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 Garsha Vazirian

Six countries, three seas, one voracious war machine

A year of Tel Aviv’s fear doctrine—sovereignty dismantled across six nations, maritime terror targeting humanitarian aid

TEHRAN – In 2025, Israel acted as a borderless war machine, unleashing over 10,631 military attacks across six nations—Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar—while extending its brutality to maritime terrorism against aid ships in the waters of Malta, Greece, and Tunisia.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Yemen and mirage of Somaliland: Sovereignty, deterrence, and battle over the Red Sea

BEIRUT—The renewed focus on the so-called “Somaliland” is not an isolated African issue but a deliberate geopolitical maneuver tied to the security of the Red Sea and the balance of power in West Asia.
By staff writer

Al-Houthi’s warning: A red line for Israel in Somaliland

TEHRAN – The leader of Yemen’s Ansarullah has declared that any Israeli presence in Somaliland will be treated as a “military target,” framing Israel’s recent recognition of the breakaway region as an act of aggression against Somalia, Yemen, and the wider Red Sea corridor. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi’s remarks underscore the seriousness with which Yemen’s resistance movement views Tel Aviv’s latest geopolitical maneuver, and highlight the broader struggle over sovereignty and control in one of the world’s most strategic maritime zones.
Talks with US ‘not realistic’ without respect for norms, says foreign ministry

TEHRAN – Iran says the circumstances are not yet ripe for launching negotiations with the United States despite Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday, amid reports that Iraq has offered to mediate between Tehran and Washington.
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.

Politics

Russia says Tehran showing 'maximum restraint' despite western provocations

TEHRAN – Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with Russian media, said that Iran has shown the highest level of restraint and readiness for dialogue in response to all Western provocations.
Araghchi urges regional cooperation on Yemen in calls with UAE, Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with his counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments, especially the conflict in Yemen.
If Iran had sought nuclear arms, Trump ‘gave the best pretext through war’: Zarif

TEHRAN – Iran’s former foreign minister and chief negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal said on Monday that Tehran has never sought nuclear weapons, arguing that U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran would have provided the clearest justification if it had.

Sports

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.
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.

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

Iran second most active country in ‘100 Hours of Astronomy’

TEHRAN – Recording more than 30 astronomy events, Iran is the second most active participant in the 100 Hours of Astronomy, an event run annually by the International Astronomical Union to encourage people from all over the world to unite under one sky.
Razi festival honors top researchers in medical sciences

TEHRAN – The 31st Razi research festival on medical sciences honored top researchers and technology experts in the health sector, with ministers of science and health in attendance.
IRCS, UNICEF boost ties to provide psychosocial support for children

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have enhanced cooperation to provide psychosocial support for children during emergencies.

Tourism

Experimental archaeology at Masuleh: Medieval Iron smelting technology reconstructed

TEHRAN - An interdisciplinary research team has successfully reconstructed a medieval iron smelting and casting complex at the Old Masuleh historical site in northern Iran, revealing advanced metallurgical expertise in the region.
Iranian artisans to showcase handicrafts at Muscat Nights

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian artisans will present a wide range of traditional handicrafts and visual arts at Muscat Nights 2026, a month-long cultural festival to be held in the Omani capital from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, organizers said.
Iran overcomes tourism recession faster than many countries

TEHRAN— Iran has been able to overcome the tourism recession faster than many countries in a few months after the 12-day Israeli war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

International

Six countries, three seas, one voracious war machine

TEHRAN – In 2025, Israel acted as a borderless war machine, unleashing over 10,631 military attacks across six nations—Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar—while extending its brutality to maritime terrorism against aid ships in the waters of Malta, Greece, and Tunisia.
Yemen and mirage of Somaliland: Sovereignty, deterrence, and battle over the Red Sea

BEIRUT—The renewed focus on the so-called “Somaliland” is not an isolated African issue but a deliberate geopolitical maneuver tied to the security of the Red Sea and the balance of power in West Asia.
Al-Houthi’s warning: A red line for Israel in Somaliland

TEHRAN – The leader of Yemen’s Ansarullah has declared that any Israeli presence in Somaliland will be treated as a “military target,” framing Israel’s recent recognition of the breakaway region as an act of aggression against Somalia, Yemen, and the wider Red Sea corridor. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi’s remarks underscore the seriousness with which Yemen’s resistance movement views Tel Aviv’s latest geopolitical maneuver, and highlight the broader struggle over sovereignty and control in one of the world’s most strategic maritime zones.