Tehran Times

2025-12-01 21:34
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Bully politics: The American style

Trump calls Maduro, tells him to step down and leave Venezuela or get attacked

TEHRAN – American commentators trying to make sense of U.S. President Donald Trump’s governing style say he is not mentally intact or that he has an unstable personality easily swayed by the last person he speaks to.
- US strategy in Venezuela stirs regional alarm, echoes Bolton’s coup revelations
- Tehran warns of UN Charter violations amid US buildup in Caribbean

By staff writer

From accord to atrocity: Gaza human cost mounts under broken truce

TEHRAN – The U.S.-brokered ceasefire that went into effect on October 10 was designed to end two years of relentless Israeli military operations in Gaza. Yet, less than two months later, it has proven to be little more than a paper promise.
By Nabil Mansour

Could the Pope’s Lebanon visit temper Israeli threats and mend political divisions?

BEIRUT - Pope Leo XIV’s arrival in Beirut—his first foreign trip since ascending the papacy—comes at a moment when Lebanon is poised between escalating Israeli threats and a political class locked in chronic division.
By Wesam Bahrani

West Bank raids deepen as annexation calls rise

TEHRAN – The Israeli regime is escalating its raids in the West Bank amid rising calls to formally annex the occupied territories.
By Soheila Zarfam

Israel, not Russia, is damaging Iran-Poland ties

TEHRAN - Iran and Poland have traditionally enjoyed frictionless ties. However, this relationship hit a snag in October when Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski attended an anti-Iran presentation at the UK Parliament.
By Ali Hamedin

“All That’s Left of You”: a story shot in the eye of the storm

TEHRAN- “All That’s Left of You” is the latest work by Cherien Dabis — the Palestinian-American director, writer, and actor. Released in January 2025, the film places the audience on a historical journey, from the beginning of the Nakba (1948) to present-day Palestine, following the story of a single family to illuminate the harrowing fate of a people whom Zionist forces sought to erase from history.

Politics

What Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said at his weekly briefing

TEHRAN – At his weekly press conference, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei addressed a wide range of regional and international issues — from escalating tensions in Lebanon and Gaza, to relations with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to the state of nuclear talks with Europe.
Iran hosting SCO joint anti-terror drills

TEHRAN – The Ground Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is hosting large-scale joint counter-terrorism manoeuvres being conducted by member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Eswatini-flagged vessel smuggling fuel seized in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – A commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says an Eswatini (Swaziland)-flagged vessel carrying 350 Liters of contraband fuel has been seized in the Persian Gulf waters.

Sports

Asian Youth Para Games pave the way for the future: Koohpayehzadeh

TEHRAN – Jalil Koohpayehzadeh, head of Iran's Sports Federation for the Disabled, said the Asian Youth Para Games 2025 present an opportunity to identify talented athletes for the 2026 Asian Para Games and the 2028 Paralympic Games.
Vahid Kazemi selected for Tehran derby clash

TEHRAN – Vahid Kazemi will be the center referee for the Tehran derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal.
Iran suffer third successive loss at IHF Women's World Championship 2025

TEHRAN – Iran lost to Senegal 30-21 at the 27th IHF Women's World Championship 2025 Senegal Monday night.

Culture

“All That’s Left of You”: a story shot in the eye of the storm

TEHRAN- “All That’s Left of You” is the latest work by Cherien Dabis — the Palestinian-American director, writer, and actor. Released in January 2025, the film places the audience on a historical journey, from the beginning of the Nakba (1948) to present-day Palestine, following the story of a single family to illuminate the harrowing fate of a people whom Zionist forces sought to erase from history.
Imam Reza (AS) Intl. Festival to showcase art, literature, scholarly works

TEHRAN- The 22nd edition of Imam Reza (AS) International Festival is scheduled to be held in various provinces in Iran in April 2026, featuring a diverse range of cultural, artistic, and scholarly programs.
Iranian animation “The Legend of Sepehr” wins top award at Tanzanite International Film Festival

TEHRAN – The Iranian animated film “The Legend of Sepehr” directed by Emad Rahmani and Mehrdad Mehrabi won the top award of the Tanzanite International Film Festival, which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 27 to 29.

Economy

Iran’s renewable capacity exceeds 3,000 MW as govt. accelerates solar expansion

TEHRAN – Iran’s renewable power capacity has surpassed 3,000 megawatts following the addition of 445 megawatts of new clean-energy generation, the deputy energy minister said at an inauguration ceremony for recently completed solar projects.
Iran, Russia discuss stronger cooperation against money laundering

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia have held talks on expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, according to the Iranian Embassy in Moscow.
Iran-Afghanistan co-op in animal quarantine, phytosanitary being strengthened

TEHRAN- The head of Iran's Plant Protection Organization announced the enhancement of cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan in the areas of livestock quarantine and phytosanitary.

Society

Health Insurance Organization, Tajikistan health ministry to boost ties

TEHRAN – The Head of the Iranian Health Insurance Organization, Mohammad-Mehdi Nasehi, and the Minister of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan, Jamoliddin Abdullozoda, have agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of medical health insurance.
Workshop held to promote national immunization capacity

TEHRAN – Supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization (WHO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) of Iran, has organized a workshop to promote Iran’s National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) capacity.
Tehran hosts 2nd Intl. Symposium on Family, Future, Sustainable Bonds

TEHRAN – The Second International Symposium on ‘Family, Future, Sustainable Bonds’ was held on Monday, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf attending the event.

Tourism

Excavations reveal secrets of seasonal pastoral camp in Hawraman Mountains

TEHRAN — Newly published findings from rescue excavations at the Bardeh Mar archaeological site in Iran’s Hawraman region are shedding fresh light on the seasonal rhythms of pastoral life during the Islamic period.
Iran attractions showcased at Yerevan tourism exhibition

TEHRAN—Iran participated at Yerevan international tourism exhibition which was recently held at Meridian Expo & Event Centre in Yerevan, Armenia.
Iran highlights itself as safe, family-friendly destination at QTM 2025

TEHRAN--Iran has taken great steps to boost tourism in the Persian Gulf region by emphasizing its introduction as a safe, family-friendly, and affordable destination at Qatar Travel Mart (QTM 2025).

International

From accord to atrocity: Gaza human cost mounts under broken truce

TEHRAN – The U.S.-brokered ceasefire that went into effect on October 10 was designed to end two years of relentless Israeli military operations in Gaza. Yet, less than two months later, it has proven to be little more than a paper promise.
Could the Pope’s Lebanon visit temper Israeli threats and mend political divisions?

BEIRUT - Pope Leo XIV’s arrival in Beirut—his first foreign trip since ascending the papacy—comes at a moment when Lebanon is poised between escalating Israeli threats and a political class locked in chronic division.
West Bank raids deepen as annexation calls rise

TEHRAN – The Israeli regime is escalating its raids in the West Bank amid rising calls to formally annex the occupied territories.

Trump calls Maduro, tells him to step down and leave Venezuela or get attacked