Al-Monitor – Having access to working capital is considered the most basic requirement of manufacturers in Iran. Under normal circumstances, industry generally obtains liquidity from four main sources: financial institutions, the National Development Fund, the capital market and, ultimately, credit lines and foreign investment. Accessing capital is becoming more vital, but also more difficult in the presence of barriers imposed by Washington’s …

Al-Monitor – While many are worried about the heightening of tensions between Iran and the United States, analysts in Tehran believe the situation is ripe for negotiations. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizade, commander of the Iranian air force, spoke June 21 about the operational details of the downing of the US “spy” drone. He said four warnings were sent to the United States before the drone …

PayvandNews – Iran have suffered their first straight sets defeat of the 2019 FIVB Nations League after falling to France in their last home game played in Ardabil. Table-toppers Iran, who had rested some of their key players for the contest, had an error-prone opener that cost them the first set 25-18.The Iranians displayed a better performance in the next …

Radiofarda – Hardliners in Iran have won back the important position of the parliamentary Commission for National Security and Foreign Policy chairmanship; perhaps as a sign that tensions with the U.S. are impacting Iranian politics. A relatively moderate lawmaker, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh was defeated by his ultraconservative challenger in a tight race for the chairmanship of the influential commission. Less than …

Radiofarda – Iran’s minister of communication and information technology in a reaction to reports of U.S. cyber-attacks has said that these attempts were not successful. Mohammad Azari Jahromi reacting to local media said in a tweet there were 33 million cyber-attacks during the past Iranian year (March 21, 2019-March 20, 2019) but Iran’s defensive wall “none of the attacks were …

Radiofarda – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was not seeking war with Tehran after a senior Iranian military commander warned any conflict in the Gulf region could spread uncontrollably and threaten the lives of U.S. troops. Tensions remain high between longtime foes Iran and the United States after Trump said on Friday that he called off a …

Radiofarda – A news website close to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has reported that he has had a loud argument with his vice-president Es’haq Jahangiri during a meeting on Saturday, June 22. According to Entekhab, Jahangiri was subsequently leaving the meeting in protest to Rouhani’s harsh words, but Majles Speaker Ali Larijani brought him back to the meeting. Rouhani has …

Radiofarda – The latest official figures from China show that its trade with Iran suffered a substantial drop in the first five months of 2019, compared with the same period last year. Trade figures published by China’s customs on June 17 show Iran’s exports, including crude oil, declined 46.6 percent totaling $7.17 billion. China’s exports to Iran also declined by …

Radiofarda – Iran sounded more frustrated than before about Europe’s cooperation following top-level meetings with the visiting British Minister of State for the Middle East Andrew Murrison on Sunday, June 23. Murrison’s first meeting in Tehran raised eyebrows as he rushed to meet with Kamal Kharrazi, the head of the Strategic Council of Foreign Relations, a body operating under the …

Al-Arabia – Iran on Monday described its shooting down of a US drone in the Gulf last week as a “firm response” to the United States and warned it could be repeated.“Everyone saw the downing of the unmanned drone,” navy commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi was quoted as saying by the Tasnim News Agency. “I can assure you that this …