Tehran Times

2025-12-26 21:40
By Ezzedine Shallah, Palestinian filmmaker and researcher

Who will tell our story?

The Gaza-based filmmaker Ezzedine Shallah reflects on the endless sufferings of his people

DEIR AL-BALAH - In the early days of the war on Gaza—in a time that can only be described as genocide—I found myself trapped in emotions that defied language: disorientation, anxiety, fear, grief, and a pain so heavy it blurred reality itself.
- ‘Project Sunrise’: Trump’s vision for Gaza
- Disarmament in Gaza: ‘Day after’ pressure

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Kidnapping of Lebanese officer: Growing suspicions and unanswered questions

BEIRUT — Political and media discourse surrounding the abduction of former General Security officer Ahmad Shukr has intensified claims that he was forcibly taken into the occupied Palestinian territories.
By staff writer

Syria under the weight of Israel’s occupation

TEHRAN – Israel continues its military strikes in southern Syria nearly a year after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Western-backed interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.
By Shahrokh Saei

Trump’s Nigeria attack: Evangelical politics weaponized against reality

TEHRAN – The United States carried out strikes in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day, nearly two months after President Donald Trump warned he might intervene militarily, accusing the West African nation of failing to stop attacks against Christian communities.
Enemy seeking to hit Iran hard via economic pressure: Iran FM

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says enemies are seeking to put Iran under economic pressure following their defeat in the 12-day act of military aggression against the country.
Israeli media alleges second Iranian spy arrest within a week; one suspect knew IDF chief

TEHRAN – On Thursday and Friday, Israeli media reported the separate arrests of two alleged Iranian spies, raising concern in the regime’s political and military circles by revealing that one detainee had met several times with the Israeli military's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, before transferring information to Iran.

Politics

Former Iranian FM says Israel drives U.S. policy, calls Netanyahu main obstacle to peace

TEHRAN – Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Israel exerts decisive influence over U.S. policy and remains the main source of instability in the region, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the biggest obstacle to peace.
Iran to host trilateral naval exercise, says navy commander

TEHRAN – Iran will host a trilateral naval exercise in the near future, with plans to expand participation to additional countries, the commander of the Iranian Army Navy said on Friday.
IRGC intercepts smuggling tanker in Iran’s territorial waters

TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized a foreign tanker carrying millions of liters of smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf, detaining its crew and transferring the vessel and its cargo to government ownership, Iranian officials said.

Sports

Karim Bagheri proud to be a member of Persepolis

TEHRAN – Iran’s legendary midfielder Karim Bagheri says Persepolis are the only club he has ever truly loved in Iranian football.
Persepolis edge Mes in 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team edged past relegation-threatened Mes 1-0 on Friday at the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL).
Iran to send four skiers to 2026 Winter Olympic Games

TEHRAN – Four skiers will represent Iran at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy.

Culture

12th Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest calls for submissions

TEHRAN – The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest has opened the call for submissions for its 12th edition.
11th Arbaeen International Award to be held in Karbala

TEHRAN – The 11th Arbaeen International Award will be held on January 5, 2026, in Karbala, Iraq, organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, announcing the winners across various categories.

Economy

PMO signs $400m deals with private sector, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) has signed new contracts and memoranda of understanding with the private sector worth more than 200 trillion rials ($400 million), the minister of Transport and Urban Development said.
Iran, Azerbaijan agree to boost truck traffic at Astara border

TEHRAN – Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to increase daily truck movements at the Astara border crossing to between 350 and 400 vehicles, aiming to ease congestion and facilitate exports and transit flows, Iranian officials said.
Foreign minister urges export reforms at Isfahan business forum

TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign minister called for removing domestic barriers to exports and improving trade infrastructure at a meeting with private sector representatives in Isfahan, highlighting the province’s economic capacity as a driver of the country’s economic diplomacy.

Society

Smart e-health using AI aims to transform healthcare system

TEHRAN – The health ministry has developed eight projects with a focus on smart e-health using artificial intelligence to realize the healthcare system transformation goal.
12 countries attend Intl. Conference on Signal Processing, Intelligent Systems

TEHRAN – Researchers from Iran and 12 foreign countries, namely Spain, Italy, Iceland, Australia, Mexico, China, India, England, Algeria, Denmark, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, participated in the 11th International Conference on Signal Processing and Intelligent Systems (ICSPIS 2025).
Iran launches first biometric system check for Afghan refugees

TEHRAN – Iran has implemented the first biometric system check for identity verification of foreign nationals, especially Afghan refugees, at the Dogharon border terminal in the city of Taibad, northeastern Khorasan Razavi province.

Tourism

Tehran exemplifies peaceful coexistence among religions, governor-general says

TEHRAN – On the eve of the Christian New Year, Tehran Governor-General Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian visited a church in the capital, praising Iran -- and Tehran in particular -- as a model of peaceful coexistence among different religions.
CCTV journalist highlights Khuzestan’s cultural heritage

TEHRAN – A Chinese journalist has said Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan has strong appeal for international audiences, citing its rich cultural heritage and diversity.
Preserving Jiroft site vital to Iran’s civilizational identity

TEHRAN – Efforts to safeguard and preserve the archaeological site of Jiroft in Kerman province are essential to protecting Iran’s civilizational identity, said Morteza Nikrou, head of the Kerman Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department.

International

Kidnapping of Lebanese officer: Growing suspicions and unanswered questions

BEIRUT — Political and media discourse surrounding the abduction of former General Security officer Ahmad Shukr has intensified claims that he was forcibly taken into the occupied Palestinian territories.
Syria under the weight of Israel’s occupation

TEHRAN – Israel continues its military strikes in southern Syria nearly a year after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Western-backed interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.
Trump’s Nigeria attack: Evangelical politics weaponized against reality

TEHRAN – The United States carried out strikes in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day, nearly two months after President Donald Trump warned he might intervene militarily, accusing the West African nation of failing to stop attacks against Christian communities.

The Gaza-based filmmaker Ezzedine Shallah reflects on the endless sufferings of his people