Tehran Times

2026-01-04 21:07
By staff writer

Worldwide anger at state-run abduction

The U.S. government’s unlawful abduction of Venezuela’s elected president has ignited protests and fierce condemnations across continents

TEHRAN – The United States has crossed a dangerous line with its military assault on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. What Washington presents as justice is, in reality, a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela's sovereignty. By abducting a sitting head of state and declaring that the U.S. will "run the country," President Donald Trump has revived the darkest traditions of imperialism in Latin America.
- The law of the jungle: U.S. aggression tramples on Venezuelan sovereignty

By Sahar Dadjoo

“Game Over Israel”: Red card pressure to hunt down Gaza genocide perpetrators

Ashish Prashar shares the story behind his global campaign in an exclusive interview with Tehran Times

TEHRAN- Ashish Prashar is a political strategist, believes that if Israel were removed from football, it would send an “unmistakable global message” that genocide which has been happening in Gaza for more than two years is unacceptable.
By Shahrokh Saei

Iran is not Venezuela: Play with fire, get burned

TEHRAN – After the U.S. military strikes inside Venezuela early Saturday and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump appears convinced he can replay the same scenario in Iran.
By staff writer

Machado as pawn: Venezuela on Washington’s imperial chessboard

TEHRAN – María Corina Machado’s role in Venezuela’s crisis shows how powerful nations use local leaders for their own goals. For years she was seen as the face of the opposition, someone who could stand against Nicolás Maduro.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Kidnapping sovereignty: When law of the jungle replaces global order

BEIRUT—The modern international system is built—at least in principle—on a foundational norm: the sovereignty of states.
Venezuela thanks Iran for solidarity as Caracas vows to resist US aggression

TEHRAN – Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto has expressed his gratitude to Iran for voicing solidarity with his country.

Politics

Iran begins ‘targeted arrest’ of rioters

TEHRAN – Iran’s Police Chief Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Radan announced Sunday that law enforcement forces have begun arresting individuals whose incitement of violence—carried out under the direction of foreign spy agencies—has become clear.
Border guards foil attempted terrorist infiltration in SE Iran

ZAHEDAN – Iranian border security forces successfully intercepted and repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration along the border in Saravan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province—a development believed to be linked to ongoing attempts by Israel and the West to exploit peaceful economic protests in Iran.
Iran moves to next stage in latest satellite missions following initial checks

TEHRAN – Iran has announced the successful orbital deployment and initial testing of three new satellites. According to a Sunday statement from the Iran Space Agency, the Zafar, Paya, and Kowsar satellites are now in a multi-week orbital testing phase, having completed their first series of in-orbit checks with an overall favorable technical status.

Sports

Igor Sergeev officially joins Persepolis

TEHRAN – Igor Sergeev, who spent last season with Pakhtakor, has officially joined Iranian giants Persepolis.
Iranian wrestling champions visit cancer patients

TEHRAN - World heavyweight champion Amirhossein Zare, Greco-Roman wrestling world gold medalist Ali Arsalan, and world junior Greco-Roman champion Fardin Hedayati visited cancer patients in a humanitarian initiative aimed at offering support and encouragement.
Iranian women athletes emerge as a driving force

TEHRAN - It is impossible to emphasize social health while ignoring or downplaying the role and status of women. In Iran, women, as the cornerstone of the family, play a fundamental and essential role in social vitality and family well-being.

Culture

“Conqueror of Khaybar” monument unveiled at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Square

TEHRAN – Coinciding with the blessed birth anniversary of Imam Ali (AS) and the anniversary of the martyrdom of General Qassem Soleimani, a large monument titled “Conqueror of Khaybar” was unveiled at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Square on Saturday.
Fajr festival highlights Iranian national identity in official poster

TEHRAN- The poster for the 44th Fajr National Film Festival, inspired by an iconic image of veteran actor Ali Nassirian from the film “The Stone Lion,” directed by Masoud Jafari Jozani, was unveiled on Saturday.
24th Dhaka International Film Festival to host films by 13 Iranian directors

TEHRAN – The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) will host works by 13 Iranian filmmakers and two other directors will serve on the jury panels of various sections.

Economy

SPGC boosts domestic production of equipment by 15% in 9 months on year

TEHRAN – Domestic production of equipment at Iran’s giant South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) rose by more than 15 percent year on year over the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (late March-late December 2025), as domestic manufacturing and repair capabilities continued to expand, a senior official said.
Rail cargo transport up 12% as Iran accelerates shift to freight rail

TEHRAN – Iran’s rail cargo transport rose 12 percent in the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 21-November 21, 2025), highlighting a faster shift toward rail-based freight as authorities seek to cut logistics costs, ease pressure on roads and expand export capacity.
Eurasia Exhibition, operational platform for implementing FTA

TEHRAN- The managing director of Tehran International Exhibitions Company reported quantitative and qualitative growth in the fourth edition of the International Eurasia Exhibition, describing the event as the most cost-effective and efficient tool for the sustainable development of regional markets and for building trust among enterprises.

Society

National polio vaccination campaign to target over 1m children

TEHRAN – The first phase of the national immunization campaign for polio eradication, using domestically produced vaccines, will cover a total of 1.1 million Iranian and foreign children under the age of five.
Comprehensive plan developed to preserve luristanica Sorbus

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has developed a comprehensive plan to preserve luristanica Sorbus, a rare plant species that is native to Iran and is classified as critically endangered.
‘Climate change, sea level rise threaten food security in southern Iran’

TEHRAN – Global warming and ice sheet melting pose serious threats to food security in the south of the country, Ahad Vazifeh, the head of the Meteorological Organization, has warned.

Tourism

Shushtar residents call for UNESCO listing of historical urban fabric

SHUSHTAR (Khuzestan province) - Residents of the historic city of Shushtar in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province have launched a public campaign calling for the inscription of the city’s historical urban fabric on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its cultural, architectural and living heritage value.
Prehistoric discoveries at Falak-ol-Aflak castle strengthen UNESCO bid

KHORRAMABAD – A major archaeological campaign at the historic mound of Falak-ol-Aflak castle has uncovered important evidence that rewrites the site's history, significantly strengthening Iran's proposal for its expansion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Ardakan MP: Karbafi, a deep-rooted link between livelihood, culture, life of people

TEHRAN—Karbafi, a traditional Iranian weaving art, is not just an art or industry. It is a deep-rooted link between the livelihood, culture and life of the people of Ardakan, Yazd province.

International

Worldwide anger at state-run abduction

TEHRAN – The United States has crossed a dangerous line with its military assault on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. What Washington presents as justice is, in reality, a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela's sovereignty. By abducting a sitting head of state and declaring that the U.S. will "run the country," President Donald Trump has revived the darkest traditions of imperialism in Latin America.
Machado as pawn: Venezuela on Washington’s imperial chessboard

TEHRAN – María Corina Machado’s role in Venezuela’s crisis shows how powerful nations use local leaders for their own goals. For years she was seen as the face of the opposition, someone who could stand against Nicolás Maduro.
Kidnapping sovereignty: When law of the jungle replaces global order

BEIRUT—The modern international system is built—at least in principle—on a foundational norm: the sovereignty of states.