Payvand Iran News

Iran: Authorities confirm over 100 arrests during November 4 protests

Tehran’s Commander of Security Forces announced that 109 people were arrested during November 4 ceremonies. Security and police forces once more confronted peaceful protesters with violence and used batons, tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse them. In addition to Tehran numerous major cities such as Zahedan, Esfahan, Mashad, Tabriz, and Rasht staged similar demonstrations which met with the violent attacks of government forces.

Photos: Iran's sitting volleyball team wins World Championship

Iran finished first on Saturday in the 3rd edition of the Junior World Sitting Volleyball Championships for the third time consecutively. In the match held in Mashhad's Shahid Beheshti Gym, Iran beat Russia 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-14) and claimed the title.

Iran's Khatami: Accept there is a national crisis!

Mohammad Khatami, Iran's former president and one of the leaders of recent protests against the alleged fraudulent victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, addressing the "leaders" of Islamic Republic maintained that accepting that there is "a problem and a crisis" is the first step toward actualizing "national unity and understanding."

Iran's futsal team claims title in Asian Indoor Games

Iran's futsal team defeated Thailand and won the championship of the 3rd Asian Indoor Games on Saturday. Iranians had also won gold medals in the last two editions.

Conference at Columbia University: (Iran) After The Election

The recent elections in Iran, and subsequent challenges to their legitimacy, have been a matter of enormous internal conflict in Iran, and of seemingly endless debate in the rest of the world. As protesters continue to take to the Iranian street to voice their opposition to the elections, fault-lines are emerging amongst the ruling elite.

Iranian Publishers Hit by Government Curbs

Even the Tehran International Book Fair, one of the country’s most important cultural events, was not impervious to the election buzz. The fair, which took place about a month before the elections, became a venue for criticism of Ahmadinejad’s cultural policies. Renowned writers and publishers complained in interviews about the difficulty of obtaining publishing permits. They said that permission had been revoked for many books that had previously been allowed. -Pedram Fathi, Tehran

Iran Lawmakers Say Tehran Will Reject UN-Backed Nuclear Deal

Israel's deputy foreign minister says Israel will attack Iran if it continues on a path of nuclear defiance. Danny Ayalon told Britain's Sky News that Iran has expressed no desire to halt its nuclear program.

Health officials want to cancel hajj for Iranians due to swine flu

The Health Ministry and the Majlis Health Committee are seriously opposed to allowing Iranians to go on hajj this year due to the swine flu epidemic, MP Mohammad-Reza Rezaii-Kouchi said on Saturday.

Iran rejects Israel's claim on weapon shipment

As the UN Fact-Finding committee's report on Gaza issue led by Richard Goldstone was being examined in the UN General Assembly meeting, Israeli representative at the UN pointed out to seizure of the ship and said anti-tank missiles were seen among the weapons and claimed that the weapons were heading for Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran To Give UN Watchdog More Details On Nuclear Fuel Plan

Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki says Iran is preparing to give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) more details of its response to proposals from the major powers for the supply of nuclear fuel.

Iran to share power with Russia, Persian Gulf states

Iran plans to connect its national power grid with Russia and the Persian Gulf states, energy ministry caretaker said in Tehran on Saturday.

Lebanon Opposition Agrees to Unity Government

The new 30-minister Cabinet will include 15 ministers from Mr. Hariri's coalition, 10 from the opposition, and five to be appointed by President Michel Suleiman.