Tehran Times

2025-10-24 21:25
By Soheila Zarfam

How US blackmail scuttled Iran's generous offer on 60% enriched uranium

TEHRAN – A recurring lesson for Iranians has been that no matter their actions or offers, the West, particularly the United States, is loath to pursue a path of de-escalation. This was most recently exemplified during Iran’s efforts to block the "snapback"—a JCPOA mechanism that was supposed to reimpose anti-Iran UN sanctions this month but failed to fully materialize due to significant international opposition.
- Last chance for diplomacy
- After Cairo talks, a cautious resumption of Iran-IAEA cooperation

By Shahab Sarmadi

West Bank annexation theater: How Israel’s Knesset plays good cop, bad cop

TEHRAN – The recent votes in Israel’s Knesset on bills to annex parts of the West Bank have drawn worldwide attention. At first glance, they appear to be a major political confrontation. Far-right politicians like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who live in illegal settlements, pushed strongly for the bills. Avi Maoz of the Noam party declared that “the time has come to apply sovereignty,” invoking biblical claims to the Palestinian land.
By Garsha Vazirian

Maritime strikes, mainland threats: U.S. military shadows Venezuela amid regime change whispers

TEHRAN – A concentrated U.S. military presence in the Caribbean — warships, patrol planes, MQ-9 drones, an F-35 squadron, and bomber flights — has sharply narrowed the political and diplomatic space around Venezuela.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

How Nawaf Salam’s cabinet is handing maritime resources to Israel!

BEIRUT — On October 23, 2025, Lebanon crossed a perilous threshold under Nawaf Salam’s leadership, with his cabinet appearing almost dedicated to national self-sabotage.
By Wesam Bahrani

Cruel blockade worsens Gaza crisis

TEHRAN – Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza flagrantly violates international law and amounts to continuous collective punishment of Palestinians.
By Sahar Dadjoo

“No Kings” protests are reaction to Trump’s authoritarian drift: ex-CIA official

Paul Pillar says public demonstrations are the last line of defense against erosion of democratic norms

TEHRAN- In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Paul R. Pillar, a veteran intelligence analyst and former senior CIA official, examined the emergence of the “No Kings” movement in the United States as a grassroots reaction to what many see as Donald Trump’s authoritarian drift during his second term.

Politics

Leader: Naeini was a magnificent jurist and towering pillar in the old Najaf seminary

TEHRAN – The remarks of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, made during his meeting with the organizers of the International Commemoration of Allameh Mirza Muhammad Hussain Naeini (ra), were released Thursday morning at the event's venue in Qom.
Larijani says missile range reduction will undermine national security

TEHRAN – The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has rejected outright Western demands for the country to reduce the range of its missiles.
Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari freed from French prison on parole

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has announced that Iranian academic Mahdieh Esfandiari, behind bars in France, has been released on parole. She spent a total 237 days in prison.

Sports

Iran’s Hajimousaei wins silver at 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s Mehdi Hajimousaei won a silver medal at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships on Saturday.
Iranian MMA athletes claim four golds at 2025 AYG

TEHRAN – Four Iranian athletes claimed gold medals at the Mixed Martial Arts of the 2025 Asian Youth Games (AYG).
Iran win Women’s Tri-Nation International Friendlies

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Napal 3-0 to become winner of the Women’s Tri-Nation International Friendlies in Shillong.

Culture

South Korea, Iran celebrate 63 years of diplomatic relations through calligraphy

TEHRAN – In a vibrant celebration of cultural diplomacy, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tehran hosted the Korea-Iran Calligraphy Exhibition on October 23. The event, held at the Ambassador’s Residence, commemorated the 63rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, transforming the venue into a crossroads of artistic tradition and modern friendship.
Iranian painter Wahed Khakdan passes away at 75

TEHRAN – Iranian painter Wahed Khakdan passed away at a hospital in Tehran on October 23 at the age of 75.
Iranian short film “The Plain Sings” wins at Albanian festival

TEHRAN – The Iranian short film “The Plain Sings” directed by Gita Feizi won an award at the 4th Idromeno International Film Festival, which was held from October 11 to 18 in Shkoder, Albania.

Economy

Tehran, Dushanbe to expand capital market cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran has expressed readiness to assist Tajikistan in establishing a commodity exchange and developing its securities market, the Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO) said on Saturday.
Iran, Pakistan, Turkey to relaunch container train service in December

TEHRAN – Iran and Pakistan have agreed to resume operations of the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) container train in December, as part of a broader plan to boost rail connectivity and trade between the two neighbors.
‘Power plant fuel reserves ready for winter, no blackouts expected’

TEHRAN – Iran’s Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said the country’s power plants are fully stocked with fuel for the winter, adding that no electricity shortages are expected in the coming months thanks to new generation projects and inter-ministerial coordination.

Society

65 countries to attend 2nd intl. tech Olympics in Tehran

TEHRAN – Over 1,100 participants from 65 countries, including Pakistan, Oman, Vietnam, Tunisia, India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Romania, will attend the second international technology Olympics, which is planned to be held from October 27 to 30, at Pardis Technology Park, Tehran.
Tehran, Moscow ink MOU on technology

TEHRAN – The Iran International Innovation Zone and the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance technological collaboration.
Iran Energy Efficiency Conference slated for December

TEHRAN – Tehran will host the 4th Iran Energy Efficiency Conference (IREEC) 2025 from December 8 to 9.

Tourism

Minister urges ambassadors to help attract visitors from neighboring countries

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Wednesday that Iranian ambassadors in neighboring and friendly countries can play a role in attracting more tourists to the Islamic Republic.
Iran becomes guest of honor of Antalya Tourism Fair

TEHRAN—Iran took part as a guest of honor at Antalya Tourism Fair (ATF) in Turkey which was held for the seventh time between October 22–24.
Iran-China relations through ages: an interview with National Museum director

In an exclusive interview with the director of the National Museum of Iran, we explore the remarkable “Silk Legacy” exhibition currently underway in Tehran. The show offers an unprecedented look at the deep and enduring cultural ties between Iran and China, tracing a connection that stretches back over four millennia.

International

West Bank annexation theater: How Israel’s Knesset plays good cop, bad cop

TEHRAN – The recent votes in Israel’s Knesset on bills to annex parts of the West Bank have drawn worldwide attention. At first glance, they appear to be a major political confrontation. Far-right politicians like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who live in illegal settlements, pushed strongly for the bills. Avi Maoz of the Noam party declared that “the time has come to apply sovereignty,” invoking biblical claims to the Palestinian land.
Maritime strikes, mainland threats: U.S. military shadows Venezuela amid regime change whispers

TEHRAN – A concentrated U.S. military presence in the Caribbean — warships, patrol planes, MQ-9 drones, an F-35 squadron, and bomber flights — has sharply narrowed the political and diplomatic space around Venezuela.
Cruel blockade worsens Gaza crisis

TEHRAN – Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza flagrantly violates international law and amounts to continuous collective punishment of Palestinians.

Paul Pillar says public demonstrations are the last line of defense against erosion of democratic norms