Biden Says He 'Doesn't Have Enough Information' on Iran to Have a View
Robert Fisk | zcomm.org | 2020-04-08
How Odd, He Negotiated the Nuclear Deal…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/biden-says-he-doesnt-have-enough-information-on-iran-to-have-a-view/

Video: US Confirms Deployment of Patriot Missiles in Iraq. Iran Prepares for Conflict in Strait of Hormuz
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-08
On April 5, a series of large explosions rocked the village of al-Kastan in southwestern Idlib injuring 8 people, including 3 members of the so-called White Helmets. According to local sources, an ammunition depot located in the civilian area inside …
globalresearch.ca/video-us-confirms-deployment-patriot-missiles-iraq-iran-prepares-conflict-hormuz/5708899

French Navy flagship & its ONLY carrier 'Charles de Gaulle' cuts Middle East op as DOZENS of sailors get Covid-19 symptoms
rt.com | 2020-04-08
France's sole aircraft carrier 'Charles de Gaulle' had to suspend its Mediterranean Sea mission and turn back to port shortly after around 40 of its crewmembers were placed under medical observation with suspected Covid-19. | All symptomatic sailors have been "isolated" from the rest of the crew and are being constantly monitored by medical staff, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. | They have symptoms consistent with a possible Covid-19 infection. These first symptoms have appeared recently. | The illness struck the crew when the nuclear-powered ship was making its way to the Mediterranean Sea to partici…
rt.com/news/485250-french-aircraft-carrier-covid19/

Mehran border to remain closed by Apr. 19: IRICA
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 07 (MNA)

15th Intl. Radio Festival postponed due to coronavirus
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Iran's Rouhani urges IMF to provide $5bn loan to his corona-ravaged country in defiance of US pressure
rt.com | 2020-04-08
The president of Iran has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide the Islamic Republic with a much-needed loan. The US has been opposing Iran's request in what Tehran sees as an act of 'medical terrorism.' | Iran applied for IMF money in mid-March as the Covid-19 pandemic was overwhelming its national healthcare system. Tehran hadn't asked for IMF assistance since the early 1960s and said it needed the money urgently to fight the coronavirus. The international organization, however, was not forthcoming as the US openly objected to providing any funds to Iran. | "I urge international organiza…
rt.com/news/485251-iran-imf-loan-coronavirus/

"Fear is #1 enemy in fighting COVID-19," says Hadadi after gaining recovery
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

'Not Winter' wins best animation at Assurdo filmfest. in Italy
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Iran coronavirus cases flattening off: WHO
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Iran welcomes Russia's idea of green corridors: FM Zarif
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Govt. allocates over $6.4mn to Iranians in fight against COVID-19
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Iran's crude steel production hits 5.2% growth in 11 months
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Overhauled Ghadir submarine joins Iranian Navy
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Iran begins clinical trial of favipiravir for coronavirus treatment
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

'Innocent Iranians dying as US sanctions limit humanitarian aid'
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

US opposes IMF loan grant to Iran to battle COVID-19
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

'Fighting COVID-19 harder without relying on domestic capacities'
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

'COVID-19 battle proved US hegemony as failed claim'
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Iran coronavirus death toll climbs to 3,993 with over 64k infections
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

North Khorasan annual exports top $115 million
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Parliament approves Khavazi as Agriculture Minister
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN, Apr. 08 (MNA)

Amid Plague, Sanctions are Genocide
Eve Ottenberg | counterpunch.org | 2020-04-08
Sanctions have long been indefensible; now in the time of Covid-19, more so than ever. Nor are they some minor phenomena. Over a quarter of humanity lives under U.S. economic sanctions. That means millions of people lack untroubled access to food and medicines during a lethal pestilence. Thus in Iran, where the government fears millions of deaths from Covid-19, sanctions amount to genocide. Under ordinary circumstances, these embargoes are economic warfare. By putting Iran and Venezuela under economic siege even before the pandemic, the U.S. had murdered tens of thousands of those countries' citizens. Yet most Am…
counterpunch.org/2020/04/08/amid-plague-sanctions-are-genocide/

Murder or Suicide? 35th Anniversary of SNP Campaigner's Mysterious Death
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-08
April marks the 35th anniversary of the death of Willie MacRae, a renowned Scottish lawyer, orator, naval officer, politician and anti-nuclear campaigner. The specifics of his lengthy and varied career are worthy of commemoration – and the extremely mysterious circumstances surrounding his untimely passing worthy of investigation.
sputniknews.com/military/202004081078880131-willie-macrae-mysterious-death/

Iran Won't Agree to OPEC+ Meeting Unless Outcome Is Known – Report
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-08
An OPEC+ video conference is slated for Thursday, with President Trump having earlier asserted that Washington is not completely ruling out cutting US oil production. The new talks are hoped to reverse the current state of affairs in the oil industry, which saw fuel prices take a nosedive in March.
sputniknews.com/world/202004081078878869-iran-wont-agree-to-opec-meeting-unless-outcome-is-known—report/

Iran's Rouhani Calls on IMF to Provide Nation With $5Bln to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-08
TEHRAN (Sputnik)

Iran to Test Asymptomatic People to Contain COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-07
Iran's Health Minister Said Namaki announced that the number of new infections has been reduced for the eighth consecutive day. However, his country would increase the number of diagnostic tests to detect asymptomatic patients and control the COVID-19. | RELATED: | Iran Nearly 60 Groups Demand End to Sanctions During COVID-19 Crisis | So far, the Iranian authorities have conducted 211,136 tests via phone or virtual media; they have monitored the health of 70 million of the 83…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-toTestAsymptomatic-People-to-Contain-COVID-19-20200407-0006.html

Iran Demands US End Their Oil Sanctions
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-07
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday called on the U.S. government to stop sanctions on Iran's oil exports. | RELATED: | Nearly 60 Groups Demand End to Sanctions During COVID-19 Crisis | "Iran is rich in human & natural resources. We don't need charity from (U.S. President) Donald Trump," Zarif tweeted. | The remarks of Zarif was an allusion to the recent help offer by Trump amid the surge of the novel coronavirus in Iran. | "What we want is for him to stop…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Demands-US-End-Their-Oil-Sanctions–20200407-0007.html

Iran Demands US End Their Oil Sanctions
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-07
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday called on the U.S. government to stop sanctions on Iran's oil exports. | RELATED: | Nearly 60 Groups Demand End to Sanctions During COVID-19 Crisis | "Iran is rich in human & natural resources. We don't need charity from (U.S. President) Donald Trump," Zarif tweeted. | The remarks of Zarif was an allusion to the recent help offer by Trump amid the surge of the novel coronavirus in Iran. | "What we want is for him to stop…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Demands-US-End-Their-Oil-Sanctions–20200407-0007.html

Puerto Rico: The Number of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Reaches 573
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-07
Puerto Rico's Health Department Tuesday announced that the number of positive cases for COVID-19 has reached 573 so far, 23 of which have died. | RELATED: | Puerto Rico: Pro-Independence Fighter Cancel Miranda Dies at 8 | One of the deceased was a 79-year-old woman who died in a hospital in the Mayagàºez region. A 40-year-old man also died and became the Caribbean island's youngest victim. | "Every death confronts us with the unfortunate reality of the lethality of the ene…
telesurenglish.net/news/Puerto-Rico-The-Number-of-COVID-19-Confirmed-Cases-Reaches-573-20200407-0009.html

Puerto Rico: The Number of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Reaches 573
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-07
Puerto Rico's Health Department Tuesday announced that the number of positive cases for COVID-19 has reached 573 so far, 23 of which have died. | RELATED: | Puerto Rico: Pro-Independence Fighter Cancel Miranda Dies at 8 | One of the deceased was a 79-year-old woman who died in a hospital in the Mayagàºez region. A 40-year-old man also died and became the Caribbean island's youngest victim. | "Every death confronts us with the unfortunate reality of the lethality of the ene…
telesurenglish.net/news/Puerto-Rico-The-Number-of-COVID-19-Confirmed-Cases-Reaches-573-20200407-0009.html

PSA: Iranians Count. 2020 U.S. Census message by Yara and Afshin Shahidi
The Iranian | iranian.com | 2020-04-07
iranian.com/2020/03/25/nowruz-a-season-of-renewal-and-the-time-to-get-counted/…

Zarif: Iran does not need Trump's charity
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-04-07
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message urged US to stop preventing Iran from selling oil, saying Iran does not need Trump's charity. "Iran is rich in human & natural resources. We don't need charity from @realDonaldTrump –who's forced to buy ventilators from sources he's sanctioned," Zarif wrote on his Twitter account on …
iranian.com/2020/04/07/zarif-iran-does-not-need-trumps-charity/

A Local's Guide to Iran's Rainbow Island (Video)
The Iranian | iranian.com | 2020-04-07
Hormuz Island, also known as Iran's Rainbow Island, is famous for its colorful soil. There are 72 shades of soil in the area, and Rainbow Island's diverse, serene landscapes make it a magnet for artists around the region. Local art aficionado Farzad Kari takes us on a virtual tour and explains why the island is …
iranian.com/2020/04/07/a-locals-guide-to-irans-rainbow-island-video/

Imagining a Department of Actual Defense in a Time of Coronavirus
David Swanson | mintpressnews.com | 2020-04-06
( DavidSwanson.org)

The COVID-19 pandemic and the African American Nation
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-06
San José, CA – Much of the day-to-day news coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States has been on the plight of New York City, which has been the hardest hit to date. With more than 8 million people, NYC is the largest city in the United States, but the number of COVID-19 infections, at more than 63,000, is more than any other entire country in the world except for the United States, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and China. The death toll of more than 2500 is more than every other country in the world except for Italy, Spain, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Iran and China. | Without try…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/4/6/covid-19-pandemic-and-african-american-nation

Sanctioning the Way for COVID-19
Matt Sedlar | cepr.net | 2020-04-06
MarketWatch See article on original site While the United States is fighting COVID-19 here at home, US sanctions against other governments are aiding the virus' spread abroad. They've already likely contributed to many unnecessary deaths in Iran, and Venezuela's experience with the pandemic may also be much more deadly due to these punitive measures. COVID-19 …
cepr.net/u-s-sanctions-in-a-time-of-coronavirus-are-morally-depraved-as-well-as-illegal-under-international-law/

Everyone Must be Counted in the 2020 Census
Ebony Miranda | aclu.org | 2020-04-06
Every 10 years, the federal government conducts a census to count everyone living in the United States. For people of color, especially Black people, the census has traditionally been exclusionary and deeply flawed. | Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution was intentionally designed to protect the institution of slavery by immorally reducing those enslaved to three-fifths of a human being. It remains the only reference to slavery in the Constitution and was the law when the first census was completed in 1790 and for 75 years thereafter until the 14th Amendment was passed. Two hundred thirty years later, Bla…
aclu.org/news/voting-rights/everyone-must-be-counted-in-the-2020-census

INSTEX: A way to get around US sanctions?
Nazila Bijari | liberationnews.org | 2020-04-06
On March 31, the trade vehicle INSTEX completed its first transaction by facilitating Iran's purchase of drugs and pharmaceutical supplies.
liberationnews.org/instex-a-way-to-get-around-us-sanctions/

Trump's Iran sanctions policy on the turn
M. K. Bhadrakumar | iranian.com | 2020-04-06
The past week witnessed a sudden spurt of tensions in the US-Iran standoff. There was intense speculation that to divert public attention in America from his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump might order a military attack on Iran. Trump himself fuelled the speculation with the sudden outburst in a tweet on April 1: "Upon …
iranian.com/2020/04/05/trumps-iran-sanctions-policy-on-the-turn/

Khamenei agrees to use 1b euro from national fund to contain coronavirus
Tehran Times | iranian.com | 2020-04-06
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has agreed with a request by the government to withdraw 1 billion euro from the National Development Fund to contain the highly transmissible coronavirus, the government announced on Monday. President Hassan Rouhani thanked the Leader for his consent and ordered the money to be spent mostly on …
iranian.com/2020/04/06/khamenei-agrees-to-use-1b-euro-from-national-fund-to-contain-coronavirus/

Iraqi Media: US Only after Formation of Anti-Iran Government in Iraq
Fars News | iranian.com | 2020-04-06
A leading Iraqi news website reminded of the destructive measures adopted by Washington in the country after the 2003 invasion, warning that the US is now only after formation of a government that takes hostile stances against Iran. "The US is making utmost attempts so that the Iraqi government would oppose Iran and blatantly show …
iranian.com/2020/04/06/iraqi-media-us-only-after-formation-of-anti-iran-government-in-iraq/

Rouhani Speaks to Macron: INSTEX a good step but "must not be limited to medical and food items."
president.ir | iranian.com | 2020-04-06
President Hassan Rouhani spoke with the President of France Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening and wished the French government and people success in combatting coronavirus, saying, "All countries and governments need to pay attention to the fact that they cannot pass these critical conditions without taking advantage of each other's experiences". Macron: I hope with …
iranian.com/2020/04/06/rouhani-speaks-to-macron-instex-a-good-step-but-must-not-be-limited-to-medical-and-food-items/

Mehdi Hassan Interviews Professor Marandi About Iran's Response to COVID-19
Al Jazeera | iranian.com | 2020-04-05
According to official figures, at least six people die every hour in Iran from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The Islamic republic has become one of the world's coronavirus epicentres, with the death toll surpassing 3,000 this week and the number of cases topping 50,000. As the virus spreads in Iran, the government …
iranian.com/2020/04/04/mehdi-hassan-interviews-professor-marandi-about-irans-response-to-covid-19/

Iran to produce 4 million face masks daily
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-04-05
As the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Iran is to increase its production of protective face masks to 4 million a day in coming weeks, according to the Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani. Iran's daily capacity for production of face mask was about to 700,000 before the outbreak of the …
iranian.com/2020/04/05/iran-to-produce-4-million-face-masks-daily/

Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws: A Humanitarian Message
Kathy Kelly | zcomm.org | 2020-04-04
One way to help others survive is to insist that the United States lift sanctions against Iran and instead support acts of practical care…
zcomm.org/zmagazine/stop-tightening-the-thumb-screws-a-humanitarian-message/

Iran Develops Its Own AI Software to Swiftly Detect COVID-19
The Iranian | iranian.com | 2020-04-04
Head of Coronavirus Management Center in Tehran Alireza Zali said that Iranian researchers have launched a new system based on artificial intelligence which can diagnose infection to COVID-19 virus in patients without access to a specialized physician. "The system is used in regions where there is no (specialized) doctor or radiologist and it gives precise …
iranian.com/2020/04/04/iran-using-artificial-intelligence-to-diagnose-coronavirus-infection/

Iranian wrestler ranks 3rd in world ranking
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-04-04
Meysam Delkhani, a member of Iran's national Greco-Roman wrestling team, has ranked third in the world, according to the latest rankings. In its latest updates, United World Wrestling (UWW) ranked Iran's Delkhani as the third world wrestler of the 63-kg weight category. Delkhani will compete in the Iranian national team this year in the 60-kg …
iranian.com/2020/04/04/iranian-wrestler-ranks-3rd-in-world-ranking/

Military-Grade Drones to Operate over San Diego in 2020
VINS | projectcensored.org | 2020-04-03
As tensions between Iran and the United States remain high, the US military is preparing to conduct test flights of drones over major American cities, Truthout reported in January 2020….
projectcensored.org/military-grade-drones-to-operate-over-san-diego-in-2020/

Iran Reports Drop in New Virus Infections
Tasnim News | iranian.com | 2020-04-03
Iranian Health Ministry spokesman Kianoosh Jahanpoor said on Friday that the total number of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 53,183. "With 134 new deaths in the past 24 hours, the death toll from the virus has reached 3,294. Unfortunately, we had 2,715 new cases since yesterday," Jahanpoor said on state TV. He also …
iranian.com/2020/04/03/iran-reports-drop-in-new-virus-infections/

Iranian student volunteers disinfect passing cars against COVID-19 in Shiraz (Photos)
Mehr News | iranian.com | 2020-04-03
To combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, the students in Shiraz, Fars province Province, have formed small groups disinfecting passing cars.
iranian.com/2020/04/02/student-volunteers-disinfect-passing-cars-against-covid-19-in-shiraz/