Tehran Times

2025-10-24 21:25
By Soheila Zarfam

How US blackmail scuttled Iran's generous offer on 60% enriched uranium

TEHRAN – A recurring lesson for Iranians has been that no matter their actions or offers, the West, particularly the United States, is loath to pursue a path of de-escalation. This was most recently exemplified during Iran’s efforts to block the "snapback"—a JCPOA mechanism that was supposed to reimpose anti-Iran UN sanctions this month but failed to fully materialize due to significant international opposition.
- Last chance for diplomacy
- After Cairo talks, a cautious resumption of Iran-IAEA cooperation

By Shahab Sarmadi

West Bank annexation theater: How Israel’s Knesset plays good cop, bad cop

TEHRAN – The recent votes in Israel’s Knesset on bills to annex parts of the West Bank have drawn worldwide attention. At first glance, they appear to be a major political confrontation. Far-right politicians like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who live in illegal settlements, pushed strongly for the bills. Avi Maoz of the Noam party declared that “the time has come to apply sovereignty,” invoking biblical claims to the Palestinian land.
By Garsha Vazirian

Maritime strikes, mainland threats: U.S. military shadows Venezuela amid regime change whispers

TEHRAN – A concentrated U.S. military presence in the Caribbean — warships, patrol planes, MQ-9 drones, an F-35 squadron, and bomber flights — has sharply narrowed the political and diplomatic space around Venezuela.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

How Nawaf Salam’s cabinet is handing maritime resources to Israel!

BEIRUT — On October 23, 2025, Lebanon crossed a perilous threshold under Nawaf Salam’s leadership, with his cabinet appearing almost dedicated to national self-sabotage.
By Wesam Bahrani

Cruel blockade worsens Gaza crisis

TEHRAN – Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza flagrantly violates international law and amounts to continuous collective punishment of Palestinians.
By Sahar Dadjoo

“No Kings” protests are reaction to Trump’s authoritarian drift: ex-CIA official

Paul Pillar says public demonstrations are the last line of defense against erosion of democratic norms

TEHRAN- In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Paul R. Pillar, a veteran intelligence analyst and former senior CIA official, examined the emergence of the “No Kings” movement in the United States as a grassroots reaction to what many see as Donald Trump’s authoritarian drift during his second term.

Politics

Leader: Naeini was a magnificent jurist and towering pillar in the old Najaf seminary

TEHRAN – The remarks of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, made during his meeting with the organizers of the International Commemoration of Allameh Mirza Muhammad Hussain Naeini (ra), were released Thursday morning at the event's venue in Qom.
Larijani says missile range reduction will undermine national security

TEHRAN – The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has rejected outright Western demands for the country to reduce the range of its missiles.
Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari freed from French prison on parole

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has announced that Iranian academic Mahdieh Esfandiari, behind bars in France, has been released on parole. She spent a total 237 days in prison.

Sports

Persepolis beat Zob Ahan in 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club registered their second win of eight matches in the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) on Friday.
U23 Greco-Roman team crowned 2025 world champions

TEHRAN – Iran’s Greco-Roman team claimed the title of the 2025 U23 Wrestling World Championships held in Novi Sad, Serbia.
Iranian kabaddi teams win two silvers at 2025 AYG

TEHRAN - Iran’s girls’ and boys’ kabaddi teams lost to India in the final of the 2025 Asian Youth Games (AYG) on Thursday.

Culture

South Korea, Iran celebrate 63 years of diplomatic relations through calligraphy

TEHRAN – In a vibrant celebration of cultural diplomacy, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tehran hosted the Korea-Iran Calligraphy Exhibition on October 23. The event, held at the Ambassador’s Residence, commemorated the 63rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, transforming the venue into a crossroads of artistic tradition and modern friendship.
Iranian painter Wahed Khakdan passes away at 75

TEHRAN – Iranian painter Wahed Khakdan passed away at a hospital in Tehran on October 23 at the age of 75.
Iranian short film “The Plain Sings” wins at Albanian festival

TEHRAN – The Iranian short film “The Plain Sings” directed by Gita Feizi won an award at the 4th Idromeno International Film Festival, which was held from October 11 to 18 in Shkoder, Albania.

Economy

Iran calls for unity in reviving water resources at OIC water ministers’ meeting in Jeddah

TEHRAN – Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said it is time for Muslim countries to restore their shared heritage of water management through collective action, noting that cooperation rather than rivalry is essential for protecting vital water resources.
Iran elected as chair of GECF executive board

TEHRAN – Iran has been elected as chair of the executive board of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), and its proposal to transform the forum into an “Organization of Gas Exporting Countries” received broad support, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said on Thursday.
Iran strengthens rail diplomacy at “Middle East Railway Forum”

TEHRAN – Iran’s rail diplomacy gained momentum at the 36th Regional Assembly of Middle East Railways (UIC RAME), attended by senior representatives from Turkey, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, alongside officials from the International Union of Railways (UIC).

Society

Workshop on vaccination held with WHO, GAVI Alliance support

TEHRAN – Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI Alliance), Kerman University of Medical Sciences played host to a 3-day regional workshop on vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Iranian companies attending Health Asia expo in Pakistan

TEHRAN – Six Iranian companies are participating in the 22nd Health Asia International Exhibition and Conference, being held from October 23-25 in Karachi, Pakistan.
Health Insurance Week to be held

TEHRAN – Health Insurance Week will be marked from October 25 to 31 across the country with the theme of ‘Health insurance, national consensus for healthier Iran’.

Tourism

Minister urges ambassadors to help attract visitors from neighboring countries

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Wednesday that Iranian ambassadors in neighboring and friendly countries can play a role in attracting more tourists to the Islamic Republic.
Iran becomes guest of honor of Antalya Tourism Fair

TEHRAN—Iran took part as a guest of honor at Antalya Tourism Fair (ATF) in Turkey which was held for the seventh time between October 22–24.
Iran-China relations through ages: an interview with National Museum director

In an exclusive interview with the director of the National Museum of Iran, we explore the remarkable “Silk Legacy” exhibition currently underway in Tehran. The show offers an unprecedented look at the deep and enduring cultural ties between Iran and China, tracing a connection that stretches back over four millennia.

International

West Bank annexation theater: How Israel’s Knesset plays good cop, bad cop

TEHRAN – The recent votes in Israel’s Knesset on bills to annex parts of the West Bank have drawn worldwide attention. At first glance, they appear to be a major political confrontation. Far-right politicians like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who live in illegal settlements, pushed strongly for the bills. Avi Maoz of the Noam party declared that “the time has come to apply sovereignty,” invoking biblical claims to the Palestinian land.
Maritime strikes, mainland threats: U.S. military shadows Venezuela amid regime change whispers

TEHRAN – A concentrated U.S. military presence in the Caribbean — warships, patrol planes, MQ-9 drones, an F-35 squadron, and bomber flights — has sharply narrowed the political and diplomatic space around Venezuela.
Cruel blockade worsens Gaza crisis

TEHRAN – Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza flagrantly violates international law and amounts to continuous collective punishment of Palestinians.

Paul Pillar says public demonstrations are the last line of defense against erosion of democratic norms