Tehran Times

2025-11-12 22:23
Venezuelan Ambassador to Iran stated in an interview with Tehran Times:

8 million Venezuelans enrolled to defend homeland

If 87 percent of drug trafficking occurs via the Pacific, why did the U.S. deploy forces in the Caribbean?

TEHRAN – The Tehran Times exclusive interview with Venezuela’s ambassador to Iran, José Rafael Silva Aponte, comes at a fraught moment for Caracas and the wider region.
- Imperial ambitions at sea: U.S. military escalation against Venezuela
- Driven by Venezuela’s oil riches, Trump intensifies clash with Maduro government

By Shahrokh Saei

Imperial ambitions at sea: U.S. military escalation against Venezuela

TEHRAN – The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean has marked a dangerous escalation in U.S. military activity and sharply heightened tensions with Venezuela.
By Wesam Bahrani

Sudani scores “major victory” in Iraq elections

TEHRAN – A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani reportedly comes first in Iraq’s parliamentary elections.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Israel escalating assault on Lebanon’s environmental security

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s forests, farmland, and green expanses are once again under siege. The recent wave of wildfires sweeping across the country recalls the devastation of 2010, when hundreds of hectares of pine and oak vanished in smoke and ash.
IRGC tests latest version of Shahed drones

TEHRAN – Experts at the Aerospace Division of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have tested the engine of domestically developed drone Shahed 161.
Iran busts 'anti-security ring' linked to Israel, US

TEHRAN – The Intelligence Division of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has identified and dismantled an anti-security ring led by Israeli and American spying agencies.

Politics

‘Shameless arrogance’, Iranian media slams E3 for hypocrisy on nuclear deal

TEHRAN – Iranian media have strongly criticized the “shameless arrogance” of the European Troika—comprising the United Kingdom, Germany, and France—after the three countries once again called on Iran to provide greater “transparency” in its nuclear program, while continuing to neglect their own commitments under the now defunct 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA).
Iranian, Russian FMs hold phone talks on regional, international issues

TEHRAN – Iranian and Russian foreign ministers held a phone conversation to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and international matters, highlighting the continued close strategic ties between the two countries.
Iran’s first Hebrew documentary highlights reality of Israel war hidden from public

TEHRAN – Tasnim News Agency has released Iran’s first-ever Hebrew-language documentary, “Missiles over Bazan,” marking a groundbreaking step in Tehran’s media outreach to Hebrew-speaking audiences and offering a narrative rarely seen in Western or Israeli outlets.

Sports

2025 Riyadh: Men’s handball lose to Qatar

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s handball team lost to Qatar 39-23 at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) on Friday.
Iran to face S. Korea at 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships bronze medal match

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s wheelchair basketball team will face South Korea on Saturday at the 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships bronze medal match.
Iran’s men’s volleyball win gold: 2025 Riyadh

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s volleyball team defeated Turkey 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 17-25, 25-17) at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) final on Thursday.

Culture

Fajr Intl. Film Festival Market scheduled for late November in Shiraz

TEHRAN- The 26th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival Market is set to be held in Shiraz, Fars province from November 28 to December 2 on the sidelines of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival.
Iranian short film “Grape Season” wins at TRT International Documentary Awards

TEHRAN – The Iranian short documentary “Grape Season,” directed and produced by Ebrahim Hesari, won an award at the 16th TRT International Documentary Awards in Türkiye.
Tehran to host “Hafez” puppet opera

TEHRAN- Iranian director Behruz Gharibpour plans to restage the “Hafez” puppet opera with his Aran Theater Troupe at Tehran’s Ferdowsi Hall on Sunday.

Economy

Mining, metals exports rise to $7.1b in H1

TEHRAN – Iran’s mining and metals sector exported more than $7.1 billion worth of products in the first six months of the current Iranian year (March 21-September 22), marking a solid increase in both volume and value, according to new data from the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).
Iran, CACCI leadership discuss trade’s role in regional stability at Colombo meeting

TEHRAN – Ghadir Ghiyafeh, deputy head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), met with Peter McMullen, president of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), on the sidelines of the CACCI International Conference in the Sri Lankan capital.
Regional IOSCO meeting in Abu Dhabi highlights deeper capital market cooperation

TEHRAN – Regulators from more than 20 countries gathered in the United Arab Emirates for the annual meeting of the Africa and Middle East (West Asia) Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), where participants emphasized the need to expand cross-border collaboration and strengthen market oversight. Iran took part in all main sessions and underscored its commitment to regional engagement and alignment with international capital-market standards.

Society

Over 70 countries attend Intl. Combinatorics Olympiad in Tehran

TEHRAN – The fifth International Combinatorics Olympiad (ICO 2025) took place in Tehran on October 30 and 31, bringing together approximately 5,000 competitors from over 70 countries both in person and online.
ROPME approves Iran’s three initiatives

TEHRAN – The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Executive Committee has approved three initiatives proposed by Iran.
IFRC official: IRCS is a key humanitarian actor

TEHRAN – Hossam Elsharkawi, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has highlighted the role of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) as one of the region's and the world's key humanitarian actors.

Tourism

Iran seeks UNESCO recognition for 17 historic mosques showcasing ‘Persian Mosque’ legacy

TEHRAN – Iran has placed 17 of its most iconic mosques on UNESCO’s Tentative List under the collective title “Persian Mosque,” paving the way for a possible future inscription on the World Heritage List.
Yazd hosting conference on Iran’s historical cities

TEHRAN - The second conference of Iran’s historical cities opened in Yazd on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from 43 cities across the country to discuss ways to preserve and promote urban heritage.
Kish Island, Armenia discuss tourism cooperation

TEHRAN—Managing Director of Kish Free Zone Organization Mohammad Kabiri and Armenian ambassador to Iran Grigor Hakobyan have emphasized promotion of tourism and economic cooperation in a joint gathering which was held on the sidelines of Kish Invex 2025 in the southern Iranian island on Wednesday.

International

Imperial ambitions at sea: U.S. military escalation against Venezuela

TEHRAN – The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean has marked a dangerous escalation in U.S. military activity and sharply heightened tensions with Venezuela.
Sudani scores “major victory” in Iraq elections

TEHRAN – A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani reportedly comes first in Iraq’s parliamentary elections.
Israel escalating assault on Lebanon’s environmental security

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s forests, farmland, and green expanses are once again under siege. The recent wave of wildfires sweeping across the country recalls the devastation of 2010, when hundreds of hectares of pine and oak vanished in smoke and ash.

If 87 percent of drug trafficking occurs via the Pacific, why did the U.S. deploy forces in the Caribbean?