Tehran Times

2025-12-09 21:53
By Soheila Zarfam

Politics on the Pitch

Is the U.S. weaponizing 2026 World Cup against Iran?

TEHRAN — The contradiction between sport’s stated mission to unite people and the reality of restricted access was laid bare last week when several members of Iran’s World Cup delegation were refused U.S. visas and could not attend the FIFA 2026 draw in Washington on December 5, 2026.
- U.S. denies visas for Iran football officials
- FIFA VP Victor Montagliani: Iran football will compete at 2026 World Cup

Trump 'only interested' in Venezuela's oil: analyst

'Invoking the term “Monroe Doctrine” by the current regime has a certain element of populist appeal among the isolationist-leaning electorate'

TEHRAN – Yuram Abdullah Weiler, an engineer-turned political analyst, argues that U.S. President Donald Trump’s intense pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stems from a desire to dominate the country and secure access to its vast oil reserves, which surpass those of Saudi Arabia.
By Somaye Morovati

Strategic autonomy in practice: India and Eurasia’s reconfiguration

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on 4–5 December 2025 should be viewed as one of the defining geopolitical moments in Eurasia over the past decade—an event that transcends the traditional contours of the Moscow–New Delhi relationship and is best understood as part of a broader realignment in the regional balance of power.
By Shahrokh Saei

Is Israel’s mirage of victory in Gaza fading?

TEHRAN – More than two years after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the outcome is undeniable: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to “destroy Hamas” has failed.
By Afshin Majlesi

Sa’dabad director outlines major restoration, conservation push at former royal complex in Tehran

TEHRAN – The director of the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex says the former royal residence in northern Tehran has accelerated restoration and conservation work, completing a long-delayed digital inventory of its holdings while advancing new projects to safeguard thousands of stored objects.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Iran’s stand in the 12-day war undermined U.S.-Israeli strategy, says Philippine scholar

Julkipli Wadi warns that as Israel widens its aggression, Iran’s resilience signals a new regional momentum.

TEHRAN – At the sidelines of the Conference on “People’s Rights and Legitimate Freedoms in the Thoughts of Ayatollah Khamenei,” the Tehran Times spoke with Professor Julkipli Wadi of the University of the Philippines to examine the conference’s intellectual significance, the current crisis of international law, and Iran’s evolving role in regional security.

Politics

China backs expanding Iran–Saudi ties at trilateral meeting

TEHRAN – Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia have wrapped up their third Trilateral Committee Meeting, with Beijing once again underscoring its commitment to strengthening relations between Tehran and Riyadh.
Global turn toward replicating Iranian drones highlights Tehran’s military ascendancy: top general

TEHRAN – A senior spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces says the replication of the Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Shahed 136 by certain superpowers which claim to be in possession of cutting-edge technology is a confession of Iran’s eye-catching breakthroughs.
Iran president due in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan on two-day tour

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to travel to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on Thursday and Friday, the President’s Deputy for Political Affairs, Mehdi Sanaei, announced on Tuesday.

Sports

Sepahan edge Aluminum, Esteghlal held by Malavan: PGPL

TEHRAN – Sepahan fought to a 1-0 victory over Aluminum in the 2025/26 Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Wednesday.
Iranian Para powerlifter Pouladi celebrates gold at AYPG

TEHRAN – Iranian para powerlifter Zahra Pouladi won gold medal on Wednesday at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG).
Para powerlifters start on a high note: 2025 AYPG

TEHRAN – Three Iranian para powerlifters won gold medals on Wednesday at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games.

Culture

“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” wins best picture award at Hainan Island International Film Festival

TEHRAN – “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” directed by Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri won an award at the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF), which was held from December 3 to 8, in Sanya, China.
Renowned photographer Alfred Yaghobzadeh to lead workshop on war photography in Tehran

TEHRAN- A specialized session titled "War Photography and Social Documentary" will be held in Tehran with the participation of renowned international photographer and award-winning artist Alfred Yaghobzadeh.
“Light Has Come” art exhibition unveils works on Zionist Regime’s destruction

TEHRAN- Iranian artist Abdolhamid Qadirian’s art exhibition was inaugurated at the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization in Tehran on Monday, depicting Quranic narrative of the destruction of the Zionist Regime.

Economy

Land–Sea Alliance seen as gateway to expanding China–Iran economic ties

TEHRAN – Iran and China are looking to deepen economic and trade cooperation through the International Land–Sea Trade Corridor, with senior officials highlighting the platform’s role in connecting member states and improving living standards across the region.
ICCIMA head outlines 6 steps to boost trade with Kazakhstan

TEHRAN – The head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said on Wednesday that a set of practical measures, including formalized barter, a joint financial mechanism and long-term involvement in Kazakhstan’s infrastructure projects, could significantly expand bilateral trade.
Iran, Belarus to expand cooperation across farming, forestry, veterinary services

TEHRAN – Iran’s agriculture minister and Belarus’ industry minister agreed to expand cooperation across farming, forestry, veterinary services, and plant and animal quarantine, with commitments to jointly produce agricultural machinery and potash fertilizer, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Society

DOE, UNEP discuss environmental challenges at UNEA-7

TEHRAN – Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), and Inger Andersen, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have discussed environmental challenges in the country.
Tehran, Ankara underscore expanding scientific ties

TEHRAN – Iranian Science, Research and Technology Minister, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, and Turkish Ambassador to Tehran, Hicabi Kirlangic, have discussed avenues for enhancing scientific and educational collaborations between the two countries.
BRICS meeting: Iran proposes expanding joint scientific infrastructures

TEHRAN – Hosting the 7th meeting of BRICS working groups on research infrastructures and mega-science projects, Iran has proposed the development of joint scientific infrastructures.

Tourism

Tehran requests new restoration phase for Yerevan’s Blue Mosque

TEHRAN - Iran has formally asked the Armenian government to begin a new phase of restoration work at the Blue Mosque in Yerevan during a recent visit by senior Iranian tourism officials.
Women preserve ‘Tal-o Mahtal’ ritual for rain in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – The ancient rain-seeking ritual Tal-o Mahtal, observed in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, is originated as a community response to recurring desert droughts and continues to be practiced today. The ceremony is listed as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.
Facial reconstruction portrays man lived c. 10,000 years ago in western Iran

TEHRAN – An international team of archaeologists and researchers has produced a facial reconstruction of a young man who lived around 10,000 years ago at Ganj Dareh, a Neolithic site in western Iran.

International

Is Israel’s mirage of victory in Gaza fading?

TEHRAN – More than two years after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the outcome is undeniable: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to “destroy Hamas” has failed.
The tail that trained the dog to heel

TEHRAN – They built the room together. America paid for the walls, the fake grass carpet, and the giant posters of Trump’s twenty-point plan. America flew in the logisticians who know how to move rice through war zones. America even invited a few Dutch and Emirati officers to keep up the pretense of multilateralism.
From Oracle to Starlink: Lebanon’s security sovereignty in the wind

BEIRUT — Lebanon has always lived in the crossfire of regional conflicts, but rarely has its digital sovereignty been placed so casually on the negotiating table.