Tehran Times

2025-12-20 19:39
By staff writer

Epsteinberg: Not even the tip has surfaced

Epstein file release fell short of transparency, with much withheld, sparking complaints and public outcry

TEHRAN – The U.S. Justice Department’s release of the Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday has reignited headlines and social media frenzy. Thousands of pages, photos, and investigative documents were made public, showing Epstein with celebrities, politicians, and business elites.
- Trump’s entanglement and the rot of power in Epstein’s shadow ledger
- Epstein case and Israel’s influence on US: commentary

By staff writer

Trump eyes Taiwan as revenue source for US weapons

TEHRAN - Late on Wednesday, the Trump administration announced the largest ever U.S. weapons sales for Taiwan, amounting 11.1 billion dollars. The arms sale announcement is the second under President Donald Trump's current administration.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah in focus: Strategic goals behind Imad Amhaz video

Following the release of an investigative report in Israel Hayom titled “The Secret Maritime File,” Israel publishes a video featuring Imad Amhaz

BEIRUT— The recent release of a video featuring Lebanese national Imad Amhaz—more than a year after his detention—signals a carefully calculated media and political maneuver by Tel Aviv.
By Wesam Bahrani

Disarmament in Gaza: ‘Day after’ pressure

TEHRAN – Gaza appears to be entering a difficult testing phase, the outcome of which will depend on the Palestinians’ ability to forge a unified national position.
By Staff Writer

Persian Gulf: A matter of history and diplomacy for Russia

An open letter to the Editor-in-Chief of RT on a recent falsification

Dear Ms. Margarita Simonyan, a recent social-media post published by RT on X (formerly Twitter) has employed the designation “Arabian Gulf” in place of the internationally and historically established name “Persian Gulf,” and raised concerns among Iranian readers, scholars, and media observers.
By Fatemeh Kavand

Iran in the orbit of emerging global institutions

Iran’s growing engagement with organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and the Eurasian Economic Union reflects a gradual recalibration of its foreign policy.

Politics

Araghchi to UK FM: Dialogue requires respect, not unilateral pressure

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated the Islamic Republic’s readiness for dialogue, provided it's based on respect for national rights and not unilateral pressure.
Spy executed in Iran after carrying out over 200 missions for Israel

TEHRAN – Iran's Judiciary has confirmed the execution of Aqil Keshavarz, a Mossad agent convicted of espionage and collaboration with the Israeli regime. The execution took place on Saturday morning, following the thorough completion of legal procedures and the ultimate confirmation of his death sentence by the Supreme Court.
Resumption of cooperation with IAEA not impossible, but very complicated

TEHRAN – Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) spokesperson, Behrouz Kamalvandi, has emphasized that any inspections of the country’s nuclear sites must carefully balance transparency with national security concerns.

Sports

Malavan, Foolad into 2025/26 Iran’s Hazfi Cup quarterfinals

TEHRAN – Malavan and Foolad football teams secured their place in the quarterfinals round of the 2025/26 Iran’s Hazfi Cup on Saturday.
Esteghlal club celebrate 80th anniversary

TEHRAN – Esteghlal football club marked the 80th anniversary of their establishment on Friday night in a ceremony held close to Yalda Night (the longest and darkest night of the year), attended by current members, former players, and club officials.
Joyless football in Iran

TEHRAN – Tractor defeated Persepolis in the Round of 32 of the 2025/26 Iran Hazfi Cup, but the night raised a deeper question: when insults replace excitement, what remains of the game we love?

Culture

6th anniversary of General Haj Qassem Soleimani’s martyrdom to be held in 12 countries
“The Hungry Tide” at Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN- A Persian translation of Indian writer Amitav Ghosh’s novel “The Hungry Tide” has recently been published by Amut Publications in Tehran.
“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” honored at Kerala film festival

TEHRAN- Iranian director Shahram Mokri’s latest film “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” was honored at the closing ceremony of the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India on Friday.

Economy

Iran-China non-oil trade exceeds $20b in 8 months

TEHRAN - The value of non-oil trade between Iran and China stood at $20.15 billion during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) reported.
Transport Ministry unveils upgraded road maintenance fleet as renewal accelerates

TEHRAN – Iranian Transport and Urban Development Ministry has unveiled part of a renewed national road maintenance fleet at a ceremony attended by the transport minister, highlighting efforts to modernize equipment and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to road emergencies.
South Pars gas refineries maintain uninterrupted output amid cold snap

TEHRAN – Iran’s South Pars gas processing plants are operating at full readiness and maintaining stable, uninterrupted production despite rising demand as colder weather sets in, the head of the South Pars Gas Complex said.

Society

10 countries award scholarships to Iranian students

TEHRAN – Ten countries, namely Hungary, China, Japan, Malaysia, Iraq, Brazil, Serbia, Brunei, Bangladesh, and Russia, offer scholarships to Iranian university students.
S. Korea, UNICEF join hands to boost resilience in Sistan-Baluchestan province

TEHRAN – Funded by the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in cooperation with the Government of Iran, has constructed a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Kohak, Sistan-Baluchestan province, to foster resilience in the region.
Health screening underway for women heads of households

TEHRAN – The health ministry, in collaboration with the Welfare Organization, is conducting health screening tests for women heads of households nationwide.

Tourism

Persepolis to host Yalda Night ceremony

TEHRAN - The UNESCO-registered Persepolis will host a ceremony of Yalda Night on Sunday to mark the winter solstice and celebrate one of the country’s oldest cultural traditions, site officials said.
Tehran to host Yalda festival across 22 districts

TEHRAN - Tehran will hold Yalda festival events across its 22 municipal districts through Sunday, Dec. 21, the head of the Tehran Municipality Tourism Headquarters said.
Central Asian writers, poets and physicians visit historical sites in Hamedan

TEHRAN - A delegation of 23 poets, writers and medical professionals from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan visited historical sites and medical facilities in Iran’s western province of Hamedan as part of a cultural and scientific exchange program.

International

Trump eyes Taiwan as revenue source for US weapons

TEHRAN - Late on Wednesday, the Trump administration announced the largest ever U.S. weapons sales for Taiwan, amounting 11.1 billion dollars. The arms sale announcement is the second under President Donald Trump's current administration.
Hezbollah in focus: Strategic goals behind Imad Amhaz video

BEIRUT— The recent release of a video featuring Lebanese national Imad Amhaz—more than a year after his detention—signals a carefully calculated media and political maneuver by Tel Aviv.
Disarmament in Gaza: ‘Day after’ pressure

TEHRAN – Gaza appears to be entering a difficult testing phase, the outcome of which will depend on the Palestinians’ ability to forge a unified national position.