Tehran Times

2026-01-04 21:07
By staff writer

Worldwide anger at state-run abduction

The U.S. government’s unlawful abduction of Venezuela’s elected president has ignited protests and fierce condemnations across continents

TEHRAN – The United States has crossed a dangerous line with its military assault on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. What Washington presents as justice is, in reality, a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela's sovereignty. By abducting a sitting head of state and declaring that the U.S. will "run the country," President Donald Trump has revived the darkest traditions of imperialism in Latin America.
- The law of the jungle: U.S. aggression tramples on Venezuelan sovereignty

By Sahar Dadjoo

“Game Over Israel”: Red card pressure to hunt down Gaza genocide perpetrators

Ashish Prashar shares the story behind his global campaign in an exclusive interview with Tehran Times

TEHRAN- Ashish Prashar is a political strategist, believes that if Israel were removed from football, it would send an “unmistakable global message” that genocide which has been happening in Gaza for more than two years is unacceptable.
By Shahrokh Saei

Iran is not Venezuela: Play with fire, get burned

TEHRAN – After the U.S. military strikes inside Venezuela early Saturday and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump appears convinced he can replay the same scenario in Iran.
By staff writer

Machado as pawn: Venezuela on Washington’s imperial chessboard

TEHRAN – María Corina Machado’s role in Venezuela’s crisis shows how powerful nations use local leaders for their own goals. For years she was seen as the face of the opposition, someone who could stand against Nicolás Maduro.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Kidnapping sovereignty: When law of the jungle replaces global order

BEIRUT—The modern international system is built—at least in principle—on a foundational norm: the sovereignty of states.
Venezuela thanks Iran for solidarity as Caracas vows to resist US aggression

TEHRAN – Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto has expressed his gratitude to Iran for voicing solidarity with his country.

Politics

Iran begins ‘targeted arrest’ of rioters

TEHRAN – Iran’s Police Chief Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Radan announced Sunday that law enforcement forces have begun arresting individuals whose incitement of violence—carried out under the direction of foreign spy agencies—has become clear.
Border guards foil attempted terrorist infiltration in SE Iran

ZAHEDAN – Iranian border security forces successfully intercepted and repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration along the border in Saravan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province—a development believed to be linked to ongoing attempts by Israel and the West to exploit peaceful economic protests in Iran.
Iran moves to next stage in latest satellite missions following initial checks

TEHRAN – Iran has announced the successful orbital deployment and initial testing of three new satellites. According to a Sunday statement from the Iran Space Agency, the Zafar, Paya, and Kowsar satellites are now in a multi-week orbital testing phase, having completed their first series of in-orbit checks with an overall favorable technical status.

Sports

Iranian women athletes emerge as a driving force

TEHRAN - It is impossible to emphasize social health while ignoring or downplaying the role and status of women. In Iran, women, as the cornerstone of the family, play a fundamental and essential role in social vitality and family well-being.
Four Iranians nominated for world futsal awards

TEHRAN – Four Iranian futsal figures have been nominated for the 26th edition of the annual World Futsal Awards, released by Futsalplanet.com.
Ndong extends deal with Esteghlal: official

TEHRAN – Gabonese midfielder Didier Ibrahim Ndong has signed a new two-year contract with Esteghlal, the club’s CEO Ali Tajernia confirmed on Tuesday.

Culture

“Conqueror of Khaybar” monument unveiled at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Square

TEHRAN – Coinciding with the blessed birth anniversary of Imam Ali (AS) and the anniversary of the martyrdom of General Qassem Soleimani, a large monument titled “Conqueror of Khaybar” was unveiled at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Square on Saturday.
Fajr festival highlights Iranian national identity in official poster

TEHRAN- The poster for the 44th Fajr National Film Festival, inspired by an iconic image of veteran actor Ali Nassirian from the film “The Stone Lion,” directed by Masoud Jafari Jozani, was unveiled on Saturday.
24th Dhaka International Film Festival to host films by 13 Iranian directors

TEHRAN – The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) will host works by 13 Iranian filmmakers and two other directors will serve on the jury panels of various sections.

Economy

Transport fleet moves 454m tons of cargo in 9 months

TEHRAN – Iran’s public road transport fleet moved 454.1 million tons of cargo nationwide from the start of the current Iranian year (late March 2025) through the end of the first nine months, marking a modest increase in freight activity, officials said.
Free zones digital economy framework finalized

TEHRAN – Iran has finalized a digital economy framework for its free trade and special economic zones, aimed at positioning them as drivers of technology-led growth and higher productivity, the secretary of the High Council of Free and Special Economic Zones said.
Iran, Afghanistan agree to boost rail freight capacity to 100,000 tons a month

TEHRAN – Iran and Afghanistan have agreed to deepen strategic cooperation in rail transport, with plans to raise monthly rail freight capacity between the two countries to 100,000 tons, Iranian officials said.

Society

Social harm prevention programs to be expanded

TEHRAN – Education Minister Alireza Kazemi has announced that social harm prevention programs will be implemented in 100 areas nationwide this year, up from 32 areas the previous year.
Over 33,000 saplings to be planted in Tehran national park

TEHRAN – With the public participation, more than 33,000 saplings will be planted in Sorkhe Hesar National Park, east of Tehran.
Over 2,000 individuals benefited from IRCS rescue services

TEHRAN – Over the past three days, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) provided rescue services to 2,398 people affected by the snowstorms across 20 provinces of the country, according to an official with the IRCS.

Tourism

Shushtar residents call for UNESCO listing of historical urban fabric

SHUSHTAR (Khuzestan province) - Residents of the historic city of Shushtar in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province have launched a public campaign calling for the inscription of the city’s historical urban fabric on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its cultural, architectural and living heritage value.
Prehistoric discoveries at Falak-ol-Aflak castle strengthen UNESCO bid

KHORRAMABAD – A major archaeological campaign at the historic mound of Falak-ol-Aflak castle has uncovered important evidence that rewrites the site's history, significantly strengthening Iran's proposal for its expansion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Ardakan MP: Karbafi, a deep-rooted link between livelihood, culture, life of people

TEHRAN—Karbafi, a traditional Iranian weaving art, is not just an art or industry. It is a deep-rooted link between the livelihood, culture and life of the people of Ardakan, Yazd province.

International

Worldwide anger at state-run abduction

TEHRAN – The United States has crossed a dangerous line with its military assault on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. What Washington presents as justice is, in reality, a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela's sovereignty. By abducting a sitting head of state and declaring that the U.S. will "run the country," President Donald Trump has revived the darkest traditions of imperialism in Latin America.
Machado as pawn: Venezuela on Washington’s imperial chessboard

TEHRAN – María Corina Machado’s role in Venezuela’s crisis shows how powerful nations use local leaders for their own goals. For years she was seen as the face of the opposition, someone who could stand against Nicolás Maduro.
Kidnapping sovereignty: When law of the jungle replaces global order

BEIRUT—The modern international system is built—at least in principle—on a foundational norm: the sovereignty of states.