Tehran Times

2025-05-13 21:52
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Trump’s Persian Gulf trip: Business over peace

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the shadow of unresolved regional predicaments, while also carrying a list of business proposals reportedly tied to both national and personal interests.
- Trump doubles down on false claims about Iran attack
- Does Trump’s firing of Brian Hook signal a change in his Iran policy?

By Soheila Zarfam

Iran will not walk back its principles in nuclear talks with US, says Pezeshkian

TEHRAN – Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country will stoutly defend its rights and maintain its red lines during nuclear talks with the United States, as the two sides approach a fifth round of the indirect negotiations under the mediation of Oman.
Iran hosts 31st nuclear conference as AEOI head stresses ‘irreversible scientific gains’

TEHRAN – The 31st edition of Iran’s Annual Nuclear Conference commenced on Tuesday in Mashhad, organized by the Iranian Nuclear Society with support from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Christian votes in the North not prerogative of Lebanese Forces party

BEIRUT — The second round of municipal and mayoral elections in the Northern Governorate brought resounding surprises, as sectarian and political incitement, coupled with the electoral money paid in huge amounts, will have the final say in the result of the 2026 parliamentary elections.
By Wesam Bahrani

The death toll from the Gaza genocide may be much higher

TEHRAN – Researchers say the death toll from the Gaza genocide could be much higher than what the Health Ministry in the enclave is reporting.
By Samaneh Aboutalebi

“Tehran Times Reports...”: a look at Iran’s history through pages of Iranian daily

TEHRAN – Last week, in celebration of Tehran Times’ anniversary, an exhibition was inaugurated, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the newspaper’s historic journey over the past forty-six years.

Politics

Growing relations of Iran-Russia is ‘win-win situation’, says Kremlin spokesman

TEHRAN – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has hailed the recent session of the Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Committee as a step forward in fostering a mutually beneficial partnership between Moscow and Tehran.
Prominent Shia scholars convene in Najaf

TEHRAN – In a highly significant moment for the global Shia community, Grand Ayatollah Abdullah Javadi Amoli held a landmark meeting with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani in the holy city of Najaf on Monday.
Tehran welcomes PKK dissolution as step toward regional stability

TEHRAN – Iran has praised the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) announcement to disarm and dissolve its organization, calling the move a meaningful stride toward reducing violence and enhancing security in Turkey and across the region.

Sports

PGPL final week promises excitement rivalry

TEHRAN - The 24th edition of the Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) has reached its dramatic conclusion, with the final Matchday 30 set to take place this Thursday.
Iran advance to Beach Handball World Championship

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Pakistan 2-0 (15-9, 16-10) in the quarterfinals round of the 2025 Asian Beach Handball Championship semi-finals on Tuesday.
Iran defeat Chinese Taipei in 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup quarters

TEHRAN - Iran stayed on course to win a third AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup title by overcoming Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Culture

“Tehran Times Reports...”: a look at Iran’s history through pages of Iranian daily

TEHRAN – Last week, in celebration of Tehran Times’ anniversary, an exhibition was inaugurated, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the newspaper’s historic journey over the past forty-six years.
Exhibition of winning shots from global photo competition opens in Tehran

TEHRAN – An exhibition showcasing the selected works of young photographers from across the globe opened at the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization in Tehran on Monday.
Iranian, Japanese choreographers to collaborate in performance project

TEHRAN-Iranian director and choreographer Kamyar Salehpour will collaborate with Dai Matsuoka, the Japanese Butoh artist and a member of the Sankai Juku troupe, in a joint project.

Economy

Iran, Turkmenistan target 30% growth in bilateral trade

TEHRAN - The head of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Chamber of Commerce says the two countries are aiming to increase bilateral trade by 30 percent, following the first-ever exhibition of Turkmenistan’s export capabilities in Iran — an event driven entirely by private sector investment.
Monthly trade balance in Iran’s free trade zones positive

TEHRAN - Iran’s Free Zones High Council announced that the trade balance of the country's free trade zones was $41.463 million positive in the first Iranian calendar month Farvardin (March 21-April 21).
Iran, Russia launch 2nd phase of card payment network integration

TEHRAN - Iran and Russia have officially launched the second phase of a card payment network integration project, enabling Russian tourists and businesspeople to make purchases at retail outlets across Iran using the Russian “Mir Pay” application.

Society

China, UNAIDS to help Iran boost HIV rapid response

TEHRAN – In an effort to enhance the overall resilience of Iran’s national AIDS program and HIV testing capacity, Iran’s Health Ministry, the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have convened a meeting to share expertise.
Iran attending 9th meeting of SCO education ministers

TEHRAN – Science Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf is participating in the ninth meeting of education ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, which was held on May 12 and 13 in Urumqi, China.
'Organ Donation, Life Donation' week to be marked

TEHRAN – The national ‘Organ Donation, Life Donation’ week will kick off on Thursday and wrap up on May 21.

Tourism

Discover Shurgol wetland: a sanctuary for birds, wildlife, and nature lovers

TEHRAN – Shurgol wetland in northwest Iran is a favored destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists due to its rich biodiversity and unique landscapes.
Russian visitors connected to Iranian shopping terminals via Mir Pay application

TEHRAN--Card payment networks between Iranians and Russians were connected on May 13, based on which Russian citizens can shop from Iranian shopping terminals through using the Mir Pay application, said the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Asghar Abolhasani Hastiani.
Temple within UNESCO-listed Tchogha Zanbil restored

TEHRAN – The first phase of a specialized conservation and restoration project on the Inshushinak Temple, located on the first floor of the Tchogha Zanbil Ziggurat in Khuzestan province, has been successfully completed, a cultural heritage official announced on Monday.

International

Christian votes in the North not prerogative of Lebanese Forces party

BEIRUT — The second round of municipal and mayoral elections in the Northern Governorate brought resounding surprises, as sectarian and political incitement, coupled with the electoral money paid in huge amounts, will have the final say in the result of the 2026 parliamentary elections.
The death toll from the Gaza genocide may be much higher

TEHRAN – Researchers say the death toll from the Gaza genocide could be much higher than what the Health Ministry in the enclave is reporting.
Jolani's gamble: Surrendering fragmented Syria to US and Israel

TEHRAN - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) has embarked on a controversial diplomatic campaign to secure U.S. sanctions relief, proposing a Trump Tower in Damascus and détente with Israel.