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

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.
Tehran confirms 2025 launch of Zafar and Paya satellites aboard Russian Soyuz

TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Space Agency has announced that the country’s Earth-observation satellites Zafar and Paya will be launched into orbit aboard Russia’s Soyuz rocket in the fall of 2025, following delays caused by foreign partners.

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

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.
2025 World Games a valuable experience: Pourabdian

TEHRAN - Iran’s women’s canoe polo captain, Elahe Pourabdian, is not satisfied with seventh place at the Chengdu World Games, but says that competing in the event was a valuable experience for the team.
Sepahan complete signing of Ivan Sanchez Aguayo

TEHRAN – Sepahan football team completed the signing of Ivan Sanchez Aguayo.

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

Tehran, Islamabad set $3b target for agricultural trade

TEHRAN – Iran and Pakistan signed a joint statement pledging to expand cooperation in agriculture, trade and food security, with officials setting a goal to boost bilateral agricultural trade to $3.0 billion within two years.
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.
Intl. building, construction industry exhibition opens in Tehran

TEHRAN – Iran on Monday opened the 25th International Exhibition of Building and Construction Industry (Iran CONFAIR 2025), the country’s largest trade fair for the construction sector, with officials highlighting the industry’s export potential and central role in the economy.

Society

Over 30 countries to attend 10th Science, Technology Exchange Program

TEHRAN – Participants from over 30 countries will attend the 10th Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP), scheduled to take place on September 7 at Tehran’s Amirkabir University of Technology.
Iran honors WHO representative at end of mission

TEHRAN – In a farewell ceremony held on Wednesday, August 14, in Tehran, the ministry of health appreciated Jaffar Hussain, the World Health Organization representative, for his efforts and contributions to the development of the country’s health sector.
Some 800,000 more Afghan refugees to be expelled by March 2026

TEHRAN – Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has said some 800,000 more undocumented Afghan refugees will be sent back to their home country by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2026).

Tourism

Study of ancient rock-carved structures launched in Kermanshah

TEHRAN – A project to study, document, and conduct laboratory research on ancient rock-carved structures in Kermanshah province has begun, an archaeologist who leads the project said on Monday.
Millennium festival planned for minaret of Semnan Jame’ Mosque

TEHRAN—Semnan governor gave news of planning for holding the millennium festival of the minaret of the Jame’ Mosque of Semnan concurrent with Semnan Day.
Echoes of the Past: Stucco plaque of Sasanian lady

The pictured Sassanid-era stucco plaque set within a central square depicts the bust of a smiling woman—likely a Sasanian princess, suggested by her ornate adornments. Unearthed at Tepe Hessar in Damghan, modern-day Semnan province, it dates to the late 6th or early 7th century CE.

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.