Tehran Times

2025-05-18 21:44
Pezeshkian: Iran will never give up its peaceful nuclear program

Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025 : Officials, diplomats, and experts gather for two-day event on regional issues

TEHRAN – Journalists, diplomatic missions, dignitaries, and scholars took to the busy roads of Tehran in the early hours of Sunday (the second day of the week in Iran) to reach a grand international gathering in the north of the capital: the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF).
- 'Kurds are one of us': Leader
- Pezeshkian makes milestone visit to Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Araghchi warns 'unrealistic' demands from U.S. could derail nuclear talks

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that unrealistic expectations could derail ongoing indirect negotiations with the United States, emphasizing that uranium enrichment is a non-negotiable right of the Iranian people.
Tehran, Baku launch joint military drill in Karabakh region

TEHRAN – Iran and Azerbaijan have launched a joint military exercise dubbed “Aras 2025” in the recently liberated areas of Karabakh, aimed at bolstering border security and enhancing joint preparedness against potential threats.
By Sahar Dadjoo

PKK’s historic shift: From insurgency to politics and regional outcomes

TEHRAN – The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced its disbandment, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics with major effects on Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, the PKK waged a four-decade insurgency seeking Kurdish independence.
By Wesam Bahrani

Why Syria’s President skipped Arab Summit?

TEHRAN – Syria’s self-appointed President Ahmad al-Sharaa was noticeably absent from the Arab League meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah’s former recruit arrested for collaborating with Israel

SOUTH LEBANON — In recent days, rumors about former Hezbollah recruit, Mohammad Saleh, some accurate and some exaggerated, have circulated rapidly, after the government commissioner to the military court, Judge Fadi Akiki, filed a complaint against him on charges of collaborating with the Israeli enemy.

Politics

President Trump and the name Persian Gulf

TEHRAN - As we noted during his stay in the region, President Trump forwent wisely tinkering with geographical names and discarded the ostensible preliminary idea of using a different name for the Persian Gulf. A report by the AP pointing to this eventuality has stirred emotional reactions among the Iranians from all different walks of life.
UK’s ‘terror plot’ claims crumble as it frees all five Iranian suspects

TEHRAN – The United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police has released all five Iranian nationals arrested earlier this month on suspicion of terrorism-related activities, marking a dramatic collapse of a high-profile investigation that Iranians have condemned as a politically motivated media spectacle.
Tehran hosts memorial conference for martyred officials with focus on Resistance diplomacy

TEHRAN – The International Conference on Resistance diplomacy was held in Tehran on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the martyrdom of former President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Sports

Tabiat lose to Al Riyadi in 2025 WASL final

TEHRAN – Iranian basketball team Tabiat lost to Lebanon’s Al Riyadi 104-77 in the 2025 FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) final Sunday night.
Persepolis complete signing of Reza Shekari

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club announced Sunday night that they have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Reza Shekari from Sepahan.
Paykan win promotion to the 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Paykan Football Club secured their promotion to the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) after defeating Mes Kerman 2-1 on Sunday.

Culture

18th Resistance International Film Festival kicks off in Tehran

TEHRAN – The opening ceremony of the 18th Resistance International Film Festival took place on Saturday at the Persian Gulf Hall of the Sacred Defense Museum in Tehran.
Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Nekrassov” on stage at Iranshahr Theater

TEHRAN –The satirical play “Nekrassov” by Jean-Paul Sartre is on stage at the Iranshahr Theater Complex in Tehran.
Embassy of Mexico in Iran promoting literary, cultural understanding

TEHRAN - A book launch ceremony was held at the stand of the Embassy of Mexico in Iran at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) on Thursday, where the book “Teherán lleva tilde” was unveiled in the presence of the Ambassador of Mexico in Iran, Guillermo Puente Ordorica, and the authors of the book.

Economy

Iran’s power generation capacity growing at 2.2% annually: minister

TEHRAN – Iran's annual power generation capacity growth rate stands at 2.2 percent, significantly lower than the global average of 4.6 percent, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said on Tuesday.
PEDEC signs key drilling contracts to accelerate development of Aban, Paydar Gharb oilfields

TEHRAN – The Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) has signed two major subsurface drilling contracts aimed at accelerating development of the Paydar Gharb oilfield, a shared reservoir with Iraq, the project manager for the Aban and Paydar Gharb oilfield development announced on Tuesday.
‘IRISL shipped 27m tons of goods in past year despite sanctions’

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) transported 27 million tons of cargo last year, continuing its operations despite Western sanctions, according to the company’s Head Mohammad-Reza Modarres Khiabani.

Society

Iran calls for development of AI in Islamic nations

TEHRAN – First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref has called for artificial intelligence development in Islamic countries based on the three main principles of multilateral cooperation, scientific synergy, and shared infrastructures.
Persian medicine to help improve infertility treatment

TEHRAN –Over 32 specialized medical centers are benefitting from Persian medicine across the country to increase the chance of infertility treatment, Nafiseh Hosseini-Yekta, the director of the health ministry’s Persian medicine office, has said.
National No-Tobacco Day to be observed

TEHRAN –The National No-Tobacco Day is scheduled to be held in the country from May 24 to 30.

Tourism

Iran opens its first specialized college for classic car restoration

TEHRAN - In a landmark development for cultural heritage and technical education in Iran, the country’s first specialized college dedicated to the restoration of classic cars was officially inaugurated on Monday.
Commemorative stamp honoring Persepolis Fortification Tablets unveiled

TEHRAN - On Sunday, May 18, coinciding with International Museum Day, a ceremony was held at the National Museum of Iran to unveil a commemorative stamp honoring the Persepolis Fortification Tablets.
Iran is a roofless museum, deputy cultural heritage minister says

TEHRAN - Iran is like a roofless museum in terms of cultural and historical assets and values, said the country’s Deputy Minister for Cultural Heritage.

International

PKK’s historic shift: From insurgency to politics and regional outcomes

TEHRAN – The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced its disbandment, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics with major effects on Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, the PKK waged a four-decade insurgency seeking Kurdish independence.
Why Syria’s President skipped Arab Summit?

TEHRAN – Syria’s self-appointed President Ahmad al-Sharaa was noticeably absent from the Arab League meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Hezbollah’s former recruit arrested for collaborating with Israel

SOUTH LEBANON — In recent days, rumors about former Hezbollah recruit, Mohammad Saleh, some accurate and some exaggerated, have circulated rapidly, after the government commissioner to the military court, Judge Fadi Akiki, filed a complaint against him on charges of collaborating with the Israeli enemy.

Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025 : Officials, diplomats, and experts gather for two-day event on regional issues