Tehran Times

2025-12-16 22:07
University of Arkansas fires Iranian scholar for criticizing Israel

Silencing Shirin Saeidi, Belying Claims

When U.S. actions nullify its rhetoric on women's rights in Iran and free speech

TEHRAN – The removal of Dr. Shirin Saeidi from her post as director of the Middle East Studies Program at the University of Arkansas should not be read as a narrow personnel matter or an incidental university policy dispute.

By Shahrokh Saei

Beyond bombs: Israel’s expansionist narrative in Lebanon

TEHRAN – Israel is waging a hybrid war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, weaving continued military strikes with a propaganda campaign and ongoing occupation. This multi-front assault is not merely tactical; it is a strategic effort to lay the diplomatic and narrative groundwork for a far broader military escalation.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Turkish discontent with Lebanon over the Cyprus maritime agreement

BEIRUT—Turkey’s dissatisfaction with Lebanon has crystallized sharply following Beirut’s decision to sign a maritime border demarcation and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement with Cyprus with coordination with Ankara or Damascus.
By Wesam Bahrani

Behind the Israeli assassination of Raed Saad

TEHRAN – The Israeli regime assassinated the second-in-command of the al-Qassam Brigades on December 13. What is the regime's objective?
Araghchi highlights strategic partnership with Russia in Moscow meeting

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday underscored the strategic depth of Tehran–Moscow relations during a meeting with a group of Russian intellectuals and policy experts in Moscow, as part of consultations on bilateral ties and key international developments.
Europe’s restoration of Iran sanctions ‘disgrace for diplomacy’: Russian FM

TEHRAN – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the reinstatement of illegal sanctions against Iran by Europe amounts to a “disgrace for diplomacy.”

Politics

Tehran calls for 'transparent, all-inclusive process' to pick UN chief

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations says Tehran demands a “transparent and all-inclusive process” to select the world body’s Secretary General, and announces its preparedness to take part in “meaningful talks” throughout this process.
High-level Iran-Russia talks set North–South Corridor on path to operation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister for Transport, Vitaly Savelyev, emphasized the need to fast-track the strategic North–South Transport Corridor during high-level talks in Tehran on Tuesday.
UK Parliamentary Committee repeats allegations about Iran in annual security report

TEHRAN – A new annual report by the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has once again included Iran in its assessment of security threats and foreign influence, citing the country in connection with alleged cyber and state-affiliated activities.

Sports

Persepolis to part ways with Serge Aurier

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club are set to part ways with Ivorian defender Serge Aurier, bringing an early end to his short and disappointing spell in Iranian football.
Sepahan beat Foolad: 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Sepahan football team edged past Foolad 1-0 in the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Monday.
Fatemeh Sharif takes charge of Pakistan women’s futsal team

TEHRAN - The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Sunday confirmed the appointment of Fatemeh Sharif Noghabi as the head coach of its national women’s futsal team.

Culture

Baghcheban children's theater festival kicks off in Marand

TEHRAN- The 3rd edition of the Baghcheban National Children and Youth Theater Festival commenced in Marand, East Azarbaijan province, on Monday with the participation of theatrical groups from across the country.
Book celebrating life of Martyr General Qassem Soleimani republished

TEHRAN- The 7th edition of the book "Qassem," authored by Iranian resistance literature researcher Morteza Sarhangi, has recently been published.
English translation of “Nigaristan” published by Edinburgh University Press

TEHRAN – The English translation of the book “The Picture Gallery (Nigaristan): A Persian Moral Miscellany” has been released by the Edinburgh University Press.

Economy

Steel chain exports rise 41% in 8 months on year

TEHRAN- The volume of Iran’s steel chain export has increase 41 percent in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), as compared to the same period of time in the previous year, Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) reported.
Iran-Uzbekistan agricultural trade to be facilitated

TEHRAN- During a meeting between the heads of the Plant Protection Organizations of Iran and Uzbekistan, emphasis was placed on developing bilateral cooperation in the fields of plant quarantine, pest control, and facilitating the safe trade of agricultural products.
Iran’s tea export increases 48%

TEHRAN- The head of the Iranian Tea Organization said this (Iranian calendar) year (began on March 21), the country's tea exports have increased by 48 percent compared to the same period last year, and close to 9.8 million kilograms of tea were exported to foreign markets.

Society

Bolivia health ministry seeks to boost ties with IRCS

TEHRAN – The Bolivian Minister of Health and Sports, Marcela Tatiana Flores Zambrana, has expressed her country’s willingness to promote cooperation with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in the health sector, particularly the provision of hemodialysis and medical equipment.
Intl. conference on mobile learning to focus on AI

TEHRAN – The first international and the fourth national conference on mobile learning, titled ‘Mobile learning in the age of artificial intelligence (AI): transformation of educational and vocational training system in industry’, is scheduled to be held on February 16 and 17 in Tehran’s Allameh Tabatabai University.
Khwarizmi Youth Award winners honored

TEHRAN – The 26th Khwarizmi Youth Award (KYA) honored 54 winners on Tuesday in a special ceremony at Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran, with science minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf in attendance.

Tourism

Iran’s Khoy and Turkey’s Konya sign sister-city agreement

TEHRAN - The Iranian city of Khoy and Turkey’s Konya have signed a sister-city agreement, committing to expand cooperation in spiritual tourism, cultural exchanges, urban management and sustainable infrastructure development, officials said.
Zoroastrian lawmaker highlights restoration of historic fire temples

TEHRAN — An Iranian lawmaker representing the Zoroastrian community has called for continued restoration and protection of historic fire temples in the central province of Isfahan.
Iranology goes beyond academia, Armenian researcher says

TEHRAN—Iranology is a quiet diplomacy between Iran and Armenia. Mariam Zazyan, an Armenian Iranologist, believes that being an Iranologist has a responsibility beyond academic study and can play an effective role in strengthening the cultural and friendly relations between the nations.

International

Israel’s media war fails to divide Iran and Lebanon

TEHRAN – Israeli media and their affiliates recently tried to stir the pot, spotlighting a brief back-and-forth between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi, in an effort to paint the two countries as being at odds.
Turkish discontent with Lebanon over the Cyprus maritime agreement

BEIRUT—Turkey’s dissatisfaction with Lebanon has crystallized sharply following Beirut’s decision to sign a maritime border demarcation and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement with Cyprus with coordination with Ankara or Damascus.
Behind the Israeli assassination of Raed Saad

TEHRAN – The Israeli regime assassinated the second-in-command of the al-Qassam Brigades on December 13. What is the regime's objective?

When U.S. actions nullify its rhetoric on women's rights in Iran and free speech