Tehran Times

2025-12-30 21:48
By Soheila Zarfam

Failure in June, rhetoric in December

Senior Iranian officials respond to Monday’s remarks by Trump and Netanyahu with warnings of consequences beyond expectation

TEHRAN – The constant glare of Western rhetoric does not leave Iran alone. For decades, the country has faced repeated threats of military strikes, claims about its nuclear ambitions, and warnings designed to keep the nation under pressure—both domestically and internationally.
- ‘No red lines if Israel strikes again’, warns IRGC spokesman
- Iran will not bow to bullying and arrogance: Pezeshkian

By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Manufacturing chaos: How Western and Israeli actors seek to hijack Iran's peaceful protests

TEHRAN – Protests are a natural and fundamental part of any society whose citizens care about their future and believe they can influence it. They are not a sign of systemic failure, but an indicator of civic health and the practice of free speech, assembly, and association. For Western states, their media, and their politicians, all of this holds true—except when the protests occur in Iran.
By staff writer

Saudi ‘red line’ and UAE’s adventurism in Yemen

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia has framed its national security as a “red line,” warning it will act decisively against any foreign military support for separatist groups in Yemen.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj and erosion of free expression

BEIRUT—As 2025 draws to a close, the continued detention of Jordanian journalist and political writer Mohammad Faraj remains unresolved and deeply troubling.
Presidents of Iran and Russia discuss advancing bilateral relations

TEHRAN – The presidents of Iran and Russia held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and the progress of their joint agreements.
Our restraint should not be misread as weakness, Iran FM writes in The Guardian

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister has warned that the country’s restraint during recent war with Israel should not be interpreted as weakness or assumed to be unlimited, highlighting the high cost of Israeli provocations for the United States and the region.

Politics

Iran blacklists Royal Canadian Navy as ‘terror organization’

TEHRAN – Iran has officially designated the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization, responding to Canada’s “illegal decision” last year to target part of the Iranian Armed Forces.
‘Illegal and coercive’, FM Araghchi condemns US actions against Venezuela

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated Tehran’s firm opposition to any action that threatens Venezuela’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, saying he is confident the country will safeguard its independence in the face of external pressure.
Tehran reiterates respect for Lebanon’s independence, says ambassador

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani has reviewed developments in Lebanon and the region in separate meetings with the Lebanese defense minister and the commander of the Lebanese Army.

Sports

Esteghlal, Sepahan learn fate at 2025/26 ACL Two knockout stage

TEHRAN – Iranian football clubs Esteghlal and Sepahan discovered their challengers following the conclusion of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Knockout Stage Draw on Tuesday.
Ricardo Sa Pinto to remain Esteghlal head coach

TEHRAN - Ricardo Sa Pinto will remain as head coach of Esteghlal after the club’s board of directors decided to give the Portuguese manager more time despite recent poor results.
Tractor, Malavan share the spoils in 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Tractor and Malavan shared the spoils in a goalless draw in Matchweek 15 of the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Tuesday.

Culture

10th National Toy Festival to open in Tehran

TEHRAN- The 10th edition of the National Toy Festival is set to open on Wednesday evening, dedicating space for Iranian-made toys and the promotion of a culture of play, with free access for the public, Hamed Alamati, director of the Iran's Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA)has announced.
Barbican Cinema in London to show masterpieces of Iranian New Wave

TEHRAN – Barbican Cinema in London will host the program “Masterpieces of Iranian New Wave” from February 4 to 26, 2026.
Tehran cultural center to review “Train Dreams”

TEHRAN- “Train Dreams”, a 2025 drama movie by American filmmaker Clint Bentley, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday evening.

Economy

Over 2,000 industrial units go online, creating more than 27,000 direct jobs

TEHRAN – Iran put more than 2,100 industrial units into operation in the first nine months of the current Iranian year (March 21- December 21), creating over 27,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect positions nationwide, a senior industry official said.
South Pars refineries produce over 174m barrels of condensate in 9 months

TEHRAN – Gas processing plants at South Pars produced more than 174 million barrels of gas condensate in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-December 21), reinforcing feedstock supplies for downstream facilities and supporting energy security, the head of the South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) said.
Irrigation equipment exports reach $100m in 8 months

TEHRAN – Iran exported about $100 million worth of irrigation equipment in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), the deputy head of the Agriculture Ministry’s water and soil department said.

Society

Iran second most active country in ‘100 Hours of Astronomy’

TEHRAN – Recording more than 30 astronomy events, Iran is the second most active participant in the 100 Hours of Astronomy, an event run annually by the International Astronomical Union to encourage people from all over the world to unite under one sky.
Razi festival honors top researchers in medical sciences

TEHRAN – The 31st Razi research festival on medical sciences honored top researchers and technology experts in the health sector, with ministers of science and health in attendance.
IRCS, UNICEF boost ties to provide psychosocial support for children

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have enhanced cooperation to provide psychosocial support for children during emergencies.

Tourism

Experimental archaeology at Masuleh: Medieval Iron smelting technology reconstructed

TEHRAN - An interdisciplinary research team has successfully reconstructed a medieval iron smelting and casting complex at the Old Masuleh historical site in northern Iran, revealing advanced metallurgical expertise in the region.
Iranian artisans to showcase handicrafts at Muscat Nights

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian artisans will present a wide range of traditional handicrafts and visual arts at Muscat Nights 2026, a month-long cultural festival to be held in the Omani capital from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, organizers said.
Iran overcomes tourism recession faster than many countries

TEHRAN— Iran has been able to overcome the tourism recession faster than many countries in a few months after the 12-day Israeli war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

International

Saudi ‘red line’ and UAE’s adventurism in Yemen

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia has framed its national security as a “red line,” warning it will act decisively against any foreign military support for separatist groups in Yemen.
Detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj and erosion of free expression

BEIRUT—As 2025 draws to a close, the continued detention of Jordanian journalist and political writer Mohammad Faraj remains unresolved and deeply troubling.
Six countries, three seas, one voracious war machine

TEHRAN – In 2025, Israel acted as a borderless war machine, unleashing over 10,631 military attacks across six nations—Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar—while extending its brutality to maritime terrorism against aid ships in the waters of Malta, Greece, and Tunisia.

Senior Iranian officials respond to Monday’s remarks by Trump and Netanyahu with warnings of consequences beyond expectation