Tehran Times

2025-11-11 20:56
Iraq votes

Elections stand as reaffirmation of democratic resilience and reminder of struggle for sovereignty

TEHRAN – Iraq’s parliamentary elections have been more than a routine exercise in democracy. The elections unfolded against a backdrop of regional wars, shifting alliances, and the enduring weight of foreign interference that has shaped Iraq’s modern history. While the vote will determine the composition of parliament for the next four years, the deeper contest is over sovereignty itself — whether Iraq’s future will be decided by its people or constrained by external agendas.
- Can Iraq navigate November’s vote without succumbing to Washington’s coercion?
- Iraqis to vote amid tension with Washington

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon and secret side of Egypt’s initiative

BEIRUT — The so-called initiative presented by Egypt’s head of general intelligence agency, Major General Hassan Rashad, has been framed as an Arab-international attempt to stabilize southern Lebanon.
By Shahab Sarmadi

Sharaa–Trump summit: U.S.–Israeli interests at play

TEHRAN – Monday’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian leader Ahmed alSharaa in Washington has been described as a milestone and historic. For the first time since Syria gained independence from France in 1946, a Syrian head of state was welcomed into the Oval Office with full honors.
Iran’s war room chief visits Persian Gulf islands as threats of aggression loom

TEHRAN – Iran’s war room chief has stepped up inspections of Iran’s southern islands and naval installations in the Persian Gulf, underscoring Tehran’s readiness to counter any potential aggression amid rising regional tensions with the United States and Israel.
By Sahar Dadjoo

‘When the world closes in, art becomes our only window to survive,’ says Ezzedine Shallah

Founder of Gaza Women’s Film Festival says blockade turned into a source of creative power

TEHRAN- Amid the devastation of war and displacement, Gaza has given birth to an extraordinary act of cultural resilience — the First Gaza International Women’s Film Festival. Founded by Ezzedine Shallah, a Palestinian filmmaker and researcher, the festival brings together 79 films from 28 countries, celebrating women’s voices through cinema even as bombs fall and cities crumble.
Tehran, Riyadh vow to deepen cultural, tourism ties

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Monday that tourism could strengthen ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as he invited his Saudi counterpart to attend the upcoming Tehran International Tourism Exhibition.

Politics

World is moving from a unipolar to a just multipolar order: Leader’s advisor

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Velayati, Advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on International Affairs, said the world is moving away from a unipolar system dominated by the United States toward a fair and balanced multipolar order, signaling the end of U.S. global supremacy.
‘A model for independent states’: Iran-China engagements continue despite US pressure

TEHRAN – Iranians and the Chinese appear resolute about maintaining and strengthening their long-standing ties, holding high-level, back-to-back meetings, and ignoring U.S. efforts to drive a wedge between them.
Quality, quantity of Iranian defense product better than pre-war levels: Defense chief

TEHRAN – The Iranian defense minister says the country’s defense products have improved in terms of both quality and quantity compared to the period before the Israeli military aggression.

Sports

Men’s, women’s teams victorious at 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams defeated their opponents at the 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships on Wednesday.
Russia defeat Iran at 2025 MANAS Cup

TEHRAN – Russia U21 defeated Iran U23 football team 2-0 at the 2025 MANAS Cup on Wednesday.
Women’s volleyball team defeat Tajikistan: 2025 Riyadh

TEHRAN – Iran’s women’s volleyball team swept past Tajikistan 3-0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-14) in the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games on Wednesday.

Culture

‘When the world closes in, art becomes our only window to survive,’ says Ezzedine Shallah

TEHRAN- Amid the devastation of war and displacement, Gaza has given birth to an extraordinary act of cultural resilience — the First Gaza International Women’s Film Festival. Founded by Ezzedine Shallah, a Palestinian filmmaker and researcher, the festival brings together 79 films from 28 countries, celebrating women’s voices through cinema even as bombs fall and cities crumble.
Renowned Iranian actor Homayoun Ershadi passes away at 78

TEHRAN- Homayoun Ershadi, the renowned Iranian actor celebrated for his compelling performances in both Iranian and international cinema, passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 78.
Ammar Popular Film Festival unveils official poster

TEHRAN- The 16th edition of the Ammar Popular Film Festival unveiled an official poster for its international section during a press conference held in Tehran on Monday.

Economy

Iran-Uzbekistan co-op comprehensive document prepared to be signed

TEHRAN- A comprehensive document on Iran-Uzbekistan cooperation has been prepared for the signing by the two countries' officials.
Iran’s renewable power capacity to reach 4,000 MW in 40 days

TEHRAN – Iran’s renewable energy capacity is hoped to reach 4,000 megawatts (MW) by the end of the next Iranian calendar month (December 21), according to Mohsen Tarztalab, deputy energy minister and head of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA).
Self-sufficiency in home appliance industry increases 10% in a year

TEHRAN- As announced by the deputy of public industries at the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade, the self-sufficiency of the home appliance industry has increased from 50 percent to 60 percent in the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20).

Society

Over 83% of Iranians tend to use traditional medicine

TEHRAN – According to a recent survey, 83.8 percent of people in the country tend to benefit from Iranian traditional medicine, the director of the health ministry’s Persian medicine office has said.
Infant mortality rate in Iran drops over 4 decades

TEHRAN – Thanks to developing neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and training more than 400 experts in the field in the country, the country has managed to lower the infant mortality rate from 30 deaths to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births over the past forty years, an expert at the Iranian Neonatal Health Congress has said.
Tajik envoy calls for establishing joint scientific committee with Iran

TEHRAN – Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, has underlined the need for the establishment of a joint scientific committee between the two countries.

Tourism

Iran seeks UNESCO recognition for 17 historic mosques showcasing ‘Persian Mosque’ legacy

TEHRAN – Iran has placed 17 of its most iconic mosques on UNESCO’s Tentative List under the collective title “Persian Mosque,” paving the way for a possible future inscription on the World Heritage List.
Yazd hosting conference on Iran’s historical cities

TEHRAN - The second conference of Iran’s historical cities opened in Yazd on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from 43 cities across the country to discuss ways to preserve and promote urban heritage.
Kish Island, Armenia discuss tourism cooperation

TEHRAN—Managing Director of Kish Free Zone Organization Mohammad Kabiri and Armenian ambassador to Iran Grigor Hakobyan have emphasized promotion of tourism and economic cooperation in a joint gathering which was held on the sidelines of Kish Invex 2025 in the southern Iranian island on Wednesday.

International

Lebanon and secret side of Egypt’s initiative

BEIRUT — The so-called initiative presented by Egypt’s head of general intelligence agency, Major General Hassan Rashad, has been framed as an Arab-international attempt to stabilize southern Lebanon.
Sharaa–Trump summit: U.S.–Israeli interests at play

TEHRAN – Monday’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian leader Ahmed alSharaa in Washington has been described as a milestone and historic. For the first time since Syria gained independence from France in 1946, a Syrian head of state was welcomed into the Oval Office with full honors.
US putting pressure on Lebanon’s politics and economy

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s future is increasingly dictated by external powers, particularly the United States, as its embassy in Beirut and visiting delegations from its Treasury and State Departments are exerting decisive political, financial, and diplomatic influence.

Elections stand as reaffirmation of democratic resilience and reminder of struggle for sovereignty

Founder of Gaza Women’s Film Festival says blockade turned into a source of creative power