2020-05-03: News Headlines

Tyler Durden (2020-05-03). Pompeo Demands Countries Block Airspace to Iran's Sanctions-Busting Air Bridge to Venezuela. anti-empire.com The US is going on the offensive once again against Venezuela, this time attempting to break up growing Iranian cooperation and assistance to Caracas. The two so-called 'rogue states' recently targeted for US-imposed regime change are helping each other fight coronavirus as well as Washington-led sanctions. Specifically Tehran has ramped up cargo deliveries related getting Venezuela's derelict oil refineries fully operational. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in new statements has called on international allies to block airspace specifically for Iran's Mahan Air, currently under US sanctions, and which has in…

RT (2020-05-03). Nuclear deal will 'die forever' if US extends conventional arms embargo — Iran's security council chief. rt.com A top Iranian official has warned that the US extending the ban on conventional arms sales to Iran would be the last nail in the coffin for the 2015 nuclear deal. He called on the EU to choose between "dignity" and "humiliation."

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-03). The Trump Regime's Latest Diabolical Anti-Iran Scheme. With the Support of Bibi. globalresearch.ca Decades of US hostility toward Iran for not bowing to its hegemonic will reached a fever pitch under Trump. | Regime hardliners and Netanyahu convinced him to wage all-out war by other means on Tehran, an agenda that risks things turning …

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). A glimpse at landscapes of N Khorasan province. en.mehrnews.com BOJNURD, May 03 (MNA) — North Khorasan province, situated in the northeast of Iran, enjoys impressive natural landscapes. The region is also famous as 'the land of 1000 springs' for its abundant water and springs.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Parl. Secuiry Commission to address condition of Iranian scientist jailed in US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission is set to hold a meeting to address the situation of an Iranian scientist who has contracted COVID-19 in a US jail.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Germany unable to withstand US pressures: MP. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — An Iranian lawmaker says that Germany is a weak country regarding politics and cannot stand against the United States' pressures.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). 78,422 patients recover from Covid-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — 78,422 patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID_19) in Iran have fully recovered from the disease as of Sunday, says the Health Ministry's spokesman.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Russia names US efforts for extension of Iran's arms embargo fruitless. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to the Vienna-based international organizations said on Sunday that "in case the US cannot persuade the UN Security Council to extend arms embargo against Iran, it will try other options. But we do believe that Americans will not reach their set targets."

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iranian dailies' headlines on May 3. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Mehr News Agency takes a look at the important headlines of the Iranian newspapers on Sunday, May 03.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iran marks national Shiraz Day. en.mehrnews.com SHIRAZ, May 04 (MNA) — The 15th day of Ordibehesht in Persian calendar that falls on May 4 this year has been designated as Shiraz Day due to its historical and cultural importance as well as its unique beauty.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Over 2 ton of illicit drugs seized in Iran's Mirjaveh. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — The police force of the Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran, have seized a big haul of different drugs in the southeastern borders.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Incident occurred to Afghan nationals took place in Afghanistan not Iran: Mousavi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Rejecting allegations accusing Iran for the death of Afghan nationals who sought to enter Iran illegally, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Sunday that the incident has occurred in Afghanistan territory, not the Iranian border.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Afghanistan, Iran's new goods transit route to Central Asia: official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Commercial Envoy of the Iranian Embassy to Afghanistan Mohammad Mehdi Javanmard Ghasab said that Afghanistan can be Iran's new transit route for exporting products to the Central Asian states.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). European, American seminary students in Qom prov. en.mehrnews.com QOM, May 03 (MNA) — In line with the special emphasis of Leader of the Islamic Revolution in implementing "Equality, Sincere Assistance Maneuver" during the holy month of Ramadan, over 2,000 livelihood foodstuff packages were distributed among the needy families in Qom province at the initiative taken by Amir al-Momenin Seminary School, where non-Iranian seminary students study at this center.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iran ready to share COVID-19 experiences with West: Amir-Abdollahian. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Pointing to the failure of some Western countries in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, Iranian Parliament Speaker's Special Aide for International Affairs expressed the country's readiness to its experiences.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iranian model of public assistance during corona to be compiled: official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — A member of Expediency Council Ali Aqa Mohammadi said that an Iranian model of public assistance during the outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, will be formulated in the country.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iran not discriminating between COVID-19 patients unlike US: Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan said that the country's health care system does not differentiate between nationalities of the COVID-19 patients while treating them.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iran strongly condemns ISIL's terrorist attack against PMU. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi strongly condemned the criminal and cowardly actions of the ISIL terrorist group that resulted in the martyrdom of a number of Hashd al-Sha'abi forces during the holy month of Ramadan.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iranian animation 'Greyish' goes to Meryland filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iranian short animated piece 'Greyish' directed by Eghbal Shirzaei Sani has made it into the competition program of the 2020 edition of Maryland International Film Festival in the US.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Five minerals hit production growth last year. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Production volume of five selected minerals registered a hike in the last Iranian calendar year [ended March 20, 2020] as compared to the last year's corresponding period.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iran exports 1st batch of agricultural products to Kuwait during corona. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Head of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) Hamid Zadboum said on Sun. that the first cargo of Iran's agricultural products, fresh fruits and vegetables was exported to Kuwait during the outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Police confiscates above 2.3 tons of illicit drugs in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iran's Border Guard Commander Brigadier General Ghasem Rezaie informed on Sunday that Anti-narcotics police forces have seized 2.306 tons of illicit drugs at Iran-Pakistan Mirjaveh border, in the southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Police confiscates 257 kg illicit drugs in Iran's Damavand. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — The police chief of Damavand announced on Saturday that Anti-narcotics police forces have seized a consignment of illegal drugs following a series of intelligence operations.

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-05-03). Israel Behind Air Strikes in Syria Directed against Hezbollah. "Greater Israel" in the Making? globalresearch.ca Tensions have worsened in the Middle East. Apparently, the Israeli government is promoting an escalation of violence in Syria with the aim of expelling any trace of Iranian presence from the country, leading to the collapse of relations between Tehran …

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Illegal extension of arms embargo to kill JCPOA forever. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Rear Admiral Shamkhani warned that the illegal extension of Iran's arms embargo will result in the destruction of the 2015 nuclear deal — also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — forever.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Iran Air to launch special flights from Qatar, Europe to return stranded Iranians back. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iran Air is to launch flights from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Spain, and Qatar to the Iranian capital Tehran and Shiraz in Iranian Fars province, in the next upcoming days, to return Iranian nationals stranded in the named countries due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). World knows Ayatollah Khamenei as 'strategist': Mousavi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — The Spokesperson of Iran's ministry of foreign affairs said on Sunday that the world knows the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei as a 'strategist'.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Front pages of Iran international dailies on May 3. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Here are the front pages of Iran-based international newspapers on Sunday, May 03.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-03). Leader to deliver speech on International Quds Day. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — The chairman of Intifada and Quds Department of the Coordinating Council of Islamic Propagation said Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei will deliver a speech on the occasion of the International Quds Day, which falls on May 22.

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-03). Iran Bashing, a US Media Specialty. iranian.com Operating as imperial mouthpieces, US establishment media are hostile toward all sovereign independent nations on its target list for regime change. They're countries unwilling to sacrifice their sovereign rights to US interests. Iran tops the list of Middle East nations Washington wants transformed into a vassal state — to gain control over its vast hydrocarbon …

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-03). New START and the China Diversion. strategic-culture.org The effort to bring China into an arms reduction treaty certainly is futile. Not only is China not going to participate in arms control negotiations with the U.S. anytime soon, but even if China were persuaded to participate the limits set by New START would allow China to increase its nuclear arsenal many times over while still remaining in compliance.

yenisafak (2020-05-03). Iran's coronavirus death toll rises 47 to 6,203. yenisafak.com Iran confirmed 47 more fatalities from coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the nationwide death toll to 6,203, according to the official IRNA news agency. | Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 976 new infections were detected over the past 24 hours in the country. | He said 78,422 people out of a total of 97,424 infected with the disease have recovered, while 2,690 cases are in critical condition.Iran is one of the Mideast countries hardest hit by coronavirus, as first detected in the city of Qom on Feb. 19, and then spread throughout the country. | The government did not impose a total lockdown as see…

sputniknews (2020-05-03). Iran Nuclear Deal Will 'Die Forever' If US Uses 'Sanctions Virus' to Extend Arms Embargo — Tehran. sputniknews.com The Trump administration has been searching for options to try to extend the United Nations ban on the sale of conventional weapons to Iran beyond October, proposing sanctions and even considering making the argument that the US is still effectively a party to the Iran nuclear deal, despite its decision to walk out of the agreement in 2018.

IRNA (2020-05-03). 90-year-old lady defeats COVID-19 in Iran. iranian.com A 90-year-old woman from western Iran has defeated coronavirus (COVID-19) after three weeks of resistance to the deadly virus, doctors said on Sunday. The senior citizen who lives in Iran's Ilam Province was discharged from Mostafa Khomeini hospital. Earlier, a 106-year-old patient from Qom, a 98-year-old lady from Mashad, a 97-year-old woman from Qom, an …

Pepe Escobar (2020-05-02). The deeper roots of Chinese demonization. thealtworld.com Fasten your seat belts: the US The US strategy remains, essentially, full spectrum dominance, with the National Security Strategy obsessed by the three top "threats" of China, Russia and Iran. China, in contrast, proposes…

en.mehrnews (2020-05-02). Iranian short documentary wins at Sydney world film fest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03(MNA) — Iranian short documentary 'Pain Is Mine', by Farshid Akhlaghi, has won an award at the 2020 Sydney World Film Festival.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-02). 'There Will Be Spring' to take part in three intl. film festivals. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iranian short 'There Will Be Spring' by Saeed Bahman will take part in three international film festivals in Europe and North America.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-02). UN urged to take action for release of Iranian prof. imprisoned in US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Vice Chairman of Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Javad Jamali Nobandegani on Sat. called on the UN Secretary General António Guterres to take necessary actions for the release of Iranian Scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari, imprisoned in the US, due to the critical situation of the United States in terms of COVID-19 outbreak.

Scott Ritter (2020-05-02). To impose further sanctions on Iran, the US rewrites history and engages in semantic gymnastics. thealtworld.com On May 8, 2018, President Trump withdrew from the Iran Nuclear deal. In an effort to enact crippling "snap-back" sanctions, his administration is now pretending it did no such thing. | "All our words", the American-Lebanese poet-philosopher Kahlil Gibran observed, "are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind." If words are judged by their intellectual weight and adherence to integrity, the statements issued by the Trump administration in relation to its standing as a "participating nation" in the context of the agreement (known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA,) is more famine than…

AFP News (2020-05-02). Virus-hit Iran holds drive-in religious ceremonies. iranian.com With mosques in Iran closed as it battles the coronavirus, worshippers have adopted the novel solution of getting behind the wheel at drive-ins to gather during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Iranian (2020-05-02). Feeling Iran — Sights of this beautiful country as an American. iranian.com "Some moments from my trip to Iran. This was an incredible place to visit, filled with rich culture, beautiful architecture, and the kindest people I have met. Amidst the news and tension surrounding the government of this country, I hope that scenes like these can help share about the wonderful people and places Iran has …

Zero Hedge (2020-05-01). Pompeo Demands Countries Block Airspace To Iran's 'Terrorist Airline' After Venezuela Deliveries. iranian.com The US is going on the offensive once again against Venezuela, this time attempting to break up growing Iranian cooperation and assistance to Caracas. The two so-called 'rogue states' recently targeted for US-imposed regime change are helping each other fight coronavirus as well as Washington-led sanctions. Specifically, Tehran has ramped up cargo deliveries related getting Venezuela's …

Alan Macleod (2020-05-01). Experts Warn of New Nuclear Arms Race After Trump Signals US Withdrawal from START Treaty. mintpressnews.com While much of the corporate press has blamed Russia and China for the sudden failure of multiple longstanding nuclear treaties, experts put the blame on squarely on the Trump administration.

Tasnim News (2020-05-01). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rules Out Extension of UN Arms Embargo on Iran. iranian.com Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said renewing a UN arms embargo against Iran which is to expire in October 2020 is out of the question. "For us, the case of the existing ban on arms deliveries to and from Iran was closed with the adoption of Resolution 2231. The embargo regime expires in October …

Tehran Times (2020-05-01). Iran to build houses on Persian Gulf islands. iranian.com The Iranian islands of the Persian Gulf will be turned into residential areas, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Chief Alireza Tangsiri announced on Wednesday. Tangsiri said the decision came according to an order issued by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The announcement was made as Iran marked the National …

Gareth Porter (2020-04-30). With apparently fabricated nuclear documents, Netanyahu pushed the US towards war with Iran. thegrayzone.com An investigation of supposed Iranian nuclear documents presented in a dramatically staged Netanyahu press conference indicates they were an Israeli…

Sputnik News (2020-04-30). It's Persian Gulf, 'Not New York Gulf': Rouhani Warns US Against Moves in Region — Report. iranian.com The statement comes on the heels of a new spiral of escalation in the region after US President Donald Trump instructed the Navy to destroy any Iranian vessels that approach and intimidate US warships at sea. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned the United States against preparing any military moves in the Persian Gulf, pointing …

Alison Weir (2020-04-30). As US Approaches Record Deficit, Israel Asks for Record Handout. iranian.com Breaking Defense, a digital magazine that covers military issues, reports that Israel may ask for its U.S. aid early, possibly in a lump sum that could be as high as $7.6 billion. This would work out to almost $21 million per day from American taxpayers, even though the U.S. is approaching a $4 trillion deficit (the largest in the world), …

Fars News (2020-04-30). BRICS Members Ask for Removal of US Sanctions on Iran. iranian.com Members of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) stressed the need for Washington to lift sanctions that have impeded the targeted countries' efforts to fight against the coronavirus epidemic, including Iran. "Such restrictive measures violate international law, interfere with the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and cause significant damage to the …

Sputnik News (2020-04-29). Russia Calls on US and Iran to Exercise 'Maximum Restraint' Amid Escalating Tensions. iranian.com Tensions between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf grew after American troops conducted drills in the region, despite complaining that Iranian boats had "harassed" their vessels. The Russian Foreign Ministry has called on the US and Iran to exercise "maximum restraint' in the Persian Gulf region and not fall for provocations. "Moscow has …