Tehran Times

2025-05-02 22:52
By Mona Hojat Ansari

A nation’s unity and resolve in the ashes of tragedy

A Tehran Times reporter's firsthand account of the Bandar Abbas inferno, and how the country reacted to it

BANDAR ABBAS – Social media had shown a disturbing, almost surreal scene at the Shahid Rajaee section of Bandar Abbas port. The photos and videos circulating from news sources on April 26th were hard to truly grasp. Five days later, seeing the wreckage in person was even more harrowing.
- Initial studies: Failure to observe safety standards blamed for inferno in Iranian port

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Is replacing UN Resolution 1701 Supervisory Committee chief a routine?

BEIRUT — Following the recent Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs, Lebanese media outlets exaggerated the dimensions of the visit of U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, the head of the committee supervising the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon.
By Soheila Zarfam

Will Iran-U.S. nuclear talks fall victim to U.S. political turmoil and internal discord?

TEHRAN – The fourth round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States—set to take place on Saturday—has been postponed, with the Islamic Republic reiterating its firm and unwavering commitment to a diplomatic resolution.
By Wesam Bahrani

Yemen attacks vital Israeli airbase

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces target a strategic Israeli military airbase with a hypersonic missile in northern Israeli territories.
By Professor ZHANG Yuan

The contemporary value of the Bandung Spirit

Seventy years have passed since the Bandung Conference (Asian-African Conference) was held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955. Although the world has experienced many major changes in its order and pattern, the spiritual values represented by the Bandung Conference remain a precious treasure of political consensus in the history of mankind.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Another stain in Israel’s infamous short history

Israel attacks aid ship bound for Gaza with great impunity

TEHRAN - On May 2, 2025, the Conscience, a vessel belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) carrying humanitarian aid and activists to Gaza, was attacked by armed drones in international waters near Malta. This act of aggression, which the FFC has attributed to Israel, caused a fire and significant damage to the ship, endangering the lives of the 30 human rights advocates on board.

Politics

Iran warns Trump’s sanctions ‘deepen distrust’ as two sides work for new potential deal

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke of the United States on Friday, condemning President Donald Trump’s renewed sanctions targeting buyers of Iranian oil as a repetition of “failed tactics” that undermine diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Senior diplomat calls for Iran-Persian Gulf states dialogue amid regional realignment

TEHRAN – Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, has called for serious and sustained dialogue between Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf, citing a growing sense of rationality and political maturity across the region.
High-profile Mossad agent linked to terrorist operations in Iran executed: Judiciary

TEHRAN – Iran’s Judiciary has announced the execution of Mohsen Langarneshin, a Mossad-linked agent who had an important role in orchestrating terrorist operations on Iranian soil.

Sports

Iran down Paraguay in 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup

TEHRAN - A suffocating defense carried Iran to a second consecutive victory at Seychelles 2025, leaving winless Paraguay on the brink.
Skocic's masterclass leads Tractor to historic Persian Gulf Pro League triumph

TEHRAN - Dragan Skocic orchestrates Tractor's maiden league title, ending years of anticipation in Tabriz, as relegation drama unfolds in a captivating PGPL week.
Mohajeri named Nassaj head coach in PGPL

TEHRAN – Mohammadreza Mohajeri was appointed as the new head coach of the struggling football team Nassaji on Saturday.

Culture

Exhibition of Torres Strait Island masks unveiled at Australian Embassy in Tehran

TEHRAN- On Thursday, the Australian Embassy in Tehran hosted an art exhibition showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Torres Strait Islands.
“Elsa Morante Night” to be held at House of Humanities Thinkers

TEHRAN-The literary meeting “Elsa Morante Night” will be held at the House of Humanities Thinkers in Tehran on Sunday.
Babolsar hosting August Strindberg’s “The Stronger”

TEHRAN-The play “The Stronger” written by August Strindberg and directed by Leila Hosseinzadeh started its performances in Babolsar, Mazandaran Province.

Economy

Tehran, Ashgabat urge structural reforms to boost bilateral trade

TEHRAN - The deputy head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) called for the removal of key structural barriers—particularly in banking, transport, logistics, and visa issuance—to unlock the trade potential between Iran and Turkmenistan.
Iran’s annual petchem export expected to hit 34.8m tons by March 2026

TEHRAN – Iran’s annual export of the petrochemicals is anticipated to reach about 34.8 million tons in the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 2026), according to the head of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC).
SEO aims for capital market to fund half of economy within 5 years

TEHRAN - The head of the Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO) said that the capital market’s share in the national financing system is going to increase to 50 percent over the next five years, positioning it as a key engine of economic activity, employment, and industrial growth.

Society

Russia needs to enhance cooperation with Iran in emerging technologies: presidential aide

TEHRAN –Russian Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko has underscored the significance of promoting partnerships and collaborations with Iran in emerging technologies.
DOE develops data bank of over 5,000 species in Persian Gulf, Oman Sea

TEHRAN –The head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, has announced the provision of a data bank of more than 5,000 creatures in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea, saying that it will serve as a regional and even international platform for the preservation of the biodiversity in these waters.
Farabi International Award extends submission deadline

TEHRAN – The deadline for submitting articles to the 16th Farabi International Award (FIA) has been extended to May 21.

Tourism

Locals revive tradition of cherishing ancient qanats with flowers and rosewater

TEHRAN - After more than five decades of silence, the people of Bam in southeastern Iran have revived an ancient tradition honoring qanats – the man-made subterranean aqueducts that sustained life in this arid region for centuries.
Soltaniyeh, a UNESCO-listed mausoleum of the 14th century, undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – Phase two of a restoration and conservation project on the southern gate of the UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh Dome has commenced, according to the director of the World Heritage site.
Yazd to introduce tourist path dedicated to traditional jewelry

TEHRAN – Yazd authorities plan to introduce a tourist path dedicated to the city’s time-honored tradition of handmade jewelry, which was recently registered as a world city of handicrafts by the World Crafts Council.

International

Another stain in Israel’s infamous short history

TEHRAN - On May 2, 2025, the Conscience, a vessel belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) carrying humanitarian aid and activists to Gaza, was attacked by armed drones in international waters near Malta. This act of aggression, which the FFC has attributed to Israel, caused a fire and significant damage to the ship, endangering the lives of the 30 human rights advocates on board.
Is replacing UN Resolution 1701 Supervisory Committee chief a routine?

BEIRUT — Following the recent Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs, Lebanese media outlets exaggerated the dimensions of the visit of U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, the head of the committee supervising the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon.
Yemen attacks vital Israeli airbase

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces target a strategic Israeli military airbase with a hypersonic missile in northern Israeli territories.

A Tehran Times reporter's firsthand account of the Bandar Abbas inferno, and how the country reacted to it

Israel attacks aid ship bound for Gaza with great impunity