Tehran Times

2025-09-17 21:22
By Staff Writer

The philosophy behind Iran's mass prison pardons

Ayatollah Khamenei pardoned or reduced sentences for over 60,000 inmates last week

TEHRAN – Mahmoud was sentenced to five years in prison after being arrested with drugs in 2023. His offense is considered small-scale drug possession in Iran, as he used the drugs himself and sold them to a small number of acquaintances after obtaining them from a large distributor.
- Leader pardons, commutes sentences of over 2,000 prisoners
- 22,700 inmates freed under Leader’s mass pardon

Iran in no rush to resume relations with Syria: Foreign Ministry

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday that Iran is in no rush to resume relations with Syria, emphasizing that any restoration of ties will depend on conditions that genuinely serve the interests of the Syrian nation.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Exclusive: Summits without action are ‘a waste of time,’ says political commentator

Munir Daair says Arabs and Turkey must join Iran in security pact or face continued Israeli attacks

TEHRAN- In the aftermath of Israel’s recent airstrike on Doha, which targeted Hamas leaders under the shadow of U.S. military presence, questions are rising over Washington’s role in regional affairs. Analysts say the attack exposes a repeated pattern of deception, echoing previous strikes on Iran and Yemen, and highlights the danger posed by American bases in the Persian Gulf.
By Professor Hossein Askari

Arab rulers: When did you lose your dignity?

It’s high time to stand up for your people and protect their land!

PORTLAND - Persian Gulf Arabs, what are your unelected rulers scared of? They have put all their eggs in the US basket and are ineptly trying to protect their ill-gotten wealth and to cling onto power. Instead of subservience to neo-colonialists such as the US, they should stand tall and work only to benefit you and your future generations.
By Soheila Zarfam

Iran continues push for economic entanglement with the East

FM Araghchi turns up at SCO summit to promote new ‘economic order’ in West Asia

TEHRAN – After completing a state visit to China that was hailed as having created great “economic opportunities” for Iran, the Pezeshkian administration is now eying more projects with neighboring countries, particularly the members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
Leader congratulates national freestyle wrestling team on world championship victory

TEHRAN – In a message published Tuesday evening, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei congratulated Iran’s national freestyle wrestling team for becoming 2025 world champions.

Politics

Iranian FM holds talks with European counterparts on nuclear issue, sanctions relief

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a joint telephone conversation on Wednesday with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, focusing on the Iranian nuclear program and the lifting of unjust international sanctions.
Mossad operative executed after spying on Iran

TEHRAN – Iran has executed Babak Shahbazi, convicted of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and transmitting sensitive information on Iran’s high-security sites, the Judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported Wednesday.
The OIC’s sovereign deficit and Iran’s model of political agency

MADRID – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stands as a pivotal institution representing the collective voice of the Muslim world, encompassing 57 member states and over 1.9 billion people. Yet, despite its ambitious mandate to promote Islamic solidarity, safeguard interests of Muslim communities, and intervene in crises affecting the Muslim ummah, the OIC has long been caught in a cycle of rhetorical formalism and procedural inertia.

Sports

Iran into FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025-Division B SFs

TEHRAN - Iran completed the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025-Division B Semi-Finals cast following a dominant 62-33 conquest of Malaysia, on Wednesday at the Karisma Arena in Seremban, Malaysia.
Amouzad avenges Paris loss to Kiyooka: UWW

TEHRAN - Revenge was the theme of the night on Tuesday at the Zagreb World Championships, with Rahman Amouzad playing the starring role.
Sepahan fall short to Al Hussein at ACL Two

TEHRAN - Al Hussein got their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 campaign off to a bright start with a 1-0 win against Iran’s Sepahan on Tuesday.

Culture

Iran submits “Cause of Death: Unknown” to 2026 Oscars in best international feature film category

TEHRAN – The psychological mystery thriller “Cause of Death: Unknown” directed by Ali Zarnegar has been officially selected as Iran’s submission to the 2026 Academy Awards in the best international feature film category.
Novel on Gaza brings fictional heroes into real struggle

TEHRAN-The superhero of this story, Z, does not soar over imaginary skylines nor strike with an iron fist; his mission is different: to tear down the barricades of fake news and pull the truth from beneath the rubble of lies that Zionists pump daily into the media about Gaza. In “The Last Superhero: The Fight for Palestine”, Z searches for the roots of Zionism and the project of Israel in the twentieth century—a project that, through its propaganda machine, labels every Palestinian as “Hamas” in order to justify the killing of women and children.
Iran-Turkey joint film “Intoxicated by Love” to be released in Turkey, Europe in October

TEHRAN – The Iran-Turkey joint film “Intoxicated by Love” directed by Iranian director Hassan Fat’hi will be released in Turkey and Europe in October.

Economy

Iran’s industry minister visits Kabul to discuss trade barriers, joint projects

TEHRAN – A high-ranking Iranian economic delegation led by Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Seyed Mohammad Atabak arrived in Kabul on Monday for talks on boosting trade and investment with Afghanistan.
Isfahan holds first investment expo to attract domestic, foreign capital

ISFAHAN – The first Isfahan International Investment Expo (ISINEX 2025) opened on Wednesday in the central Iranian city to attract domestic and foreign investment.
TCCIMA delegation visits China’s Khorgos trade hub

TEHRAN – A high-level delegation from the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) visited the Khorgos Free Economic Zone in China after completing meetings in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to explore opportunities for expanding economic ties.

Society

Afghan envoy, UNAMA official meet in Tehran on situation of refugees

TEHRAN - Mawlawi Fazal Mohammad Haqqani, the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Tehran, met with Bojidar Vasilyev, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Liaison Office in Iran, to review the situation of Afghan refugees in the country.
WIPO registers 13 new Iranian products

TEHRAN - The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has officially registered thirteen new Iranian products, according to a senior advisor at Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade.
World Patient Safety Day highlights preventing harm throughout childhood

TEHRAN – World Patient Safety Day aims to raise public awareness to improve patient safety. This year’s slogan, ‘Patient safety from the start!’, emphasizes the urgent need to act early and consistently to prevent harm throughout childhood, and yield benefits across the life course.

Tourism

‘Face of Iran’ unveiled at Iranology Foundation

TEHRAN – A new geotourism documentary series named “Face of Iran” was unveiled on Tuesday at the Iranology Foundation in Tehran, with the aim of promoting the country’s cultural and natural heritage as a tourism and economic asset.
From rice terraces to waterfalls, Bali tour highlights nature and culture

BALI (Indonesia) - A recently-held media familiarization tour of Bali, attended by a number of Iranian journalists and social media influencers, was a journey to discover the authentic face of the country’s culture and nature.
Iran heritage official responds to concerns over orchestra concert at Persepolis

TEHRAN – An Iranian heritage official said on Monday that a permanent, safe venue will be designated for cultural events at Persepolis after a concert by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra at the ancient site sparked concern among cultural heritage advocates and archaeologists.

International

Arab rulers: When did you lose your dignity?

PORTLAND - Persian Gulf Arabs, what are your unelected rulers scared of? They have put all their eggs in the US basket and are ineptly trying to protect their ill-gotten wealth and to cling onto power. Instead of subservience to neo-colonialists such as the US, they should stand tall and work only to benefit you and your future generations.
Connecting continents through BRI

KUNMING – The 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road opened on Tuesday in Kunming, Yunnan Province, spotlighting a global platform that drives development, fosters cooperation, and promotes shared prosperity across continents.
Regional alliance crucial to counter Israel

TEHRAN - Last Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that his country had accepted the U.S. ceasefire proposal to end the war in Gaza. The very next day, Israel attempted to assassinate Hamas leaders while they were in Qatar’s capital to discuss that same proposal.