Tehran Times

2025-12-17 21:49
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran-Russia cooperation enters 'new phase' with 3-year roadmap

Araghchi and Lavrov hail expanding ties after meeting in Moscow

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia have further cemented their upward trend in cooperation, signing a new agreement that outlines practical implementation steps for some clauses of the strategic partnership treaty they signed earlier this year.
- Tehran’s consultations with Moscow ongoing across all sectors: FM Araghchi
- Iran FM discusses bilateral cooperation, regional issues in Moscow

By staff writer

From sanctions to blockade: Trump’s naval coercion of Venezuela

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to order a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers marks one of the most dangerous escalations in Washington–Caracas relations. While the Trump administration presents the move as a sanctions enforcement action, the reality is far more serious: the use of military force to control another country’s trade, outside international law and without global consent.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Washington’s squeeze on Lebanese Army: Redefining doctrine, loyalty, and identity

BEIRUT—Over the past months, the Lebanese Army has found itself at the center of an escalating campaign of political, security, and ideological pressure led by Washington in close coordination with Israel.
By Wesam Bahrani

The imposed ‘peace’ on Gaza

Gaza won’t become part of an American project or a lifeline for failed politicians or dealmakers

TEHRAN – Nothing has been more dangerous for Gaza over the past two years than the bombs and missiles that have fallen on it.
Zionist lobbyists may use Sydney terror act to polish Israel’s image: Lebanese analyst

Hakam Amhaz says Mossad may have incited the Bondi terrorist incident

TEHRAN - In an exclusive interview with Tehran Times, Hakam Amhaz, a Lebanese political analyst and member of the International Association of Political Analysts and Experts, examines the political and media ramifications of the deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
By Fatemeh Kavand

From the sky to the battlefield

An assessment of Iran’s drone capabilities in the age of emerging technologies

The rapid growth of Iran’s drone capabilities in recent years has turned this field into one of the central pillars of the country’s military power.

Politics

US bases on Iran’s target list in event of war

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that should a war break out with the United States, and should the United States attack Iran’s nuclear facilities again, then Washington should expect Iran to strike American bases wherever they might be.
Iran calls for accountability for Gaza crimes in meeting with OIC chief

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, met with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
Iran once again emphasizes respect for Lebanon’s independence, territorial integrity

TEHRAN – Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has, in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani, discussed with him the latest political developments in Lebanon and in the region, bilateral ties and repeated violations by the Israeli regime.

Sports

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?
Tractor beat Persepolis in 2025/26 Hazfi Cup Round of 32

TEHRAN – Tractor football team defeated Persepolis 8-7 on penalty shootout in 2025/26 Iran’s Hazfi Cup Round of 32 on Thursday.
Tractor vs Persepolis: A high-stakes Hazfi Cup showdown

TEHRAN - This Thursday, Tractor and Persepolis football teams will face off in the Round of 32 of Iran’s Hazfi Cup at the Yadegar-e Emam Stadium in Tabriz, kick-off scheduled for 16:15 local time.

Culture

Cinema Vérité wraps up with celebrations, awards

TEHRAN- The 19th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival of Iran, known as Cinéma Vérité, came to an end in Tehran on Tuesday, announcing the winners.
Iranian documentary “Cutting Through Rocks” shortlisted for 98th Academy Awards

TEHRAN – The Iranian documentary “Cutting Through Rocks” directed by Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni is among the 15 films shortlisted in the Documentary Feature Film category of the 98th Academy Awards.
Iranian director to stage reading of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard”

TEHRAN- Iranian director Ali Bakhshian plans to stage a reading performance of the renowned Russian author Anton Chekhov’s final play “The Cherry Orchard” at Tehran Theater Hall on Friday.

Economy

Beyond the Strait: Hormozgan charts course from transit hub to economic powerhouse

TEHRAN- Strategically positioned at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz—the world's most critical energy chokepoint—Iran's Hormozgan province serves as the nation's indispensable commercial gateway. Home to major ports like Shahid Rajaei, the country's largest container port, it is the primary hub for Iran's import, export, and transit trade, connecting global markets from the Persian Gulf to Africa and India.
President unveils economic drive in South Khorasan, touts national strength

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded a significant working visit to South Khorasan province, heralding a major injection of capital and a series of development projects aimed at boosting the regional and national economy.
Tehran, Minsk explore co-op opportunities in oil, petchem sectors

TEHRAN- Opportunities and capacities for cooperation between Iran and Belarus were discussed in the third session of the two countries' oil industry working group, which was held virtually, with the aim of following up and implementing the bilateral oil memorandum of understanding signed between Iran’s Oil Ministry and Belarus' Belneftekhim (an association of petrochemical companies in Belarus, subordinated to the Council of Ministers).

Society

Over 1.7 million Afghans deported from Iran in first nine months of 2025: UNHCR

TEHRAN – In the first nine months of 2025, more than 1.7 million Afghan refugees have returned from Iran to Afghanistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported in a press release on October 27.
Most-cited researchers in ISC database increase yr/yr

TEHRAN – The Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Institute database has recognized 557 most-cited Iranian researchers in human sciences, social sciences, art, and architecture in the current Iranian year, which started in March 2025, indicating a 14 percent increase compared to 489 researchers in the previous year.
Afghanistan seeks to bolster health co-op with Iran

TEHRAN – A delegation from Afghanistan’s Food and Drug Administration met with Iranian counterparts in Tehran on Wednesday to explore the potential for expanding ties in the health sector.

Tourism

Golestan at a glance: forests, ancient monuments and Caspian landscapes

GORGAN - Golestan is one of the least visited provinces in Iran, yet for many travelers who take the time to explore it, the region may quickly become a favorite destination.
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.

International

From sanctions to blockade: Trump’s naval coercion of Venezuela

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to order a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers marks one of the most dangerous escalations in Washington–Caracas relations. While the Trump administration presents the move as a sanctions enforcement action, the reality is far more serious: the use of military force to control another country’s trade, outside international law and without global consent.
Washington’s squeeze on Lebanese Army: Redefining doctrine, loyalty, and identity

BEIRUT—Over the past months, the Lebanese Army has found itself at the center of an escalating campaign of political, security, and ideological pressure led by Washington in close coordination with Israel.
The imposed ‘peace’ on Gaza

TEHRAN – Nothing has been more dangerous for Gaza over the past two years than the bombs and missiles that have fallen on it.