Tehran Times

2025-12-13 21:13
By Shahrokh Saei

Who benefits from a disarmed Lebanon?

TEHRAN – Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire with Israel, brokered in late November 2024 by the United States and France, was meant to halt hostilities and open the door to a negotiated settlement. Yet more than a year later, the truce has proven largely illusory. Israel continues near-daily strikes on Lebanese territory, claiming to target Hezbollah compounds and rocket launch sites, but offering no verifiable evidence to substantiate its assertions.
- Youssef Raggi’s diplomatic derailment
- President Aoun calls Israel’s raid on southern Lebanon ‘full-fledged crime’

By Matin Jamshidi

Eurovision: A measure of international sentiment against Israel

TEHRAN - Israel may feel it has weakened Hamas and Hezbollah and now entertains the illusion that it is time to create a “new Middle East” and a “Greater Israel.” Yet these fleeting feelings of victory have come at the cost of unspeakable tragedy for civilians in Gaza.
Israel exploiting Syrian instability to expand territorial control, Lebanese analyst warns

Abir Bassam says Israel seeking to control all water sources in southern Syria and southern Lebanon

TEHRAN- As Syria marks one year since the fall of the Assad government, the country faces unprecedented political, social, and humanitarian challenges.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Youssef Raggi’s diplomatic derailment

When will Lebanese leadership restore institutional discipline?

BEIRUT—Handpicked by the Lebanese Forces (LF), Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has, since taking office, behaved less like a custodian of national diplomacy and more like a partisan activist focused only on a narrow ideological agenda.
By Mohammad Khatibi

Expert says Chinese investment in Iran difficult under sanctions, but possible with determination

TEHRAN – In the midst of intensifying regional tensions and the enduring weight of Western sanctions, the future of China–Iran relations remains a subject of growing international interest. To better understand the dynamics shaping Beijing’s approach to Iran, The Tehran Times spoke with Professor Hongda Fan, director of the China–Middle East Center at Shaoxing University.
Ethiopian parliament speaker says expanding bilateral ties with Iran a ‘priority’

TEHRAN – Ethiopia’s Parliament Speaker, Tagesse Chafo, said Saturday that strengthening and expanding bilateral relations with Iran is a top priority, highlighting opportunities for deeper political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries amid their recent BRICS membership.

Politics

Tehran, Beijing reaffirm close bilateral ties in all areas

TEHRAN – Iran and China have emphasized their commitment to further enhancing mutual relations, highlighting the long history of Tehran-Beijing ties over decades.
Non-Iranian oil tanker smuggling fuel seized in Sea of Oman

TEHRAN – Iran has detained a foreign oil tanker accused of carrying contraband fuel in the Sea of Oman.
Iran and the civilizational discourse of Islam

TEHRAN - As the Western-centered global order continues to move towards erosion and nations increasingly turn back to their historical identities in search of a renewed place in the world, Iran’s role in shaping the civilizational discourse of Islam has become more significant than ever.

Sports

Persepolis edge Aluminum at 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team edged past Aluminum 1-0 here on Sunday at the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL).
Iran swimmer Gholami dreams of competing in Olympics

TEHRAN – Young Iranian swimming sensation Mohammadmahdi Gholami has revealed his ambition to compete at the Olympic Games.
Iran runners-up at 2025 Asian Youth Para Games

TEHRAN – Iran finished second at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) in Dubai.

Culture

Culture ministers of Iran, Kazakhstan sign MoU on cinematic cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi and the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva have signed a memorandum of understanding on cinematic cooperation in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Iran, Tajikistan discuss ways to develop bilateral collaboration in publishing, printing industry

TEHRAN – A delegation of the printing and publishing sector of the Republic of Tajikistan, accompanied by Bahodur Nazir, counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, visited the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Tehran on December 13.
Iran cinema wins two awards at 16th Baku International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian movies won two awards at the 16th Baku International Film Festival, which was held in Azerbaijan last week.

Economy

Tehran hosting intl. transport, logistics exhibition

TEHRAN – The ninth International Exhibition of Transport, Logistics and Related Industries opened in Tehran on Sunday, bringing together private companies, investors and technology firms as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s role in regional transit corridors through productivity gains and smart solutions.
Iran’s free zones attract $461m in foreign investment in 8 months

TEHRAN – Iran’s free trade and special economic zones attracted $461 million in foreign investment in the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 20-November 21), up 695 percent from the same period last year, the secretariat of Iran’s Free Zones High Council said.
Maritime-oriented economy a unique opportunity for Iran: PMO head

TEHRAN- In a meeting held on Sunday, Saeed Rasouli, Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), presented a comprehensive vision for developing Iran's maritime economy. He characterized it as a unique and underutilized opportunity for national development.

Society

Ministry of Education inaugurates new school in Qatar

TEHRAN – Education Minister Alireza Kazemi inaugurated a new school on Saturday for Iranians residing in Qatar.
ICRC seeks to boost co-op with IRCS

TEHRAN – Vincent Cassard, the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has highlighted the need to expand collaborations with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in 2026.
Iranian students shine at World Mathematics Team Championship 2025

TEHRAN – Five Iranian female students have won gold medals at the World Mathematics Team Championship (WMTC) 2025 held from December 3 to 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tourism

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

The 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture, scheduled to take place in Gorgan, the capital of Iran’s Golestan province, from Dec. 16 to 19, is often described as a celebration. But to see it only as a cultural event is to miss its deeper significance.
Digi and glimpses of culinary heritage in Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – A traditional dish known as Digi, prepared using a centuries-old method in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, offers insight into the area’s indigenous culinary culture, reflecting local knowledge, communal practices and social traditions passed down through generations.
How Carnet de Passage eases land travel in Iran

TEHRAN — The Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) says the issuance of the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) has created new opportunities for international land travel by simplifying border procedures for vehicles.

International

Eurovision: A measure of international sentiment against Israel

TEHRAN - Israel may feel it has weakened Hamas and Hezbollah and now entertains the illusion that it is time to create a “new Middle East” and a “Greater Israel.” Yet these fleeting feelings of victory have come at the cost of unspeakable tragedy for civilians in Gaza.
Israel exploiting Syrian instability to expand territorial control, Lebanese analyst warns

TEHRAN- As Syria marks one year since the fall of the Assad government, the country faces unprecedented political, social, and humanitarian challenges.
Youssef Raggi’s diplomatic derailment

BEIRUT—Handpicked by the Lebanese Forces (LF), Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has, since taking office, behaved less like a custodian of national diplomacy and more like a partisan activist focused only on a narrow ideological agenda.

Abir Bassam says Israel seeking to control all water sources in southern Syria and southern Lebanon

When will Lebanese leadership restore institutional discipline?