Iran

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s state TV says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned a “large number” of prisoners in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

The report Thursday did not say how many prisoners were released, but previous reports suggested it would apply to some 50,000 prisoners, the largest number ever covered in a single pardon. Some prisoners would be released while others would have their sentences reduced.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran appears to have attempted a second satellite launch despite U.S. criticism that its space program helps the country develop ballistic missiles, satellite images released Thursday suggest. Iran did not immediately acknowledge conducting such a launch.

Images released by the Colorado-based company DigitalGlobe show a rocket at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran’s Semnan province on Tuesday. Images from Wednesday show the rocket was gone with what appears to be burn marks on its launch pad.

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. The Iranian leadership has sufficient forces to prevent the destabilization of the country after the resumption of US sanctions, Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan said in an interview with TASS.

TEHRAN, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran pledged on Tuesday full support to Syria facing threats from terrorists and Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Israel does not favor the establishment of peace and security in Syria and in the region, official IRNA news agency reported.

Regional countries should boost convergence and cooperation to counter any plots against them, Zarif said in a meeting with his visiting Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem.

TEHRAN, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian judiciary chief said on Monday that his country would never accept the "humiliating conditions" in the EU's payment channel for trade with Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.

"After nine months of procrastination and negotiation, Europeans have created a mechanism with limited capacity, not for exchanging money but for food and medicine," said Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani.

TEHRAN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran unveiled an indigenous long-range cruise missile on Saturday, Tasnim news agency reported.

The missile, Hoveizeh, was displayed at a ceremony in the capital Tehran, which was attended by Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami.

Manufactured by Iranian Defense Ministry's Aerospace Industries Organization, the missile is ready to be delivered to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force.

With a range of 1,350 km, Hoveizeh cruises at low altitudes and is used for ground targets.

31 Jan 2019; IRNA: The unmanned jet, showcased in the Eqtedar 40 Exhibition, is named ‘Khodkar’ (automatic) and is the pilotless version of T-33 training aircraft suitable for conducting reconnaissance and combat operations.

The drone has been equipped with two cameras, one on the front of the fuselage for cockpit view, and one beneath the fuselage for landing and takeoff.

Iran's the Eqtedar (authority) 40 Exhibition opened in southwestern Tehran on Thursday.

29 Jan 2019; DW: Iran says it is working to improve the precision of its missiles for defense purposes. At the same time, the German-governed plan with France and the UK for payments to Iran despite US sanctions is moving ahead.

Iran on Tuesday said it had no plan to increase the range of its missiles, but would continue to work on its satellite technology to improve accuracy.

TEHRAN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian security official said here Tuesday that the Islamic republic has no plan to boost the range of its missiles, official IRNA news agency reported.

"Iran has no scientific and operational limits to increase the range its missiles, however, it has no intention to boost the range of missiles only because of its defense doctrine," Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said.

Meanwhile, Iran continuously work to enhance the accuracy of its missiles, Shamkhani was quoted as saying.

TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iran may adopt offensive military approaches to protect its interests, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Baqeri, said on Sunday.

While continuing to adhere to its broad doctrine of defense, the Iranian military forces would adopt offensive tactics when necessary, Baqeri was quoted as saying by Press TV.