By Mahnaz Abdi

South Korean ambassador visits Tehran Times, highlights strengthening bilateral ties

TEHRAN – In a significant gesture underscoring the importance of Iran-South Korea relations, His Excellency Kim Junpyo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Iran, led a high-level delegation on a visit to the Tehran Times Newspaper and Mehr News Agency on Sunday, October 19.

Sponge iron export up 79% in 6 months on year

TEHRAN- The value of Iran’s sponge iron export rose 79 percent during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-September 22), as compared to the same period of time in the past year, according to the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA).

Isfahan's entrepreneurs, industrialists plan to strengthen economic co-op with Vietnam

TEHRAN- The governor-general of Isfahan, in a meeting with the ambassador of Vietnam in Tehran, informed about the plans of Isfahan's entrepreneurs and industrialists to strengthen economic cooperation with Vietnam and stated: “Trade, industry, and tourism can be three important pillars of cooperation between the two countries, and we are fully prepared to host Vietnamese artistic, cultural, and tourism groups.”

Iran seeks to expand engineering footprint in Africa through new cooperation forum

TEHRAN – Iranian business leaders have called for stronger engagement with Africa’s fast-developing infrastructure markets, emphasizing the continent’s vast potential for technical and engineering cooperation.

South Pars Gas Complex cuts flaring by 3.8 mcm/d

TEHRAN – The South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) has achieved a daily reduction of 3.8 million cubic meters (mcm) in gas flaring, marking a major step toward greater efficiency and environmental sustainability in Iran’s gas industry, the complex’s managing director said.

Rooftop solar power stations installed for 22 ministries, state organizations

TEHRAN – In line with President Masoud Pezeshkian’s directive for all government bodies to adopt solar energy, Iran has launched rooftop solar power plants for 22 ministries and state organizations, marking a significant step toward sustainable energy transition in the public sector.

Aluminum ingot output exceeds 300,000 tons in H1

TEHRAN - Production of aluminum ingot in Iran reached 307,386 tons in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-September 22), according to the data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).

Tehran, St. Petersburg exchanges take first step toward regional energy market alliance

TEHRAN – The Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX) and the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to establish joint trading mechanisms — a move both sides see as the first step toward a regional alliance of energy exchanges.

Iran, Vietnam push to expand trade, joint production ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) and Vietnamese Embassy in Iran have emphasized expanding joint production and sharing export experience, building on several cooperation agreements already signed between the two countries.

South Pars Gas Complex advances toward full industrial self-sufficiency

TEHRAN – The South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) has taken a major step toward industrial self-reliance, with more than 90 percent of equipment and supplies for its refineries now sourced domestically, according to the company’s commercial director.

SATBA to ollaborate with rural councils to build solar power plants in villages

TEHRAN – Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) has announced plans to supply equipment to rural councils as part of a national initiative to expand renewable energy generation in villages, according to Deputy Energy Minister Mohsen Tarztalab.

Iran, Russia , Azerbaijan finalize roadmap to boost transit to 15m tons

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, announced that Iran, Russia, and Azerbaijan have finalized a comprehensive roadmap to increase the volume of goods transiting among the three nations to 15 million tons annually. The plan, she said, marks a major milestone in efforts to strengthen regional connectivity through the International North–South Transit Corridor (INSTC).

‘Iran-Tajikistan relations can be expanded through special mechanisms’

TEHRAN- Iran’s minister of economic affairs and finance emphasized the expansion of brotherly relations and economic, commercial, and infrastructure cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan and proposed special opportunities for deepening these relations under the current conditions.

INSTC seen as a path to greater regional integration, Iran’s transport minister says

TEHRAN – Iranian Minister of Transport and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh highlighted the International North–South Transit Corridor (INSTC) as a key driver of regional cooperation between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia, calling it a platform for deeper connectivity in transport, transit, and energy.

Iran, Switzerland private sectors seek deeper cooperation in non-sanctioned fields

TEHRAN – Iran and Switzerland’s private sectors are calling for stronger collaboration in non-sanctioned industries, emphasizing the key role of private enterprises in shaping future economic ties between the two countries.

Iran’s non-oil exports steady at $25.9b in H1, trade deficit narrows

TEHRAN – Iran’s non-oil exports reached $25.94 billion in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21– September 22), nearly unchanged from the $25.92 billion recorded in the same period last year, according to Mohammad-Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, head of the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO).

Iran, China ink cooperation deal on wastewater projects

TEHRAN – Iran’s National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Economic and Trade Exchange Center of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to advance cooperation in wastewater management and technology transfer, the company’s head said.

Iran invites Malaysian investors to tap into mining sector opportunities

TEHRAN – Iran is ready to welcome Malaysian investors into its mining industry, with the necessary infrastructure already in place to support joint projects and foreign participation, a senior industry official said during a meeting with Malaysia’s ambassador in Tehran.

By Ebrahim Fallahi

Economy Ministry pushes bold customs overhaul to speed up trade flow

TEHRAN – In response to the country’s evolving economic conditions, Iran’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance has launched a comprehensive initiative to streamline customs procedures and deliver on its pledge to reduce cargo clearance time to three days. The plan includes both regulatory revisions and a new legislative proposal soon to be submitted to Parliament.

Govt. extends industry support package by 1 month

TEHRAN – Abdollah Mohajer Darabi, a member of the board of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), announced a one-month extension for implementing the government’s industrial support package, following approval from President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Pezeshkian inaugurates 250MW of new solar power plants across Iran

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian inaugurated 250 megawatts (MW) of new solar power plants across the country via a video conference, and ordered the beginning of the construction on another 400 MW project in Tehran on Saturday.

Over 13m tons of essential goods imported in H1

TEHRAN – Iran imported 13.5 million tons of essential goods during the first half of the current Iranian year (March – September), up 12.5 percent from the same period last year, according to data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).

Electricity coverage in Iran’s rural areas reaches 99.8%

TEHRAN – Iran has extended electricity access to 99.8 percent of its rural population, marking one of the highest rural electrification rates in the world, according to the head of the Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company (Tavanir).

NIOC vows legal action after UK court upholds asset seizure linked to Crescent dispute

TEHRAN – The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said it will continue legal efforts through international and domestic channels to overturn a UK appeals court ruling that upheld the seizure of a London property belonging to the Oil Industry Pension Fund.

Paknejad reports record growth in oil production, exports despite sanctions

TEHRAN – Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced a significant increase in daily oil production—by over 120,000 barrels per day—and said that crude oil exports have set records in recent months despite severe sanctions.