Kazan, the capital city of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, is hosting a four-day meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia and the Islamic World" from Wednesday.

Ayatollah Nouri-Hamadani said, “We are willing to participate in the Hajj if the dignity, nobility and security of our pilgrims is preserved. We hope our officials return from the talks in Saudi Arabia with this result.”

Khatam al-Anbia Construction Base, a conglomerate belonging to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), expressed readiness to embark on a project on channeling water from the Caspian Sea to the central parts of Iran.

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said his forces are slated to hold a joint naval exercise with an Indian naval fleet in coming days.

A senior Iranian trade official says Austria’s Oberbank and Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) are now connected to Iranian banks.

A senior UN official has emphasized Iran’s role in efforts to resolve the deadly crisis in Syria, saying Tehran’s initiatives could facilitate the peace process.