against a Mumbai backdrop. 
 
Produced by Zee Studios and Namah Pictures, the film will open in UAE and GCC regions on April 19. In North America, UK and Singapore, the film will release on April 20.&nbsp;

Vibha Chopra, Head - Zee Studios International (Film Marketing, Distribution and Acquisition), said: "The popularity of Indian cinema, Hindi as well as other regional films, is rising at rapid pace. Majid Majidi`s films are those that are awaited by Indians as well as non-diaspora audience worldwide.&nbsp;

"And that is why the different approach to the film. The film has been marketed keeping in mind both these type of movie-goers. Content is what is key, around the globe. We have tapped 34 territories in the first phase of release for the film and are looking to go wider in phase two."

With music by A.R. Rahman, cinematography by Anil Mehta and Hindi dialogues by Vishal Bhardwaj, it will open in India on April 20.&nbsp;

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi's film Beyond The Clouds, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan will release in 34 territories including Pakistan and Majidi's own country Iran. Zee Studios International, the film's producer, is taking the film to the foreign shores. The film will see a 34 territory release including a wide release in Iran as well as over 70 screens in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions including Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, read a statement. Apart from the GCC region, the film will also open in the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Maldives, Luxembourg, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, East West and South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan. Beyond The Clouds narrates a heart-warming tale of a brother and sister, and how they find happiness in separation and turbulent times. The film celebrates the triumph and adoration of life against a Mumbai backdrop. Produced by Zee Studios and Namah Pictures, the film will open in UAE and GCC regions on April 19. In North America, UK and Singapore, the film will release on April 20. Vibha Chopra, Head - Zee Studios International (Film Marketing, Distribution and Acquisition), said: "The popularity of Indian cinema, Hindi as well as other regional films, is rising at rapid pace. Majid Majidi`s films are those that are awaited by Indians as well as non-diaspora audience worldwide. "And that is why the different approach to the film. The film has been marketed keeping in mind both these type of movie-goers. Content is what is key, around the globe. We have tapped 34 territories in the first phase of release for the film and are looking to go wider in phase two." With music by A.R. Rahman, cinematography by Anil Mehta and Hindi dialogues by Vishal Bhardwaj, it will open in India on April 20.

Majid Majidi's 'Beyond the Clouds' featuring Ishaan Khatter to release in Iran, Pakistan

Moscow will expel British diplomats in response to London`s move to kick out 23 Russian officials over the poisoning of ex-double agent Sergei Skripal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

&quot;Of course we will,&quot; Lavrov told journalists when asked whether Moscow will respond in kind to the expulsion of Russian diplomats announced by British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Lavrov was speaking in the Kazakh capital Astana following talks on Syria with the foreign ministers of Iran and Turkey.&nbsp;

The Russian foreign minister on Thursday said Moscow would respond by expelling British diplomats &quot;soon&quot;.

He said his country had no motive to target Skripal, but suggested others could use the poisoning to &quot;complicate&quot; the World Cup.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said Vladimir Putin would ultimately choose the option that &quot;most suits Moscow`s interests&quot;.

In a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the US on Thursday condemned the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia as an &quot;assault on UK sovereignty&quot;.&nbsp;

The escalating international scandal is unfolding as Skripal and his daughter remain in critical condition after exposure to the Soviet-designed chemical Novichok on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury.

 
&nbsp;

'Of course we will,' Lavrov told journalists when asked whether Moscow will respond in kind to the expulsion of Russian diplomats announced by British Prime Minister Theresa May

Moscow will expel British diplomats in response to London`s move to kick out 23 Russian officials over the poisoning of ex-double agent Sergei Skripal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday. "Of course we will," Lavrov told journalists when asked whether Moscow will respond in kind to the expulsion of Russian diplomats announced by British Prime Minister Theresa May. Lavrov was speaking in the Kazakh capital Astana following talks on Syria with the foreign ministers of Iran and Turkey. The Russian foreign minister on Thursday said Moscow would respond by expelling British diplomats "soon". He said his country had no motive to target Skripal, but suggested others could use the poisoning to "complicate" the World Cup. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said Vladimir Putin would ultimately choose the option that "most suits Moscow`s interests". In a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the US on Thursday condemned the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia as an "assault on UK sovereignty". The escalating international scandal is unfolding as Skripal and his daughter remain in critical condition after exposure to the Soviet-designed chemical Novichok on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury.

Russia will 'of course' expel British diplomats: Sergei Lavrov

Apple has reportedly blocked its app store access in Iran from Thursday afternoon.

What appears to be a ban, users are not able to install or uninstall any application, instead, the screen shows a message saying &#39;the App Store is unavailable in the country region you&#39;re in&#39;&nbsp;on their screen.

The app store restriction is IP address based as users have reported using the app store through virtual private network (VPN).

A tech support site Bleeping computer also quoted a researcher in their report&nbsp;saying that he was only able to access app store through VPN.

Apple has not issued any official statement regarding the restricted access.

Apple already does not&nbsp;sell its products in Iran due to US-imposed economic sanctions.

People import their iPhone&nbsp;from other countries.

Being a US company Apple has restricted its access in other ways in the past.

In 2017 all apps made by Iranian developers were removed from the store.

Many people on Twitter showed an outrage toward the company for blocking app store access.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/AppStore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AppStore</a> why is Iran blocked from the list of countries able to download or update the applications which are available for all the world?We are also human and we pay for your products. We should be able to use App Store!
&mdash; Sina Keshavarz (@Sina_Dreamer) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sina_Dreamer/status/973853292777193473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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So <a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> officially did it finally ;( <a href="https://t.co/NboTdPoFpC">pic.twitter.com/NboTdPoFpC</a>
&mdash; Meysam Firouzi (@R00tkitSMM) <a href="https://twitter.com/R00tkitSMM/status/974320282436501504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I really feel sorry for <a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a>&#39;s decision to completely <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ban</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iranian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iranian</a> users from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Appstore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Appstore</a>. We are humans and demand <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EqualRights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EqualRights</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/AppleSupport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AppleSupport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Apple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Apple</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopTheBan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopTheBan</a> <a href="https://t.co/VWwPfo9TxF">pic.twitter.com/VWwPfo9TxF</a>
&mdash; Ali Fatehi (@fatehi1997) <a href="https://twitter.com/fatehi1997/status/974376036354977792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> what is the problem here? Your customer is not the Govt of Iran it is the people, the citizens of Iran. Why are you diss-ing them? All your customers, world-wide, feel this in a very negative way. Has the Persian customer done &quot;bad&quot; to you?<a href="https://t.co/YU5FA7ckqi">https://t.co/YU5FA7ckqi</a>
&mdash; Ric Fink (@ricfink) <a href="https://twitter.com/ricfink/status/974389228971835392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Outrageous move from <a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@apple</a> to totally block <a href="https://twitter.com/AppStore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AppStore</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>. Steve Job believed that &quot;Man is the creator of change in this world. As such, he should be above systems and structures, and not subordinate to them.&quot; For <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tim_cook</a> this excludes Iranians. <a href="https://t.co/Nwkx0Z9Mvl">https://t.co/Nwkx0Z9Mvl</a>
&mdash; Esfandyar Batmanghelidj (@yarbatman) <a href="https://twitter.com/yarbatman/status/974548525710110720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

What appears to be a ban, users are not able to install or uninstall any application

Apple has reportedly blocked its app store access in Iran from Thursday afternoon. What appears to be a ban, users are not able to install or uninstall any application, instead, the screen shows a message saying 'the App Store is unavailable in the country region you're in' on their screen. The app store restriction is IP address based as users have reported using the app store through virtual private network (VPN). A tech support site Bleeping computer also quoted a researcher in their report saying that he was only able to access app store through VPN. Apple has not issued any official statement regarding the restricted access. Apple already does not sell its products in Iran due to US-imposed economic sanctions. People import their iPhone from other countries. Being a US company Apple has restricted its access in other ways in the past. In 2017 all apps made by Iranian developers were removed from the store. Many people on Twitter showed an outrage toward the company for blocking app store access. @AppStore why is Iran blocked from the list of countries able to download or update the applications which are available for all the world?We are also human and we pay for your products. We should be able to use App Store! — Sina Keshavarz (@Sina_Dreamer) March 14, 2018 × So @Apple officially did it finally ;( pic.twitter.com/NboTdPoFpC — Meysam Firouzi (@R00tkitSMM) March 15, 2018 × I really feel sorry for @Apple's decision to completely #ban #Iranian users from the #Appstore. We are humans and demand #EqualRights. @AppleSupport #Iran #Apple #StopTheBan pic.twitter.com/VWwPfo9TxF — Ali Fatehi (@fatehi1997) March 15, 2018 × .@Apple what is the problem here? Your customer is not the Govt of Iran it is the people, the citizens of Iran. Why are you diss-ing them? All your customers, world-wide, feel this in a very negative way. Has the Persian customer done "bad" to you?https://t.co/YU5FA7ckqi — Ric Fink (@ricfink) March 15, 2018 × Outrageous move from @apple to totally block @AppStore in #Iran. Steve Job believed that "Man is the creator of change in this world. As such, he should be above systems and structures, and not subordinate to them." For @tim_cook this excludes Iranians. https://t.co/Nwkx0Z9Mvl — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj (@yarbatman) March 16, 2018 ×

Iranian iPhone users blocked from App Store: Reports

Likening Iran&#39;s leader to Adolf Hitler, Saudi Arabia&#39;s crown prince warned in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, his country will follow suit.

&quot;Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,&quot; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Thursday on &quot;CBS This Morning.&quot;

The 32-year-old Prince Mohammed said he has referred to Iran&#39;s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as &quot;the new Hitler&quot; because &quot;he wants to expand.&quot;

&quot;He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time,&quot; Prince Mohammed said.

&quot;Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don&#39;t want to see the same events happening in the Middle East.&quot;

The interview is scheduled to run on CBS&#39;s &quot;60 Minutes&quot; show on Sunday, two days before the crown prince&#39;s scheduled White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

His comments come amid concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and just days after the kingdom put an atomic energy program on a fast track.

Although intended to reduce Saudi Arabia&#39;s dependence on oil, analysts warn the capacity to produce atomic energy could open a pathway to nuclear development for military purposes.

A 2015 nuclear agreement has placed curbs on Iran&#39;s nuclear program, but Trump has expressed a desire to scrap it, making its future uncertain.

The Saudi cabinet says its nuclear program will be in &quot;full compliance with the principle of transparency&quot; and meet nuclear safety standards &quot;in accordance with an independent regulatory and supervisory framework.&quot;

The country has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades, according to officials and analysts, at a cost of around $80 billion.

Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said in October that the nuclear program would start by building two reactors, each producing between 1.2 and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity.

'Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said

Likening Iran's leader to Adolf Hitler, Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, his country will follow suit. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Thursday on "CBS This Morning." The 32-year-old Prince Mohammed said he has referred to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as "the new Hitler" because "he wants to expand." "He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," Prince Mohammed said. "Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don't want to see the same events happening in the Middle East." The interview is scheduled to run on CBS's "60 Minutes" show on Sunday, two days before the crown prince's scheduled White House meeting with US President Donald Trump. His comments come amid concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and just days after the kingdom put an atomic energy program on a fast track. Although intended to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, analysts warn the capacity to produce atomic energy could open a pathway to nuclear development for military purposes. A 2015 nuclear agreement has placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program, but Trump has expressed a desire to scrap it, making its future uncertain. The Saudi cabinet says its nuclear program will be in "full compliance with the principle of transparency" and meet nuclear safety standards "in accordance with an independent regulatory and supervisory framework." The country has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades, according to officials and analysts, at a cost of around $80 billion. Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said in October that the nuclear program would start by building two reactors, each producing between 1.2 and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity.

If Iran gets nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia will follow suit: Crown Prince

Iran&#39;s foreign minister said that the country is willing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that the country desires stability in the region.

Mohammad Zarif&#39;s comments were aired during an interview to a Pakistani channel yesterday.

Zarif, at present, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad which will come to an end today.

Pakistan-Iran close ties were harmed by recent regional alignments and Pakistan&#39;s tilt toward Saudi Arabia. Iran was categorically perturbed by Pakistan&#39;s assignment to head a Saudi-led 39-nation Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism.&nbsp;

Tehran had previously expressed its willingness to better ties with Saudi Arabia when Pakistan&#39;s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Iran during the Yemen crisis. 
&nbsp;

Zarif, at present, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad which will come to an end today

Iran's foreign minister said that the country is willing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that the country desires stability in the region. Mohammad Zarif's comments were aired during an interview to a Pakistani channel yesterday. Zarif, at present, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad which will come to an end today. Pakistan-Iran close ties were harmed by recent regional alignments and Pakistan's tilt toward Saudi Arabia. Iran was categorically perturbed by Pakistan's assignment to head a Saudi-led 39-nation Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism. Tehran had previously expressed its willingness to better ties with Saudi Arabia when Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Iran during the Yemen crisis.

Iran expresses willingness to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia

Gold prices rose on Wednesday to a one-week high on a weaker dollar following US&nbsp;Secretary of State Rex Tillerson&#39;s sudden dismissal, which invigorated concerns of protectionist policies hampering global risk appetite.

Spot gold rose 0.12 per cent to $1,327.56 per ounce at 0402 GMT. It touched $1,329.22 an ounce during the session, its highest since March 7.

US&nbsp;gold futures for April delivery rose 0.09 per cent to $1,328.20 per ounce.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump fired Tillerson after a series of public rifts over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran, replacing his chief diplomat with loyalist CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

Risk aversion is back on the table following the unexpected news of Tillerson&#39;s dismissal and the appointment of Pompeo, said OCBC analyst Barnabas Gan.

&quot;Pompeo is a supporter of Trump&#39;s trade policy and could help advance his agenda of imposing it on US&nbsp;trading partners ... all this uncertainty and risk aversion leaves gold as a safe haven option,&quot; Gan added.

The US&nbsp;dollar wallowed against the yen and other major currencies after the dismissal of Tillerson. This killed off an earlier bounce in the currency.

A weaker dollar makes bullion, which is used as an alternative investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, cheaper for holders of other currencies.

&quot;With the US.= protectionist rhetoric likely to ring equity market alarm bells, gold should continue to be an ideal hedge in this highly unpredictable environment,&quot; said Stephen Innes, APAC trading head at OANDA.

Asian shares eased on Wednesday amid fears of rising US&nbsp;protectionism.

Meanwhile, data on Tuesday showed US&nbsp;consumer prices cooled in February amid a decline in gasoline prices and a moderation in the cost of rental accommodation, the latest indication that an anticipated pickup in inflation probably will be only gradual.

Inflation is a key economic factor the US&nbsp;central bank considers when deciding monetary policy. A strong US&nbsp;inflation reading could raise expectations for future interest rate increases, which would put pressure on non-yielding bullion.

&quot;The 0.2 per cent increase in consumer price index suggests it won&#39;t be enough to spur more rate hikes by the Fed than already expected,&quot; ANZ analysts said in a note.

Spot gold may rise to $1,334 per ounce, as it has cleared a resistance at $1,327, according to&nbsp;Technical analyst Wang Tao.

In other precious metals, silver rose 0.5 per cent to $16.62 per ounce.

Platinum gained 0.3 per cent to $964.50 per ounce and Palladium edged 0.1 per cent higher to $991.47 per ounce.

Spot gold rose 0.12 percent to $1,327.56 per ounce at 0402 GMT. It touched $1,329.22 an ounce during the session, its highest since March 7

Gold prices rose on Wednesday to a one-week high on a weaker dollar following US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's sudden dismissal, which invigorated concerns of protectionist policies hampering global risk appetite. Spot gold rose 0.12 per cent to $1,327.56 per ounce at 0402 GMT. It touched $1,329.22 an ounce during the session, its highest since March 7. US gold futures for April delivery rose 0.09 per cent to $1,328.20 per ounce. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump fired Tillerson after a series of public rifts over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran, replacing his chief diplomat with loyalist CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Risk aversion is back on the table following the unexpected news of Tillerson's dismissal and the appointment of Pompeo, said OCBC analyst Barnabas Gan. "Pompeo is a supporter of Trump's trade policy and could help advance his agenda of imposing it on US trading partners ... all this uncertainty and risk aversion leaves gold as a safe haven option," Gan added. The US dollar wallowed against the yen and other major currencies after the dismissal of Tillerson. This killed off an earlier bounce in the currency. A weaker dollar makes bullion, which is used as an alternative investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, cheaper for holders of other currencies. "With the US.= protectionist rhetoric likely to ring equity market alarm bells, gold should continue to be an ideal hedge in this highly unpredictable environment," said Stephen Innes, APAC trading head at OANDA. Asian shares eased on Wednesday amid fears of rising US protectionism. Meanwhile, data on Tuesday showed US consumer prices cooled in February amid a decline in gasoline prices and a moderation in the cost of rental accommodation, the latest indication that an anticipated pickup in inflation probably will be only gradual. Inflation is a key economic factor the US central bank considers when deciding monetary policy. A strong US inflation reading could raise expectations for future interest rate increases, which would put pressure on non-yielding bullion. "The 0.2 per cent increase in consumer price index suggests it won't be enough to spur more rate hikes by the Fed than already expected," ANZ analysts said in a note. Spot gold may rise to $1,334 per ounce, as it has cleared a resistance at $1,327, according to Technical analyst Wang Tao. In other precious metals, silver rose 0.5 per cent to $16.62 per ounce. Platinum gained 0.3 per cent to $964.50 per ounce and Palladium edged 0.1 per cent higher to $991.47 per ounce.

Gold rises on increasing US protectionism concerns

Iran has invited Pakistan and China to participate in the strategic Chabahar Port and said the initiative is not aimed at &quot;strangulating&quot; or &quot;encircling&quot; anybody, a media report today quoted visiting Iranian Foreign Minister as saying.

India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed a trilateral agreement in 2016 to jointly develop the Chabahar port, opening a new strategic transit route between the three nations and other Central Asian nations, bypassing Pakistan.

In November last year, India delivered the first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port.

Iran&#39;s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who is on a three-day visit to Islamabad, said the Chabahar port project was not meant to &quot;encircle Pakistan ... Strangulate anybody&quot;.

Iran would not allow anybody to hurt Pakistan from its territory, much like Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against Iran, he said, while delivering a lecture at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) yesterday, according to Dawn newspaper.

&quot;We are taking measures to do that and there is an open invitation to Pakistan to participate in that,&quot; he said.

Zarif likened Iran&#39;s relations with India to Pakistan&#39;s ties with Saudi Arabia.

&quot;Our relations with India, just like Pakistan&#39;s relations with Saudi Arabia, are not against Islamabad as we understand Pakistan&#39;s relations with Saudi Arabia are not against Iran,&quot; the Iranian foreign minister said.

He said Iran has also extended invitation to China to join the Chahbahar project.

&quot;We offered to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. We have also offered Pakistan and China to participate in Chahbahar,&quot; said Zarif.

He also said that Gwadar Port and Chabahar Port needed to be linked through sea and land routes for development of deprived Eastern and South-eastern Iran and South Western Pakistan.&nbsp;

India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed a trilateral agreement in 2016 to jointly develop the Chabahar port

Iran has invited Pakistan and China to participate in the strategic Chabahar Port and said the initiative is not aimed at "strangulating" or "encircling" anybody, a media report today quoted visiting Iranian Foreign Minister as saying. India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed a trilateral agreement in 2016 to jointly develop the Chabahar port, opening a new strategic transit route between the three nations and other Central Asian nations, bypassing Pakistan. In November last year, India delivered the first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port. Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who is on a three-day visit to Islamabad, said the Chabahar port project was not meant to "encircle Pakistan ... Strangulate anybody". Iran would not allow anybody to hurt Pakistan from its territory, much like Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against Iran, he said, while delivering a lecture at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) yesterday, according to Dawn newspaper. "We are taking measures to do that and there is an open invitation to Pakistan to participate in that," he said. Zarif likened Iran's relations with India to Pakistan's ties with Saudi Arabia. "Our relations with India, just like Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia, are not against Islamabad as we understand Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia are not against Iran," the Iranian foreign minister said. He said Iran has also extended invitation to China to join the Chahbahar project. "We offered to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. We have also offered Pakistan and China to participate in Chahbahar," said Zarif. He also said that Gwadar Port and Chabahar Port needed to be linked through sea and land routes for development of deprived Eastern and South-eastern Iran and South Western Pakistan.

Chabahar project not aimed at 'strangulating' anybody: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday announced to increase his country&#39;s trade with Pakistan to US$5 billion by 2021.&nbsp;

The current trade volume is around US$1.16 billion between the two neighbours. He made the announcement during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Other issues related to economic progress, peace, security in the region and bilateral relations were also discussed during the meeting.&nbsp;

The Iranian foreign minister, leading a 30-member delegation, arrived in Pakistan late Sunday on a three-day official visit for talks on regional issues and literal matters.

Zarif also expressed his appreciation towards Pakistan&#39;s continuous and unperturbed efforts to minimise illegal cross-border activities by strengthening border management across the border shared with Iran as well as lauded the growing relationship between the two countries.&nbsp;

Abbasi talked about Pakistan&#39;s aim to enhance mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Iran including bilateral trade, investments and commercial interaction, according to the statement.

He also focused on the need to deepen connectivity to harness benefits from regional economic integration.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister also expressed his commitment to work to resolve the issues in the implementation of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project, including the financing of pipeline infrastructure and the scope of snap back clause.

He made the announcement during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Pakistan

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday announced to increase his country's trade with Pakistan to US$5 billion by 2021. The current trade volume is around US$1.16 billion between the two neighbours. He made the announcement during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Pakistan. Other issues related to economic progress, peace, security in the region and bilateral relations were also discussed during the meeting. The Iranian foreign minister, leading a 30-member delegation, arrived in Pakistan late Sunday on a three-day official visit for talks on regional issues and literal matters. Zarif also expressed his appreciation towards Pakistan's continuous and unperturbed efforts to minimise illegal cross-border activities by strengthening border management across the border shared with Iran as well as lauded the growing relationship between the two countries. Abbasi talked about Pakistan's aim to enhance mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Iran including bilateral trade, investments and commercial interaction, according to the statement. He also focused on the need to deepen connectivity to harness benefits from regional economic integration. The Prime Minister also expressed his commitment to work to resolve the issues in the implementation of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project, including the financing of pipeline infrastructure and the scope of snap back clause.

Iran to increase trade with Pakistan to US$5 billion

British broadcaster the BBC said on Monday it was appealing to the United Nations to protect its journalists in Iran after it said persecution and harassment by the Iranian authorities escalated in 2017.

&quot;The BBC is taking the unprecedented step of appealing to the United Nations because our own attempts to persuade the Iranian authorities to end their harassment have been completely ignored,&quot; BBC Director General Tony Hall said in a statement.

&quot;In fact, during the past nine years, the collective punishment of BBC Persian Service journalists and their families has worsened.&quot;

Britain&#39;s foreign secretary Boris Johnson said in December that he had raised &quot;the official harassment of journalists working for BBC Persian and their families inside Iran&quot; with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif when he visited Tehran.

The broadcaster said journalists in London working on BBC Persian, part of the BBC World Service, and their families in Iran had been targeted since the satellite TV station launched in 2009.

The harassment escalated last year when Iranian authorities alleged the service&#39;s work was a crime against Iran&#39;s national security and froze the assets of more than 152 current and former BBC Persian staff, it said.

BBC Persian said at the time that it was another step by Iran&#39;s judiciary to silence impartial journalists.

The BBC said other measures against its journalists included the arbitrary arrest and detention of family members in Iran, the confiscation of passports and travel bans preventing people leaving Iran and the spread of fake and defamatory news targeting individuals especially women journalists. &nbsp;

Iran accused the BBC of inciting unrest after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009 and has said its journalists had broadcast against the national interests of the Islamic Republic.

The following year it banned Iranians from contact with dozens of foreign organisations, including the BBC, which it said were seeking to topple the Islamic theocracy.

The BBC said it was planning a series of events in partnership with the International Federation of Journalists this week during the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The broadcaster said journalists in London working on BBC Persian, part of the BBC World Service, and their families in Iran had been targeted since the satellite TV station launched in 2009

British broadcaster the BBC said on Monday it was appealing to the United Nations to protect its journalists in Iran after it said persecution and harassment by the Iranian authorities escalated in 2017. "The BBC is taking the unprecedented step of appealing to the United Nations because our own attempts to persuade the Iranian authorities to end their harassment have been completely ignored," BBC Director General Tony Hall said in a statement. "In fact, during the past nine years, the collective punishment of BBC Persian Service journalists and their families has worsened." Britain's foreign secretary Boris Johnson said in December that he had raised "the official harassment of journalists working for BBC Persian and their families inside Iran" with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif when he visited Tehran. The broadcaster said journalists in London working on BBC Persian, part of the BBC World Service, and their families in Iran had been targeted since the satellite TV station launched in 2009. The harassment escalated last year when Iranian authorities alleged the service's work was a crime against Iran's national security and froze the assets of more than 152 current and former BBC Persian staff, it said. BBC Persian said at the time that it was another step by Iran's judiciary to silence impartial journalists. The BBC said other measures against its journalists included the arbitrary arrest and detention of family members in Iran, the confiscation of passports and travel bans preventing people leaving Iran and the spread of fake and defamatory news targeting individuals especially women journalists. Iran accused the BBC of inciting unrest after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009 and has said its journalists had broadcast against the national interests of the Islamic Republic. The following year it banned Iranians from contact with dozens of foreign organisations, including the BBC, which it said were seeking to topple the Islamic theocracy. The BBC said it was planning a series of events in partnership with the International Federation of Journalists this week during the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

BBC appeals to UN over 'collective punishment' of its journalists by Iran

Syrian government forces pounded eastern Ghouta with air strikes on Wednesday in an effort to slice the rebel enclave in two as they intensified a campaign to deal the opposition its biggest defeat since 2016.

The Syrian government assault of the densely populated area on the outskirts of Damascus, which began more than two weeks ago, has become one of the fiercest campaigns of the war now entering its eighth year, with bombardment killing hundreds.

Live footage broadcast by Syrian state TV from the outskirts of the town of Mesraba showed enormous clouds of smoke rising into the sky. The sounds of explosions and jets could be heard.

A state TV correspondent said militant defences in the town were being struck by &quot;preparatory fire&quot; in advance of a planned infantry assault. &quot;Mesraba is under heavy attack today,&quot; said Khalil Aybour, a member of an opposition council in Ghouta.

Capturing Mesraba would be a major step towards severing the northern half of the Ghouta, including its biggest town, Douma, from the southern part. Government forces have seized more than 40 percent of the territory so far.

Civilians have been fleeing frontline areas into Douma and hiding in cellars.

&quot;It&#39;s bad in the basement, but it&#39;s better than the bombing,&quot; Adnan, 30, a Douma resident who has been sheltering below ground with his wife and two-year-old daughter together with 10 other families, told Reuters by telephone.

The United Nations says 400,000 people are trapped in the towns and villages of the eastern Ghouta, under government siege for years and already running out of food and medicine before the assault. An aid convoy reached the area this week but government officials had stripped out most medical supplies.

Russia, President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s most powerful ally, has offered rebel fighters safe passage out with their families and personal weapons. The proposal echoes previous agreements under which insurgents, in the face of military defeat, were permitted to withdraw to opposition-held areas at the Turkish border.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group says 800 civilians have been killed by government bombing and shelling. The Observatory said an extra 700 pro-government militia fighters had arrived at the front as reinforcements to join the operation.

The U.N. Security Council has called for a 30-day countrywide ceasefire, but Moscow and Damascus have not halted the campaign, arguing that the fighters they are striking are members of banned terrorist groups unprotected by the truce.

Russia&#39;s defence ministry said on Wednesday some rebels wanted to accept the proposal to evacuate. So far rebels have dismissed it in public. The military spokesman for one of the main eastern Ghouta rebel groups said rebels would defend the territory and there were no negotiations over a withdrawal.

&quot;The factions of Ghouta and their fighters and its people are holding onto their land and will defend it,&quot; Hamza Birqdar of Jaish al-Islam told Reuters in a text message sent overnight.

The opposition says such evacuation agreements amount to a policy of demographic change by which Assad has forcibly displaced those who oppose him.

In an interview on state TV, a Syrian army colonel expressed confidence Ghouta would fall quickly, saying the people there would return to the &quot;state&#39;s embrace&quot; &quot;very, very, very soon&quot;.

A commander in the military alliance fighting in support of Assad said he anticipated that rebels would end up besieged in Douma and then accept a withdrawal deal.

Assad said this week that the majority of people in eastern Ghouta want a return of state rule. But rebels and opposition activists say people fear government persecution.

COMPLICITY

Russian warplanes have taken part in the eastern Ghouta operation, and the White House has accused Russia of complicity in the killing of civilians there.

Defeat in eastern Ghouta would mark the biggest setback for the anti-Assad rebellion since the opposition was driven from eastern Aleppo in late 2016 after a similar campaign of siege, bombing, ground assaults and the promise of safe passage out.

Moscow and Damascus say the Ghouta campaign is necessary to halt rebel shelling of the capital. The Observatory says such shelling has killed at least 27 people since Feb. 18, and Syrian state media have given a higher death toll.

Assad has steadily recovered rebel-held areas in western Syria since Russia intervened directly on his side in 2015.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday voiced concern about attacks in eastern Ghouta which &quot;reportedly claimed the lives of more than 100 people&quot; on Monday alone, as well as reports of shelling of Damascus.

Western states have been demanding Russia press Assad to abide by the 30-day ceasefire. The Security Council, where Russia holds a veto, will meet on Wednesday to discuss the failed ceasefire.

The U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra&#39;ad al-Hussein said the government offensive could not be justified by its targetting of a few hundred fighters.

&quot;Recent attempts to justify indiscriminate, brutal attacks on hundreds of thousands of civilians by the need to combat a few hundred fighters &ndash; as in Eastern Ghouta &ndash; are legally, and morally, unsustainable,&quot; he told the U.N. Human Rights Council.

&quot;Also, when you are prepared to kill your own people so easily, lying is easy too. Claims by the Government of Syria that it is taking every measure to protect its civilian population are frankly ridiculous.&quot;

Live footage broadcast by Syrian state TV from the outskirts of the town of Mesraba showed enormous clouds of smoke rising into the sky. The sounds of explosions and jets could be heard

Syrian government forces pounded eastern Ghouta with air strikes on Wednesday in an effort to slice the rebel enclave in two as they intensified a campaign to deal the opposition its biggest defeat since 2016. The Syrian government assault of the densely populated area on the outskirts of Damascus, which began more than two weeks ago, has become one of the fiercest campaigns of the war now entering its eighth year, with bombardment killing hundreds. Live footage broadcast by Syrian state TV from the outskirts of the town of Mesraba showed enormous clouds of smoke rising into the sky. The sounds of explosions and jets could be heard. A state TV correspondent said militant defences in the town were being struck by "preparatory fire" in advance of a planned infantry assault. "Mesraba is under heavy attack today," said Khalil Aybour, a member of an opposition council in Ghouta. Capturing Mesraba would be a major step towards severing the northern half of the Ghouta, including its biggest town, Douma, from the southern part. Government forces have seized more than 40 percent of the territory so far. Civilians have been fleeing frontline areas into Douma and hiding in cellars. "It's bad in the basement, but it's better than the bombing," Adnan, 30, a Douma resident who has been sheltering below ground with his wife and two-year-old daughter together with 10 other families, told Reuters by telephone. The United Nations says 400,000 people are trapped in the towns and villages of the eastern Ghouta, under government siege for years and already running out of food and medicine before the assault. An aid convoy reached the area this week but government officials had stripped out most medical supplies. Russia, President Bashar al-Assad's most powerful ally, has offered rebel fighters safe passage out with their families and personal weapons. The proposal echoes previous agreements under which insurgents, in the face of military defeat, were permitted to withdraw to opposition-held areas at the Turkish border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group says 800 civilians have been killed by government bombing and shelling. The Observatory said an extra 700 pro-government militia fighters had arrived at the front as reinforcements to join the operation. The U.N. Security Council has called for a 30-day countrywide ceasefire, but Moscow and Damascus have not halted the campaign, arguing that the fighters they are striking are members of banned terrorist groups unprotected by the truce. Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday some rebels wanted to accept the proposal to evacuate. So far rebels have dismissed it in public. The military spokesman for one of the main eastern Ghouta rebel groups said rebels would defend the territory and there were no negotiations over a withdrawal. "The factions of Ghouta and their fighters and its people are holding onto their land and will defend it," Hamza Birqdar of Jaish al-Islam told Reuters in a text message sent overnight. The opposition says such evacuation agreements amount to a policy of demographic change by which Assad has forcibly displaced those who oppose him. In an interview on state TV, a Syrian army colonel expressed confidence Ghouta would fall quickly, saying the people there would return to the "state's embrace" "very, very, very soon". A commander in the military alliance fighting in support of Assad said he anticipated that rebels would end up besieged in Douma and then accept a withdrawal deal. Assad said this week that the majority of people in eastern Ghouta want a return of state rule. But rebels and opposition activists say people fear government persecution. COMPLICITY Russian warplanes have taken part in the eastern Ghouta operation, and the White House has accused Russia of complicity in the killing of civilians there. Defeat in eastern Ghouta would mark the biggest setback for the anti-Assad rebellion since the opposition was driven from eastern Aleppo in late 2016 after a similar campaign of siege, bombing, ground assaults and the promise of safe passage out. Moscow and Damascus say the Ghouta campaign is necessary to halt rebel shelling of the capital. The Observatory says such shelling has killed at least 27 people since Feb. 18, and Syrian state media have given a higher death toll. Assad has steadily recovered rebel-held areas in western Syria since Russia intervened directly on his side in 2015. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday voiced concern about attacks in eastern Ghouta which "reportedly claimed the lives of more than 100 people" on Monday alone, as well as reports of shelling of Damascus. Western states have been demanding Russia press Assad to abide by the 30-day ceasefire. The Security Council, where Russia holds a veto, will meet on Wednesday to discuss the failed ceasefire. The U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said the government offensive could not be justified by its targetting of a few hundred fighters. "Recent attempts to justify indiscriminate, brutal attacks on hundreds of thousands of civilians by the need to combat a few hundred fighters – as in Eastern Ghouta – are legally, and morally, unsustainable," he told the U.N. Human Rights Council. "Also, when you are prepared to kill your own people so easily, lying is easy too. Claims by the Government of Syria that it is taking every measure to protect its civilian population are frankly ridiculous."

Damascus intensifies Ghouta assault to try and cut rebel enclave in half

Iran&#39;s vice president for women&#39;s affairs insisted today the government opposed using &quot;force&quot; to ensure women wear the hijab after a spate of protests stirred debate over the mandatory headscarf.

Massoumeh Ebtekar told a press conference in Tehran that every country has a dress code: &quot;There is no city in the world where you can walk naked in the streets and you won&#39;t be approached by a particular regulatory body.&quot; She said Iran&#39;s hijab laws -- which require women to wear a headscarf and long coat, as well as banning shorts for men -- were a &quot;social regulation&quot;.

&quot;Our position is that it&#39;s a regulation but the use of force -- we don&#39;t go along with that type of enforcement,&quot; she said.

&quot;That is contrary to the basic principles and philosophy that the government of (President Hassan) Rouhani follows.&quot; Her comments follow a string of protests, mostly in Tehran, in which more than a dozen woman have stood in main thoroughfares without their headscarves.

The women risk prison sentences of up to two months for not wearing the headscarf, but up to 10 years if they are found to be encouraging others.

Tehran police chief Hossein Rahimi took a rather tougher line than Ebtekar earlier this week, telling the conservative Fars news agency that Islamic laws were &quot;obligatory for all citizens&quot;.

&quot;These people will be firmly dealt with by the police,&quot; he said. 
He was responding to widespread criticism on social media after a video showed an officer shoving one of the women protesters off a plinth.

&quot;We have reminded our officers to comply with legal requirements when dealing with all people,&quot; said Rahimi.

In practice, clothing rules have been steadily eroding for years, with many women wearing loose and colourful headscarves and letting them drop entirely, particularly in wealthier areas.

Since Rouhani came to power in 2013, the presence of the morality police who enforced clothing rules has been greatly reduced.

Ebtekar said the government needs &quot;this dialogue&quot; with the younger generation, which no longer shares the same values as those who grew up during the 1979 revolution.

But she defended Iran&#39;s record on female empowerment, saying the Islamic republic had brought &quot;true advancement&quot; for women in higher education, politics and sports.

Iranian society is generally freer for women than many conservative Islamic countries, but activists complain they are still under-represented in government, particularly after Rouhani again failed to appoint a single female minister last summer.

Women also have less weight than men in Iran&#39;s Islamic legal system, including less right to inheritance and a ban on leaving the country without male permission.

Massoumeh Ebtekar told a press conference in Tehran that every country has a dress code

Iran's vice president for women's affairs insisted today the government opposed using "force" to ensure women wear the hijab after a spate of protests stirred debate over the mandatory headscarf. Massoumeh Ebtekar told a press conference in Tehran that every country has a dress code: "There is no city in the world where you can walk naked in the streets and you won't be approached by a particular regulatory body." She said Iran's hijab laws -- which require women to wear a headscarf and long coat, as well as banning shorts for men -- were a "social regulation". "Our position is that it's a regulation but the use of force -- we don't go along with that type of enforcement," she said. "That is contrary to the basic principles and philosophy that the government of (President Hassan) Rouhani follows." Her comments follow a string of protests, mostly in Tehran, in which more than a dozen woman have stood in main thoroughfares without their headscarves. The women risk prison sentences of up to two months for not wearing the headscarf, but up to 10 years if they are found to be encouraging others. Tehran police chief Hossein Rahimi took a rather tougher line than Ebtekar earlier this week, telling the conservative Fars news agency that Islamic laws were "obligatory for all citizens". "These people will be firmly dealt with by the police," he said. He was responding to widespread criticism on social media after a video showed an officer shoving one of the women protesters off a plinth. "We have reminded our officers to comply with legal requirements when dealing with all people," said Rahimi. In practice, clothing rules have been steadily eroding for years, with many women wearing loose and colourful headscarves and letting them drop entirely, particularly in wealthier areas. Since Rouhani came to power in 2013, the presence of the morality police who enforced clothing rules has been greatly reduced. Ebtekar said the government needs "this dialogue" with the younger generation, which no longer shares the same values as those who grew up during the 1979 revolution. But she defended Iran's record on female empowerment, saying the Islamic republic had brought "true advancement" for women in higher education, politics and sports. Iranian society is generally freer for women than many conservative Islamic countries, but activists complain they are still under-represented in government, particularly after Rouhani again failed to appoint a single female minister last summer. Women also have less weight than men in Iran's Islamic legal system, including less right to inheritance and a ban on leaving the country without male permission.

Iran vice president says government against using force over hijab

President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said Iran is ready to discuss regional security issues with its Gulf Arab neighbours as long as foreign powers are kept out of any potential talks.

&quot;We don&#39;t need foreigners to guarantee the security of our region,&quot; Rouhani said in a speech broadcast on state television.

&quot;When it comes to regional security arrangements, we are ready to talk to our neighbours and friends, without the presence of foreigners,&quot; he added.

&quot;We are, have been and always will be good neighbours,&quot; Rouhani said, addressing Gulf Arab countries including Iran&#39;s regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Rouhani was speaking in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas overlooking the Gulf -- a flashpoint of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The two powers, who severed diplomatic ties in January 2016, have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen.

Shiite-dominated Iran is the main regional backer of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Sunni rebels supported by Saudi Arabia. In Yemen, a Saudi-led coalition has been bombing since 2015 Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels opposed to the internationally recognised government.

Western powers and their Gulf Arab allies say Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East.

Tehran, however, has regularly called for dialogue with its neighbours free of any foreign interference.

Rouhani&#39;s comments came a day after the United States and three European allies condemned Iran after the United Nations found Tehran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles and drones to Huthi rebels.

The condemnation came after Russia vetoed a British-drafted resolution renewing sanctions on Yemen and citing &quot;particular concern&quot; about a report&#39;s findings on Iran.

Rouhani paid tribute to &quot;Russia&#39;s just and intelligent stance&quot;.

Western powers and their Gulf Arab allies say Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East

President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said Iran is ready to discuss regional security issues with its Gulf Arab neighbours as long as foreign powers are kept out of any potential talks. "We don't need foreigners to guarantee the security of our region," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast on state television. "When it comes to regional security arrangements, we are ready to talk to our neighbours and friends, without the presence of foreigners," he added. "We are, have been and always will be good neighbours," Rouhani said, addressing Gulf Arab countries including Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia. Rouhani was speaking in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas overlooking the Gulf -- a flashpoint of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The two powers, who severed diplomatic ties in January 2016, have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen. Shiite-dominated Iran is the main regional backer of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Sunni rebels supported by Saudi Arabia. In Yemen, a Saudi-led coalition has been bombing since 2015 Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels opposed to the internationally recognised government. Western powers and their Gulf Arab allies say Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East. Tehran, however, has regularly called for dialogue with its neighbours free of any foreign interference. Rouhani's comments came a day after the United States and three European allies condemned Iran after the United Nations found Tehran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles and drones to Huthi rebels. The condemnation came after Russia vetoed a British-drafted resolution renewing sanctions on Yemen and citing "particular concern" about a report's findings on Iran. Rouhani paid tribute to "Russia's just and intelligent stance".

Rouhani says Iran 'ready' to talk to Arab neighbours

The United States pressed Russia on Monday to use its &quot;influence&quot; to secure an &quot;immediate&quot; full-fledged halt to a bloody offensive in Syria&#39;s rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta.

&quot;The Syrian regime, and its Russian and Iranian backers, continue to attack East Ghouta, a densely populated suburb of Damascus, despite the ceasefire called for by the United Nations Security Council,&quot; State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert tweeted.

&quot;The regime claims it is fighting terrorists, but is instead terrorizing hundreds of thousands of civilians with airstrikes, artillery, rockets, and a looming ground attack. The regime&rsquo;s use of chlorine gas as a weapon only intensifies the misery of the civilian population.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-ghouta-russia-orders-daily-5-hour-truce-34166" target="_blank">Russia orders daily 5-hour truce</a>

&quot;#Russia has the influence to stop these operations if it chooses to live up to its obligations under the #UNSC ceasefire,&quot; she added, referring to a Security Council resolution for a 30-day truce that has been a dead letter since it was passed on Saturday.

&quot;The United States calls for an immediate end to offensive operations and urgent access for humanitarian workers to treat the wounded and deliver badly needed humanitarian aid.&quot;

'#Russia has the influence to stop these operations (in Ghouta) if it chooses to live up to its obligations under the #UNSC ceasefire,' State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert tweeted

The United States pressed Russia on Monday to use its "influence" to secure an "immediate" full-fledged halt to a bloody offensive in Syria's rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta. "The Syrian regime, and its Russian and Iranian backers, continue to attack East Ghouta, a densely populated suburb of Damascus, despite the ceasefire called for by the United Nations Security Council," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert tweeted. "The regime claims it is fighting terrorists, but is instead terrorizing hundreds of thousands of civilians with airstrikes, artillery, rockets, and a looming ground attack. The regime’s use of chlorine gas as a weapon only intensifies the misery of the civilian population. Also read: Russia orders daily 5-hour truce "#Russia has the influence to stop these operations if it chooses to live up to its obligations under the #UNSC ceasefire," she added, referring to a Security Council resolution for a 30-day truce that has been a dead letter since it was passed on Saturday. "The United States calls for an immediate end to offensive operations and urgent access for humanitarian workers to treat the wounded and deliver badly needed humanitarian aid."

US urges Russia to use 'influence' to stop Syria offensive

Iranian security forces Sunday detained three more environmental activists on spying charges.

The detention came weeks after the first wave of arrests and the death in detention of an Iranian-Canadian head of a wildlife group took place.

&quot;Three people were recently arrested in (southern) Hormozgan province. I cannot legally give details now ... but there is no doubt that infiltration by the United States and Israel is a serious matter,&quot; said judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, quoted by the semi-official Fars news agency.

After the earlier arrests, Iranian officials said the activists were gathering sensitive information under the guise of scientific and environmental activities.

The latest arrests come after the death of Kavous Seyed-Emami, an Iranian-Canadian environmental activist and sociology professor, who was arrested on January 24 and died in prison two weeks later.&nbsp;

However, the judiciary said Seyed-Emami, 63, had committed suicide.

The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), said at least nine other staff members and executives of Seyed-Emami&#39;s organisation had been arrested on the same day as him.

President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric who defeated anti-Western hardliners to win re-election last year, has called for improving Iran&#39;s international ties and reforming the economy.

Human rights activists have reported that at least six detainees have died in prisons in the last two months in Iran but the judiciary, however, confirmed that three deaths took place in custody and all three were suicides.

The detention came weeks after the first wave of arrests

Iranian security forces Sunday detained three more environmental activists on spying charges. The detention came weeks after the first wave of arrests and the death in detention of an Iranian-Canadian head of a wildlife group took place. "Three people were recently arrested in (southern) Hormozgan province. I cannot legally give details now ... but there is no doubt that infiltration by the United States and Israel is a serious matter," said judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, quoted by the semi-official Fars news agency. After the earlier arrests, Iranian officials said the activists were gathering sensitive information under the guise of scientific and environmental activities. The latest arrests come after the death of Kavous Seyed-Emami, an Iranian-Canadian environmental activist and sociology professor, who was arrested on January 24 and died in prison two weeks later. However, the judiciary said Seyed-Emami, 63, had committed suicide. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), said at least nine other staff members and executives of Seyed-Emami's organisation had been arrested on the same day as him. President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric who defeated anti-Western hardliners to win re-election last year, has called for improving Iran's international ties and reforming the economy. Human rights activists have reported that at least six detainees have died in prisons in the last two months in Iran but the judiciary, however, confirmed that three deaths took place in custody and all three were suicides.

Iran detains three more activists after Iranian-Canadian dies in jail

Iran will withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal if there is no economic benefit from it and major banks continue to fail to do business with the Islamic Republic, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday.

The July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - obliged Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy.

US President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to European powers on January 12, saying they must agree to &ldquo;fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal&rdquo; or he would refuse to extend the US sanctions relief on Iran that it calls for.

US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh &ldquo;waivers&rdquo; to suspend them on May 12.

&quot;The deal would not survive this way even if the ultimatum is passed and waivers are extended,&quot; Araqchi said in a speech at Chatham House in London.

&quot;If the same policy of confusion and uncertainties about the JCPOA continues, if companies and banks are not working with Iran, we cannot remain in a deal that has no benefit for us,&quot; Araqchi said. &quot;That&rsquo;s a fact.&quot;

Trump sees three defects in the deal: its failure to address Iran&rsquo;s ballistic missile program; the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites; and &ldquo;sunset&rdquo; clauses under which limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire after 10 years.

He wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the nuclear deal, which is known by diplomats as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

Iran warned that the collapse of the deal would thrust the world into another nuclear crisis.

&quot;If we lose the JCPOA, we will face another nuclear crisis,&rdquo; Araqchi said.

&ldquo;For the Europeans or the world community, when we talk about maintaining the JCPOA and saving it, it&rsquo;s not a choice between Iranian or the US market, it&rsquo;s not a choice for economic cooperation: it&rsquo;s a choice between having security and insecurity,&quot; Araqchi said.

The July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - obliged Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy

Iran will withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal if there is no economic benefit from it and major banks continue to fail to do business with the Islamic Republic, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday. The July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - obliged Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy. US President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to European powers on January 12, saying they must agree to “fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” or he would refuse to extend the US sanctions relief on Iran that it calls for. US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh “waivers” to suspend them on May 12. "The deal would not survive this way even if the ultimatum is passed and waivers are extended," Araqchi said in a speech at Chatham House in London. "If the same policy of confusion and uncertainties about the JCPOA continues, if companies and banks are not working with Iran, we cannot remain in a deal that has no benefit for us," Araqchi said. "That’s a fact." Trump sees three defects in the deal: its failure to address Iran’s ballistic missile program; the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites; and “sunset” clauses under which limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire after 10 years. He wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the nuclear deal, which is known by diplomats as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. Iran warned that the collapse of the deal would thrust the world into another nuclear crisis. "If we lose the JCPOA, we will face another nuclear crisis,” Araqchi said. “For the Europeans or the world community, when we talk about maintaining the JCPOA and saving it, it’s not a choice between Iranian or the US market, it’s not a choice for economic cooperation: it’s a choice between having security and insecurity," Araqchi said.

Iran will withdraw from nuclear deal if there is no economic benefit: Deputy minister

Three policemen were killed in &quot;a vicious attack&quot; in the Iranian capital during protests by a Sufi sect today, a police spokesman told local media.

&quot;Three police officers were martyred in the street in a vicious attack using a bus,&quot; spokesman Saeed Montazer Almehdi told the official IRNA news agency.

Footage shown on state television appeared to show the moment the bus ploughed into a group of police officers in northern Tehran.

Members of Iran&#39;s Gonabadi Sufi order, known as dervishes, were protesting the arrest of members of the sect, according to unconfirmed social media reports.

Police said gunshots were fired to disperse the protests, and unverified footage on social media showed riot police running through the streets and clashing with black-clad protesters.

&quot;The law enforcement forces arrested a number of dervishes and ended the protest by firing tear gas,&quot; a witness told IRNA.

The conservative-linked Fars news agency said several police officers were also wounded in the bus attack and had been hospitalised.

The Gonabadis are one of the country&#39;s largest Sufi sects, originating from Khorasan Razavi province in the country&#39;s northeast but with a presence in cities across Iran.

The sect accuses the Iranian government of frequent harassment and discrimination.

During the presidency of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad between 2005 and 2013, there were multiple clashes between the Sufis and militias associated with hardline elements of the Iranian establishment.

Officials and the media routinely refer to Gonabadi Sufis as &quot;deceived elements&quot; and senior clerics have disavowed their teachings.

There were unconfirmed reports in late January and early February that security forces had clashed with sect members outside the home of their leader, Noor Ali Tabandeh, in Pasdaran in northern Tehran.

A website linked to the group said police were trying to set up checkpoints around the home to monitor visitors.

Sufi worship is not illegal in Iran but the practice is frowned upon by many conservative clerics.

The Islamic mysticism followed by an array of Sufi orders since the early centuries of the faith has always aroused suspicion among orthodox Muslims, whether Shiite or Sunni.

In Shiite Islam, some Sufi orders have been further tarnished by the accusation of heresy because of their association with the unorthodox Alevi faith practised in parts of Syria and Turkey.

Footage shown on state television appeared to show the moment the bus ploughed into a group of police officers in northern Tehran

Three policemen were killed in "a vicious attack" in the Iranian capital during protests by a Sufi sect today, a police spokesman told local media. "Three police officers were martyred in the street in a vicious attack using a bus," spokesman Saeed Montazer Almehdi told the official IRNA news agency. Footage shown on state television appeared to show the moment the bus ploughed into a group of police officers in northern Tehran. Members of Iran's Gonabadi Sufi order, known as dervishes, were protesting the arrest of members of the sect, according to unconfirmed social media reports. Police said gunshots were fired to disperse the protests, and unverified footage on social media showed riot police running through the streets and clashing with black-clad protesters. "The law enforcement forces arrested a number of dervishes and ended the protest by firing tear gas," a witness told IRNA. The conservative-linked Fars news agency said several police officers were also wounded in the bus attack and had been hospitalised. The Gonabadis are one of the country's largest Sufi sects, originating from Khorasan Razavi province in the country's northeast but with a presence in cities across Iran. The sect accuses the Iranian government of frequent harassment and discrimination. During the presidency of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad between 2005 and 2013, there were multiple clashes between the Sufis and militias associated with hardline elements of the Iranian establishment. Officials and the media routinely refer to Gonabadi Sufis as "deceived elements" and senior clerics have disavowed their teachings. There were unconfirmed reports in late January and early February that security forces had clashed with sect members outside the home of their leader, Noor Ali Tabandeh, in Pasdaran in northern Tehran. A website linked to the group said police were trying to set up checkpoints around the home to monitor visitors. Sufi worship is not illegal in Iran but the practice is frowned upon by many conservative clerics. The Islamic mysticism followed by an array of Sufi orders since the early centuries of the faith has always aroused suspicion among orthodox Muslims, whether Shiite or Sunni. In Shiite Islam, some Sufi orders have been further tarnished by the accusation of heresy because of their association with the unorthodox Alevi faith practised in parts of Syria and Turkey.

Three policemen killed in Sufi protests in Iran

Remains of the Iranian passenger plane <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-plane-crash-all-66-on-board-dead-says-airline-33245" target="_blank">Aseman Airlines flight EP3704 </a>that crashed on Sunday were found in Central Iran.

The&nbsp;deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province was quoted by media as saying on Monday that the wreckage was found near Dengezlu city, in Semirom county, in Isfahan province.

The remains were traced after a rescue team had started the search operation on Monday.&nbsp;

The severe snow and rain had disrupted the search operation for the crashed plane on Sunday, which was resumed after the weather improved.&nbsp;

The passenger plane with 66 passengers on board was crashed&nbsp;into country&#39;s Zagros mountains.

All the 66 people along with the crew were killed in the crash.&nbsp;

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The severe snow and rain had disrupted the search operation for the crashed plane on Sunday. The search operation was resumed today after the weather improved

Remains of the Iranian passenger plane Aseman Airlines flight EP3704 that crashed on Sunday were found in Central Iran. The deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province was quoted by media as saying on Monday that the wreckage was found near Dengezlu city, in Semirom county, in Isfahan province. The remains were traced after a rescue team had started the search operation on Monday. The severe snow and rain had disrupted the search operation for the crashed plane on Sunday, which was resumed after the weather improved. The passenger plane with 66 passengers on board was crashed into country's Zagros mountains. All the 66 people along with the crew were killed in the crash.

Remains of Iranian passenger plane found in Central Iran: Reports

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Senior management officials at Gitanjali Gems have called it quits. In a regulatory filing on Monday, the company revealed that CFO Chandrakant Karkare, company&rsquo;s vice-president (compliance) and a company secretary have resigned.&nbsp;

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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364" target="_blank">CBI registers case against </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364" target="_blank">Rotomac</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-case-against-rotomac-directors-for-cheating-seven-banks-33364" target="_blank"> directors for cheating seven banks</a>

The Central&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/case-of-loan-default-not-fraud-vikram-kotharis-lawyer-33359">Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has</a>&nbsp;registered a case against Rotomac directors alleging that the conspirators cheated seven banks by syphoning off bank loans worth Rs 2,919 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-says-to-meet-with-myanmar-on-rohingya-trapped-at-border-33378" target="_blank">Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border</a>

Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-cannot-confirm-wreckage-found-in-search-operation-of-crashed-plane-33379" target="_blank">Cannot confirm &#39;wreckage&#39; found in search operation of crashed plane: Iran</a>

The Iran aviation authorities have not confirmed the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/wethevoice/remains-of-iranian-passenger-plane-found-in-central-iran-reports-33375" target="_blank">&nbsp;wreckage of the Iranian plane</a>&nbsp;that was found in the search operation on Monday.&nbsp; The confirmation was released by Iran`s Civil Aviation Organisation few minutes after the&nbsp;deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said to a state media&nbsp;that the remains of the planes were&nbsp;found in Central Iran.&nbsp;

PNB scam: Amid nationwide raids, top Gitanjali Gems officials quit Senior management officials at Gitanjali Gems have called it quits. In a regulatory filing on Monday, the company revealed that CFO Chandrakant Karkare, company’s vice-president (compliance) and a company secretary have resigned. Priya Prakash Varrier moves Supreme Court over case filed against Oru Adaar Love Actor Priya Prakash Varrier and director Omar Lulu have filed a plea in Supreme Court over the case registered against her film "Oru Adaar Love" in Telangana. CBI registers case against Rotomac directors for cheating seven banks The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has registered a case against Rotomac directors alleging that the conspirators cheated seven banks by syphoning off bank loans worth Rs 2,919 crore. Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said. Cannot confirm 'wreckage' found in search operation of crashed plane: Iran The Iran aviation authorities have not confirmed the wreckage of the Iranian plane that was found in the search operation on Monday. The confirmation was released by Iran`s Civil Aviation Organisation few minutes after the deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said to a state media that the remains of the planes were found in Central Iran.

WION Evening News brief, February 19, 2018

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is &quot;absolutely critical&quot; that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump extended sanctions waivers in January. He later stated that he would not do the same at the time of the renewal in May unless his concerns are addressed.

Kerry, who is also one of the leading negotiators on the deal, spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and called the White House&#39;s stance on the nuke deal as &quot;untenable&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;It is not good diplomacy,&quot; Kerry noted.&nbsp;

Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world. He stated that going backwards on the agreement is not an option. &quot;Without the Iran nuclear agreement the world is not a better place,&quot; Kerry added.&nbsp;

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on his three-day visit to India, also talked about the nuclear deal and agreements with the United States.&nbsp;

He noted that the Iranian government will adhere to any agreement that is signed with the United States.&nbsp;

&quot;If the US violates this agreement, you will see that America will regret its decision. Not only US administration, but also US people would voice their opposition immediately and will object to the violators,&quot; Rouhani added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is "absolutely critical" that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal. US President Donald Trump extended sanctions waivers in January. He later stated that he would not do the same at the time of the renewal in May unless his concerns are addressed. Kerry, who is also one of the leading negotiators on the deal, spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and called the White House's stance on the nuke deal as "untenable". "It is not good diplomacy," Kerry noted. Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world. He stated that going backwards on the agreement is not an option. "Without the Iran nuclear agreement the world is not a better place," Kerry added. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on his three-day visit to India, also talked about the nuclear deal and agreements with the United States. He noted that the Iranian government will adhere to any agreement that is signed with the United States. "If the US violates this agreement, you will see that America will regret its decision. Not only US administration, but also US people would voice their opposition immediately and will object to the violators," Rouhani added.

Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry

An Iranian passenger plane has crashed into the country&#39;s Zagros mountains with more than 50 people on board, the head of the country&#39;s emergency services told local media on Sunday.&nbsp;

&quot;This plane has crashed in the Semirom area and all emergency forces are on alert. The plane had 50 to 60 passengers,&quot; Pir Hossein Koolivand told the Fars news agency.

The plane was reportedly travelling from Tehran to the small town of Yasuj in Isfahan province.&nbsp;

Semirom lies in the mountainous southwestern region of Iran, around 480 kilometres (300 miles) south of the capital.&nbsp;

&quot;An ATR aircraft of Aseman Airlines with 60 passengers and about six crew disappeared from radar this morning,&quot; Aladin Borujerdi, head of parliament&#39;s national security and foreign policy commission, told the semi-official ISNA news agency.&nbsp;

&quot;Observation by people (in the area) indicates a crash,&quot; he said, adding that he was still awaiting confirmation.

Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman for the national emergency services, told the semi-official ISNA news agency that a helicopter had been sent to the area.

&quot;Given the fact that the area is mountainous, it is not possible to send ambulances,&quot; he said.

The plane crashed into the country's Zagros mountains

An Iranian passenger plane has crashed into the country's Zagros mountains with more than 50 people on board, the head of the country's emergency services told local media on Sunday. "This plane has crashed in the Semirom area and all emergency forces are on alert. The plane had 50 to 60 passengers," Pir Hossein Koolivand told the Fars news agency. The plane was reportedly travelling from Tehran to the small town of Yasuj in Isfahan province. Semirom lies in the mountainous southwestern region of Iran, around 480 kilometres (300 miles) south of the capital. "An ATR aircraft of Aseman Airlines with 60 passengers and about six crew disappeared from radar this morning," Aladin Borujerdi, head of parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, told the semi-official ISNA news agency. "Observation by people (in the area) indicates a crash," he said, adding that he was still awaiting confirmation. Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman for the national emergency services, told the semi-official ISNA news agency that a helicopter had been sent to the area. "Given the fact that the area is mountainous, it is not possible to send ambulances," he said.

Plane crashes in Iran with 66 aboard

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held a substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and other regional issues, tweeted External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.&nbsp;

India and Iran signed a total of nine agreements earlier in the day focussing on Iran&#39;s Chabahar port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the significance of the Chabahar port stating that it helped in boosting trade between the two nations.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: PM Narendra Modi &amp; President of Iran Hassan Rouhani issue joint postal stamp. <a href="https://t.co/Q4RSmcF6tF">pic.twitter.com/Q4RSmcF6tF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787849534083073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi welcomed the Iranian President and noted that an Iranian president was visiting India after a decade. He also noted that the ties between Iran and India have strengthened significantly under Rouhani&#39;s leadership.&nbsp;

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I thank you for the way you provided leadership in developing Chabahar Port: PM Narendra Modi to Iran President Dr <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tzavzxb6Lm">pic.twitter.com/Tzavzxb6Lm</a>
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The Prime Minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for developing the Chabahar port and noted: &quot;We want to enhance connectivity&quot;.

He further noted that the two countries want to see neighbouring Afghanistan safe, prosperous and free from terrorism.&nbsp;

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The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/98bYhcSERn">pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787964470579200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rouhani, after taking the stage, identified the relationship between India and Iran not just a diplomatic one but &quot;historical and civilisational&quot; as well.&nbsp;

He said that he&nbsp;discussed issues revolving around trade, tariffs, visa among others with his Indian counterpart.&nbsp;

&quot;We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism,&rdquo; Rouhani noted adding further that regional conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy and political initiatives.

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The relations between the two countries goes beyond trade &amp; business, it goes back in history: Iran President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> <a href="https://t.co/hO07xY0DZf">pic.twitter.com/hO07xY0DZf</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964788758167121920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Iranian president expressed his desire to boost&nbsp;railway relations between the two countries.

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We share views on 2 crucial issues - transit &amp; economy. We want to develop railway relations between the 2 countries &amp; are seeing development of Chabahar Port: Iran President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> <a href="https://t.co/EEIRD7kNnE">pic.twitter.com/EEIRD7kNnE</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964789360875929602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today.

Rouhani&nbsp;received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad.

We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism: President Rouhani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held a substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and other regional issues, tweeted External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. India and Iran signed a total of nine agreements earlier in the day focussing on Iran's Chabahar port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the significance of the Chabahar port stating that it helped in boosting trade between the two nations. #Delhi: PM Narendra Modi & President of Iran Hassan Rouhani issue joint postal stamp. pic.twitter.com/Q4RSmcF6tF — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × PM Modi welcomed the Iranian President and noted that an Iranian president was visiting India after a decade. He also noted that the ties between Iran and India have strengthened significantly under Rouhani's leadership. I thank you for the way you provided leadership in developing Chabahar Port: PM Narendra Modi to Iran President Dr #HassanRouhani pic.twitter.com/Tzavzxb6Lm — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × The Prime Minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for developing the Chabahar port and noted: "We want to enhance connectivity". He further noted that the two countries want to see neighbouring Afghanistan safe, prosperous and free from terrorism. The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Rouhani, after taking the stage, identified the relationship between India and Iran not just a diplomatic one but "historical and civilisational" as well. He said that he discussed issues revolving around trade, tariffs, visa among others with his Indian counterpart. "We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism,” Rouhani noted adding further that regional conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy and political initiatives. The relations between the two countries goes beyond trade & business, it goes back in history: Iran President #HassanRouhani pic.twitter.com/hO07xY0DZf — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × The Iranian president expressed his desire to boost railway relations between the two countries. We share views on 2 crucial issues - transit & economy. We want to develop railway relations between the 2 countries & are seeing development of Chabahar Port: Iran President #HassanRouhani pic.twitter.com/EEIRD7kNnE — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today. Rouhani received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad.

Iran, India ink nine pacts after 'substantive' dialogues on wide range of issues

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who landed in New Delhi on Friday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

PM Narendra Modi and Iran President Rouhani are issuing a joint statement.&nbsp;

Watch live:&nbsp;

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Delegation-level talks between PM Modi and Hassan Rouhani took place in the national capital's Hyderabad House

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who landed in New Delhi on Friday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. PM Narendra Modi and Iran President Rouhani are issuing a joint statement. Watch live:

Watch: PM Modi and Iran President Rouhani issue a joint statement

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, the last leg of his<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-iranian-president-hasan-rouhanis-visit-to-india-is-significant-32959">&nbsp;three-day visit</a> to India.

The two sides held &quot;substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and regional issues,&quot; the external affairs ministry said on Twitter. 
&nbsp;

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Civilizational connect, contemporary context! PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> welcomed President of Iran Dr. Rouhani to India. Both leaders held substantive &amp; productive discussion on cooperation in trade &amp; investment, energy, connectivity, defence &amp; security &amp; regional issues. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DustemanIran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DustemanIran</a> <a href="https://t.co/LICDykC5F6">pic.twitter.com/LICDykC5F6</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/964766462165561349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Iranian president earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind was earlier accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Indian prime minister and president. 
&nbsp;

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Iranian President Rouhani poses for a picture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind at New Delhi&#39;s Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 17. (ANI)
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Iran President Hassan Rouhani inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan. <a href="https://t.co/CX9YVWX6in">pic.twitter.com/CX9YVWX6in</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964707463063834629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Raj Ghat.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Iran President Hassan Rouhani pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. <a href="https://t.co/TeDENjZOQY">pic.twitter.com/TeDENjZOQY</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964712741696167936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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India&#39;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Iranian President.&nbsp;

&quot;Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion,&quot; the external affairs ministry tweeted.

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A close friend in our extended neighbourhood! EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> called on President of Iran Dr. Hassan Rouhani. Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DustemanIran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DustemanIran</a> <a href="https://t.co/xFxycjVNYU">pic.twitter.com/xFxycjVNYU</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/964735006567555073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The two sides&nbsp;are expected to sign an agreement allowing India to run operations in the first phase of the strategic Chabahar port project. The port is about 72 km from the Pakistani port of Gwadar, which China is developing. It will bypass Pakistan to open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan.&nbsp;

India has committed $500 million to the Chabahar port which is expected to boost trade relations between India, Afghanistan and Iran, and will also give access to India to the resource-rich countries of central Asia.

The two sides are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and discuss oil and gas cooperation.

The Iranian President was in Hyderabad on February 15 where he visited the Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi Tombs. He <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/muslims-non-muslims-hindus-sikhs-are-coexisting-in-peace-in-india-iranian-president-33113">addressed a Muslim congregation</a> in the Southern city yesterday and praised India for the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths.

The trip comes amid US pressure to review a 2015 international nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions on Iran.

India&#39;s ties with Iran came up in New Delhi in November last year during talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said America would not stand in the way of projects that help the Iranian people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, the last leg of his three-day visit to India. The two sides held "substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and regional issues," the external affairs ministry said on Twitter. Civilizational connect, contemporary context! PM @narendramodi welcomed President of Iran Dr. Rouhani to India. Both leaders held substantive & productive discussion on cooperation in trade & investment, energy, connectivity, defence & security & regional issues. #DustemanIran pic.twitter.com/LICDykC5F6 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 17, 2018 × The Iranian president earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind was earlier accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Indian prime minister and president. Iranian President Rouhani poses for a picture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind at New Delhi's Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 17. (ANI) × #Delhi: Iran President Hassan Rouhani inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/CX9YVWX6in — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Raj Ghat. #Delhi: Iran President Hassan Rouhani pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. pic.twitter.com/TeDENjZOQY — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Iranian President. "Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion," the external affairs ministry tweeted. A close friend in our extended neighbourhood! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on President of Iran Dr. Hassan Rouhani. Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion. #DustemanIran pic.twitter.com/xFxycjVNYU — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 17, 2018 × The two sides are expected to sign an agreement allowing India to run operations in the first phase of the strategic Chabahar port project. The port is about 72 km from the Pakistani port of Gwadar, which China is developing. It will bypass Pakistan to open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan. India has committed $500 million to the Chabahar port which is expected to boost trade relations between India, Afghanistan and Iran, and will also give access to India to the resource-rich countries of central Asia. The two sides are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and discuss oil and gas cooperation. The Iranian President was in Hyderabad on February 15 where he visited the Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi Tombs. He addressed a Muslim congregation in the Southern city yesterday and praised India for the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths. The trip comes amid US pressure to review a 2015 international nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions on Iran. India's ties with Iran came up in New Delhi in November last year during talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said America would not stand in the way of projects that help the Iranian people. (With inputs from agencies)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, PM Modi hold 'substantive' bilateral talks

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today questioned why does India not enjoy &#39;veto&#39;&nbsp;rights.&nbsp;

&quot;Why India, with a population of over 1 billion, doesn&#39;t enjoy veto rights and why does the US have veto rights?&quot; Rouhani noted.

The United Nations Security Council &quot;veto power&quot; gives the &#39;permanent members&#39; &nbsp;the authority to veto any &quot;substantive&quot; resolution.

So far only five countries -- the US, China, France, the UK and Russia -- enjoy the right to veto.&nbsp;

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He also shared that five countries who &quot;had atomic bombs&quot; were given the right of veto.&nbsp;

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Why India with a population of over 1 billion doesn&#39;t enjoy veto rights &amp; why does the US have veto rights? Five countries who had atomic bombs were given the right of veto: Iran President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/jsBN4QbqWz">pic.twitter.com/jsBN4QbqWz</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964836796721958912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today.

President Rouhani received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.

He also shared that five countries who "had atomic bombs" were given the right of veto

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today questioned why does India not enjoy 'veto' rights. "Why India, with a population of over 1 billion, doesn't enjoy veto rights and why does the US have veto rights?" Rouhani noted. The United Nations Security Council "veto power" gives the 'permanent members' the authority to veto any "substantive" resolution. So far only five countries -- the US, China, France, the UK and Russia -- enjoy the right to veto. He also shared that five countries who "had atomic bombs" were given the right of veto. Why India with a population of over 1 billion doesn't enjoy veto rights & why does the US have veto rights? Five countries who had atomic bombs were given the right of veto: Iran President #HassanRouhani in Delhi pic.twitter.com/jsBN4QbqWz — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today. President Rouhani received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.

Why does India not enjoy veto rights in UN? asks Iranian President

With a message to walk the path together, President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said India and Iran should join hands &quot;firmly and decisively&quot; to defeat the menace of terrorism and ensure peace, stability and security in the region.

In his speech at the banquet hosted in honour of visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Kovind expressed happiness over the deepening of relationship between the two countries.

He said, &quot;Our bilateral trade has expanded. Our energy partnership is growing. Iran&rsquo;s abundant hydrocarbon resources and India&rsquo;s rapidly growing energy demand provide new opportunities.&quot;

As developing nations facing similar challenges, India and Iran have much to share and gain from each other, Kovind said.

&quot;Our young people are our biggest strength. They are brimming with ideas, energy and entrepreneurship. We need to bring them together,&quot; the president said.

He said both the countries have shared interest in peace, stability and security in the region.

&quot;Terrorism poses a constant and daily challenge to our peace-loving society. Our people have been suffering its violent and inhuman brutality. Let us join hands, firmly and decisively, to defeat these forces.&quot;

He assured India&#39;s complete support to Iran and said the two countries have expressed strong willingness to lift bilateral relations to a higher level.

&quot;We have stood by Iran during difficult times, and we will continue to support and stand by you in the future. There is strong willingness in our two countries to lift our relations to a higher level,&quot; the president said and recited a couplet in Urdu which meant &quot;where there is a will, there is a way. Let us walk the path together&quot;.

He said Iran has played an important role in connecting people, cultures and civilizations for centuries and added the Chabahar Port, the Ashgabat Agreement and the International North-South Transport Corridor together would open immense opportunities for development and prosperity, not just in Iran, India and Afghanistan, but way beyond in the larger region.

&quot;These would directly impact the welfare of common people as we have recently seen with the wheat shipment sent to Afghanistan,&quot; he said.

The president said in Persian that Iran and India are very old friends and &quot;we wish to remain so ever&quot;.

Kovind started his speech with Rabindranath Tagore&#39;s views about Iran who had described Persia as an everlasting inspiration. The thought and wisdom of great Persian luminaries deeply moved him.

He quoted Tagore&#39;s letter to a friend in which he had said: &quot;Culturally speaking, Persia comes nearer to us than most Asian countries. In language, religion, literature and arts, we have very real affinity and all through the course of past history, communication of the mind has been constant.&quot;

The president said Tagore described Indo-Iranian people as &#39;one&#39; who like a giant river got divided into two streams, one finding its destination to the west of Hindukush and other pouring into the plains of India.

The president said on these strong and deep-rooted cultural links, both the countries have built a modern partnership.

India and Iran should join hands 'firmly and decisively' to defeat the menace of terrorism and ensure peace, stability and security in the region

With a message to walk the path together, President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said India and Iran should join hands "firmly and decisively" to defeat the menace of terrorism and ensure peace, stability and security in the region. In his speech at the banquet hosted in honour of visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Kovind expressed happiness over the deepening of relationship between the two countries. He said, "Our bilateral trade has expanded. Our energy partnership is growing. Iran’s abundant hydrocarbon resources and India’s rapidly growing energy demand provide new opportunities." As developing nations facing similar challenges, India and Iran have much to share and gain from each other, Kovind said. "Our young people are our biggest strength. They are brimming with ideas, energy and entrepreneurship. We need to bring them together," the president said. He said both the countries have shared interest in peace, stability and security in the region. "Terrorism poses a constant and daily challenge to our peace-loving society. Our people have been suffering its violent and inhuman brutality. Let us join hands, firmly and decisively, to defeat these forces." He assured India's complete support to Iran and said the two countries have expressed strong willingness to lift bilateral relations to a higher level. "We have stood by Iran during difficult times, and we will continue to support and stand by you in the future. There is strong willingness in our two countries to lift our relations to a higher level," the president said and recited a couplet in Urdu which meant "where there is a will, there is a way. Let us walk the path together". He said Iran has played an important role in connecting people, cultures and civilizations for centuries and added the Chabahar Port, the Ashgabat Agreement and the International North-South Transport Corridor together would open immense opportunities for development and prosperity, not just in Iran, India and Afghanistan, but way beyond in the larger region. "These would directly impact the welfare of common people as we have recently seen with the wheat shipment sent to Afghanistan," he said. The president said in Persian that Iran and India are very old friends and "we wish to remain so ever". Kovind started his speech with Rabindranath Tagore's views about Iran who had described Persia as an everlasting inspiration. The thought and wisdom of great Persian luminaries deeply moved him. He quoted Tagore's letter to a friend in which he had said: "Culturally speaking, Persia comes nearer to us than most Asian countries. In language, religion, literature and arts, we have very real affinity and all through the course of past history, communication of the mind has been constant." The president said Tagore described Indo-Iranian people as 'one' who like a giant river got divided into two streams, one finding its destination to the west of Hindukush and other pouring into the plains of India. The president said on these strong and deep-rooted cultural links, both the countries have built a modern partnership.

India and Iran should join hands firmly, President Kovind tells Iranian counterpart

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed on Saturday to step up efforts to bring stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Modi reiterated India`s commitment to help Afghanistan become &quot;a peaceful, secure, permanent, prosperous and pluralistic country&quot; after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last day of his three-day visit.

&quot;Looking at our common interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion of such forces that promote international organised crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, cyber-crime and various forms,&quot; Modi said

&quot;We want to see our region and the world free from terrorism.&quot;

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The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/98bYhcSERn">pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787964470579200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There was no mention of financial assistance or providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants by either leader.

They did not name Pakistan but it has long been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan.

India has been a key supporter of Kabul&#39;s government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001.

In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn nation including education, health and agriculture.

Modi said both countries wanted to increase economic cooperation, regional connectivity and improve energy security to reach landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian port of Chabahar.

The port, which was inaugurated in December, has been touted as a way for India to establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan.

India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016.

However, local Indian media have reported frustrations over delays in awarding a contract to develop a major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf.

India&#39;s foreign ministry said Saturday that &quot;discussions continue&quot; on Farzad B.&nbsp;

The two leaders also signed agreements for avoidance of double taxation and the implementation of an extradition treaty from 2008.

As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multi-purpose container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months.

India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agreement in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost economic growth in the region.

 
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India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed on Saturday to step up efforts to bring stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan. Modi reiterated India`s commitment to help Afghanistan become "a peaceful, secure, permanent, prosperous and pluralistic country" after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last day of his three-day visit. "Looking at our common interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion of such forces that promote international organised crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, cyber-crime and various forms," Modi said "We want to see our region and the world free from terrorism." The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × There was no mention of financial assistance or providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants by either leader. They did not name Pakistan but it has long been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan. India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001. In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn nation including education, health and agriculture. Modi said both countries wanted to increase economic cooperation, regional connectivity and improve energy security to reach landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian port of Chabahar. The port, which was inaugurated in December, has been touted as a way for India to establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan. India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016. However, local Indian media have reported frustrations over delays in awarding a contract to develop a major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf. India's foreign ministry said Saturday that "discussions continue" on Farzad B. The two leaders also signed agreements for avoidance of double taxation and the implementation of an extradition treaty from 2008. As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multi-purpose container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months. India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agreement in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost economic growth in the region.

India, Iran agree to step up efforts to help Afghanistan

In a major policy shift, Pakistan has decided to deploy troops in <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saudi-Arabia" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Saudi Arabia-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saudi-Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a> under bilateral security cooperation with the kingdom which is involved in the ongoing civil war in neighbouring Yemen. 
The <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pakistan-Army" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Pakistan Army-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pakistan-Army">Pakistan Army</a> announced the decision after a meeting between Army Chief General <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Qamar-Javed-Bajwa" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Qamar Javed Bajwa-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Qamar-Javed-Bajwa">Qamar Javed Bajwa</a> and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saeed-Al-Maliki" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-to-deploy-troops-in-saudi-arabia/articleshow/62945805.cms~Saeed Al-Maliki-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Saeed-Al-Maliki">Saeed Al-Maliki</a>, at army headquarters in Rawalpindi yesterday. 
 
&quot;In continuation of ongoing Pak-Saudi bilateral security cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on training and advise mission. These or troops already there will not be employed outside KSA,&quot; the army said. 
 
It also said the army &quot;maintains bilateral security cooperation with many other Gulf/regional countries&quot;. 
 
About the meeting of the ambassador with Bajwa, it said that matters of mutual interest including regional security situation were discussed during the meeting. 
 
Already around 1,000 Pakistani troops are deployed in Saudi Arabia in various advisory and training roles, according to officials 
 
There was no official word on the number of additional troops being sent to the kingdom but the Dawn newspaper quoted &quot;multiple sources&quot; hinting that it might be the size of a composite brigade. 
 
It also quoted army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, that the new deployment would be much lesser than a division, and that he would give details later. 
 
Saudi Arabia has been pushing Pakistan to provide troops since 2015 when it joined Yemen&#39;s civil war but Pakistan steadily refused, saying it would not become the party to any regional conflict.

The war in Yemen stalemated and the situation has aggravated with the rebels firing missiles at regular intervals towards the kingdom. 
 
The alliance of Muslim nations set up by Saudi Arabia and led by former Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif is also still in an early stage to play any role in the conflict. 
 
Bajwa earlier this month visited Saudi Arabia for three days and met officials including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Commander of Ground Forces Lt Gen Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz. 
 
It was his second visit to the kingdom in two months and reportedly played a role in Pakistan&#39;s decision to deploy troops.

Pakistan is treading a fine line in maintaining relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Qatar and other regional players and the decision of deploying troops may annoy Saudi Arabia&#39;s rivals like Iran and Qatar. 
 
Bajwa has been playing a major role in addressing concerns of regional countries and met with ambassadors of Iran and Turkey earlier this week. He also recently visited Qatar and met its &#39;emir&#39;.

The decision may also create tension in Pakistan&#39;s internal politics as parliament had passed a resolution at the start of the Yemen crisis that said Pakistan would stay neutral in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia has been pushing Pakistan to provide troops since 2015 when it joined Yemen's civil war

In a major policy shift, Pakistan has decided to deploy troops in Saudi Arabia under bilateral security cooperation with the kingdom which is involved in the ongoing civil war in neighbouring Yemen. The Pakistan Army announced the decision after a meeting between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, at army headquarters in Rawalpindi yesterday. "In continuation of ongoing Pak-Saudi bilateral security cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on training and advise mission. These or troops already there will not be employed outside KSA," the army said. It also said the army "maintains bilateral security cooperation with many other Gulf/regional countries". About the meeting of the ambassador with Bajwa, it said that matters of mutual interest including regional security situation were discussed during the meeting. Already around 1,000 Pakistani troops are deployed in Saudi Arabia in various advisory and training roles, according to officials There was no official word on the number of additional troops being sent to the kingdom but the Dawn newspaper quoted "multiple sources" hinting that it might be the size of a composite brigade. It also quoted army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, that the new deployment would be much lesser than a division, and that he would give details later. Saudi Arabia has been pushing Pakistan to provide troops since 2015 when it joined Yemen's civil war but Pakistan steadily refused, saying it would not become the party to any regional conflict. The war in Yemen stalemated and the situation has aggravated with the rebels firing missiles at regular intervals towards the kingdom. The alliance of Muslim nations set up by Saudi Arabia and led by former Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif is also still in an early stage to play any role in the conflict. Bajwa earlier this month visited Saudi Arabia for three days and met officials including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Commander of Ground Forces Lt Gen Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz. It was his second visit to the kingdom in two months and reportedly played a role in Pakistan's decision to deploy troops. Pakistan is treading a fine line in maintaining relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Qatar and other regional players and the decision of deploying troops may annoy Saudi Arabia's rivals like Iran and Qatar. Bajwa has been playing a major role in addressing concerns of regional countries and met with ambassadors of Iran and Turkey earlier this week. He also recently visited Qatar and met its 'emir'. The decision may also create tension in Pakistan's internal politics as parliament had passed a resolution at the start of the Yemen crisis that said Pakistan would stay neutral in the conflict.

Pakistan to deploy troops in Saudi Arabia

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