Tehran Times

2025-12-21 21:10
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

The rabid dog barks again

Reports indicate Israel is looking to drag US into another war against Iran after waging two years of relentless violence in the region

TEHRAN – War and aggression appear to be an inseparable part of the Israeli regime's existence. From the 1948 Nakba in Palestine and the at least half-dozen wars with Arab states until 2006, to its recent aggressions against Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Qatar, and Iran, Israel appears locked in a perpetual cycle of inflicting death and destruction.
- Exclusive: Expert says Israel would have been destroyed had it attacked Iran without Western backing
- No power can defeat Iran: military strategist

By Shahrokh Saei

Fractured fortress: Israel crumbling from within

TEHRAN – Israel often presents itself as a regional fortress, with its military active from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, and in confrontations linked to Iran. From the outside, it seems untouchable, disciplined, and in control. But a closer look reveals that the walls are cracking. Every strike, every campaign is like a hammer blow against the world, yet the same blows reverberate inside, shaking Israel itself. The more Israel relies on force, the more the foundations beneath it weaken.
By staff writer

Trump eyes Taiwan as revenue source for US weapons

TEHRAN - Late on Wednesday, the Trump administration announced the largest ever U.S. weapons sales for Taiwan, amounting 11.1 billion dollars. The arms sale announcement is the second under President Donald Trump's current administration.
By staff writer

Epsteinberg: Not even the tip has surfaced

Epstein file release fell short of transparency, with much withheld, sparking complaints and public outcry

TEHRAN – The U.S. Justice Department’s release of the Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday has reignited headlines and social media frenzy. Thousands of pages, photos, and investigative documents were made public, showing Epstein with celebrities, politicians, and business elites.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah in focus: Strategic goals behind Imad Amhaz video

Following the release of an investigative report in Israel Hayom titled “The Secret Maritime File,” Israel publishes a video featuring Imad Amhaz

BEIRUT— The recent release of a video featuring Lebanese national Imad Amhaz—more than a year after his detention—signals a carefully calculated media and political maneuver by Tel Aviv.
By Wesam Bahrani

Disarmament in Gaza: ‘Day after’ pressure

TEHRAN – Gaza appears to be entering a difficult testing phase, the outcome of which will depend on the Palestinians’ ability to forge a unified national position.

Politics

Araghchi to UK FM: Dialogue requires respect, not unilateral pressure

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated the Islamic Republic’s readiness for dialogue, provided it's based on respect for national rights and not unilateral pressure.
Spy executed in Iran after carrying out over 200 missions for Israel

TEHRAN – Iran's Judiciary has confirmed the execution of Aqil Keshavarz, a Mossad agent convicted of espionage and collaboration with the Israeli regime. The execution took place on Saturday morning, following the thorough completion of legal procedures and the ultimate confirmation of his death sentence by the Supreme Court.
Resumption of cooperation with IAEA not impossible, but very complicated

TEHRAN – Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) spokesperson, Behrouz Kamalvandi, has emphasized that any inspections of the country’s nuclear sites must carefully balance transparency with national security concerns.

Sports

Sepahan knocked out of 2025/26 Iran’s Hazfi Cup

TEHRAN – Sepahan football team failed to secure a place in the 2025/26 Iran Hazfi Cup quarterfinals after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Kheybar at the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium on Sunday.
My goal is to compete in Nagoya and Los Angeles: Golmohammadzadeh

TEHRAN - Amirali Golmohammadzadeh, the youngest member of Iran’s delegation at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, expressed hope that he will be able to compete in the upcoming Asian Para Games in Nagoya and the 2028 Paralympic Games.
Pioneer gymnast Jamileh Sorouri honored in Tehran

TEHRAN - Iran’s Gymnastics Federation honored former national team member Jamileh Sorouri during a ceremony in Tehran’s Takhti Stadium.

Culture

6th anniversary of General Haj Qassem Soleimani’s martyrdom to be held in 12 countries
“The Hungry Tide” at Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN- A Persian translation of Indian writer Amitav Ghosh’s novel “The Hungry Tide” has recently been published by Amut Publications in Tehran.
“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” honored at Kerala film festival

TEHRAN- Iranian director Shahram Mokri’s latest film “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” was honored at the closing ceremony of the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India on Friday.

Economy

Tajikistan seeks broader civil aviation cooperation with Iran

TEHRAN – Tajikistan has called for expanding cooperation with Iran in civil aviation, praising the technical expertise and professional approach of Iranian aviation officials following a joint safety oversight mission, state media reported.
Iran exports non-oil goods worth $6.7b to Iraq in 8 months

TEHRAN- Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $6.719 billion to Iraq during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced.
Iran, China explore ways to deepen strategic economic cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s private sector and Chinese policy institutes held talks on expanding long-term economic and strategic cooperation, focusing on investment, finance and regional connectivity, officials said.

Society

Iran attends Geneva meeting on establishing Tehran Convention Secretariat

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation has participated in a meeting of the working group on establishing the secretariat of the Tehran Convention in the Caspian Sea region.
Health officials participate in Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

TEHRAN – The head of the health ministry’s traditional medicine office, Hossein Rezaeizadeh, the advisor to the health ministry’s traditional medicine office, Arman Zargaran, along with the ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, have attended the second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.
Newly appointed WHO representative meets health minister

TEHRAN – Awad Mataria, the new World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Iran, held a meeting with Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi on Sunday.

Tourism

Yalda Night, a symbol of human connection with nature, production and cultural identity

TEHRAN--Yalda represents deep connection of Iranians with nature, production, and cultural identity that has been passed down from generation to generation, said Mohammad-Hassan Mohebali, who is an eternal figure in cultural heritage.
Tajik ambassador underscores cultural convergence between Iran and Central Asia

TEHRAN – Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, has said Iran’s festival of tribal culture reflects cultural convergence between the Islamic Republic and Central Asian countries.
Hafez mausoleum marks Yalda Night

TEHRAN--Concurrent with the fourth anniversary of Yalda Night’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a night celebration ceremony titled ‘Yalda at the Shrine of Hafez’ was held in Hafezieh, where the legendary Persian poet is laid to rest.

International

Fractured fortress: Israel crumbling from within

TEHRAN – Israel often presents itself as a regional fortress, with its military active from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, and in confrontations linked to Iran. From the outside, it seems untouchable, disciplined, and in control. But a closer look reveals that the walls are cracking. Every strike, every campaign is like a hammer blow against the world, yet the same blows reverberate inside, shaking Israel itself. The more Israel relies on force, the more the foundations beneath it weaken.
Trump eyes Taiwan as revenue source for US weapons

TEHRAN - Late on Wednesday, the Trump administration announced the largest ever U.S. weapons sales for Taiwan, amounting 11.1 billion dollars. The arms sale announcement is the second under President Donald Trump's current administration.
Hezbollah in focus: Strategic goals behind Imad Amhaz video

BEIRUT— The recent release of a video featuring Lebanese national Imad Amhaz—more than a year after his detention—signals a carefully calculated media and political maneuver by Tel Aviv.