Tehran Times

2025-12-13 21:13
By Shahrokh Saei

Who benefits from a disarmed Lebanon?

TEHRAN – Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire with Israel, brokered in late November 2024 by the United States and France, was meant to halt hostilities and open the door to a negotiated settlement. Yet more than a year later, the truce has proven largely illusory. Israel continues near-daily strikes on Lebanese territory, claiming to target Hezbollah compounds and rocket launch sites, but offering no verifiable evidence to substantiate its assertions.
- Youssef Raggi’s diplomatic derailment
- President Aoun calls Israel’s raid on southern Lebanon ‘full-fledged crime’

By Matin Jamshidi

Eurovision: A measure of international sentiment against Israel

TEHRAN - Israel may feel it has weakened Hamas and Hezbollah and now entertains the illusion that it is time to create a “new Middle East” and a “Greater Israel.” Yet these fleeting feelings of victory have come at the cost of unspeakable tragedy for civilians in Gaza.
Israel exploiting Syrian instability to expand territorial control, Lebanese analyst warns

Abeer Bassam says Israel seeking to control all water sources in southern Syria and southern Lebanon

TEHRAN- As Syria marks one year since the fall of the Assad government, the country faces unprecedented political, social, and humanitarian challenges.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Youssef Raggi’s diplomatic derailment

When will Lebanese leadership restore institutional discipline?

BEIRUT—Handpicked by the Lebanese Forces (LF), Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has, since taking office, behaved less like a custodian of national diplomacy and more like a partisan activist focused only on a narrow ideological agenda.
By Mohammad Khatibi

Expert says Chinese investment in Iran difficult under sanctions, but possible with determination

TEHRAN – In the midst of intensifying regional tensions and the enduring weight of Western sanctions, the future of China–Iran relations remains a subject of growing international interest. To better understand the dynamics shaping Beijing’s approach to Iran, The Tehran Times spoke with Professor Hongda Fan, director of the China–Middle East Center at Shaoxing University.
Ethiopian parliament speaker says expanding bilateral ties with Iran a ‘priority’

TEHRAN – Ethiopia’s Parliament Speaker, Tagesse Chafo, said Saturday that strengthening and expanding bilateral relations with Iran is a top priority, highlighting opportunities for deeper political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries amid their recent BRICS membership.

Politics

Tehran, Beijing reaffirm close bilateral ties in all areas

TEHRAN – Iran and China have emphasized their commitment to further enhancing mutual relations, highlighting the long history of Tehran-Beijing ties over decades.
Non-Iranian oil tanker smuggling fuel seized in Sea of Oman

TEHRAN – Iran has detained a foreign oil tanker accused of carrying contraband fuel in the Sea of Oman.
Iran and the civilizational discourse of Islam

TEHRAN - As the Western-centered global order continues to move towards erosion and nations increasingly turn back to their historical identities in search of a renewed place in the world, Iran’s role in shaping the civilizational discourse of Islam has become more significant than ever.

Sports

Iran stripped off of hosting rights in 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers

TEHRAN – Iran’s national basketball team will be forced to play their home games in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers at a neutral venue.
Men’s doubles claim title: 2025 AYPG

TEHRAN - Iran’s men’s doubles table tennis team won the title at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) on Saturday.
Girls’ goalball team crowned 2026 AYPG champions

TEHRAN – Iran’s girls’ goalball team claimed the title of the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games on Saturday.

Culture

Irreparable Defeat cartoon festival to highlight themes of resistance, justice

TEHRAN- The third edition of the Irreparable Defeat Cartoon and Caricature Competition will be held on the themes the irreparable defeat of the Zionist regime in the Al-Aqsa Storm operation, the defeat of the Zionist regime in the Operation True Promise III, and the martyrs of the 12-day war.
Iranian artist showing artwork in “The Temple of Dreams” international exhibition in Italy

TEHRAN – An artwork by the Iranian artist Shirin Mohseni-Nasab is present at the international exhibition “The Temple of Dreams” in Lecce, Italy.
Jules Verne’s “Mathias Sandorf” published in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the 1885 adventure book “Mathias Sandorf” written by the French writer Jules Verne has been released in the bookstores across the country.

Economy

Caspian maritime consortium, ports expansion highlight Iran’s push for sea-based growth

TEHRAN – Iran plans to establish a maritime consortium in the Caspian Sea with the participation of private-sector companies from Iran and Russia in the coming months, the head of the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) said on Saturday.
Tehran to host next Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Committee meeting in late Jan. 2026

TEHRAN- The 11th Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Committee meeting is planned to be held in Tehran in the beginning of the Iranian calendar month Bahman (late January2026), Iranian energy minister announced.
Iran, Kazakhstan private sectors sign 9 co-op agreements during Astana visit

TEHRAN – Private-sector representatives from Iran and Kazakhstan signed nine cooperation agreements during a visit by a trade delegation from the Iran Chamber of Commerce to Astana, aimed at expanding bilateral business ties.

Society

National Research, Technology Week underway

TEHRAN – The National Research and Technology Week is being held from December 13 to 18 across the country.
Iran Lab Expo kicks off in Tehran

TEHRAN – The 13th Iranian-Made Laboratory Equipment and Materials Exhibition, known as Iran Lab Expo 2025, opened in Tehran on Saturday and will run till Tuesday.
IRCS provides relief services to people affected by severe rains

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) provided rescue services to 5,442 individuals affected by blizzards, floods, and heavy rain over the past few days.

Tourism

Iran, Greece discuss joint action plan to expand tourism, heritage cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met in Athens on Thursday to discuss plans for expanding cooperation in tourism, museums and cultural heritage.
Iran, India discuss expanding cultural heritage cooperation

TEHRAN – Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy minister for cultural heritage, has met with Vivek Agarwal, India’s deputy minister of culture, in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of cultural heritage.
10 conservation, organizing projects planned for Sassanid World Heritage site of Fars

TEHRAN--Director of Sassanid Landscape World Heritage site of Fars province announced the completion of administrative procedures to sign contracts for 10 new conservation and organizing projects in two world heritage sites of this landscape.

International

Eurovision: A measure of international sentiment against Israel

TEHRAN - Israel may feel it has weakened Hamas and Hezbollah and now entertains the illusion that it is time to create a “new Middle East” and a “Greater Israel.” Yet these fleeting feelings of victory have come at the cost of unspeakable tragedy for civilians in Gaza.
Israel exploiting Syrian instability to expand territorial control, Lebanese analyst warns

TEHRAN- As Syria marks one year since the fall of the Assad government, the country faces unprecedented political, social, and humanitarian challenges.
Youssef Raggi’s diplomatic derailment

BEIRUT—Handpicked by the Lebanese Forces (LF), Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has, since taking office, behaved less like a custodian of national diplomacy and more like a partisan activist focused only on a narrow ideological agenda.

Abeer Bassam says Israel seeking to control all water sources in southern Syria and southern Lebanon

When will Lebanese leadership restore institutional discipline?