radiofarda – The latest figures published by China’s customs show trade with Iran in October dropped to its lowest level in a decade. During the month of October, total trade with Iran was $1.38 billion, which is 38 percent less than in October 2018. From January to October exports to Iran decreased by 39 percent compared with the same period …

BAGHDAD, Nov 30 (Reuters) – Iraqi protesters set fire to the entrance of a shrine in the southern holy city of Najaf on Saturday and security forces fired tear gas to disperse them, police and a demonstrator at the scene said, risking more bloodshed after a rare day of calm. The demonstrator sent a video to Reuters of a doorway …

rferl.org – The commander of Iran’s navy has confirmed that his forces will participate in joint exercises with Russia and China beginning later this year. Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi on November 30 said the maneuvers will be held in the northern Indian Ocean from December 22 to January 20. The admiral’s statement did not give a specific location for the …

rferl.org – Registration has begun for candidates running in Iran’s parliamentary elections set for February 2020, Iranian media reported. The registration kicked off on December 1 and will continue until December 7, the official government news agency IRNA reported. The elections will be a gauge for the popularity of President Hassan Rohani and his allies. It comes after protests and …

rferl.org – France, Britain, and Germany say that six new European nations have joined INSTEX, the bartering system they developed to allow firms to conduct business with Iran without violating U.S. sanctions. In a joint statement on November 30, the three said they “warmly welcome the decision taken by the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden …