Tehran Times

2025-11-19 22:20
By Soheila Zarfam

Why is Trump lying about talks with Iran?

TEHRAN – While speaking to reporters during his Oval Office meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, U.S. President Donald Trump told one lie and one half-truth about Iran. The lie was egregious, and the partial truth carried little persuasive weight.
- Pezeshkian administration united against Trump’s bullying
- How Trump rejoined ‘team’ Netanyahu

By Sahar Dadjoo

International law has collapsed under great-power pressure, UN observer warns

Thomas G. Weiss says geopolitical paralysis has left the UN unable to restrain U.S.-Israel actions against Iran

TEHRAN – The recent 12-day U.S.-Israel assault on Iran has reignited debates about whether the global legal system retains any real authority or has collapsed under the weight of great-power politics. For Thomas G. Weiss, a leading thinker on international governance and long-time observer of the UN, the crisis is symptomatic of a much deeper breakdown.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Washington pressuring Lebanon’s president and army

BEIRUT — Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented political and diplomatic offensive targeting its highest institutions: the presidency and the army.
By staff writer

The strategic loom: Weaving Saudi Arabia into a U.S.-Israel framework

TEHRAN – The Tuesday meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was less about ceremony than about strategy.
By Wesam Bahrani

West Bank aggression fuels annexation fears

TEHRAN – Escalating violence and sweeping crackdowns across the West Bank intensify concerns over mounting Zionist territorial control.
Implementation begins for Iran’s new law supporting citizens abroad

TEHRAN – Iran has begun implementing a newly approved law designed to strengthen support for Iranians living overseas, after the president formally communicated the legislation to all relevant ministries and national institutions.

Politics

Diplomacy and culture meet at Tehran bazaar

TEHRAN – Dozens of Iranian brands and foreign embassies set up booths in a huge northeastern Tehran venue Tuesday to mark the opening of a multi-day charity market.
Araghchi: Caspian Sea as vital as Persian Gulf

RASHT – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has declared the Caspian Sea to be of equal strategic importance to Iran as the Persian Gulf, emphasizing that the nation is deeply committed to fostering cooperation among its northern neighbors.
At Moscow summit, SCO slams ‘illegal’ Western sanctions on Iran

TEHRAN – The vast hall of Russia’s National Center provided the backdrop for a display of Eurasian unity on Tuesday as the 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit of prime ministers opened.

Sports

Iran Greco-Roman wrestlers win two golds: 2025 Riyadh

TEHRAN – Iranian Greco-Roman wrestlers Mohammadhadi Sarvai and Fardin Hedayati won two gold medals at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) on Wednesday.
Iran’s performance in Al Ain raises broader concerns

TEHRAN - Iran football national team’s runners-up finish at the Al Ain International Cup, sealed by a 4–3 penalty defeat to Uzbekistan after a goalless draw, is not a crisis in isolation. Friendly tournaments are designed for experimentation, squad rotation, and tactical testing. Yet the reaction surrounding Team Melli’s latest performances, both on and off the pitch, has intensified concerns among supporters and analysts who believe the national team should display a clearer sense of progress and readiness ahead of a challenging 2026 World Cup.
Saeid Ezatolahi sidelined for two months

TEHRAN – Iran national football team midfielder Saeid Ezatollahi faced a challenging setback in a recent match against Uzbekistan.

Culture

Resistance Theater Festival launches Nations section to promote global collaboration

TEHRAN- The 20th International Resistance Theater Festival has introduced a new section named Nations for its upcoming edition.
Tehran’s Rudaki Hall presents "Johann Sebastian Bach Night"

TEHRAN- Tehran’s Rudaki Hall is hosting a three-night classical music concert titled "Johann Sebastian Bach Night," which started on Monday.
Fereshteh Hosseini wins best actress award at Rabat International Author Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian-Afghan actress Fereshteh Hosseini has won an award at the 30th Rabat International Author Film Festival, which was held from November 8 to 15 in Morocco.

Economy

Tehran, Beijing outline housing cooperation roadmap ahead of planned MOU

TEHRAN – Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Ministry said officials from Tehran and Beijing have begun drafting a housing and construction cooperation roadmap that is expected to form the basis of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be signed during the Iranian president’s upcoming visit to China.
Iran expands economic ties with Afghanistan with new trade, mining, energy initiatives

TEHRAN – Senior representatives from Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) and multiple Afghan economic bodies signed a series of cooperation agreements during a high-level visit to Kabul and the Imam Abu Hanifa International Exhibition, signaling a broad effort to expand trade, investment and technical collaboration across mining, agriculture, energy and healthcare.
Kohak project an example of effective co-op between S. Korea, Iran: South Korean ambassador

TEHRAN- South Korean Ambassador to Iran, Kim Junpyo, emphasized the continuation of cooperation with Iran in environmental and social projects, and stated that the implementation of the "Kohak" rural wastewater project in Sistan-Baluchestan province is a successful example of effective and friendly cooperation between South Korea and Iran.

Society

IRCS, ICRC hold webinar on early rehabilitation

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) have hosted a webinar on ‘Early Rehabilitation in Conflicts and Disasters’.
Iran, ITU to expand co-op on AI, communication infrastructure

TEHRAN – The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister, Sattar Hashemi, and the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, have discussed ways to promote collaborations in different fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), communication infrastructure, digital multilateralism, and communication security.
Iran to attend CITES COP20

TEHRAN – Iran will participate in the twentieth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP20), which is scheduled to be held from November 24 to December 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Tourism

4.5 million tourists visit Iran in six months, minister says

TEHRAN—Close to 4.5 million tourists from target countries visited Iran during the first half of current Iranian year (March-September 2025), said Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri.
Mazandaran hosts Caspian tour operators and influencers to promote Iran’s image

TEHRAN – Tourism officials in Mazandaran province hosted tour operators and social media influencers from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan this week as part of a program aimed at promoting Iran’s image and showcasing the region’s tourism capacity.
Deputy minister says Shirvan seeking national designation for Dotar making

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy minister for handicrafts said on Tuesday that authorities are working to register the northeastern city of Shirvan as the country’s national hub for Dotar making during a visit to local artisans in the city located in North Khorasan province.

International

Washington pressuring Lebanon’s president and army

BEIRUT — Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented political and diplomatic offensive targeting its highest institutions: the presidency and the army.
The strategic loom: Weaving Saudi Arabia into a U.S.-Israel framework

TEHRAN – The Tuesday meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was less about ceremony than about strategy.
West Bank aggression fuels annexation fears

TEHRAN – Escalating violence and sweeping crackdowns across the West Bank intensify concerns over mounting Zionist territorial control.

Thomas G. Weiss says geopolitical paralysis has left the UN unable to restrain U.S.-Israel actions against Iran