Iranology goes beyond academia, Armenian researcher says

TEHRAN—Iranology is a quiet diplomacy between Iran and Armenia. Mariam Zazyan, an Armenian Iranologist, believes that being an Iranologist has a responsibility beyond academic study and can play an effective role in strengthening the cultural and friendly relations between the nations.

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.

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.

How Carnet de Passage eases land travel in Iran

TEHRAN — The Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) says the issuance of the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) has created new opportunities for international land travel by simplifying border procedures for vehicles.

Digi and glimpses of culinary heritage in Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – A traditional dish known as Digi, prepared using a centuries-old method in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, offers insight into the area’s indigenous culinary culture, reflecting local knowledge, communal practices and social traditions passed down through generations.

By Afshin Majlesi

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

The 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture, scheduled to take place in Gorgan, the capital of Iran’s Golestan province, from Dec. 16 to 19, is often described as a celebration. But to see it only as a cultural event is to miss its deeper significance.

10 conservation, organizing projects planned for Sassanid World Heritage site of Fars

TEHRAN--Director of Sassanid Landscape World Heritage site of Fars province announced the completion of administrative procedures to sign contracts for 10 new conservation and organizing projects in two world heritage sites of this landscape.

Nowruz-observing countries meet in New Delhi on safeguarding shared heritage

TEHRAN – A number of cultural officials from countries where Nowruz is observed met in New Delhi on the sidelines of a UNESCO meeting to discuss coordination among member states of the UNESCO-registered festival.

Iran, India discuss expanding cultural heritage cooperation

TEHRAN – Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy minister for cultural heritage, has met with Vivek Agarwal, India’s deputy minister of culture, in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of cultural heritage.

Iran proposes academic cooperation council at Ancient Civilizations Forum in Athens

TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts on Friday urged ancient nations to develop joint mechanisms to protect cultural heritage, warning that armed conflicts and neglect of historical identity pose the greatest threats.

Iran, Greece discuss joint action plan to expand tourism, heritage cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met in Athens on Thursday to discuss plans for expanding cooperation in tourism, museums and cultural heritage.

Persian art of Ayeneh-Kari added to UNESCO intangible heritage list

TEHRAN — Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Thursday following a decision by the Intergovernmental Committee meeting in New Delhi.

Facial reconstruction portrays man lived c. 10,000 years ago in western Iran

TEHRAN – An international team of archaeologists and researchers has produced a facial reconstruction of a young man who lived around 10,000 years ago at Ganj Dareh, a Neolithic site in western Iran.

Tehran requests new restoration phase for Yerevan’s Blue Mosque

TEHRAN - Iran has formally asked the Armenian government to begin a new phase of restoration work at the Blue Mosque in Yerevan during a recent visit by senior Iranian tourism officials.

1000-year-old minaret of Semnan mosque to be honored in Special ceremony

TEHRAN--A ceremony to commemorate the millennium of minaret of Semnan Jameh Mosque will be held on Wednesday with the aim of transforming this heritage site into a historical and cultural brand of the city.

Iran, Armenia to form joint working commission to ease border travel

TEHRAN - Iran and Armenia have agreed to establish a joint working commission to address land border issues and facilitate tourist movement between the two neighboring countries.

By Afshin Majlesi

Sa’dabad director outlines major restoration, conservation push at former royal complex in Tehran

TEHRAN – The director of the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex says the former royal residence in northern Tehran has accelerated restoration and conservation work, completing a long-delayed digital inventory of its holdings while advancing new projects to safeguard thousands of stored objects.

Flights from five Iranian cities to Sharjah resume after months-long halt

TEHRAN - An Iranian airline resumed flights to Sharjah on Monday, operating the first service since the 12-day conflict with the regime of Israel, which started on June 13.

Tehran, Yerevan hold fifth meeting to promote tourism

TEHRAN--The fifth meeting of the joint technical committee for tourism cooperation between Iran and Armenia is being held in Yerevan, with the aim of strengthening bilateral interactions and facilitating tourist traffic, and will last until December 9.

Archaeologist considers Chega Sofla site to be key civilizational link of Persian Gulf

TEHRAN--Chega Sofla ancient site in Dasht-e Zohreh, southeast of Khuzestan province, is one of the most key civilizational links of Persian Gulf, where the world’s first brick tomb, an elaborate shrine, and unique evidence of the privileged position of women in the 5th millennium BC have been discovered.

National document for Iran’s cultural heritage declared

TEHRAN--President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is also chairman of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, declared the national document for cultural heritage, which is the result of cooperation between the country's scientific, cultural, and executive administrations.

Minister urges restoration of Arak bazaar ahead of possible UNESCO review

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister said on Saturday that the historical bazaar of Arak requires urgent restoration work as the government pursues its possible inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Elymaean rock carving discovered in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A newly identified Elymaean rock carving has been discovered in the highlands of Kuh-e Manar in Andika, southwest Iran, according to the director of the Masjed Soleyman Cultural and Industrial Landscape National Base.

Visitors to access Darius I’s trilingual inscription at Persepolis

TEHRAN – Visitors to Persepolis would have access to the splendid inscription of the Achaemenid King Darius I by Nowruz 1405 (March 2026). The trilingual rack-carved relief is currently being restored, local authorities said.

Archaeologists uncover traces of ‘7,000-year-old’ village beneath Iran’s historic Dehdasht

TEHRAN - Archaeologists in Iran have discovered evidence of a prehistoric settlement dating back up to 7,000 years beneath the historic city of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, the lead researcher said on Saturday.

Persepolis launches new conservation program using advanced material and imaging technology

TEHRAN – Iranian restoration teams have launched a new conservation program at the UNESCO-designated Persepolis and the nearby Naqsh-e Rostam site using advanced imaging, special material, and stone-analysis technologies, officials said on Saturday.

First ‘Kerman to Rayen’ tourist train departs

TEHRAN--The first tourist train departed from Kerman station to Rayen on Thursday. An action that marks the beginning of a new chapter in the development of travel infrastructure, strengthening the sustainable tourism, and creating new experiences for tourists in the southeast of the country.

‘The Land of Legends’ unveiled at National Museum ceremony

TEHRAN – The unveiling ceremony of the book “Iran, The Land of Legends” was held on Tuesday evening at the National Museum.