Tehran Times

2025-12-10 22:48
Strengthening Iran’s ties with Central Asia

Pezeshkian leads a high-level delegation to Astana and Ashgabat to expand economic and political partnerships

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian departed Tehran on Wednesday for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, a two-day trip designed to advance economic agreements and participate in a regional conference on peace and trust-building.
- Iran's private sector ready to play leading role in strengthening economic ties with Kazakhstan
- Exports outpace imports in Iran-Kazakhstan trade

By Shahrokh Saei

Trump’s psychological warfare over Venezuela’s skies

TEHRAN – The United States has intensified its pressure on Venezuela by sending two Navy F/A 18 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela. Although the Pentagon described the maneuver as a routine training flight, the timing and proximity to Venezuelan airspace made it appear far from routine.
By Garsha Vazirian

The traitor’s grave buries Israel’s proxy dream in Gaza

How Abu Shabab’s downfall exposes the limits of imposed governance and the resilience of social legitimacy

TEHRAN – When the ISIS-linked Yasser Abu Shabab fell, Israel lost more than a proxy commander. Tel Aviv saw its “day after” blueprint for Gaza shaken at the roots.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah’s role in Syria: 10 years that reshaped West Asia

BEIRUT — On the first anniversary of Syria’s collapse, Hezbollah’s intervention stands as one of the most consequential, and persistently distorted, events in contemporary regional history.
By Wesam Bahrani

How Israel benefits from Gaza destruction

TEHRAN – Hamas has warned that Zionist regime’s violations are preventing the truce from advancing to its crucial second phase.
U.S. deployment of warships to Caribbean violates international law: Iran President

TEHRAN – Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed Washington’s deployment of warships to the Caribbean as a threat to international peace and security.

Politics

Araghchi calls for ‘strong region’ as Tehran hosts high-level China–Saudi consultations

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is working toward a “strong region” free from the “destabilizing interference” of certain external powers.
3 IRGC forces killed by terrorists near Iran’s southeast border

TEHRAN – Three members of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Guards Corps (IRGC) have been martyred by terror cells in a border area in the city of Zahedan in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
Relations with Azerbaijan entering ‘bright new chapter’, says Iran FM

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says Iran and Azerbaijan are poised to enter a “new and bright chapter” in relations, emphasizing that the long-standing ties between the two neighbors are anchored in shared history, culture, and strategic interests.

Sports

Iran move down in FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking

TEHRAN – Iran moved down one place to 10th in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking released on Friday.
Para powerlifter Pouladi optimistic about future

TEHRAN - Zahra Pouladi Jarfi, who won the first gold for Iran delegation in the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, is optimistic about the future.
Para powerlifter Ehsani dedicates her gold to Iranian people

TEHRAN – Para powerlifter Mahdiyeh Ehsani dedicated her gold medal to the Iranian people.

Culture

“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” wins best picture award at Hainan Island International Film Festival

TEHRAN – “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” directed by Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri won an award at the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF), which was held from December 3 to 8, in Sanya, China.
Renowned photographer Alfred Yaghobzadeh to lead workshop on war photography in Tehran

TEHRAN- A specialized session titled "War Photography and Social Documentary" will be held in Tehran with the participation of renowned international photographer and award-winning artist Alfred Yaghobzadeh.
Major visual art exhibition to open in Tehran, celebrating Mother’s Day

TEHRAN- An art exhibition titled "In the Frame of Heaven" dedicated to the theme of motherhood is set to open at the Iranian Academy of Arts (IAA)in Tehran on Thursday.

Economy

Tehran, Astana plan to boost trade, deepen transport, private-sector ties

TEHRAN – An Iran-Kazakhstan business conference convened in the Kazakh capital Astana on Thursday, with the presidents of both countries, senior ministers, private sector officials, and business delegations from the two countries in attendance, seeking to deepen commercial ties.
South Pars gas output rises 6m cubic meters

TEHRAN – Iran has raised daily gas extraction from the South Pars gas field, it shares with Qatar in the Persian Gulf, to 722 million cubic meters, up six million cubic meters from last winter, after a year of targeted drilling and overhaul work, Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC), which is in charge of developing the field, announced.
Transit of goods through Iran’s land borders nears 11m tons in 8 months

TEHRAN – Iran’s road transit of goods reached 10.97 million tons in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), driven by stronger activity in international freight corridors, the country’s road transport authority said.

Society

Global investment essential for sustainable return of refugees: Iran’s UN envoy

TEHRAN –Iran’s UN envoy to Geneva, Ali Bahreini, has called for the international community’s investment in infrastructure, employment, education, and other services to improve conditions in Afghanistan for the sustainable return of refugees to their home countries.
DOE fostering environmental diplomacy at UNEA-7

TEHRAN – Attending the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, is promoting environmental diplomacy by holding talks with participating countries.
When forests talk: Using AI to listen to nature and protect burning ecosystems

TEHRAN - There is a quiet language in nature that humans rarely notice. Long before a wildfire becomes visible, the forest whispers warnings through rising temperatures, unusual animal movements, and subtle shifts in humidity. For centuries, these signals remained unheard, and by the time flames were seen from a distance, it was often too late. Today, a new kind of listener has entered the world’s forests. Not human, not animal, but artificial intelligence trained to hear what we cannot, and to protect ecosystems that are struggling to survive in a rapidly warming world.

Tourism

Persian art of Ayeneh-Kari added to UNESCO intangible heritage list

TEHRAN — Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Thursday following a decision by the Intergovernmental Committee meeting in New Delhi.
Tehran requests new restoration phase for Yerevan’s Blue Mosque

TEHRAN - Iran has formally asked the Armenian government to begin a new phase of restoration work at the Blue Mosque in Yerevan during a recent visit by senior Iranian tourism officials.
Women preserve ‘Tal-o Mahtal’ ritual for rain in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – The ancient rain-seeking ritual Tal-o Mahtal, observed in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, is originated as a community response to recurring desert droughts and continues to be practiced today. The ceremony is listed as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.

International

The traitor’s grave buries Israel’s proxy dream in Gaza

TEHRAN – When the ISIS-linked Yasser Abu Shabab fell, Israel lost more than a proxy commander. Tel Aviv saw its “day after” blueprint for Gaza shaken at the roots.
Hezbollah’s role in Syria: 10 years that reshaped West Asia

BEIRUT — On the first anniversary of Syria’s collapse, Hezbollah’s intervention stands as one of the most consequential, and persistently distorted, events in contemporary regional history.
How Israel benefits from Gaza destruction

TEHRAN – Hamas has warned that Zionist regime’s violations are preventing the truce from advancing to its crucial second phase.