Tehran Times

2025-12-02 22:09
By Mona Hojat Ansari

How the Iran-US mediator obsession sidelines what actually matters

The real barrier to diplomacy isn't that Tehran and Washington can't talk —it’s that Washington insists on dictating all terms

TEHRAN – Hopes for a renewed diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and the U.S. have lingered ever since their last round of talks was shattered in June by Israeli and American airstrikes—an unprecedented bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear, civilian, and military sites that killed approximately 1,100 people and raised serious questions about Washington’s choice to bomb a country it was negotiating with.
- From distrust to realism; Tehran’s roadmap for engagement
- Opportunities for diplomacy thwarted by U.S. demands: Araghchi

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Sanctified semantics: Lebanon’s risky drift into the ‘Abrahamic’ politics

BEIRUT—President Joseph Aoun’s description of Lebanon as a place where “all the Children of Abraham can meet” was portrayed as a gesture of coexistence during his address to Pope Leo XIV.
By staff writer

Venezuelan voices vs. America’s cannons

TEHRAN – Venezuelans took to the streets in Caracas and other cities this week to protest escalating U.S. military pressure. The demonstrations follow the continued presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group in the Caribbean and thousands of U.S. troops in the region. The U.S. has also carried out more than 20 strikes on maritime targets in the Caribbean and Pacific since early September, killing over 80 people, actions that Caracas says go beyond anti-drug operations and threaten Venezuelan sovereignty.
By Fatemeh Kavand

Iran, Lebanon, and the fog of West’s psychological warfare

The recent remarks by Lebanon’s foreign minister about “Iranian interference” have triggered a wave of reactions across the region’s political landscape.
By Patricia Esami-Lubba

Trump’s Africa posture is less about human rights though more about power politics

ABUJA – When Donald Trump turns his attention to Africa, it is rarely for reasons African policymakers recognize as grounded in fact or consistent principle. His latest escalation of tensions with Nigeria and South Africa, framed as a moral crusade against human rights abuses, reflects a recurring pattern: selectively invoking the language of rights to justify punitive diplomacy that ultimately serves domestic politics more than international justice.
By Sahar Dadjoo

‘What is happening in Gaza is not collateral damage, it is policy’

Azra Sayeed says the pattern of attacks proves intent, not accident

TEHRAN — In a revealing and timely conversation, Azra Talat Sayeed, Secretary-General of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) and one of the lead conveners of the International People’s Tribunal on Palestine (IPT), discusses the tribunal held on November 23–24, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain.

Politics

Araghchi says Iran was ‘very close’ to deal with US before June attacks

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was very close to reaching an agreement with the United States during Omani-mediated talks held earlier this year, but Washington’s refusal to accept any of Iran’s many solutions torpedoed the process, and its subsequent attacks further eroded trust in the U.S. commitment to diplomacy.
Tehran court orders U.S. to pay over $22 Billion in damages for inciting deadly riots

TEHRAN – A Tehran court has ordered the United States government to pay more than $22 billion in material, moral, and punitive damages for Washington’s involvement in the deadly riots that convulsed Iran in 2022.
1,200 religious leaders from SE Iran condemn Australia’s blacklisting of IRGC

TEHRAN – More than 1,200 Friday prayer leaders, seminary teachers, elders, and tribal chiefs from both Sunni and Shia communities in Sistan and Baluchestan Province have voiced strong support for the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), denouncing Australia’s recent move to label the force a state sponsor of terrorism.

Sports

Iran changes mind about not attending 2026 FIFA World Cup draw

TEHRAN – Iran’s football federation has reconsidered its stance on attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw and will send two representatives to the ceremony.
Tehran derby 106: Esteghlal and Persepolis meet at full power

TEHRAN - As Esteghlal and Persepolis gear up for Friday’s Tehran derby, both giants arrive in a condition few could have predicted after their shaky starts. A month ago, optimism was scarce.
Rahimi to carry Iran’s flag at Asian Youth Para Games 2025

TEHRAN – Zahra Rahimi is set to carry Iran’s flag at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games.

Culture

Indonesian remake of "Children of Heaven" set for 2026 release

TEHRAN- MD Pictures, one of Indonesia’s leading production companies, has announced its plans to release a remake of the acclaimed 1997 Iranian film “Children of Heaven”. Directed by renowned filmmaker Hanung Bramantyo, the new version is scheduled for release in 2026 and aims to bring the heartfelt story of sibling resilience to Indonesian screens, set against the backdrop of the city of Semarang.
Iran, global partners unite to foster cinematic collaboration at Shiraz conference

TEHRAN- An international conference on cinematic cooperation was held Monday evening on the sidelines of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) with the participation of Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Seyyed Abbas Salehi.
Five Iranian movies will compete in 16th Baku International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Five films from Iran will compete in the 16th Baku International Film Festival, set to be held in Azerbaijan from December 5 to 9.

Economy

Iran achieves remarkable growth in trade with D-8 members in 5 years

TEHRAN- The head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) emphasized that Iran's trade relations with D-8 member states have grown by over 150 percent in the past five years, reaching $22 billion. However, while this figure indicates significant trade potential among the group's members, it still falls short of the desired level.
Iranian industrialists discuss expanding economic relations with Spain

TEHRAN- In a recent meeting of the Industry and Mining Committee of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA), private sector representatives hosted the head of the Spanish Embassy's Economic Office in Tehran.
WATEX 2025, an opportunity to introduce new technology, attract investment

TEHRAN- The 21st Iran International Water and Wastewater Exhibition (WATEX 2025) commenced on Wednesday, December 3rd, at the Tehran Permanent International Fairground and will host water industry professionals for four days.

Society

Over 1.6 million people donate blood in 8 months

TEHRAN – A total of 1,621,911 Iranians donated blood in the first eight months of the current Iranian year, which started on March 21, according to an official with the Blood Transfusion Organization.
Moscow to host Iran-Russia joint ICT working group

TEHRAN – The fifth meeting of the Iran-Russia joint working group in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector will be held in Moscow from December 6 to 7.
Knowledge-based companies attending Afghan Health Exhibition

TEHRAN – Forty Iranian knowledge-based firms are participating in the Afghan Health Exhibition, being held from December 2 to 4, in Kabul.

Tourism

UN Tourism chief offers full support for Iran’s plan to develop intl. investment guide

TEHRAN – The UN Tourism chief has praised Iran’s recent institutional reforms and investment initiatives, saying the agency is ready to help prepare an international guide for tourism investment in the Islamic Republic.
Isfahan’s Vank Cathedral draws 500,000 visitors annually, Armenian council member says

TEHRAN - About 500,000 people visit Vank Cathedral in the Armenian district of [New] Jolfa in Isfahan each year, a member of the Armenian Caliphate Council of Isfahan said on Wednesday.
Tehran signals renewed regional engagement as ECO Cooperation enters ‘new horizon’

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has said constructive dialogue with member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has opened “a new horizon” for regional collaboration, marking what he described as a pivotal moment for cultural, tourism and economic synergy between the member states.

International

Sanctified semantics: Lebanon’s risky drift into the ‘Abrahamic’ politics

BEIRUT—President Joseph Aoun’s description of Lebanon as a place where “all the Children of Abraham can meet” was portrayed as a gesture of coexistence during his address to Pope Leo XIV.
Venezuelan voices vs. America’s cannons

TEHRAN – Venezuelans took to the streets in Caracas and other cities this week to protest escalating U.S. military pressure. The demonstrations follow the continued presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group in the Caribbean and thousands of U.S. troops in the region. The U.S. has also carried out more than 20 strikes on maritime targets in the Caribbean and Pacific since early September, killing over 80 people, actions that Caracas says go beyond anti-drug operations and threaten Venezuelan sovereignty.
Trump’s Africa posture is less about human rights though more about power politics

ABUJA – When Donald Trump turns his attention to Africa, it is rarely for reasons African policymakers recognize as grounded in fact or consistent principle. His latest escalation of tensions with Nigeria and South Africa, framed as a moral crusade against human rights abuses, reflects a recurring pattern: selectively invoking the language of rights to justify punitive diplomacy that ultimately serves domestic politics more than international justice.

The real barrier to diplomacy isn't that Tehran and Washington can't talk —it’s that Washington insists on dictating all terms

Azra Sayeed says the pattern of attacks proves intent, not accident