Tehran wants stronger economic ties with Moscow amid Western sanctions, according to its economy minister

Overall, more than 82,000 people were granted amnesty in an announcement marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution

Riyadh cut ties after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of revered Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr -- just one in a series of flashpoints between the two longstanding rivals.

Many Iranian schoolgirls have been poisoned and are presenting to hospitals with mild to severe symptoms. There is speculation about the cause of these incidents that have been taking place all over Iran for the last few months.

A United Nations resolution bans arms transfers to Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Tehran long has denied arming the rebels, despite physical evidence, numerous seizures and experts tying the weapons back to Iran.

"Discussions are still ongoing" to determine the origin of these particles, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a confidential report seen by AFP.

Tehran has repeatedly insisted that it is not planning to build a nuclear bomb.

"We believe that Russia might provide Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics and air defense. We believe that Russia might provide Iran with fighter jets," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The unmanned aerial vehicle was downed over a US-occupied natural gas field in Syria

The young Iraqi woman using that pseudonym was sentenced early this month to half a year behind bars for the light-hearted video clips that show her in tight-fitting clothes.

Iran and China on Tuesday signed 20 cooperation agreements in different fields during President Ebrahim Raisi's three-day visit to Beijing, his office said.

An anti-aircraft system destroyed one drone and two others exploded, the ministry said, adding that there were no casualties and only minor damage to the site in the central province of Isfahan.