Iran

A split has emerged in the coalition of Western powers pressuring Iran to freeze its nuclear enrichment program, as France backs US calls for a new round of sanctions while Germany urges restraint.

Three drilling companies will be privatized, said a National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) official here on Friday.

Iran will make $10 billion investments in Syria within the next five years, the acting industries and mines minister announced in here on Friday.

China lauded an action plan reached by Iran and the United Nations nuclear inspectors on Friday, saying it hoped related parties could avoid confrontations in dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue.

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here on Friday that the US project to weaken the Islamic Revolution has been defeated by the vigilant and informed Iranian nation.

Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, in a phone conversation with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, extended his congratulations to the Iranian leader, president, government and nation on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad extended his condolences to the Nicaraguan government and nation on the deadly storms in that country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to leave Tehran for New York on September 23 to attend the annual meeting of the Untied Nations General Assembly.

Iran’s Red Crescent Society has planned to dispatch a relief and rescue team to Nicaragua to help the hurricane-stricken people of that country.

China welcomed Iran’s nuclear transparency deal with UN inspectors.