Tehran Times

2025-12-17 21:49
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran-Russia cooperation enters 'new phase' with 3-year roadmap

Araghchi and Lavrov hail expanding ties after meeting in Moscow

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia have further cemented their upward trend in cooperation, signing a new agreement that outlines practical implementation steps for some clauses of the strategic partnership treaty they signed earlier this year.
- Tehran’s consultations with Moscow ongoing across all sectors: FM Araghchi
- Iran FM discusses bilateral cooperation, regional issues in Moscow

By staff writer

From sanctions to blockade: Trump’s naval coercion of Venezuela

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to order a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers marks one of the most dangerous escalations in Washington–Caracas relations. While the Trump administration presents the move as a sanctions enforcement action, the reality is far more serious: the use of military force to control another country’s trade, outside international law and without global consent.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Washington’s squeeze on Lebanese Army: Redefining doctrine, loyalty, and identity

BEIRUT—Over the past months, the Lebanese Army has found itself at the center of an escalating campaign of political, security, and ideological pressure led by Washington in close coordination with Israel.
By Wesam Bahrani

The imposed ‘peace’ on Gaza

Gaza won’t become part of an American project or a lifeline for failed politicians or dealmakers

TEHRAN – Nothing has been more dangerous for Gaza over the past two years than the bombs and missiles that have fallen on it.
Zionist lobbyists may use Sydney terror act to polish Israel’s image: Lebanese analyst

Hikmat Amhaz says Mossad may have incited the Bondi terrorist incident

TEHRAN - In an exclusive interview with Tehran Times, Hikmat Amhaz, a Lebanese political analyst and member of the International Association of Political Analysts and Experts, examines the political and media ramifications of the deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
By Fatemeh Kavand

From the sky to the battlefield

An assessment of Iran’s drone capabilities in the age of emerging technologies

The rapid growth of Iran’s drone capabilities in recent years has turned this field into one of the central pillars of the country’s military power.

Politics

US bases on Iran’s target list in event of war

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that should a war break out with the United States, and should the United States attack Iran’s nuclear facilities again, then Washington should expect Iran to strike American bases wherever they might be.
Iran calls for accountability for Gaza crimes in meeting with OIC chief

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, met with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
Iran once again emphasizes respect for Lebanon’s independence, territorial integrity

TEHRAN – Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has, in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani, discussed with him the latest political developments in Lebanon and in the region, bilateral ties and repeated violations by the Israeli regime.

Sports

Tractor vs Persepolis: A high-stakes Hazfi Cup showdown

TEHRAN - This Thursday, Tractor and Persepolis football teams will face off in the Round of 32 of Iran’s Hazfi Cup at the Yadegar-e Emam Stadium in Tabriz, kick-off scheduled for 16:15 local time.
Dembele and Bonmati win top prizes at the Best

TEHRAN - France attacker Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 FIFA Best Men's Player Award, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Best Women's Player Award for third straight year, FIFA announced Tuesday night.
Persepolis to part ways with Serge Aurier

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club are set to part ways with Ivorian defender Serge Aurier, bringing an early end to his short and disappointing spell in Iranian football.

Culture

Cinema Vérité wraps up with celebrations, awards

TEHRAN- The 19th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival of Iran, known as Cinéma Vérité, came to an end in Tehran on Tuesday, announcing the winners.
Iranian documentary “Cutting Through Rocks” shortlisted for 98th Academy Awards

TEHRAN – The Iranian documentary “Cutting Through Rocks” directed by Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni is among the 15 films shortlisted in the Documentary Feature Film category of the 98th Academy Awards.
Iranian director to stage reading of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard”

TEHRAN- Iranian director Ali Bakhshian plans to stage a reading performance of the renowned Russian author Anton Chekhov’s final play “The Cherry Orchard” at Tehran Theater Hall on Friday.

Economy

Iran to back investments in Africa, boost exports with multibillion-dollar guarantees

TEHRAN – Iran will support investments by Iranian firms in Africa and efforts to expand exports to the continent, with export credit guarantees and development financing expected to underpin trade growth, the head of the Iran–Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce stated.
ICCIMA urges Austria to ease business visas, seeks cooperation in renewables

TEHRAN – The head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) has urged Austria to facilitate the issuance of business visas for Iranian traders, saying easier travel would help revive bilateral economic ties weakened by sanctions.
Govt. injects $300m into rail sector as private investment brings new locomotives, wagons

TEHRAN – Iranian government has allocated 150 trillion rials ($300 million) to the private sector to strengthen its rail fleet, paving the way for new locomotives and passenger wagons to enter service as part of the country’s Seventh National Development Plan, the head of the national railway company said.

Society

DOE, UNDP hold meeting on wetlands preservation

TEHRAN – Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh, the deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE) for Marine and Wetlands affairs, and Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, the resident representative ad interim for United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Iran, held talks in Tehran on Wednesday, with a focus on the preservation of the country’s wetlands, particularly Hour al-Azim and Hamoun wetlands through provisions of water rights from Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively.
WHO oversees national preparedness in addressing communicable diseases

TEHRAN – Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Benedetta Allegranzi, has paid a visit to Iran, conducting a technical mission to strengthen communicable disease control, particularly in Tehran, Tabriz, in the northwest of the country, and Bandar Abbas in the south.
'Climate adaptation best strategy to reduce climate vulnerabilities'

TEHRAN – Boosting resilience and adaptation is the most effective strategy to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, has said.

Tourism

Iran’s Khoy and Turkey’s Konya sign sister-city agreement

TEHRAN - The Iranian city of Khoy and Turkey’s Konya have signed a sister-city agreement, committing to expand cooperation in spiritual tourism, cultural exchanges, urban management and sustainable infrastructure development, officials said.
Zoroastrian lawmaker highlights restoration of historic fire temples

TEHRAN — An Iranian lawmaker representing the Zoroastrian community has called for continued restoration and protection of historic fire temples in the central province of Isfahan.
Iranology goes beyond academia, Armenian researcher says

TEHRAN—Iranology is a quiet diplomacy between Iran and Armenia. Mariam Zazyan, an Armenian Iranologist, believes that being an Iranologist has a responsibility beyond academic study and can play an effective role in strengthening the cultural and friendly relations between the nations.

International

From sanctions to blockade: Trump’s naval coercion of Venezuela

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to order a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers marks one of the most dangerous escalations in Washington–Caracas relations. While the Trump administration presents the move as a sanctions enforcement action, the reality is far more serious: the use of military force to control another country’s trade, outside international law and without global consent.
Washington’s squeeze on Lebanese Army: Redefining doctrine, loyalty, and identity

BEIRUT—Over the past months, the Lebanese Army has found itself at the center of an escalating campaign of political, security, and ideological pressure led by Washington in close coordination with Israel.
The imposed ‘peace’ on Gaza

TEHRAN – Nothing has been more dangerous for Gaza over the past two years than the bombs and missiles that have fallen on it.