Tehran Times

2025-12-22 22:03
By Sheida Sabzehvari

Blood drips from their pens

US media should be held accountable for its role in the 12-day war against Iran

TEHRAN – Americans frequently label media outlets from other countries as “state-controlled” or “state-affiliated.” They tell their readers and viewers that foreign media is disingenuous, while American outlets are portrayed as independent, unbiased, and professional.
- From a dollar-filled suitcase in 1953 to illusory bags in 2025
- Bully politics: The American style

By Dr. Jin Liangxiang

The limits of pragmatism: Persistent fragility in US-PGCC ties

SHANGHAI - The year of 2025 saw a new rapprochement between the U.S. and PGCC countries. U.S. President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar in May while Qatari Emir and Saudi Crown Prince visited the U.S. in the second half of the year. The reasons behind the latest warming-up could be numerous, but the most important should be that the two sides have simultaneously taken pragmatic approaches in their policies toward the other. And pragmatism will underline the relations between the two in the future.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon’s phantom prince: A political scandal beyond ordinary fraud

How a fraudulent Saudi envoy swindled Lebanon’s elite

BEIRUT—Lebanon is no stranger to political scandal, but few incidents rival the intrigue of the case now known locally as the “Phantom Saudi Prince” affair.
By staff writer

A ceasefire that bleeds: Gaza war repackaged as peace

TEHRAN – The October 10 ceasefire in Gaza was sold to the world to signal that Israel’s war on the Palestinian enclave had finally stopped. In reality, it may be one of the most effective political tools yet devised to keep the machinery of destruction running while convincing the international community that peace has arrived.
By Shahrokh Saei

Fractured fortress: Israel crumbling from within

TEHRAN – Israel often presents itself as a regional fortress, with its military active from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, and in confrontations linked to Iran. From the outside, it seems untouchable, disciplined, and in control. But a closer look reveals that the walls are cracking. Every strike, every campaign is like a hammer blow against the world, yet the same blows reverberate inside, shaking Israel itself. The more Israel relies on force, the more the foundations beneath it weaken.
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

The rabid dog barks again

Reports indicate Israel is looking to drag US into another war against Iran after waging two years of relentless violence in the region

TEHRAN – War and aggression appear to be an inseparable part of the Israeli regime's existence. From the 1948 Nakba in Palestine and the at least half-dozen wars with Arab states until 2006, to its recent aggressions against Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Qatar, and Iran, Israel appears locked in a perpetual cycle of inflicting death and destruction.

Politics

Araghchi highlights resilience of Venezuela in face of U.S. interventions

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned the United States’ coercive approach toward Venezuela and other independent developing countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Pakistan president voices solidarity with Iran from the air

TEHRAN – Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari sent a “message of solidarity” with Tehran while flying through the Iranian airspace en route to Iraq, according to reports by Iranian and Pakistani media.
Iran’s Eurasian turn

The recent visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Belarus and Russia should not be read as a routine round of diplomatic engagements or as a symbolic reaffirmation of existing alliances. It reflects a more deliberate recalibration of Iran’s foreign policy within an evolving Eurasian environment shaped by sanctions fatigue, shifting power centers, and the gradual erosion of Western leverage as the primary organizing force of international politics.

Sports

Iran end 2025 unchanged in FIFA ranking

TEHRAN – Iran national football team ended 2025 year unchanged in the FIFA World Ranking released on Monday.
Iran to play three friendlies ahead of 2026 World Cup

TEHRAN – As the Iranian national football team enter the final phase of its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Football Federation of Iran is planning to arrange three international friendly matches for Team Melli.
Sepahan knocked out of 2025/26 Iran’s Hazfi Cup

TEHRAN – Sepahan football team failed to secure a place in the 2025/26 Iran Hazfi Cup quarterfinals after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Kheybar at the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium on Sunday.

Culture

Iranian photographers honored in UNICEF’s 2025 Photo of the Year

TEHRAN- Two Iranian photographers received special recognition for their impactful work at the UNICEF Photo of the Year 2025, announced earlier this week.
“Oscar Music Winners” film concert to be staged in Tehran

TEHRAN – The “Oscar Music Winners” Film Concert will be held at the Espinas Palace Hall in Tehran on December 29.
Iran, Tajikistan strengthen cultural ties

TEHRAN- Iranian Deputy Culture Minister for Cultural Affairs Mohsen Javadi met with Tajik Deputy Culture Minister Davlat Safarzadeh in Tehran on Saturday, emphasizing the strong ties between Iran and Tajikistan.

Economy

Tajikistan seeks broader civil aviation cooperation with Iran

TEHRAN – Tajikistan has called for expanding cooperation with Iran in civil aviation, praising the technical expertise and professional approach of Iranian aviation officials following a joint safety oversight mission, state media reported.
Iran exports non-oil goods worth $6.7b to Iraq in 8 months

TEHRAN- Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $6.719 billion to Iraq during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced.
Iran, China explore ways to deepen strategic economic cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s private sector and Chinese policy institutes held talks on expanding long-term economic and strategic cooperation, focusing on investment, finance and regional connectivity, officials said.

Society

Iran submits commitment document at global summit on traditional medicine

TEHRAN – During the closing ceremony of the second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, Iran pledged commitments to advance the implementation of the Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine 2025-2034.
Intl. Conference on Information, Knowledge Technology to be held

TEHRAN – The 16th International Conference on Information, Knowledge Technology (IKT 2025) will kick off on Monday and will run till December 25, with scientists from six countries, namely the U.S., Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and New Zealand in attendance.
Tehran, Moscow holding workshops on drug abuse prevention, rehabilitation

TEHRAN – The Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) of the country, in cooperation with the Russian Federation, is conducting workshops that provide effective strategies for the early detection and prevention of drug abuse in Tehran and eight other provinces of the country.

Tourism

Archaeologist says pomegranate origin traces back to the Iranian plateau

TEHRAN--Pomegranate is not only a plant native to the Iranian plateau, but also a symbol of civilization that has been present in Iranian culture as a symbol of fertility, blessing, and continuity of life, at least since the Iron Age until today, and rituals such as Yalda Night are a direct continuation of this ancient tradition.
Nahavand’s tumulus-shaped tomb could shed light on Seleucid era: archaeologist

TEHRAN – An Iranian archaeologist has said the discovery of a tumulus-shaped ancient tomb near the city of Nahavand could reveal new details about the Seleucid period, citing it as the only known tumulus in Iran dated to that era.
Dome of Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine restored

TEHRAN – A restoration and conservation work has been completed for on the dome of the Shah Nematollah Vali shrine in the city of Mahan in Kerman province, the provincial tourism chief said on Monday.

International

The limits of pragmatism: Persistent fragility in US-PGCC ties

SHANGHAI - The year of 2025 saw a new rapprochement between the U.S. and PGCC countries. U.S. President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar in May while Qatari Emir and Saudi Crown Prince visited the U.S. in the second half of the year. The reasons behind the latest warming-up could be numerous, but the most important should be that the two sides have simultaneously taken pragmatic approaches in their policies toward the other. And pragmatism will underline the relations between the two in the future.
Lebanon’s phantom prince: A political scandal beyond ordinary fraud

BEIRUT—Lebanon is no stranger to political scandal, but few incidents rival the intrigue of the case now known locally as the “Phantom Saudi Prince” affair.
A ceasefire that bleeds: Gaza war repackaged as peace

TEHRAN – The October 10 ceasefire in Gaza was sold to the world to signal that Israel’s war on the Palestinian enclave had finally stopped. In reality, it may be one of the most effective political tools yet devised to keep the machinery of destruction running while convincing the international community that peace has arrived.