Tehran Times

2025-05-02 22:52
By Mona Hojat Ansari

A nation’s unity and resolve in the ashes of tragedy

A Tehran Times reporter's firsthand account of the Bandar Abbas inferno, and how the country reacted to it

BANDAR ABBAS – Social media had shown a disturbing, almost surreal scene at the Shahid Rajaee section of Bandar Abbas port. The photos and videos circulating from news sources on April 26th were hard to truly grasp. Five days later, seeing the wreckage in person was even more harrowing.

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Is replacing UN Resolution 1701 Supervisory Committee chief a routine?

BEIRUT — Following the recent Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs, Lebanese media outlets exaggerated the dimensions of the visit of U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, the head of the committee supervising the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon.
By Soheila Zarfam

Will Iran-U.S. nuclear talks fall victim to U.S. political turmoil and internal discord?

TEHRAN – The fourth round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States—set to take place on Saturday—has been postponed, with the Islamic Republic reiterating its firm and unwavering commitment to a diplomatic resolution.
By Wesam Bahrani

Yemen attacks vital Israeli airbase

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces target a strategic Israeli military airbase with a hypersonic missile in northern Israeli territories.
By Professor ZHANG Yuan

The contemporary value of the Bandung Spirit

Seventy years have passed since the Bandung Conference (Asian-African Conference) was held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955. Although the world has experienced many major changes in its order and pattern, the spiritual values represented by the Bandung Conference remain a precious treasure of political consensus in the history of mankind.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Another stain in Israel’s infamous short history

Israel attacks aid ship bound for Gaza with great impunity

TEHRAN - On May 2, 2025, the Conscience, a vessel belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) carrying humanitarian aid and activists to Gaza, was attacked by armed drones in international waters near Malta. This act of aggression, which the FFC has attributed to Israel, caused a fire and significant damage to the ship, endangering the lives of the 30 human rights advocates on board.

Politics

Iran warns Trump’s sanctions ‘deepen distrust’ as two sides work for new potential deal

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke of the United States on Friday, condemning President Donald Trump’s renewed sanctions targeting buyers of Iranian oil as a repetition of “failed tactics” that undermine diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Senior diplomat calls for Iran-Persian Gulf states dialogue amid regional realignment

TEHRAN – Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, has called for serious and sustained dialogue between Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf, citing a growing sense of rationality and political maturity across the region.
High-profile Mossad agent linked to terrorist operations in Iran executed: Judiciary

TEHRAN – Iran’s Judiciary has announced the execution of Mohsen Langarneshin, a Mossad-linked agent who had an important role in orchestrating terrorist operations on Iranian soil.

Sports

Tractor win Iran football league for first time

TEHRAN – Tractor football team claimed the title of the 2024/25 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) for the first time on Friday.
Iran start 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup on high

TEHRAN - Iran staved off a late fightback from debutants Mauritania to start their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 Group B campaign with a 5-4 win on Thursday.
Persepolis victorious against Mes, Havadar relegated from PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team defeated Mes 3-0 in 2024/25 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Thursday.

Culture

Exhibition of Torres Strait Island masks unveiled at Australian Embassy in Tehran

TEHRAN- On Thursday, the Australian Embassy in Tehran hosted an art exhibition showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Torres Strait Islands.
Conductor Rahbari to perform “Persia, Concerto for Two Tars” again in Saint Petersburg

TEHRAN-Renowned Iranian composer and conductor Ali (Alexander) Rahbari will perform “Persia, Concerto for Two Tars” for a second time at the world-famous Mariinsky Opera and Concert Hall in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in June.
Imam Reza graphic festival highlights resistance and solidarity with Palestine

TEHRAN- The primary focus of the judging process of the works participated at the 9th edition of Imam Reza graphic festival is on themes of fighting oppression, confronting imperialism, and defending the oppressed—particularly the people of Gaza, one of the organizers has announced.

Economy

Iran, Tajikistan hold industry talks on sidelines of Expo 2025

TEHRAN — Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mohammad Atabak met with Tajikistan’s minister of industry and new technologies on the sidelines of Expo 2025 to discuss expanding industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Tehran, New Delhi focus on sanction-free trade in business talks

TEHRAN – Head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) Mahmoud Najafi Arab met with Indian Ambassador Rudra Gaurav Shresth to explore avenues for expanding economic ties between Iran and India, with both sides emphasizing the need to prioritize the exchange of non-sanctioned goods.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan seek banking, investment agreements to boost trade

TEHRAN - Iran and Kyrgyzstan must establish financial and banking agreements to unlock the full potential of bilateral trade, said Ghadir Ghiafeh, deputy head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) during a meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Mamadsadek Bekirov.

Society

Iran attends 2025 BRS COPs in Geneva

TEHRAN – A delegation of officials from the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Oil has participated in the 2025 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2025 BRS COPs) which opened in Geneva on April 28 and will run until May 9.
Tehran, Havana follow up on joint biotechnology, vaccine production projects

TEHRAN – Cuban Ambassador to Tehran, Jorge Fernando Nicolás, in a meeting with Alireza Biglari, the Iranian deputy health minister for international affairs, discussed ways to follow up on joint projects, especially in biotechnology and vaccine production projects.
Preparatory meeting for intl. congress on AI to be held

TEHRAN – The fourth preparatory meeting for the second International Congress on Artificial Intelligence in Medical Science will be held at Smart University of Medical Sciences in Tehran on May 11.

Tourism

Minister highlights Isfahan’s cultural significance at Iran-Africa conference

TEHRAN – In a speech marking the conclusion of the Third Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference held in Isfahan, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, described the city as a “symbol of Iranian civilization”.
Tourism Triangle: special rail tour to connect Tehran to Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz

TEHRAN - The Railways of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced the launch of a dedicated rail service aimed at boosting cultural tourism across three of Iran’s most iconic historical cities: Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz—collectively known as the "Tourism Triangle of Iran."
Iran promotes Carnet de Passages for expanding regional mobility and tourism

TEHRAN - Iran took an active part in the 6th Expert Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Customs Committee, held in Turkey, emphasizing the importance of the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) system in facilitating cross-border vehicle movement and promoting regional tourism.

International

Another stain in Israel’s infamous short history

TEHRAN - On May 2, 2025, the Conscience, a vessel belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) carrying humanitarian aid and activists to Gaza, was attacked by armed drones in international waters near Malta. This act of aggression, which the FFC has attributed to Israel, caused a fire and significant damage to the ship, endangering the lives of the 30 human rights advocates on board.
Is replacing UN Resolution 1701 Supervisory Committee chief a routine?

BEIRUT — Following the recent Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs, Lebanese media outlets exaggerated the dimensions of the visit of U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, the head of the committee supervising the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon.
Yemen attacks vital Israeli airbase

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces target a strategic Israeli military airbase with a hypersonic missile in northern Israeli territories.

A Tehran Times reporter's firsthand account of the Bandar Abbas inferno, and how the country reacted to it

Israel attacks aid ship bound for Gaza with great impunity