Tehran Times

2025-12-29 21:36
By Staff Writer

Weizmann still in Iran's sights: eyes after missiles

Tehran Times receives recent on-the-ground photos of highly-protected site damaged during Iran's June strikes

TEHRAN – A review of Hebrew media reports in recent weeks shows that even the regime’s own outlets are uncertain about how to address what appears to be a large-scale Iranian infiltration of Israel’s most sensitive military and security sites.
- Weizmann institute's role in Israel's undeclared nuclear program
- What Targets did Iran strike in the occupied territories?

By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran's path to orbit

Space chief tells Tehran Times the story of building a national program in the midst of sanctions

TEHRAN – When Iran established its new political system in 1979, its leaders placed a paramount emphasis on achieving independence. This pursuit faced numerous hurdles over the decades that followed, a period during which the country endured two wars, countless terrorist attacks, and, most critically, debilitating Western sanctions. Nevertheless, as we stand on the cusp of 2026, the independence Iranians once dreamed of has been realized in various sectors, partly because the country possessed no other option.
Milestone in Iran with triple satellite launch

Paya, Zafar-2, and upgraded Kowsar sent into space from Russia

TEHRAN – Iran’s space program took a significant leap forward on Sunday as it successfully placed three domestically built satellites into orbit in a single launch, carrying out one of the country's most complex space endeavors to date. The mission has been hailed as a major milestone by analysts and officials.
By staff writer

Is the UAE sailing Israel’s ship in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea?

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates has long sought to project itself as a modern, pragmatic power, striking a balance between economic dynamism and regional influence. Yet its deepening partnership with Israel reveals a trajectory that is less about stability and more about embedding Israeli interests into fragile states. From southern Yemen to Somaliland and Sudan, Abu Dhabi’s actions increasingly resemble those of a proxy, enabling Israel’s ambitions in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.
Iran does not interfere in Baghdad’s affairs, says Iraqi PM

TEHRAN – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani emphasized the constructive nature of Iraq's relationship with Iran during an interview with Al-Mayadeen, stating that Tehran’s support for political trends in Iraq does not equate to interference in Baghdad’s sovereign decisions.
By Shahrokh Saei

Fanning the flames: How US arms sales destabilize Taiwan and violate China’s sovereignty

TEHRAN – China’s decision to impose countermeasures on U.S. military-linked companies and senior executives is neither impulsive nor symbolic. It is a calibrated response to Washington’s latest and most provocative escalation on the Taiwan question: an unprecedented $11.1 billion arms package to China’s Taiwan region.

Politics

US using Iraqi airspace to spy on Iran

In an interview with Iraqi media, Mohammad Kazem al-Sadeq said Tehran has identified U.S. spy planes which used Iraqi skies to monitor Iranian soil. He also warned that the U.S. supports Israeli jet fighters in Iraqi airspace, which amounts to a “threat.”
Araghchi stresses need to safeguard Yemen’s territorial integrity in calls with diplomats

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed the need to safeguard Yemen’s territorial integrity and national unity, warning that escalating tensions in the country’s south risk deepening instability and advancing efforts to fragment the war-torn nation.
Iran, Turkey stress parliamentary cooperation to boost bilateral ties

TEHRAN – In line with efforts to strengthen bilateral and parliamentary relations, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, Iran’s ambassador to Ankara, met and held talks with Abdulrahim Dosak, head of Turkey’s parliamentary group at the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Sports

Ricardo Sa Pinto to remain Esteghlal head coach

TEHRAN - Ricardo Sa Pinto will remain as head coach of Esteghlal after the club’s board of directors decided to give the Portuguese manager more time despite recent poor results.
Amiri hungry for more success in wheelchair basketball

TEHRAN - Roghayeh Amiri, Iran’s national women’s wheelchair basketball team forward, expressed hope that she can continue to achieve honors with the national team in upcoming events.
Nouri elected as president of National University Sports Federation of Iran

TEHRAN – Reza Nouri was elected as new president of the National University Sports Federation of Iran on Monday.

Culture

Tehran concert to honor Martyr Soleimani with symphonic tribute

TEHRAN- Tehran Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nasir Heidarian, will perform the concert “Iran-Mard” at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Tuesday, in memory of Martyr General Qassem Soleimani.
Head of ICRO Hojjatoleslam Imanipour meets Malaysian officials, thinkers, religious leaders

TEHRAN – The head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) made a visit to Malaysia with the aim of strengthening cultural diplomacy, engaging with elites and intellectuals, supporting Iranians living abroad, and expanding Quranic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Arasbaran Cultural Center screens “Caught Stealing”

TEHRAN- “Caught Stealing,” a 2025 black comedy film by prominent American filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, went on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday.

Economy

Iran, Turkey business groups seek to expand industrial, trade cooperation

TEHRAN – Business delegations from Turkey’s Van province and Iranian industrial representatives held talks in Tehran on ways to remove trade barriers and expand bilateral industrial and commercial cooperation, officials said.
Shrimp production increases 37%

TEHRAN- Iran Fisheries Organization (IFO) announced that shrimp production has reached 50,000 tons, a 37-percent increase compared to last year.
Iran's private sector eyes technical, engineering co-op with Indonesia

TEHRAN – Iran’s private sector is ready to participate in large-scale technical and engineering projects in Indonesia, the head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said, calling for closer cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries to facilitate joint business activity.

Society

Health ministry underlines need to implement clean air law

TEHRAN – The deputy health minister, Alireza Raeisi, has urged the implementation of the clean air law as air pollution accounts for 57,000 deaths in the country annually.
UNODC, Russia hold training course for Iran's anti-narcotics police

TEHRAN – Iran's anti-narcotics police have attended a training course organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in cooperation with the Siberian Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Top female entrepreneurs honored

TEHRAN – During the third national congress on Iranian women, 60 of the most successful women entrepreneurs, who have played a key role in the country's social and economic development, were honored.

Tourism

Ilam province expands handicraft exports to Persian Gulf markets

TEHRAN - Iran’s western province of Ilam has begun exporting its handicrafts to the Persian Gulf littoral countries, marking a new phase in efforts to expand international markets for locally made products, a provincial official said on Sunday.
Cultural Heritage Ministry establishes AI department

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has established a new department dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to integrate emerging technologies into its operations in a gradual, practical and goal-oriented manner.
Sightseeing along ancient spice route added to Iran’s tourism calendar

TEHRAN – Sightseeing tours along sections of the ancient spice route located in Iran have been officially added to the country’s tourism calendar, a move aimed at highlighting Iran’s historical role in regional and global trade networks, a local tourism official said on Sunday.

International

Is the UAE sailing Israel’s ship in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea?

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates has long sought to project itself as a modern, pragmatic power, striking a balance between economic dynamism and regional influence. Yet its deepening partnership with Israel reveals a trajectory that is less about stability and more about embedding Israeli interests into fragile states. From southern Yemen to Somaliland and Sudan, Abu Dhabi’s actions increasingly resemble those of a proxy, enabling Israel’s ambitions in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.
Fanning the flames: How US arms sales destabilize Taiwan and violate China’s sovereignty

TEHRAN – China’s decision to impose countermeasures on U.S. military-linked companies and senior executives is neither impulsive nor symbolic. It is a calibrated response to Washington’s latest and most provocative escalation on the Taiwan question: an unprecedented $11.1 billion arms package to China’s Taiwan region.
How a technical committee has turned into a strategic threat to Lebanon

BEIRUT—What was introduced after the November 27, 2024 ceasefire as a purely technical arrangement has gradually evolved into a mechanism with political and security implications that extend far beyond its stated purpose.