** IRAN DAILY
--Iran, IAEA Resolve ‘Ambiguities’
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami said the International Atomic Energy Agency’s officials have visited Tehran to hold negotiations, conduct inspections and resolve uncertainties caused by a recent report by Western media.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of a weekly cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, according to Tasnim News Agency.
The UN nuclear agency officials have been holding negotiations, making visits and conducting inspections since Tuesday, he said, adding that the ambiguities caused by the incorrect interpretation of an IAEA inspector in his recent report have been or are being resolved.
--Iran imposes sanctions on EU, British individuals, entities
Iran has imposed retaliatory sanctions against a number of European Union (EU) and British individuals and entities.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced the countermeasures in a statement on Tuesday.
The ministry had warned on Monday that it would retaliate against similar moves taken earlier by the Council of the European Union and the UK against scores of Iranian individuals and entities over what they call the Islamic Republic’s approach towards foreign-backed riots that erupted in some Iranian cities in September.
--Iran FM, Iraqi officials discuss ties, international issues
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and top Iraqi officials discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues in Baghdad on Wednesday.
In a meeting with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, Amir-Abdollahian stressed the need for Iraq to protect the security of its border with Iran and prevent those in Iraq from making threatening moves against Iran, Press TV reported. The Iraqi premier, for his part, said Iraq will continue to contribute to efforts to maintain calm in the region and promote dialogue among regional countries.
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
--FM: Iran to Consider Plan B If Vienna Talks Fail
The Iranian foreign minister said Wednesday if the American side acts to impede the process in the negotiations over the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, Tehran will move to activate its Plan B and all other options.
Hussein Amir-Abdollahian on the conflicting messages sent by the U.S. through diplomatic and media channels regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of action (JCPOA) talks.
--Iran Summons UK Envoy, Announces Sanctions
Iran has called in Britain’s envoy in Tehran to protest after London alleged Tehran had made “threats” to the lives of UK-based journalists, the official IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
The tit-for-tat move came as Iran’s charge d’affaires in London Mehdi Husseini Matin was summoned to hear a British protest over the alleged threats that forced Persian-language TV network Iran International to announce last week that it was relocating from London.
--Iran Basketball Team to Meet Japan, China
Iran basketball team is to face Japan and China in the coming days in the sixth and final window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.
Led by Saeid Armaghani, the Iranian players are scheduled to meet Japan on 23 Feb. and China on 26 Feb.
** TEHRAN TIMES
--Certain Europeans unqualified to comment on international law: Iran
The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned a recent comment made by EU foreign policy Josep Borrell, asserting that certain European nations who have disregarded international rules lack the authority to counsel others to do the same.
Nasser Kanaani made the comments on Tuesday after the EU Council slapped sanctions on 32 Iranian people and two firms for what it referred to as Tehran’s crackdown on the recent unrest in the country.
--Counter-sanctions against Europe
In a new wave of diplomatic escalation, several European countries summoned Iranian diplomats on various excuses amid renewed Israeli bluffs against Iran.
The European hostile rhetoric against Iran has come with Israeli allegations that the Europeans are planning to snap back international sanctions on Iran before the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting later this year.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen predicted that the Western powers would trigger “snapback” sanctions on Iran before the 78th UN General Assembly in September. “The [United States] and relevant European countries will force snapback (sanctions) on Iran before the UN General Assembly in September,” he told an Israeli news channel.
--Abdollahian thanks Iraq for seeking to repair ties between Iran, S. Arabia, Egypt
Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the Foreign Minister of Iran, visited Baghdad on Tuesday night to hold meetings on Wednesday with senior Iraqi officials on a number of bilateral and regional issues.
Heading a diplomatic delegation, he visited Baghdad at the request of his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein.
During a joint news conference with Hussein, Amir Abdollahian thanked Iraq for trying to advance dialogue and cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia as well as Iran and Egypt.
3266**7129
Your Comment