Tehran Times

2025-08-15 20:05
By staff writer

Arbaeen: A record-breaking march of devotion and unity

TEHRAN — In a majestic and awe-inspiring display of faith, unity, and devotion, millions of pilgrims from every corner of the globe gathered in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen — the fortieth day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam and the revered grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Arbaeen: A sociopolitical symbol of resistance
- The common language of Arbaeen pilgrims is tears

By Wesam Bahrani

Arbaeen: A sociopolitical symbol of resistance

TEHRAN – For many outside the region, Arbaeen is unfamiliar. It often surfaces unexpectedly while scrolling through headlines about West Asia accompanied by striking images of massive crowds walking toward Iraqi cities.
By Fatemeh Jahanbakhsh

The common language of Arbaeen pilgrims is tears

Karbala—An eighty-year-old woman sits beneath a bridge, her face deeply lined with wrinkles, an Arabic beauty mark between her brows, strands of white hair peeking from beneath her scarf, and a pair of round glasses perched on her nose. Amid the sea of people, you’d have to look closely to spot her, sitting with a tray of dates on a small stool, waiting to meet your gaze.
By staff writer

When water thieves turn to water diplomacy

TEHRAN- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest video appeal to Iranians—promising Israeli desalination and recycling knowledge once "Iran is free"—repurposes a technique he first used in 2018: using a real environmental crisis to advance regime change.
Larijani enters Lebanon to warm public welcome, vows unwavering Iranian support

TEHRAN – Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), arrived in Beirut on Wednesday to a fervent public reception, with crowds lining routes to Rafic Hariri International Airport chanting “Labbaik ya Nasrallah” (At your service, O Nasrallah).
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Tehran’s message delivered via Larijani: Resistance is not alone!

Beirut – The visit of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to Beirut coincided with the redrawing of new maps for West Asia, as announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Politics

Foreign interventions in region lead to instability, VP tells Russian official

TEHRAN – Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has stressed that countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia must resolve their own disputes without outside intervention, warning that foreign involvement undermines regional stability.
Iran coordinating with China, Russia to block ‘snapback’ sanctions: Araghchi

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is working in close coordination with China and Russia to prevent the reactivation of UN sanctions through the so-called “snapback” mechanism, which European powers have recently threatened to invoke.
Larijani's visit puts America and Israel in their place

CAIRO – Dr. Ali Larijani’s visit to Iraq and Lebanon as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council is significant for regional politics, especially following Israel’s recent military setbacks against Iran.

Sports

Tractor learn rivals in 2025/26 ACL Elite

TEHRAN – Tractor football team discovered their opponents in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Elite.
Iranian teams discover fate at 2025/26 ACL Two

TEHRAN – Iranian football teams Esteghlal and Sepahan learned their fate in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 following the conclusion of the Group Stage Draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday.
Zahra Nemati wins top APC accolade

TEHRAN - Zahra Nemati of Iran received the Exemplary Asian Official award Wednesday night.

Culture

Iranian artworks sold at Bonhams' online auction of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art

TEHRAN – Two works by Iranian artists were sold at the Bonhams London online auction of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art, which took place on August 14.
Iranian delegation honors Hiroshima victims, promotes solidarity in Japan visit

TEHRAN – A group of war veterans and artists from the Tehran Peace Museum traveled to Hiroshima, Japan at the invitation of a peace-seeking organization in Hiroshima to participate in the 80th anniversary commemoration of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city on August 6, 1945.
Arasbaran Cultural Center to review “The Life of David Gale”

TEHRAN- “The Life of David Gale”, a 2003 thriller movie by English film director Alan Parker, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday evening.

Economy

Tehran, Nairobi set $1b trade goal after joint committee meeting

TEHRAN – Iran and Kenya signed eight cooperation agreements at the close of their seventh Joint Economic Committee meeting, setting a target to raise bilateral trade from the current $150 million to $1.0 billion in the near future.
Iran to boost petrochemical capacity by 35m tons under 5-year plan

TEHRAN – Iran plans to raise its nominal petrochemical production capacity by 35 million tons to 131.5 million tons a year by the end of its Seventh National Development Plan (2022- 2027) through 66 expansion projects, a senior official said, targeting an average annual growth of eight percent.
Iran’s non-oil exports reach $16.5b in 4 months

TEHRAN – Iran exported 48 million tons of non-oil goods worth $16.5 billion in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21–July 22), down five percent from the same period last year, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said.

Society

Iranian, Pakistani research centers sign MOU on technology

TEHRAN – Pardis Technology Park has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) to expand cooperation in vocational training, sharing technology, and promoting research and innovation.
FM lauds IRCS services to pilgrims during Arbaeen

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has commended the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s (IRCS) services provided to people during the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Land subsidence affects 254 plains nationwide: official

TEHRAN – According to the head of the Crisis Management Organization, Hossein Zafari, around 254 areas and plains in different provinces of the country are affected by land subsidence.

Tourism

Tehran launches China-focused tourism marketing course with UN support

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has launched an online training program on tourism marketing aimed at attracting Chinese visitors, with support from the UN Tourism (United Nations World Tourism Organization), an official said on Thursday.
Comprehensive medical tourism system implemented: deputy minister

TEHRAN - A comprehensive medical tourism system has been implemented in three provinces of Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, and Fars, and will be implemented across Iran in the near future, said the deputy tourism minister, Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpei.
2,500-year-old qanat still flowing despite drought threats

TEHRAN--Qasabeh qanat (an ancient underground water network) in Gonabad, Khorasan Razavi province, has been less affected by drought, given its access to deep underground water resources, said Hamdireza Mahmoudi, the director of the World Site of Gonabad’s Qasabeh Qanat.

International

Arbaeen: A record-breaking march of devotion and unity

TEHRAN — In a majestic and awe-inspiring display of faith, unity, and devotion, millions of pilgrims from every corner of the globe gathered in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen — the fortieth day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam and the revered grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Arbaeen: A sociopolitical symbol of resistance

TEHRAN – For many outside the region, Arbaeen is unfamiliar. It often surfaces unexpectedly while scrolling through headlines about West Asia accompanied by striking images of massive crowds walking toward Iraqi cities.
The common language of Arbaeen pilgrims is tears

Karbala—An eighty-year-old woman sits beneath a bridge, her face deeply lined with wrinkles, an Arabic beauty mark between her brows, strands of white hair peeking from beneath her scarf, and a pair of round glasses perched on her nose. Amid the sea of people, you’d have to look closely to spot her, sitting with a tray of dates on a small stool, waiting to meet your gaze.