Sanctions and geopolitical tensions undermine climate cooperation: FM Araqchi

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi has said that sanctions and geopolitical tensions undermine climate cooperation and hinder coordinated action.

Over 80% of Afghan refugees voluntarily return home

TEHRAN – From the beginning of the current Iranian year, March 21, till June 27, a total of 717,658 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan; more than 80 percent of them were dispatched voluntarily.

Iran Digital National Plan wins WSIS Champion Award

TEHRAN – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has awarded the Iran Digital National Plan project as one of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) champions 2025 in the E-Business category.

Iranian nanotech journals among world’s most cited

TEHRAN – The Journal Citation Report (JCR) Impact Factor 2024 has cited 161 Iranian journals, naming five among the world’s most cited in the nanotechnology sector.

Some 515 earthquakes hit Iran in a month

TEHRAN – A total of 513 earthquakes were recorded across the country from May 22 to June 21, indicating a 10.5 percent decrease compared to the same time last year, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

DOE sets strategic goals for long-term biodiversity preservation

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has revised a comprehensive plan, setting its strategic goals for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by the Iranian calendar year 1430 (March 2051-March 2052).

BRICS can be standard-bearer for a more humane, empathetic, and just world: head of IRCS

TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has underlined the role of BRICS in the promotion of peace and sustainable development, saying that BRICS can be the standard-bearer for a more humane, empathetic, and just world.

“Iran” and “homeland” in Muharram mourning spotlight

TEHRAN - This year, the month of Muharram began as the martyrdom of a large number of people during the Zionist regime's aggression against the country gave a special atmosphere to the mourning ceremonies.

World Rural Development Day highlights role of communities

TEHRAN – Declared by the UN General Assembly as World Rural Development Day, July 6 highlights the vital roles of rural communities in agricultural development, food security, and ecological stewardship, and calls for their empowerment through access to land, decent work, and inclusion in decision-making.

Iranian technologies to address SDS challenge

TEHRAN – With an increase in the frequency and intensity of sand and dust storms (SDSs) in different provinces of the country, Iranian researchers have been utilizing indigenized technologies to mitigate and control SDS impacts.

Iran submits proposals at ECO forum for women’s empowerment

TEHRAN – The Vice-Presidency for Women and Family Affairs has made several proposals at the Economic Cooperation Organization’s first forum on women, held in Lachin city, Azerbaijan, for strengthening regional cooperation to empower women.

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.

IFRC seeks intl. aid to support Afghans deported from Iran

TEHRAN – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has appealed for increased funding, essential supplies, and long-term support to help Afghans returning home from Iran rebuild their lives.

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.

Newborn foals give hope to Persian zebra’s survival

TEHRAN – With the birth of four foals in Kavir National Park, the number of Persian zebras has reached eight this year, indicating the improved habitat condition and effective conservation management of the endangered animal.

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.

Timely diagnosis crucial for treatment of PKU

TEHRAN –Since newborns with phenylketonuria (PKU) do not initially have any symptoms, the first step in treating PKU is timely diagnosis and early treatment.

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.

Iranian delegation attends Agritec Africa 2025

TEHRAN –Supported by the Prosperity and Innovation Fund, Iranian knowledge-based companies participated in the tenth edition of the Agritec Africa 2025, held at Kenyatta International Exhibition Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.