Tehran Times

2025-12-30 21:48
By Soheila Zarfam

Failure in June, rhetoric in December

Senior Iranian officials respond to Monday’s remarks by Trump and Netanyahu with warnings of consequences beyond expectation

TEHRAN – The constant glare of Western rhetoric does not leave Iran alone. For decades, the country has faced repeated threats of military strikes, claims about its nuclear ambitions, and warnings designed to keep the nation under pressure—both domestically and internationally.
- ‘No red lines if Israel strikes again’, warns IRGC spokesman
- Iran will not bow to bullying and arrogance: Pezeshkian

By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Manufacturing chaos: How Western and Israeli actors seek to hijack Iran's peaceful protests

TEHRAN – Protests are a natural and fundamental part of any society whose citizens care about their future and believe they can influence it. They are not a sign of systemic failure, but an indicator of civic health and the practice of free speech, assembly, and association. For Western states, their media, and their politicians, all of this holds true—except when the protests occur in Iran.
By staff writer

Saudi ‘red line’ and UAE’s adventurism in Yemen

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia has framed its national security as a “red line,” warning it will act decisively against any foreign military support for separatist groups in Yemen.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj and erosion of free expression

BEIRUT—As 2025 draws to a close, the continued detention of Jordanian journalist and political writer Mohammad Faraj remains unresolved and deeply troubling.
Presidents of Iran and Russia discuss advancing bilateral relations

TEHRAN – The presidents of Iran and Russia held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and the progress of their joint agreements.
Our restraint should not be misread as weakness, Iran FM writes in The Guardian

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister has warned that the country’s restraint during recent war with Israel should not be interpreted as weakness or assumed to be unlimited, highlighting the high cost of Israeli provocations for the United States and the region.

Politics

Iran blacklists Royal Canadian Navy as ‘terror organization’

TEHRAN – Iran has officially designated the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization, responding to Canada’s “illegal decision” last year to target part of the Iranian Armed Forces.
‘Illegal and coercive’, FM Araghchi condemns US actions against Venezuela

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated Tehran’s firm opposition to any action that threatens Venezuela’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, saying he is confident the country will safeguard its independence in the face of external pressure.
Tehran reiterates respect for Lebanon’s independence, says ambassador

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani has reviewed developments in Lebanon and the region in separate meetings with the Lebanese defense minister and the commander of the Lebanese Army.

Sports

Iran futsal team to play two friendlies with Iraq

TEHRAN – The Head of Iran’s Futsal League Organization announced that the national futsal team will play two friendly matches against Iraq as part of their preparations for the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup.
Iranian women weightlifters have bright future: Anoushiravani

TEHRAN - Sajjad Anoushiravani, president of the Iran Weightlifting Federation, given the strong talent and potential of Iranian women, they will soon win medals at the Asian and even world level.
Esteghlal, Sepahan learn fate at 2025/26 ACL Two knockout stage

TEHRAN – Iranian football clubs Esteghlal and Sepahan discovered their challengers following the conclusion of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Knockout Stage Draw on Tuesday.

Culture

10th National Toy Festival to open in Tehran

TEHRAN- The 10th edition of the National Toy Festival is set to open on Wednesday evening, dedicating space for Iranian-made toys and the promotion of a culture of play, with free access for the public, Hamed Alamati, director of the Iran's Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA)has announced.
Barbican Cinema in London to show masterpieces of Iranian New Wave

TEHRAN – Barbican Cinema in London will host the program “Masterpieces of Iranian New Wave” from February 4 to 26, 2026.
Tehran cultural center to review “Train Dreams”

TEHRAN- “Train Dreams”, a 2025 drama movie by American filmmaker Clint Bentley, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday evening.

Economy

Iran's export to Eurasia increases 10%

TEHRAN- The value of Iran’s export to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries rose 10 percent during 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, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) reported.
Hemmati appointed new governor of CBI

TEHRAN- Abdolnaser Hemmati was elected as the new governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI).
Iran’s export to Africa up 77% in 8 months on year

TEHRAN- The value of Iran's export to African countries in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21) reached $849 million, reflecting a 77-percent increase compared to the same period last year, an official with Iran's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) announced.

Society

Afghans coming from Iran have ‘better education, food security’ than those returning from Pakistan

TEHRAN - The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said those Afghan refugees returning from Iran often have more education, better food security, and housing than those returning from Pakistan.
Health ministry observes national social work day

TEHRAN – The ministry of health commemorated the 40th national social work day on Wednesday, highlighting intersectoral collaboration to support children within the health system.
Drought persists despite intensified precipitation

TEHRAN – Despite recent heavy rainfalls, water resources in the country are still under pressure, with a large part of the country grappling with drought.

Tourism

Iran, a paradise for nature lovers

TEHRAN - A land of remarkable natural diversity, Iran boasts a great range of natural diversity. From high mountain peaks and peaceful forests to golden deserts and vibrant wetlands, the country has something unique to offer every nature lover.
Armenian community, genuine part of Iranian nation

TEHRAN--The Armenian community of Iran is not a minority, but a genuine and deep-rooted part of the Iranian nation, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said during his visit to the Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran on Tuesday,
Bulgur-Pazan ritual, still alive in memory of southern Khorasan people

TEHRAN--In the heart of the southern Khorasan desert, a centuries-old ritual continues to thrive in the collective memory of local communities.

International

Saudi ‘red line’ and UAE’s adventurism in Yemen

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia has framed its national security as a “red line,” warning it will act decisively against any foreign military support for separatist groups in Yemen.
Detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj and erosion of free expression

BEIRUT—As 2025 draws to a close, the continued detention of Jordanian journalist and political writer Mohammad Faraj remains unresolved and deeply troubling.
Venezuela, Russia, and the return of nuclear signaling

GOA - At a time when global discourse is saturated with managed outrage and selective morality, certain crises are rendered invisible not because they lack consequence, but because they expose uncomfortable truths about power. Venezuela is one such crisis. Rarely discussed beyond caricatures of authoritarianism or economic failure, it has now re-entered the global stage in a far more unsettling form — as a strategic fault line in an intensifying confrontation between imperial persistence and geopolitical resistance.

Senior Iranian officials respond to Monday’s remarks by Trump and Netanyahu with warnings of consequences beyond expectation