Closure attributed to 'a surge in COVID-19 cases' comes days after Tehran launched war games near Azeri border in a move denounced by Baku

Supreme leader selects Peyman Jebeli to head organization that, in recent years, has already been seen as edging its editorial line closer to hardliners

Khamenei formally names Hamid Vahedi to post he has been heading since 2018; commander is pilot of Russian fighter jets

Supreme leader says any Iranian athlete 'worthy of the name cannot shake hands with a representative of the criminal regime'

Khamenei names senior army officer Shahram Irani to post; Iranian naval forces are mainly in charge of operations in the Gulf of Oman

Hardline president to reveal conservative cabinet in coming days, as nuclear talks expected to pick up in September

Daily cases also surge to an all-time record of 39,600; hospitals facing a 'crisis' with 6,462 new serious infections

Ultra-conservative cleric says Tehran will back diplomatic moves to end sanctions as he takes office with terror group leaders, senior EU official in attendance

Hardliner, who takes over as country is in negotiations over nuclear deal and crippling sanctions, vows nation's economy won't be tied to 'will of foreigners'

Ultra-conservative new president is set to take reign of a country facing deep economic problems; experts say he'll focus on removing trade barriers with China and Russia