Tehran Times

2025-12-09 21:53
By Soheila Zarfam

Politics on the Pitch

Is the U.S. weaponizing 2026 World Cup against Iran?

TEHRAN — The contradiction between sport’s stated mission to unite people and the reality of restricted access was laid bare last week when several members of Iran’s World Cup delegation were refused U.S. visas and could not attend the FIFA 2026 draw in Washington on December 5, 2026.
- U.S. denies visas for Iran football officials
- FIFA VP Victor Montagliani: Iran football will compete at 2026 World Cup

By Somaye Morovati

Strategic autonomy in practice: India and Eurasia’s reconfiguration

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on 4–5 December 2025 should be viewed as one of the defining geopolitical moments in Eurasia over the past decade—an event that transcends the traditional contours of the Moscow–New Delhi relationship and is best understood as part of a broader realignment in the regional balance of power.
By Shahrokh Saei

Is Israel’s mirage of victory in Gaza fading?

TEHRAN – More than two years after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the outcome is undeniable: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to “destroy Hamas” has failed.
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.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Iran’s stand in the 12-day war undermined U.S.-Israeli strategy, says Philippine scholar

Julkipli Wadi warns that as Israel widens its aggression, Iran’s resilience signals a new regional momentum.

TEHRAN – At the sidelines of the Conference on “People’s Rights and Legitimate Freedoms in the Thoughts of Ayatollah Khamenei,” the Tehran Times spoke with Professor Julkipli Wadi of the University of the Philippines to examine the conference’s intellectual significance, the current crisis of international law, and Iran’s evolving role in regional security.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

From Oracle to Starlink: Lebanon’s security sovereignty in the wind

BEIRUT — Lebanon has always lived in the crossfire of regional conflicts, but rarely has its digital sovereignty been placed so casually on the negotiating table.

Politics

China backs expanding Iran–Saudi ties at trilateral meeting

TEHRAN – Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia have wrapped up their third Trilateral Committee Meeting, with Beijing once again underscoring its commitment to strengthening relations between Tehran and Riyadh.
Global turn toward replicating Iranian drones highlights Tehran’s military ascendancy: top general

TEHRAN – A senior spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces says the replication of the Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Shahed 136 by certain superpowers which claim to be in possession of cutting-edge technology is a confession of Iran’s eye-catching breakthroughs.
Iran president due in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan on two-day tour

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to travel to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on Thursday and Friday, the President’s Deputy for Political Affairs, Mehdi Sanaei, announced on Tuesday.

Sports

Persepolis edge Paykan: 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team edged past Paykan 1-0 thanks to a goal from Oston Urunov here on Tuesday.
Iran line up Portugal for 2026 World Cup prep

TEHRAN - The president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, has announced that Iran national football team — “Team Melli” — are close to finalizing a high-profile warm-up friendly against Portugal national football team on May 27.
Mojtaba Jabbari takes charge of Mes Rafsanjan: PGPL

TEHRAN - Former Esteghlal football team head coach Mojtaba Jabbari was named new head coach of Iranian top-flight club Mes Rafsanjan.

Culture

“Light Has Come” art exhibition unveils works on Zionist Regime’s destruction

TEHRAN- Iranian artist Abdolhamid Qadirian’s art exhibition was inaugurated at the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization in Tehran on Monday, depicting Quranic narrative of the destruction of the Zionist Regime.
Iranian artists, ensemble win at fall edition of Classical Music Stars Competition

TEHRAN – One ensemble and three artists from Iran are among the winners of the fall edition of the Classical Music Stars Competition in Poland.
Cinema Verite to hold 10 workshops with Iranian, international instructors

TEHRAN – The Iran International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite” has announced the workshops and instructors for the 19th edition that will kick off on December 10 in Mellat Cineplex in Tehran.

Economy

Iran, Belarus hold 18th Joint Economic committee meeting in Tehran

TEHRAN – The eighteenth session of the Iran-Belarus Joint Economic Committee meeting convened in Tehran, bringing together senior ministers, business representatives and experts from both countries to outline a new phase of commercial, industrial and scientific collaboration.
Tehran to host 4th Eurasia trade exhibition in February 2026

TEHRAN – Iran will host the fourth Eurasia International Trade Exhibition from February 1 to 4, 2026, an event that officials say is designed to maximize the benefits of the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and draw strong participation from member states’ delegations and private-sector representatives.
Semi-finished steel production up 4.7% in 7 months on year

TEHRAN- The production of semi-finished steel in Iran rose 4.7 percent in the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (September 23-October 22), as compared to the same period of time in the past year, the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) announced.

Society

Tehran hosting meeting of BRICS working group on research infrastructures, mega-science projects

TEHRAN – The 7th meeting of the BRICS working group on research infrastructures and mega-science projects is being held from December 8 to 10 in Tehran.
FAO explores areas of collaboration on fisheries and aquaculture in Isfahan

TEHRAN – A delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) paid a visit to a fish farm in Isfahan Province, exploring ways to enhance collaboration and improve productivity in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Iranian universities advance in GreenMetric World Ranking

TEHRAN – A total of 44 Iranian universities are featured on the 15th edition of the GreenMetric World University Ranking 2025, up from 40 universities in 2024.

Tourism

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.
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.
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.

International

Is Israel’s mirage of victory in Gaza fading?

TEHRAN – More than two years after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the outcome is undeniable: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to “destroy Hamas” has failed.
The tail that trained the dog to heel

TEHRAN – They built the room together. America paid for the walls, the fake grass carpet, and the giant posters of Trump’s twenty-point plan. America flew in the logisticians who know how to move rice through war zones. America even invited a few Dutch and Emirati officers to keep up the pretense of multilateralism.
From Oracle to Starlink: Lebanon’s security sovereignty in the wind

BEIRUT — Lebanon has always lived in the crossfire of regional conflicts, but rarely has its digital sovereignty been placed so casually on the negotiating table.

Is the U.S. weaponizing 2026 World Cup against Iran?

Julkipli Wadi warns that as Israel widens its aggression, Iran’s resilience signals a new regional momentum.