Tehran Times

2025-12-19 21:39
By Soheila Zarfam

The US playbook: deception before war, bullying after

Pezeshkian says he won’t accept 'degrading' pre-conditions after his previous attempt at diplomacy was cut short by American bombs

TEHRAN – A deep mistrust of American politicians has been a prevalent sentiment among Iranians for decades, dating back to the 1953 U.S.-led coup against the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh.
- Trump’s approach toward Iran suffers from fundamental contradiction: Hill
- Tehran ready for dialogue, but only after US policy shift, Araghchi says

By staff writer

Proxy theater in the Persian Gulf: Israel scripts, UAE performs

TEHRAN – Israel’s war on Gaza has been marked by mass civilian deaths, starvation tactics, and the destruction of homes, hospitals, and refugee camps. At a time when international courts and human rights groups are demanding accountability, the United Arab Emirates has not stepped back. It has stepped in.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanese parliament pushes back, breaks boycott

BEIRUT—On Thursday, Lebanon’s parliament sent a decisive signal: political blackmail no longer guarantees paralysis.
By Wesam Bahrani

Sydney attack: Israel’s balance of gains and losses

TEHRAN – Israeli media’s interpretation of the terrorist attack in Sydney is marked by contradiction and confusion.
By Xavier Villar

Why terrorists in Iran’s borderlands are rebranding

Separatists now disguising as national opposition forces to survive after years of no traction

MADRID – The statement issued on December 10 by the spokesperson of the so-called Jaish al-Adl, a terrorist group responsible for the murder of dozens of Iranian security personnel and citizens in recent years, announcing the formation of the so-called “Popular Fighters’ Front,” was received in Iran’s security circles not with surprise, but as confirmation of a predictable tactic outlined in an increasingly well-known manual of regional destabilization.
By Mahnaz Abdi

Beyond the Strait: Hormozgan charts course from transit hub to economic powerhouse

TEHRAN- Strategically positioned at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz—the world's most critical energy chokepoint—Iran's Hormozgan province serves as the nation's indispensable commercial gateway. Home to major ports like Shahid Rajaei, the country's largest container port, it is the primary hub for Iran's import, export, and transit trade, connecting global markets from the Persian Gulf to Africa and India.

Politics

Two new senior Iranian commanders appointed

TEHRAN – Iran has made new changes to its military leadership, six months after it fought a war against Israel and the United States.
Washington still stalled on sanctions as it targets 29 vessels in attempt to stop Iran's oil sales

TEHRAN – Leaders in the United States are continuing their efforts to prevent Iran from selling oil, even as Iran appears to have mastered the art of avoiding sanctions and its main customers refuse to stop purchasing Iranian energy.
Iran warns against resurgence of terrorism in Syria

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir-Saeed Iravani says the re-emergence of terrorism and an increase in the operational capability of the Daesh terror group in Syria would pose a threat to the Arab country as well as the entire region.

Sports

Esteghlal club celebrate 80th anniversary

TEHRAN – Esteghlal football club marked the 80th anniversary of their establishment on Friday night in a ceremony held close to Yalda Night (the longest and darkest night of the year), attended by current members, former players, and club officials.
Joyless football in Iran

TEHRAN – Tractor defeated Persepolis in the Round of 32 of the 2025/26 Iran Hazfi Cup, but the night raised a deeper question: when insults replace excitement, what remains of the game we love?
Tractor beat Persepolis in 2025/26 Hazfi Cup Round of 32

TEHRAN – Tractor football team defeated Persepolis 8-7 on penalty shootout in 2025/26 Iran’s Hazfi Cup Round of 32 on Thursday.

Culture

Visual album “Come, O Love” featuring Shahram Nazeri, Davlatmand Kholov unveiled in Konya

TEHRAN – The unveiling ceremony of the visual album “Come, O Love,” featuring Iranian tenor Shahram Nazeri and the late Tajik singer Davlatmand Kholov, was held on Tuesday at the Selçuk University in Konya, Turkey, coinciding with the 752nd death anniversary of the great Persian-speaking poet Rumi.
IAF cinematheque to screen Al Pacino’s “Wilde Salomé”

TEHRAN- The Cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) is scheduled to screen a recorded stage performance of “Wilde Salomé” on Wednesday.
What’s in Tehran art galleries

Tehran’s CAMA – Contemporary and Modern Art Gallery is playing host to an exhibition of paintings by Jamshid Haqiqatshenas. The exhibit will be running until December 31 at the gallery located at No. 44, 10th Golestan, Pasdaran St.

Economy

Iran-China non-oil trade exceeds $20b in 8 months

TEHRAN - The value of non-oil trade between Iran and China stood at $20.15 billion during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) reported.
Transport Ministry unveils upgraded road maintenance fleet as renewal accelerates

TEHRAN – Iranian Transport and Urban Development Ministry has unveiled part of a renewed national road maintenance fleet at a ceremony attended by the transport minister, highlighting efforts to modernize equipment and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to road emergencies.
South Pars gas refineries maintain uninterrupted output amid cold snap

TEHRAN – Iran’s South Pars gas processing plants are operating at full readiness and maintaining stable, uninterrupted production despite rising demand as colder weather sets in, the head of the South Pars Gas Complex said.

Society

10 countries award scholarships to Iranian students

TEHRAN – Ten countries, namely Hungary, China, Japan, Malaysia, Iraq, Brazil, Serbia, Brunei, Bangladesh, and Russia, offer scholarships to Iranian university students.
S. Korea, UNICEF join hands to boost resilience in Sistan-Baluchestan province

TEHRAN – Funded by the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in cooperation with the Government of Iran, has constructed a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Kohak, Sistan-Baluchestan province, to foster resilience in the region.
Health screening underway for women heads of households

TEHRAN – The health ministry, in collaboration with the Welfare Organization, is conducting health screening tests for women heads of households nationwide.

Tourism

Persepolis to host Yalda Night ceremony

TEHRAN - The UNESCO-registered Persepolis will host a ceremony of Yalda Night on Sunday to mark the winter solstice and celebrate one of the country’s oldest cultural traditions, site officials said.
Tehran to host Yalda festival across 22 districts

TEHRAN - Tehran will hold Yalda festival events across its 22 municipal districts through Sunday, Dec. 21, the head of the Tehran Municipality Tourism Headquarters said.
Central Asian writers, poets and physicians visit historical sites in Hamedan

TEHRAN - A delegation of 23 poets, writers and medical professionals from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan visited historical sites and medical facilities in Iran’s western province of Hamedan as part of a cultural and scientific exchange program.

International

Proxy theater in the Persian Gulf: Israel scripts, UAE performs

TEHRAN – Israel’s war on Gaza has been marked by mass civilian deaths, starvation tactics, and the destruction of homes, hospitals, and refugee camps. At a time when international courts and human rights groups are demanding accountability, the United Arab Emirates has not stepped back. It has stepped in.
Lebanese parliament pushes back, breaks boycott

BEIRUT—On Thursday, Lebanon’s parliament sent a decisive signal: political blackmail no longer guarantees paralysis.
Sydney attack: Israel’s balance of gains and losses

TEHRAN – Israeli media’s interpretation of the terrorist attack in Sydney is marked by contradiction and confusion.