Tehran Times

2025-05-21 22:24
By Mona Hojat Ansari

With no sway at negotiating table, US turns to media tactics

Washington returns to old playbook, telling Iranians that they should end enrichment or get attacked

TEHRAN – The dispute over Iran’s nuclear program may seem complex, but it is in fact quite simple. Washington insists Iran should not develop nuclear weapons. Tehran says it is not planning to, and agrees to take steps to prove it in exchange for the termination of sanctions. The U.S. then begins asking for more. Negotiations collapse, and the pattern is repeated.
- Iran does not need anyone's permission to enrich uranium
- Witkoff dims prospects for nuclear agreement as he demands concessions on Iran’s red lines

By Sahar Dadjoo

“EU sponsors Israel’s violence through trade and arms deals”: Belgian MEP

Europe needs to stop arms exports to Israel in order not to be complicit in the Gaza genocide

TEHRAN - The European Union faces increasing criticism for its handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with many accusing it of maintaining a “business as usual” approach that enables ongoing violence and human rights violations in Gaza.
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Navigating Caspian diplomacy: Iran’s new envoy and regional strategy

TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign ministry has appointed Kazem Gharibabadi as its new Special Representative for Caspian Sea Affairs. The diplomat also serves as Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, making his appointment all the more meaningful and significant.
Borders should remain unchanged, says Iran's defense minister in Armenia

TEHRAN – In a high-level meeting on Tuesday, Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh met with his Armenian counterpart Suren Papikyan in Yerevan, reiterating Iran’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the stability of its northern borders and strengthening cooperation with its neighbor, Armenia.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Abbas visits Beirut ahead of Ortagus as issue of displaced Palestinians takes center stage

BEIRUT — Ahead of the upcoming visit of Morgan Ortagus, President Donald Trump’s deputy special envoy for West Asia, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is visiting Beirut.
By Wesam Bahrani

Netanyahu “misleading global opinion”

TEHRAN – Hamas accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging ceasefire negotiations amid more Israeli casualties in Gaza.

Politics

Iranian Parliament ratifies strategic partnership treaty with Russia

TEHRAN – The Iranian Parliament has approved a landmark treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, marking a pivotal step in deepening ties between the two countries across a wide range of sectors.
Former interior minister appointed Iran’s new ambassador to China

TEHRAN – Iran has named former Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli as its new ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
Tehran’s national policy unaffected by pressure and threats

MADRID – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday dismissed “absurd demands” from the United States in the ongoing nuclear negotiations.

Sports

Stage set for FIBA’s flagship competition in Asia

TEHRAN – The Schedule of games for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 to be played in Jeddah from Aug 5-17 has been announced.
Asian Youth Para Games a chance to know new talents, official says

TEHRAN - With 200 days left until the start of the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, Iran’s National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Technical Deputy, Saeid Solgi, says that the Games is an opportunity to find young talented athletes.
China's sports minister Zhidan meets Donyamali

TEHRAN – China's Sports Minister Gao Zhidan met with his Iranian counterpart, Ahmad Donyamali, during his visit to Harbin.

Culture

“Servants of the Nation" exhibition inaugurated in Tehran

TEHRAN – An exhibition of poster and typography on the occasion of the first anniversary of the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions was inaugurated at the Aali Gallery of Tehran's Art Bureau on Tuesday.
Iranian short film “Khalil” to participate in 23rd Plein la Bobine

TEHRAN – The Iranian short film “Khalil” directed by Seyed Payam Hosseini has been selected for the 23rd Plein la Bobine International Film Festival in La Bourboule, France, from June 8 to 13.
IAF to show Jean-Luc Godard’s “Our Music”

TEHRAN – Jean-Luc Godard’s 2004 film “Our Music” will be screened at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran on Friday.

Economy

Iran, Turkmenistan sign roadmap targeting $3b in trade

TEHRAN – Iran and Turkmenistan signed a commercial roadmap on Tuesday aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $3.0 billion.
Parliament backs investment facilitation in energy sector

TEHRAN - A member of Iran’s Parliament Energy Committee said the legislature is committed to easing regulations to attract both domestic and foreign investment in the oil and gas sector.
Annual honey exports rise 20% despite policy hurdles

TEHRAN – Iran’s honey exports grew by 20 percent in the previous Iranian year (ended on March 20), according to the official in charge of the country’s beekeeping development plan. However, industry leaders warn that policy-related export barriers continue to threaten the sector’s survival.

Society

With ICRC assistance, IRCS is ready to share expertise

TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Pirhossein Kolivand, has announced readiness to share its scientific and educational experiences as well as operational expertise with other red crescent societies with the contribution of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Iran, Italy to beef up health ties

TEHRAN –Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi and his Italian counterpart, Orazio Schillaci, have discussed avenues for promoting collaborations in the health sector, focusing particularly on the aging population and digital health.
Tehran to boost technological co-op with Tunis, Jakarta

TEHRAN –Science Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, in separate meetings with his Indonesian and Tunisian counterparts, has conferred on ways to foster scientific and technological relations.

Tourism

WAC issues urgent statement on Gaza cultural heritage crisis

TEHRAN - The World Archaeological Congress (WAC), a leading international body of archaeologists committed to human rights and the protection of cultural heritage, has issued a powerful statement addressing the deepening humanitarian and cultural crisis in Gaza.
3,200-year-old Iron Age woman's skeleton discovered in northern Iran

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has uncovered the 3,200-year-old skeleton of a woman in a rural district in northern Iran.
Stolen artifacts from Shah Nematollah Vali Museum recovered, main suspect arrested

TEHRAN - Iranian authorities have announced the successful recovery of several stolen artifacts, including rare handwritten copies of the holy Quran, from the Shah Nematollah Vali Museum in Mahan, Kerman province.

International

“EU sponsors Israel’s violence through trade and arms deals”: Belgian MEP

TEHRAN - The European Union faces increasing criticism for its handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with many accusing it of maintaining a “business as usual” approach that enables ongoing violence and human rights violations in Gaza.
Abbas visits Beirut ahead of Ortagus as issue of displaced Palestinians takes center stage

BEIRUT — Ahead of the upcoming visit of Morgan Ortagus, President Donald Trump’s deputy special envoy for West Asia, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is visiting Beirut.
Netanyahu “misleading global opinion”

TEHRAN – Hamas accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging ceasefire negotiations amid more Israeli casualties in Gaza.

Washington returns to old playbook, telling Iranians that they should end enrichment or get attacked

Europe needs to stop arms exports to Israel in order not to be complicit in the Gaza genocide