China’s Shanghai International Association of Small and Medium-Sized Industries and Iran’s Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization launched Joint Cooperation Center for Small and Medium-Sized Industries on Monday.
Iran’s Consul-General in Shanghai Ramezan Parvaz pointed to the historical ties between Iran and China and the role of the Silk Road in connecting the two regions and said that they enjoy good ties today as two independent states in the international arena.
Parvaz highlighted the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Iran and China this year, saying that Beijing and Tehran has upgraded their ties from a mere bilateral trade relationship to a 25-year strategic cooperation.
China’s Shanghai International Association of Small and Medium-Sized Industries and Iran’s Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization launched Joint Cooperation Center for Small and Medium-Sized Industries
The newly launched cooperation center should facilitate exchanging and sharing information and help solve problems ahead of bilateral relations.
Iran’s Consul-General in Shanghai Ramezan Parvaz pointed to the historical ties between Iran and China and the role of the Silk Road in connecting the two regions and said that they enjoy good ties today as two independent states in the international arena.
In the launching ceremony, China-based Iranian businessman Hossein Khalifi who is a senior advisor in Iran Chamber in Shanghai International Association of Small and Medium-Sized Industries was appointed as the head of Iran-China Joint Cooperation Center for Small and Medium-Sized Industries.
The energy affairs magazine quoted a senior source who was linked to the Iranian Oil Ministry, as stating that this enormous investment represents a key point in a new agreement, worth $400, inked between the two countries. This was confirmed during Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s visit to China in late August, to present a roadmap for the strategic comprehensive partnership agreement, which concluded in 2016.
China’s investment in Iranian oil and gas industry has been put at the focal attention amid trade war between China and US and tight competition of these two countries concurrent with the US sanctions imposed on Iran.
Accordingly, this investment will be made as a solution for bypassing and circumventing US sanctions by Chinese companies.
Iran has managed to attract 7.2 billion dollars in finance from three foreign banks, the vice governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) announced on Saturday.
Gholamali Kamyab said attracting $10 billion of foreign finance has been defined as a project for the CBI in the area of Resistance Economy, Tasnim News Agency reported.
He made the remarks in a meeting with CBIofficials, which was attended by First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri in Tehran.
The CBI vice governor added that up to now, 72 percent of the project has been implemented.
There has been a new wave of interest in ties with Iran since Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries – Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany – reached a deal on Iran’s nuclear program in 2015.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran.
China‘s Iranian crude oil imports may rise to a record this year as state-owned oil firms lift more crude through their upstream investments while extending their current supply contracts, senior industry and trading sources said.
Chinese firms were expected to lift between three million to four million barrels more Iranian oil each quarter in 2017 than last year, four sources with knowledge of the matter estimated. That would be about five percent to seven percent higher than the 620,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude the country has imported during the first 11 months of 2016, according to the customs data.
China’s demand for foreign crude could touch new highs as state-run refiners start up new plants and as Beijing allows more independent refiners to import crude, with the country forecast to remain a key driver of 2017 demand growth.
State refiner Sinopec Corp and state-run oil trader Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, the two biggest Chinese lifters of Iran’s oil, are set to roll over annual supply agreements with National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), with combined volumes of about 505,000 bpd, two sources with knowledge of the agreements said.
Additionally, China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) and Sinopec expect to lift more oil this year from two oilfields they operate under service contracts, the sources said.
A press official with Sinopec said the company does not comment on operational matters. CNPC and NIOCdid not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sinopec signed a development deal for the Yadavaran field in late 2007 with CNPCsigning a deal for the North Azadegan field in 2009, after Japanese and European companies pulled out of the projects, both in the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan, due to sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Both fields started pumping oil in early 2016, with North Azadegan reaching full production in the third quarter and Yadavaran in the fourth quarter, and they are currently pumping at around 160,000 bpd.
“The terms of return on investment are still being finalized …but it’s safe to say Sinopec is going to lift more from Yadavaran this year than last,” said a Beijing-based oil executive familiar with Sinopec’s operations on Yadavaran.
A separate senior trading source estimated that Sinopec could lift about four million barrels of Yadavaran crude, considered a heavy grade with an API gravity rating of about 25, every quarter this year. The person did not give an earlier comparison.
After first shipments last October, CNPC is expected to lift an average of about three million barrels from North Azadegan each quarter, said a second senior trader with knowledge of CNPC’s Iranian production. /Reuters
Ahmad Sadeqi Golmakani told IRNA that a Chinese state-owned company has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth $2 billion with the Iranian side to invest in SPEZ.
He said the MoU is considered the biggest foreign investment in that region, adding that foreign investments in Sarakhs Special Economic Zone have increased in the past year.
Several foreign investors from South Korea, Italy and Chinahave recently voiced their willingness to invest in the region, he noted.
SPEZ, which covers an area of 5,290 hectares, is situated the northeast of Iran and connects ports on the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Russia.
In view of its geographical location as in the center of ECO countries, the zone is being considered the golden gate for Central Asia, China and Russia. It connects major trade markets in Central Asia with the Persian Gulf countries in the south of Iran, Europe in the west as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east of the country.
Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) has announced that the country’s volume of non-oil exports to China has experienced a 52 per cent upswing since 2013.
On the basis of a report published by Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), the volume of Iran’s non-oil exports to China from 2009 to 2013 stood at 18.767 billion dollars while the figure for 2013 henceforth has amounted to the aggregate total of 28.514 billion dollars.
Iran’s foreign trade statistics reveal that the country’s non-oil exports have undergone and unprecedented uplift since over the past four years as the volume for China rose from $7.458bn to $9.389bn only one year after the incumbent government took office in 2013.
China’s share in the total volume of Iran’s non-oil exports reached 18 per cent in the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (began March 20).
The East Asian country ranks first in the Iranian exports market and purchased a total 4.438 billion dollars of goods from Iran from March 20 to October 21.
Given the natural rise in non-oil exports to China in final months of Iranian years, Iran’s volume of Exports to the East Asian state is expected to rise by 52 per cent since the incumbent Iranian government took office.
President Masoud Pezeshkian says that Iran has no problem with negotiations, but the tragedies that the Israeli regime has caused in the region and Iran have made the situation critical, stressing that Iran hopes that after passing this crisis, Iran could return to the negotiating table. “Of course, this requires one condition, and that is trust in the negotiation process. The Zionist regime should not be allowed to attack again in the middle of the negotiations.”
President Pezeshkian made the remarks in a virtual interview with American commentator and conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson, which was released on Monday.
The President said that the United States, as an ally of the Israeli regime, “must not allow Israel to ignite the region,” emphasizing that it is not Iran that seeks war but it is the Israeli regime who wants to escalate tensions in the region.
The full interview is as follows:
Carlson: Thank you, Mr. President. It seems that there is currently a pause in the conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America. In your view, how will this situation ultimately end? And how would you like this conflict to be resolved?
President Pezeshkian: “We did not start the war, and we do not wish for any war to continue. From the day I assumed responsibility, my motto has been to foster unity at home and establish peace and tranquility with our neighbors and the world.”
Carlson: You speak of peace, Mr. President. On the other hand, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, believes that the recent U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities was driven by the conviction that the Islamic Republic of Iran is unwilling to abandon its nuclear program. According to Mr. Trump, achieving peace will not be possible unless Iran gives up this program. Are you willing to forgo the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program in the pursuit of peace?
President Pezeshkian: “The reality is that since 1992, Netanyahu has consistently tried to portray Iran as pursuing nuclear weapons. Every US president who has come to office has bought this lie. Netanyahu has tried to convince US presidents of this lie — that Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon. We have never pursued nuclear weapons, are not pursuing them, and will never pursue them. This is a religious edict and decree (fatwa) from the Supreme Leader, which has been corroborated by our full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Unfortunately however, their recent conduct disrupted our cooperation.”
Carlson: Does this mean that you confirm the reports indicating that the Islamic Republic of Iran has ceased its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency? Under such circumstances, there would no longer be any way to determine the amount of uranium present, its enrichment level, or percentage — essentially, the international community would have no knowledge of what actions Iran is taking within the framework of its nuclear program. In your view, how can the verification process for Iran’s nuclear program be carried out from now on? And is it possible for other countries to participate in this process?
President Pezeshkian: “Mr. Carlson, we were at the negotiating table. We were in talks; the US President had asked us to engage in talks to establish peace. During those talks, we were told that without US permission, Israel would not launch any attacks. Yet, just before the sixth round — while we were still negotiating — Netanyahu practically dropped a bomb on the negotiating table and destroyed diplomacy. As for verification, we are prepared to engage in talks and agree on verification. We have never evaded verification and remain ready for its resumption. However, following the US strike on our nuclear facilities, many sites and equipment were destroyed and are not easily accessible. We must wait and see whether or not access becomes feasible again.”
Carlson: Reports have been published suggesting that your government believes the International Atomic Energy Agency has spied on Iran’s nuclear facilities and passed classified information to the Zionist regime. Do you endorse this view? And if so, do you have any evidence to support this claim that you would be willing to present to the international community?
President Pezeshkian: regarding trust in the Agency, Israel’s misuse of inspection information gave rise to some distrust. Nevertheless, we have always been ready to cooperate and allowed the IAEA to inspect all sites under its mandate. The mistrust was exacerbated when the Agency’s latest report gave Israel a pretext to launch illegal attacks on our nuclear sites. Regrettably, the IAEA did not even condemn this attack on facilities under its own oversight, which we had accepted under the NPT. From the standpoint of international law, this is unacceptable and has caused serious distrust among our people and lawmakers toward the Agency.
Carlson: You mentioned that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always avoided war and sought to resolve its disputes with the United States through diplomacy. However, this process was suddenly disrupted by an incident. I would now like to ask: Are you willing to make a fresh start on the path of diplomacy once again? In other words, is there a possibility of a “restart” in the negotiations? And if so, in your view, what should an ideal agreement with the United States look like, and on what basis should it be reached?
President Pezeshkian: “In my view, we could have easily resolved our issues through dialogue. The framework for negotiations can be based on international law and the rights of states. We have had — and continue to have — no demand other than respect for international law. It is Netanyahu who has thrown the region into chaos and attempted to torpedo dialogue. We are seeking peace. I believe that in our small world today, human beings must live together in peace and harmony. But we were attacked. Our nation has the ability to defend itself. I believe the US President has a choice: to move the region toward peace and security, or to drag it into forever wars.”
Carlson: Do you have any plans to reenter negotiations with the United States of America — whether those talks are with the current U.S. representative, Mr. Witkoff, or someone else? And if there are no such plans, in your view, what might happen if this situation continues?
President Pezeshkian: “We have no problem with negotiation. But the atrocities Israel has committed in the region and against our country, and its war crimes, including assassinating our off-duty commanders in their homes, murdering our scientists along with their families and children, killing innocent civilians, and bombing pregnant women have caused a crisis. To kill one individual, they brought down entire buildings, burying innocent people under the rubble. We hope that once we overcome this travesty, it will once again be possible to return to the negotiating table. However, that has a prerequisite: confidence in the negotiation process. Israel must not be allowed to attack again right in the middle of talks and ignite a new war.”
Carlson: Do you believe that the Israeli government has attempted to assassinate you?
President Pezeshkian: “There were attempts, and actions were taken. But we believe that if God wills, a person will survive — and if not, one could perish even while walking. We are ready to defend our people, our independence, and the freedom of our land to the last breath, and we are not afraid of death. But in the world, we live in, destabilizing the region by shedding blood, committing murder, looting, and evil illusions is truly disgraceful.”
Carlson: If you permit, I would like to return to this topic once more. So far, there is no official report indicating that the United States of America has attempted to assassinate you, nor has this matter been confirmed by any official institutions. Could you please provide further clarification on this issue?
President Pezeshkian: “This was carried out by Israel and not by the United States. We were in an internal meeting reviewing our programs when they bombed our building, using the information gathered by their spies. But when God does not will it, nothing happens. We have never feared death or martyrdom in the path of our country’s independence and dignity. In the face of Israel’s imposed war, our people and homeland achieved greater unity and cohesion. Iran is a civilization, and the Iranian people may have disagreements on various issues, but every Iranian, wherever they may be in the world, knows the value of their country’s territorial integrity and will defend it. My advice to the US government is: do not get dragged into a war fueled by Netanyahu’s satanic aspirations and his acts of genocide. It would start the real forever wars, one that brings nothing but terror and insecurity to the region.”
Carlson: Many people in the United States still fear Iran and are concerned that Iran might attack the U.S. with a nuclear bomb. They see videos in which some people in Iran chant “Death to America” and refer to the United States as the “Great Satan.” In your opinion, are these concerns realistic? And should the American people be afraid of Iran?
President Pezeshkian: “I don’t believe that this is an accurate image of Iran. In the past 200 years, not once has Iran attacked another country. The chanting of “Death to America,” by no means refers to the American people, or even officials. It means “Death to crime,” “Death to killing,” “Death to supporting massacres,” and “Death to policies that destabilize the region.” Have you ever seen an Iranian commit a terrorist act in the US? I haven’t. To the best of our knowledge, no Iranian has ever pursued terror or unrest. But there were others in the region, who were trained by the United States according to US President himself, namely, Daesh (ISIS), who brought terror and crimes not only to the region but even to the US, and tarnished the global image of our religion and beliefs. Our “Death to…” slogan is against crime and insecurity — not human beings. Any actor who supports crime and insecurity is condemned by our people. It’s not against anyone as a human being.”
Carlson: Two of Iran’s prominent sources of emulation and senior clerics have issued fatwas against Donald Trump, the President of the United States. In your view, what is the meaning and significance of these fatwas?
President Pezeshkian: “As far as I know, no fatwa has been issued against any specific individual. The fatwa that was published — which, I should clarify, has no relation to the government or the Supreme Leader — simply states that insulting religious figures or beliefs is, from a doctrinal perspective, condemned and unacceptable. This fatwa is not directed against the US President or any other particular individual. The scholars were expressing their views, but certainly never meant or implied murder or threats.”
Carlson: Considering that a significant number of Iranian nationals live in the United States, some believe that these individuals are so-called “sleepers” or undercover agents waiting to receive orders from you to carry out violent or terrorist actions within U.S. soil. Would you like to send a message to them from here, asking them to refrain from any violent actions on United States territory?
President Pezeshkian: “To be honest, many of the points you’ve raised are things I’m hearing for the first time as an Iranian. Have you ever seen anything other than science, knowledge, civility, and empathy from Iranians living in the US? These are images Israel and those who try to foster conflict and instability promote. They try to frighten the public and decision-makers in order to drag America into a war that has no benefit for it.”
Carlson: In the early days of the revolution, it seemed that Iran had some economic relations with Israel, and it is even said that at that time, some weapons were transferred from Israel to Iran. What factor caused such a fundamental change in the relations between Iran and Israel? And who was responsible for this change of course?
President Pezeshkian: “What has happened in full view of the world at the hands of Israel is entirely clear. In Gaza, Netanyahu bombs children, women, schools, and universities in cold blood. He has cut off water, food, and medicine. These actions constitute genocide. This behavior is rejected by the people of the region. To my knowledge, Iran has never acquired weapons from Israel and has never sought war. These wars were imposed on us. We did not start the war with Iraq. Today as well, Israel has attacked us. We did not seek war, but unfortunately, they are trying to even drag the US into this conflict.”
Carlson: Do you believe that, as a result of diplomatic exchanges between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, it is possible to achieve a world in which American companies once again invest in Iran, sanctions are lifted, and ultimately peace is established? Is such a situation your intended goal?
President Pezeshkian: “Since I took office, I have first tried to strengthen unity and cohesion within the country and then establish healthy and constructive relations with our neighbors. In a conversation I had with the Supreme Leader, he indicated that American investors can operate in Iran without any barrier. This is the view of our beloved Leader of the Revolution. Unfortunately, it is Israel that is obstructing peace in the region. In my view, the U.S. President — Mr. Trump — can either rein in Israel and help move the region toward peace and security, or fall into the trap of Netanyahu and his forever wars. This decision is up to the U.S. President to make. We have always been — and still are — ready for economic, industrial, and commercial cooperation with Americans. But it is the U.S. sanctions that have prevented their presence in our country.”
Carlson: Mr. President, as my final question, may I ask: In the event of a broader war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, how likely do you think it is that Iran’s allies, including China and Russia, will support Iran economically or militarily? And do you expect such support?
President Pezeshkian: “What matters most to us is our belief in God and our convictions. We have the capability to defend ourselves, and if necessary, we will stand our ground to our last breath to protect our country and territorial integrity. We are not seeking war. We have repeatedly said that we are not pursuing nuclear weapons. But a false perception has taken root in the minds of some American politicians — a misperception that Netanyahu, with his warmongerings, continues to reinforce. Any war in this region will set the entire Middle East ablaze with fire and insecurity. If the US President wants such a future, he can continue down this path. But if he seeks peace — as I believe we should all move toward peace and stability — he must not allow Israel to ignite the region. The US President can end war and bloodshed by containing Netanyahu. This decision depends on the policies of the US President,” Pezeshkian said while commenting on US President Donald Trump’s policies on the region, including the Zionist regime and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Carlson: Mr. President, I sincerely thank you for the opportunity you have given us and for the time you dedicated to sharing your views and perspectives.
President Pezeshkian: “I thank you for the opportunity to share with you what we hold in our hearts and believe in. I hope the people and government of the United States will pursue and realize peace and tranquility for their country and the region. Thank you for this opportunity.”
Mehdi Alfti, the prominent Iranian gymnast, achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the gold medal at the 2025 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in South Korea.
In the vault event, Alfti secured the first place with a score of 14.5, making him the first Iranian gymnast to earn an Asian medal.
The silver medal in this competition went to Hwang Min-ki from China, while the bronze was awarded to Carlos Yulo from the Philippines.
The 2025 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships took place from June 2 to 8 in Jecheon, South Korea. With this victory, Olfati has etched Iran’s name into the history of Asian gymnastics.
The Secretary of Iran’s Nanotechnology Development Headquarters Saeed Sarkar on Sunday announced the production of 1,200 items of nano products in 18 fields of industry.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 13th edition of Iran Nano Exhibition on Sunday and stated that the products showcased at the exhibition is to familiarize different sectors of the country with the domestic capabilities and potentials.
It is predicted that trade and economic delegations from 10 countries will take part in this edition of the exhibition with the aim of getting familiar with the salient technological achievements in the field of nano, Sarkar added.
He pointed to the countries interested in participating in this exhibition and added that these business delegations from the countries including Brunei, India, Mexico, Russia and Indonesia which have shown vehement interest to take part in the exhibition.
It is hoped that the trade and business delegations will reach an agreement with the Iranian companies in order to spur country’s exports, he emphasized.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Secretary pointed to Iran’s rank in the production of science and technology in the region and the world and added that Iran is ranked first among the regional and Islamic countries in the field of nano-science production.
Iran also is ranked 4th in the world after China, India and the United States, he continued.
Currently, over 1,200 nano-based products have been produced in 18 fields of industry which have had a significant impact on updating and empowering industries, he added.
The 13th edition of Iran Nano Exhibition opened in the presence of some Iranian officials including Iranian agriculture minister Javad Sadatinejad in Tehran International Fairground in the north of the capital on Saturday.
Iran’s trade with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in the spring saw 29 percent increase, said a senior official in Iran’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance.
Majid Karimi, director-general of financial and commercial markets study office at the ministry, told IRNA on Saturday that Iran’s non-oil trade with 11 member states of the SCO reach 9.85 billion dollars in spring.
He said that Iran’s non-oil exports to those countries amounted to 5.5 billion dollars with 20 percent increase compared to the same period last year and its imports accounted to 4.35 billion dollars up by 41 percent.
China, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan topped Iran’s list of exports destinations among the SCO members this spring, according to Karimi.
He highlighted the presence of China and Russia in the SCO as the two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and India as an emerging economy adds to the significance of Iran’s accession to the regional organization.
Karimi said that the SCO can remove the dollar and euro from transactions between member states and plan for a single currency in the future, noting that Iran has offered using insurances and financial channels.
The SCO can also adopt proper approaches on sustainable collaborations on energy, as two world’s biggest energy producers (Russia and Iran) and two world’s biggest energy consumers (China and India) are members of the organization.
