Tehran Times

2025-08-18 21:07
By Soheila Zarfam

Pezeshkian seeks assurances in Armenia, will hit Belarus next

TEHRAN – Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian began a two-nation tour on Monday, visiting Armenia first to discuss pressing regional issues, including a recent U.S.-brokered deal with Azerbaijan that analysts warn could lead to the presence of American forces near Iran’s northern borders and block the country’s access to central Asia.
- Pezeshkian hails Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal in call with Armenian PM
- US is now taking charge of the infamous Zangezur project

Iran unveils 1st domestically built advanced class-F gas turbine

TEHRAN – Iran on Monday unveiled its first domestically produced advanced class-F gas turbine, a milestone the government said will boost the country’s power generation capabilities.
Efforts to activate ‘snapback’ are illegal and illogical: Iran foreign ministry

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has rejected European efforts to activate the JCPOA snapback mechanism, calling the move both illegal and illogical.
By staff writer

Gaza genocide: Over 62,000 killed, 263 die of starvation under siege

TEHRAN — An increasing number of Palestinians are dying as a result of Israel’s blockade and relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, even as international pressure grows to end the nearly two-year conflict.
By Sondoss Al-Asaad

Will Chapter VII be imposed on southern Lebanon?

BEIRUT — The U.S. envoys Thomas Barrack and Morgan Ortagus have arrived in Beirut once again to intensify pressure on the top Lebanese officials and put national peace at risk.
By Wesam Bahrani

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces announced on Sunday a military operation targeting the Israeli regime’s Ben Gurion Airport in solidarity with Gaza.

Politics

Businesses close as Israel’s economy drops 3.5% after war with Iran

TEHRAN – A new report shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s much-ballyhooed decision to drag Israel into a direct war with Iran cost the regime the partial or total shutdown of countless businesses, as well as dents in consumer spending, export, and investment.
Why China can no longer remain ‘neutral’ in West Asia

MADRID – On the contemporary West Asian chessboard, China is emerging as an increasingly decisive actor. Its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—one of the largest geoeconomic projects of the 21st century—requires solid anchors in a strategic region where energy routes, trade corridors, and some of the world’s most protracted conflicts intersect.
1.2 million undocumented Afghan nationals left Iran in past year, declares interior minister

TEHRAN – Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has announced that more than 1.2 million Afghan nationals—mostly undocumented migrants—have left Iran over the past year, with the highest number of departures recorded at the eastern borders of Khorasan Razavi province.

Sports

Iran, Jordan judo federations sign MoU

TEHRAN - Iran and Jordan Judo Federations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for mutual cooperation.
Bronze feels like gold: Iran's basketball renaissance

TEHRAN – While Iran basketball team boast a history of three Asian championships, those victories belong to a golden generation before the inclusion of formidable Oceanic teams like Australia and New Zealand in the competition.
Persepolis escape loss in 2025/26 PGPL opener

TEHRAN – Ali Alipour scored an equalizer deep into the added time to help Persepolis escape loss in their opening match in the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) here against newly-promoted Fajr Sepasi.

Culture

New mural in Tehran unveiled, commemorating Iran Army’s sacrifices in 12-day war

TEHRAN-The newest mural at Valiasr Square in central Tehran was unveiled on Saturday, commemorating the sacrifice of 57 martyrs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army who lost their lives during the recent 12-day conflict initiated by the Zionist regime against Iranian territory.
Iranian Artists Forum to screen “The Hobbit” trilogy final instalment

TEHRAN – The 2014 epic fantasy adventure film “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” directed by Peter Jackson will be screened at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran on Thursday.
First international award for Iranian animation “Juliet & the King” from PSIAF

TEHRAN – The Iranian animated feature film “Juliet & the King” written, directed, and produced by Ashkan Rahgozar won its first international award at the 2025 Palm Springs International Animation Festival (PSIAF) in the U.S.

Economy

Iran, Armenia sign cooperation documents in different areas

TEHRAN- President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, accompanied by a delegation of his cabinet members, visited Armenia to strengthen bilateral relations across transport, infrastructure, and trade sectors. During the visit, Pezeshkian met with top Armenian officials to discuss strategic cooperation, particularly in transit corridors, regional connectivity, and economic partnerships.
Sponge iron export up 30% in 4 months on year

TEHRAN- Export of Iran’s sponge iron rose 30 percent during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-July 22), as compared to the same period of time in the past year, according to the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA).
Economy minister outlines new financing plans to curb inflation, support production

TEHRAN – Iran’s Economy Minister said the government is preparing revisions to the 2025 budget law to reduce the deficit, expand supply chain financing, and steer large enterprises toward the capital market in a bid to ease inflationary pressures and boost liquidity for the private sector.

Society

‘World Humanitarian Day, an opportunity to showcase solidarity among nations’

TEHRAN – The World Humanitarian Day is a symbol of solidarity, altruism, and sacrifice among nations, an opportunity to pay more attention to the role of humanitarian organizations in alleviating human suffering, according to the director of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).
Education, AI crucial to address non-communicable diseases: health minister

TEHRAN – Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi has emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and mobile health in managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
National youth population award slated for November

TEHRAN – The first national youth population award is scheduled to be held on November 15 to underscore the crucial role of neighborhoods and mosques in removing childbearing barriers and addressing family problems in cities.

Tourism

Shiraz emerges as key health tourism hub

TEHRAN – Shiraz, one of Iran’s main cultural and tourism destinations, has become a leading center for regional medical tourism, local and national officials said.
Archaeological survey launched to protect Surt in northern Iran

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has begun a survey to determine the boundaries and propose a protective buffer zone for the ancient site of Surt in Mazandaran province, northern Iran, officials said on Monday.
Trans-Iranian Railway among top 5 registered by UNESCO

TEHRAN—Only five railways are on the UNESCO list, which are from Austria, India, Switzerland, Italy, and Iran, said Vahidali Qardashi, head of the World Heritage Site of the Trans-Iranian Railway.

International

Gaza genocide: Over 62,000 killed, 263 die of starvation under siege

TEHRAN — An increasing number of Palestinians are dying as a result of Israel’s blockade and relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, even as international pressure grows to end the nearly two-year conflict.
Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces announced on Sunday a military operation targeting the Israeli regime’s Ben Gurion Airport in solidarity with Gaza.
Exclusive: Killing journalists in Gaza is Israel’s policy, says Al Jazeera bureau chief

TEHRAN - In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Abdul-Qader Fayez, chief the Al Jazeera office in Tehran, speaks candidly about Israel’s systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza, including the killing of renowned Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif.