UN in Iran expects doubling of funding to meet emerging needs

TEHRAN – The UN resident coordinator in Iran, Stefan Priesner, has said Iran's aid budget will need to be increased, at least doubled, following the war imposed by Israel on the country.

Some 9,000 ha of forests devastated in Israeli assaults

TEHRAN –According to a report by the Department of Environment (DOE), around 9,000 hectares of forests and protected areas in the country have been set on fire and severely damaged during the attacks by the Zionist regime on June 13-24.

Experts discuss ways to strengthen national immunization program

TEHRAN – Participating in a consultative workshop, national experts and international partners explored the potential to promote the country’s immunization programmes.

IRCS urges Red Cross societies to denounce Israel’s violation of humanitarian laws in Iran

TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), in a letter to international communities as well as Red Cross societies, has urged them to slam the violation of humanitarian laws by the Zionist regime, demonstrated through killing IRCS members and targeting medical centers.

Nationwide campaign launched to organize, facilitate volunteering

TEHRAN – These days, when the need to promote solidarity and social responsibility is felt more than ever in the country, a campaign titled "Hemmat (Effort) for Iran" has been launched all over the country to organize and facilitate public volunteering.

National congress on AI in natural resources, environment slated for September

TEHRAN – The first national congress on artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, natural resources, and the environment is scheduled to be held on September 4–5 in Shiraz, Fars Province.

By Maryam Tavassoli

‘Nature, the silent part in wars’

TEHRAN –Nature is part of our community, but unlike people, it is silent, and this silence is the most dangerous sign of its suffering, an official with the Department of Environment has said.

Nationwide campaign aims to free 17,000 prisoners in Muharram

TEHRAN – A nationwide campaign was launched on June 27, the beginning of the month of Muharram, aiming to help release 17,000 prisoners of intentional crimes.

Lake Urmia water level shrinks by 51cm yr/yr

TEHRAN – The current water level of Lake Urmia stands at 1270.09 meters, indicating a fifty-one-centimeter decline compared to the same time last year.

UNHCR voices concern over sharp increase in Afghan returns from Iran

TEHRAN – Following the deportation of unauthorized Afghans, with the implementation of a return deadline by the Government on March 20, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that returns on a massive scale have the potential to destabilize the fragile situation in Afghanistan.

Blood donation campaign kicks off in Muharram

TEHRAN –With the beginning of Muharram, the first lunar month, a nationwide blood donation campaign commenced on June 27 and is scheduled to run for 60 days.

How to cope with summer heat, Persian medicine answers

TEHRAN – Hot days of summer can cause heat-related illnesses and heat exhaustion, which can be life-threatening. The overexposure to heat leads to loss of body fluid through sweating and dehydration.

Khwarizmi Intl. Award slated for January 2026

TEHRAN – The 39th Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) is scheduled to be held in January 2026, according to the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST).

Intl. Day of Tropics highlights climate, geography, and urbanization challenges

TEHRAN –The International Day of the Tropics, observed on June 29 annually, focuses on the significance of the tropics as hubs of the world's biodiversity and the challenges faced by the regions due to climate, geography, and urbanization.

34 Iranian universities in THE Impact Ranking 2025

TEHRAN – The Times Higher Education (THE) has included 34 universities from Iran among the top universities pursuing sustainable development goals (SDGs), up from 33 universities in 2024.

Some 33,000 illegal Afghan migrants deported in a day

TEHRAN –In an unprecedented move, a total of 33,000 undocumented Afghan refugees were sent back from Iran to their home country on Wednesday.

Watershed management budget increased by fifteenfold

TEHRAN –The national budget bill for watershed management in the current Iranian calendar year (March 2025-March 2026) is fifteenfold the budget for its preceding year, the head of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization has said.

'Iran Digital' program kicks off, focusing on AI in schools

TEHRAN –The first phase of Iran Digital initiative, a national free artificial intelligence (AI) training program, has been launched, targeting two million junior high school students and one thousand teachers.

‘Martyrs in fight against narcotics are national heroes’

TEHRAN –Martyrs and war veterans who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against narcotics to ensure the security and safety of people are the national heroes, Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari, the secretary general of the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), has said.

FAO, DOE hold workshop to facilitate Iran’s engagement with GCF

TEHRAN – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in cooperation with the Department of Environment (DOE), serving as Iran’s National Designated Authority to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has held a workshop to explore effective national coordination mechanisms vital for facilitating stronger engagement with the GCF and other multilateral climate finance institutions.

WFP releases May report on Iran

TEHRAN – The World Food Program (WFP) has released a report, expounding on activities in Iran over the month of May.

Nine Iranian universities in QS WUR 2026 ranking

TEHRAN – The 22nd edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR), 2026, has placed nine Iranian universities among the world’s top institutes, unchanged from the 2025 ranking.

Developing comprehensive care plan to protect elderly on agenda

TEHRAN – Development of a comprehensive care plan to support the elderly has been placed on the top agenda of the National Council for the Elderly.

DOE plans to address war-induced environmental crises

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has approved necessary measures to deal with environmental crises caused by the war imposed by the Zionist regime on the country.

IRCS member speaks about days of rescue work following Israeli attacks

TEHRAN--Rescue workers of Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) are those who devote their lives to rescue people. They go deep into the incident to rescue the trapped person without any delay or hesitation. Amir Momeni is one of the rescue workers who speaks about the stressful minutes among the storm and the fire.

DOE slams Israeli attacks as ‘deliberate creation of environmental crises’

TEHRAN - The Department of Environment has strongly condemned the recent attacks by the Zionist regime on fossil fuel storage facilities as deliberate creation of environmental crises and a clear violation of international principles and commitments to environmental protection.

UNRC, British Red Cross express solidarity with IRCS

TEHRAN –The United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Iran, Stefan Priesner, and the British Red Cross chief executive officer, Béatrice Butsana-Sita, have voiced support and solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), following Israeli airstrikes on the country.

UN experts: Israeli attacks on Iran ‘deliberate undermining of peace initiatives’ 

TEHRAN – UN experts, in a meeting in Geneva on Friday, unequivocally condemned recent Israeli military attacks against Iran, saying “the timing of the strikes — coinciding with ongoing diplomatic efforts in Muscat aimed at reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — raises serious concerns about the deliberate undermining of peace initiatives.”  

‘Martyred scientists employed science for peaceful purposes’

TEHRAN –Following the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists during the Israeli attacks, the deputy science minister elaborated on major activities of the scientists, highlighting that they worked toward scientific and sustainable development, as well as peaceful technologies.

Science minister writes letter to UNESCO chief over assassination of Iranian scientists

TEHRAN –Science Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf has written a letter to Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay, condemning the killing of Iranian scientists in Zionist regime’s terrorist attacks.