Tehran Times

2025-12-15 21:47
By Mona Hojat Ansari

‘A very positive path’: Iran and Belarus strengthen alliance against sanctions

Araghchi holds meetings with top Belarusian officials on first Minsk visit as FM

TEHRAN – On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed in Minsk before heading to Russia, where his day of meetings with top Belarusian officials focused on how Iran and Belarus can support each other in counteracting escalating Western sanctions and pressure.
- Araghchi discusses bilateral and global issues in series of Kampala meetings
- Iran, Belarus ink economic co-op MOU

By Shahrokh Saei

Israel’s media war fails to divide Iran and Lebanon

TEHRAN – Israeli media and their affiliates recently tried to stir the pot, spotlighting a brief back-and-forth between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi, in an effort to paint the two countries as being at odds.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon at the edge: Diplomacy between fire and restraint

BEIRUT—Lebanon has entered a critical moment. An intense flurry of regional and international contacts is unfolding against the backdrop of open Israeli threats against Lebanon and mounting internal pressure.
By Wesam Bahrani

38 years after the founding of Hamas

TEHRAN – Hamas affirms that Operation al-Aqsa Flood marked a pivotal moment in the Palestinian people’s struggle against occupation.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah’s move in launching Women’s Action Unit marks a milestone

Forging resistance from the grassroots

BEIRUT—The official launch of Hezbollah’s Women’s Action Unit marks a defining organizational and social milestone, reflecting decades of accumulated women’s participation and responding to the demands of a critical historical moment.
Attack on Jewish event in Bondi kills 11, injures dozens

Australia’s tragedy won’t wash Netanyahu’s bloody hands

TEHRAN – The massacre at Australia’s Bondi Beach on December 14 was a moment of unadulterated horror. As gunmen opened fire at the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration, killing at least 11 and wounding dozens more, a community was left shattered.

Politics

What Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said at his weekly briefing

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday addressed a broad range of regional and international developments, reaffirming its diplomatic positions on issues spanning regional conflicts, relations with neighboring countries, and disputes with the United States and its allies.
Israel’s misstep and the resilience of Iran’s strategic autonomy

MADRID – Few disclosures in West Asia carry as much weight as an admission of intelligence failure, particularly when it comes from an apparatus long celebrated for its carefully cultivated aura of omniscience.
Navy commander says readiness being boosted in line with emerging threats

TEHRAN – The commander of Iran’s Navy said the force is enhancing its readiness in proportion to evolving threats, citing the country’s growing scientific and technological capabilities in the maritime domain.

Sports

Sepahan beat Foolad: 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Sepahan football team edged past Foolad 1-0 in the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Monday.
Fatemeh Sharif takes charge of Pakistan women’s futsal team

TEHRAN - The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Sunday confirmed the appointment of Fatemeh Sharif Noghabi as the head coach of its national women’s futsal team.
Persepolis edge Aluminum at 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team edged past Aluminum 1-0 here on Sunday at the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL).

Culture

Culture ministers of Iran, Kazakhstan sign MoU on cinematic cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi and the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva have signed a memorandum of understanding on cinematic cooperation in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Iran, Tajikistan discuss ways to develop bilateral collaboration in publishing, printing industry

TEHRAN – A delegation of the printing and publishing sector of the Republic of Tajikistan, accompanied by Bahodur Nazir, counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, visited the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Tehran on December 13.
Iran cinema wins two awards at 16th Baku International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian movies won two awards at the 16th Baku International Film Festival, which was held in Azerbaijan last week.

Economy

Cabinet approves general outline of next year’s budget bill

TEHRAN – Iran’s cabinet on Sunday approved the general framework of the government’s budget bill for the Iranian year 1405 starting late March 2026, during a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Oil Ministry targets completion of over 1,000 km of gas pipelines by late Mar. 2026

TEHRAN – Iranian Oil Ministry aims to complete and bring into operation more than 1,000 kilometers of gas transmission pipelines by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (late March 2026), Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said, underscoring efforts to strengthen energy security during periods of peak demand.
Iran, Pakistan push for joint trade committee, $10b trade target

TEHRAN – Iranian and Pakistani business representatives agreed to pursue the creation of a joint trade committee and work towards boosting bilateral trade to $10 billion, during a meeting in Karachi aimed at strengthening private-sector cooperation and facilitating cross-border commerce.

Society

Iran ready to foster tech ties, share expertise with Ethiopia

TEHRAN – The head of the Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, Hossein Roozbeh, has announced the country’s readiness to share knowledge and boost technological cooperation with African countries, particularly Ethiopia.
Expo of creative, knowledge-based firms to focus on AI

TEHRAN – The fourth exhibition showcasing the achievements of creative and knowledge-based companies is scheduled to take place from December 28 to 31 in Tehran, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
WFP releases November report on Iran

TEHRAN – The World Food Program (WFP) has released a report, expounding on activities in Iran over the month of November.

Tourism

Iran’s Khoy and Turkey’s Konya sign sister-city agreement

TEHRAN - The Iranian city of Khoy and Turkey’s Konya have signed a sister-city agreement, committing to expand cooperation in spiritual tourism, cultural exchanges, urban management and sustainable infrastructure development, officials said.
Zoroastrian lawmaker highlights restoration of historic fire temples

TEHRAN — An Iranian lawmaker representing the Zoroastrian community has called for continued restoration and protection of historic fire temples in the central province of Isfahan.
Iranology goes beyond academia, Armenian researcher says

TEHRAN—Iranology is a quiet diplomacy between Iran and Armenia. Mariam Zazyan, an Armenian Iranologist, believes that being an Iranologist has a responsibility beyond academic study and can play an effective role in strengthening the cultural and friendly relations between the nations.

International

Israel’s media war fails to divide Iran and Lebanon

TEHRAN – Israeli media and their affiliates recently tried to stir the pot, spotlighting a brief back-and-forth between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi, in an effort to paint the two countries as being at odds.
Lebanon at the edge: Diplomacy between fire and restraint

BEIRUT—Lebanon has entered a critical moment. An intense flurry of regional and international contacts is unfolding against the backdrop of open Israeli threats against Lebanon and mounting internal pressure.
38 years after the founding of Hamas

TEHRAN – Hamas affirms that Operation al-Aqsa Flood marked a pivotal moment in the Palestinian people’s struggle against occupation.

Araghchi holds meetings with top Belarusian officials on first Minsk visit as FM

Forging resistance from the grassroots