Tehran Times

2025-05-17 21:49
Ayatollah Khamenei expounds on US president's West Asia trip

'You might not be there without US'; This is Trump's model for Arab states

TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, met with a number of teachers and educators from across the country on May 17, 2025, in the Imam Khomeini (ra) Hussainiyah.
- Ayatollah Khamenei: Americans must leave the region
- Leader: ‘Naïve’ foes suffer from illusion that Iranians have lost faith in Islamic Republic system

By Sahar Dadjoo

Trump’s Persian Gulf tour prioritizes business over diplomatic ethics

TEHRAN – In May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump embarked on a high-profile Persian Gulf tour, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the White House promoted the trip as a diplomatic success marked by multi-billion-dollar defense and economic agreements, critics raised alarms over ethical violations.
Exclusive: Any nuclear consortium must involve enrichment to happen in Iran

TEHRAN – Iran is open to exploring a nuclear consortium with regional countries, provided that it continues to enrich uranium domestically, according to information obtained by the Tehran Times. However, concrete plans for such a consortium are yet to be developed.
Iran honors 2nd anniversary of 86th Naval Fleet’s global mission

TEHRAN – Iran commemorated the second anniversary of the return of the 86th Naval Fleet of the Iranian Navy (part of Artesh) from a historic circumnavigation mission during a ceremony attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior military leaders, and government officials.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Will Washington relinquish control over Lebanon to Riyadh?

SOUTH LEBANON—Analysts are monitoring the repercussions of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Persian Gulf on the situation in Lebanon. Washington appears to be moving toward clearing the way for Saudi Arabia to impose its guardianship over Lebanon, especially after Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria “at Riyadh’s request.”
By Wesam Bahrani

IOF opens new fronts amid genocide

TEHRAN – The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escalate the genocide in Gaza as the regime’s infantry is invading the coastal enclave from several fronts, along with relentless bombardments.

Politics

Iranian envoy engages Pope Leo XIV, stresses interfaith diplomacy for peace

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad-Hossein Mokhtari, met with Pope Leo XIV on Saturday during a gathering of diplomats accredited to the Vatican.
Pakistan thanks Iran for de-escalation efforts during standoff with India

TEHRAN – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a Saturday phone call, commending Tehran’s “sincere and brotherly diplomacy” during Pakistan’s military standoff with India earlier this month.
‘Enrichment is non-negotiable’, Araghchi draws the line as nuclear talks with US continue

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed Tehran’s unwavering stance on its right to enrich uranium, saying the Islamic Republic will not compromise on its legal entitlements under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), even as it remains open to constructive dialogue.

Sports

Maral Torkaman wins Top Scorer accolade

TEHRAN - With four goals for Iran prior to the third-place playoff, Maral Torkaman added two more on Saturday against China to emerge as the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup and help lead her side to the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025.
Suntory Sunbirds beat Foolad in AVC Champions League third-place match

TEHRAN – Japan’s SV.League champions Suntory Sunbirds Osaka rebounded from a semifinal setback to secure bronze medal at the inaugural AVC Men’s Champions League.
Iran’s women’s sitting volleyball team to compete in PVAO

TEHRAN – Iran’s women’s sitting volleyball team will participate in the 2025 ParaVolley Asia Oceania Zonal Championships (PVAO).

Culture

Embassy of Mexico in Iran promoting literary, cultural understanding

TEHRAN - A book launch ceremony was held at the stand of the Embassy of Mexico in Iran at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) on Thursday, where the book “Teherán lleva tilde” was unveiled in the presence of the Ambassador of Mexico in Iran, Guillermo Puente Ordorica, and the authors of the book.
Arasbaran Cultural Center to show “The Good Boss”

TEHRAN – Spanish filmmaker Fernando León de Aranoa’s 2021 movie “The Good Boss” will be screened during a session at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday evening.
Iran-Russia joint media cooperation working group held in Moscow

TEHRAN - The Iran-Russia Joint Media Cooperation Working Group was held in Moscow on Tuesday evening, with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Media and Advertising of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Mass Media of Russia.

Economy

Iran designs 6 AI megaprojects to tackle energy imbalance

Tehran – The Information Technology Organization of Iran has launched efforts to address the country’s energy imbalance using artificial intelligence, with six large-scale AI projects designed to support the initiative, according to an IT and AI expert.
Tehran to launch two new refineries, three fuel quality projects

TEHRAN – Iran plans to commission two new oil refineries and three fuel quality upgrade projects by the end of the current Iranian year (March 2026), the head of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) announced on Saturday.
Thermal power capacity set to grow by 4,000 MW ahead of summer peak

TEHRAN – Iran will add over 4,000 megawatts of new thermal power capacity to its electricity grid this summer through the construction of new units, upgrades to gas turbines, and removal of production bottlenecks in existing steam power plants, a senior energy official said.

Society

Tehran to host 2nd Ministerial Meeting of OIC-15 Dialogue Platform

TEHRAN – The Second Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-15) Dialogue Platform is scheduled to kick off in Tehran tomorrow.
Tehran, Moscow sign MOU on developing SDI

TEHRAN – The National Cartographic Center of Iran and the Russian Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop spatial data infrastructure (SDI).
Iran presents two proposals at World Digital Education Conference

TEHRAN – Addressing the 2025 World Digital Education Conference (WDEC), Iran’s Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Abolfazl Vahedi, proposed the establishment of a digital education center, as well as the development of a digital educational qualification system.

Tourism

Zarif highlights Kish Island’s potential in Halal tourism

TEHRAN - Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as Iranian foreign minister from 2013 to 2021, has emphasized the importance of promoting Kish Island’s strengths in the fields of Halal and targeted tourism, highlighting its potential to attract Muslim travelers.
Ferdowsi remembered as guardian of Persian language

TEHRAN — The Iranology Foundation hosted a ceremony on Wednesday evening to mark Ferdowsi Day, gathering scholars, cultural experts, and literary enthusiasts to celebrate the enduring legacy of Persian language and literature.
Archaeologists uncover prehistoric fishing evidence in southeast Iran

TEHRAN - Archaeologists have discovered compelling evidence of ancient fishing and maritime activities along Makran coasts in southeastern Iran.

International

Trump’s Persian Gulf tour prioritizes business over diplomatic ethics

TEHRAN – In May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump embarked on a high-profile Persian Gulf tour, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the White House promoted the trip as a diplomatic success marked by multi-billion-dollar defense and economic agreements, critics raised alarms over ethical violations.
Will Washington relinquish control over Lebanon to Riyadh?

SOUTH LEBANON—Analysts are monitoring the repercussions of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Persian Gulf on the situation in Lebanon. Washington appears to be moving toward clearing the way for Saudi Arabia to impose its guardianship over Lebanon, especially after Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria “at Riyadh’s request.”
IOF opens new fronts amid genocide

TEHRAN – The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escalate the genocide in Gaza as the regime’s infantry is invading the coastal enclave from several fronts, along with relentless bombardments.