Siah-Chador weaving in South Khorasan, from nomadic tradition to economic opportunities

TEHRAN--In the vast deserts of eastern Iran, where life is tied to the harsh climate, a long-standing art still breathes; an art that not only creates shelter, but also narrates the history, identity, and sustainability of a culture. Siah-Chador weaving (weaving the black tents) by the nomads of South Khorasan province is on verge of a new development today; a development that can link this indigenous heritage from nomadic habitats to national and even global markets.

26 Golestan events added to national tourism calendar

TEHRAN – Some 26 tourism events of Golestan province have been included in Iran's National Tourism Events Calendar.

Ilam’s Sarcham hill, a place of settlement from prehistoric to historical eras, says archaeologist

TEHRAN--Initial studies show that human settlement was established in the hill of Sarcham in Holeylan county, Ilam province, from prehistoric to historical eras, as well as the Bronze Age.

Tabas Salt Lake added to national natural heritage list

TEHRAN – The Tabas Salt Lake in South Khorasan province has currently been registered on Iran’s national natural heritage list following approval by the National Council for Registration of Natural Heritage, a provincial official said.

National wrestling hall of fame opens to public in Tehran

TEHRAN – Iran’s National wrestling hall of fame (aka national wrestling honors museum) opened to the public in Tehran on Saturday.

Desert village Qaleh Bala moves closer to possible UN label

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities in Shahroud have finalized a dossier to nominate the village of Qaleh Bala in Semnan province for inscription by the UN Tourism, a local official said on Saturday.

New legal measures under consideration to curb graffiti at Persepolis

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities plan to intensify legal action against graffiti and vandalism at the UNESCO-listed site of Persepolis, a provincial official said on Friday.

Minister suggests formation of spiritual tourism triangle in Semnan province

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, on Thursday called for the formation of a spiritual tourism triangle stretching from Shahroud to the capital city of Semnan, during a visit to eastern Semnan province.

Damghan proposed as hub for eastern Iran civilizational studies

TEHRAN– Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts on Thursday called for Damghan in Semnan province to be developed into a center for civilizational studies in eastern Iran, stressing the need for scientific protection and integrated management of two major historical sites in the city.

Strengthening operations begin in Golestan Palace

TEHRAN--The strengthening operations of Golestan Palace components in Tehran has begun in line with the preventive protection of historical monuments.

North Khorasan has capacity to become standalone tourism destination, official says

TEHRAN - North Khorasan province has the capacity to become a complete tourism destination on its own, a senior tourism official said during a one-day visit to the province.

Official highlights Isfahan’s potential as West Asia medical tourism hub

TEHRAN - Isfahan has the capacity to become a medical tourism hub not only in Iran but across West Aisa, a provincial tourism official said on Wednesday.

Preserving historical monuments is necessity in country with ancient past: restoration graduate

TEHRAN - The appropriate restoration of historical monuments is not a matter of choice but a necessity in a country where every corner contains layers of history, a young restoration specialist says.

Semnan tourism department to revamp surroundings of Shah Abbasi caravanserai

TEHRAN – Semnan’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts department has begun plans to reorganize the area surrounding the centuries-old Shah Abbasi caravanserai which is located in the north-central Iranian province.

Tehran, Baku consider reopening passenger border crossings

TEHRAN - Iran and Azerbaijan are considering reopening of passenger traffic across their shared border following talks between senior officials, Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday.

Northwest Iran popular destination for Turkish tourists, consul general says

TEHRAN - Turkey’s consul general in Iran’s northwestern city of Urmia has said that tourist attractions in West Azarbaijan province, including UNESCO-listed sites, are popular among Turkish visitors and called for a direct flight between Ankara and Urmia.

National framework set for integrated handicrafts value chain

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has approved a comprehensive national document to manage the production, distribution, marketing and export value chain of handicrafts, aiming to coordinate executive bodies and strengthen the sector’s role in the economy.

Minister backs global registration push for Anbaran kilim craft

TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday that the city of Anbaran in Ardabil province should pursue global registration for its kilim weaving tradition, citing the role of local women artisans and the sector’s economic potential.

Iran highlights on view at EMITT 2026

TEHRAN – Iran has taken part in the 29th edition of the EMITT 2026 International Tourism Exhibition, which opened on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey.

By Maryam Rostami

Before refrigerators, Iran had Yakhchals: Where did summer ice come from?

GONABAD – Have you ever paused, while sipping a chilled sharbat or juice with ice cubes floating inside, or enjoying an iced tea or iced coffee, to wonder how people kept their drinks and food cool before modern refrigerators and ice makers existed? Did they have access to cold water during the scorching days of summer? To find the answers, one can look to the heart of Iran’s desert cities—places where architectural ingenuity and human adaptation to nature gave rise to remarkable structures known as yakhchals, or icehouses.

Iran tourism has potential to rebound quickly, guides’ head says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly if security, stability and policy coordination are strengthened, the head of the Iranian Tourist Guides Association said on Thursday.

Possible remains of monumental Persian garden identified near Tabriz

TEHRAN – A team of researchers say they have identified what may be the remains of a large monumental garden complex on the outskirts of Tabriz in northwestern Iran, based on analysis of historic aerial imagery and satellite data.

New excavation starts at Sassanian Ardeshir Palace

TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have launched a new season of archaeological research and excavation at the Sassanian-era Ardeshir Palace in Firuzabad, southern Fars province.

Flamingos migrate to Makran coast, official says, highlighting tourism potential

TEHRAN – More than 2,000 flamingos have migrated to Makran coasts in southern Iran this winter that could support nature-based tourism, an environmental official has said.

Legal protection boundaries determined for Batvand site

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities have designated legal boundaries and a protected zone for the historical site of Batvand in Khuzestan province, officials said, in a move aimed at strengthening preservation measures.

Study restarts on herbal plant use among nomads of Alborz range

TEHRAN--Field studies of the project of ethnology of herbal plants of Sangsari tribe began in their winter quarter near Div Asiab spring located in the Lar Plain of Mazandaran province.

Iran tourism maintains international appeal, expert says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry continues to attract international interest, an expert said, following the country’s participation in the FITUR international tourism fair in Madrid last week.

Work on Xerxes I tomb at Naqsh-e Rostam nears completion

TEHRAN – Restoration work on the rock-cut tomb of Achaemenid king Xerxes I is nearing completion after years of conservation efforts, a local official has said.

Tehran tourism fair postponed amid concerns

TEHRAN - Iran has decided to postpone the 19th Tehran International Tourism and Handicrafts Exhibition following a joint meeting between tourism officials and private sector representatives.