Tehran Times

2025-05-30 20:45
Exclusive:

‘How the MEK abducted my son – and Albania looked away’

Mother tells heart-wrenching story of a 24-year search for her only son

When Soraya Abdollahi was working day and night as a single mother in her 30s to provide for her three young children, she thought the biggest challenge she would face in the future was ensuring her kids received an adequate education and married someone they loved. She never imagined that, at 64 years of age, she and the rest of her family would have already spent over two decades looking for her only son, Amir Arsalan.
- Inside the MEK: How the organization uses abuse and indoctrination to make terrorists
- Women in the MEK: Trapped, tortured, and silenced

Talks, not headlines will deliver results, Iran FM rejects nuclear deal hype

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to diplomacy amid renewed efforts to revive nuclear negotiations with the United States, denouncing the deliberate media disinformation aimed at undermining the talks.
By Soheila Zarfam

US and Israel are not at odds over Iran, they are in sync

TEHRAN – Since Iran and the U.S. began indirect nuclear negotiations seven weeks ago, Western media outlets have been turning up every now and then to paint Israel as a potential saboteur of the talks, and Washington as their defender.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Main goal of Nawaf Salam’s sterile govt. is to undermine Lebanon’s Resistance

BEIRUT — Once again, Nawaf Salam’s government continues its political ineptitude, not least the statement by Foreign Minister Youssef Rajai (or rather, the Lebanese Forces Foreign Minister) that “the [Lebanese] people no longer want the wooden equation,” referring to the national triangle of Army-People-Resistance.
By Wesam Bahrani

Yemen strikes back at Tel Aviv

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces have targeted Ben Gurion Airport and vow a response to any Israeli aggression with more operations.
‘FATF expected to take confidence-building steps about Iran’

TEHRAN- Iranian deputy minister of finance and economic affairs said that FATF is expected to take confidence-building steps in reply to Iran's set of measures in the field of combating money laundering and terrorism financing, including the ratification of the Palermo Convention.

Politics

46 years of economic warfare

TEHRAN – Economic sanctions are punitive measures imposed by one or more countries to pressure a targeted nation into changing its policies. Typically involving trade bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions, sanctions are framed as a "peaceful" alternative to war. Yet in reality, they inflict severe suffering on ordinary people while often failing to achieve their political goals.
Iran demands Austria explain ‘baseless’ nuclear leak amid suspected Austrian-Israeli collusion

TEHRAN – Iran has formally demanded that Austria explain an “irresponsible and provocative” intelligence report alleging Tehran maintains “an active nuclear weapons program,” amid rising suspicions of Vienna’s coordinated effort with Tel Aviv to disrupt Tehran-Washington diplomacy.
‘Nothing left’ to discuss with UK if it demands zero enrichment, Araghchi declares

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a stark warning to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, stating that London's apparent insistence on "zero enrichment" in Iran renders further dialogue on the nuclear issue futile.

Sports

Ali Gholizadeh undergoes groin surgery

TEHRAN – Iran’s national football team winger missed the recent matches against Qatar and North Korea in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after undergoing groin surgery.
Esteghlal lift Hazfi Cup, but challenges loom for Iranian giants

TEHRAN - Esteghlal ended a turbulent season on a high note by clinching the Hazfi Cup, Iran's knockout football competition.
Iranian women head to 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Cup

TEHRAN – Iran’s women’s hockey team traveled to Al Ain on Thursday to participate in the 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Cup.

Culture

BalkanIran Institute launched in Tehran

TEHRAN – During a ceremony attended by a distinguished gathering of researchers, scholars, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, media professionals, and international and regional experts on Thursday, the BalkanIran Cultural and Media Institute was officially unveiled in Tehran.
“Hamilton” to be shown at Labkhand Theater Complex

TEHRAN – Labkhand Theater Complex in Tehran will show the recorded stage performance of “Hamilton” on Saturday.
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones’ “Persians: The Age of the Great Kings” available at bookstores

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “Persians: The Age of the Great Kings” written by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones has been released in the bookstores across Iran.

Economy

‘FATF expected to take confidence-building steps about Iran’

TEHRAN- Iranian deputy minister of finance and economic affairs said that FATF is expected to take confidence-building steps in reply to Iran's set of measures in the field of combating money laundering and terrorism financing, including the ratification of the Palermo Convention.
Over 700 firms join Iran’s 20th auto parts expo as industry pushes regional supply chain links

TEHRAN - More than 700 domestic and international companies from eight countries—including China, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, India, Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates—are showcasing their latest technologies and products at the 20th Iran International Auto Parts Exhibition, which runs through June 1 at Tehran’s permanent international fairgrounds.
Iran, China sign MOU on water management, agriculture, environment

TEHRAN - Iran and China have signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation in water resource management, agriculture, and environmental protection, according to Iran’s Planning and Budget Organization (PBO).

Society

World needs innovative, equitable solutions to ensure water security, Iran suggests

TEHRAN –The world needs innovative and equitable solutions to ensure water security for all and prevent social tensions, forced migration, and livelihood instability by turning challenges into opportunities through fostering global ties, First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref has said.
Iran elected as vice-chair of IOCINDIO-1

TEHRAN – In the first intragovernmental session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Sub-commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-1), Maryam Qaemi, an official with the Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, was elected as the Vice-Chair of the sub-commission.
Tehran seeks to boost ties with Tokyo in AI

TEHRAN – The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister, Sattar Hashemi, in a meeting with the Japanese ambassador, Tamaki Tsukada, has highlighted the significance of fostering cooperation in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).

Tourism

German ambassador highlights archaeology as a cultural bridge between Tehran and Berlin

TEHRAN - German Ambassador to Iran, Markus Potzel, has described archaeology as a shared language of civilizations and a powerful bridge linking Iran and Germany through science and culture.
Groundbreaking discovery in northern Persian Gulf sheds new light on early human migration

TEHRAN - A major archaeological discovery in the northern hinterlands of the Persian Gulf is transforming our understanding of early human migration into Asia.
Tehran to host UN Tourism’s forum on urban tourism

Tehran, Iran – The UN Tourism, in collaboration with Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, will host the UN Tourism Global Forum on Urban Tourism in Tehran from June 24 to 25.

International

Main goal of Nawaf Salam’s sterile govt. is to undermine Lebanon’s Resistance

BEIRUT — Once again, Nawaf Salam’s government continues its political ineptitude, not least the statement by Foreign Minister Youssef Rajai (or rather, the Lebanese Forces Foreign Minister) that “the [Lebanese] people no longer want the wooden equation,” referring to the national triangle of Army-People-Resistance.
Yemen strikes back at Tel Aviv

TEHRAN – Yemeni forces have targeted Ben Gurion Airport and vow a response to any Israeli aggression with more operations.
600 days of failure in Gaza

TEHRAN – May 29 marked the 600th day since Israel has been pounding the Gaza Strip.

Mother tells heart-wrenching story of a 24-year search for her only son