Tehran Times

2025-05-09 22:05
By Mohammad Nobakht, Mona Hojat Ansari

Persian Gulf: Our waters, our lands

TEHRAN – A land or body of water can hold diverse meanings. The Persian Gulf, for example, is a vital waterway for global oil transport, an exotic destination for tourists, and a geostrategic location for military forces. But for those who have thrived along its shores for thousands of years, it's a heritage, heritage so deeply ingrained, so fiercely its own, that no flood of propaganda or political maneuvering can ever truly wash it away.
- Iran rejects fabricated names for Persian Gulf, affirms sovereignty over strategic islands
- Why the Persian Gulf’s identity is non-negotiable

Iran, India reaffirm strategic ties at high-level talks in New Delhi

TEHRAN – In a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at reinforcing long-standing bilateral ties and addressing shared regional concerns, Indian and Iranian foreign ministers convened in New Delhi on Thursday for the 20th meeting of the India-Iran Joint Commission.
IRGC unveils first underground drone base, publishes surveillance footage of US Navy

TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled its first publicly disclosed underground drone base on Thursday, showcasing advanced unmanned systems capable of evading radar detection and conducting prolonged surveillance of U.S. naval assets in the Persian Gulf.
‘Talks with US unpredictable,’ says security chief, as Israel ramps up efforts to derail diplomacy

TEHRAN – As indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States prepare to resume on Sunday, Iran’s security chief asserted that the ongoing negotiations with Washington are “unpredictable,” emphasizing that progress in talks “hinges squarely on the U.S.’s conduct.”
By Sahar Dadjoo

Divisions emerge between Israel and US over Gaza and Yemen

TEHRAN - Prior to President Trump's trip to the Middle East in mid-May, his administration has stepped up diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel is continuing its relentless military operations there.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lessons Lebanon can learn from what is happening in Syria

BEIRUT — By intensifying its attacks on “New Syria”—under the pretext of protecting the Druze—the Israeli enemy is trying to make anyone who dares to challenge the HTS-led regime’s positions understand that they are forbidden from objecting to Israel’s known conspiracy to expand, destabilize, and subjugate West Asia’s peoples.

Politics

‘Enrichment is our right,’ Iran’s academics rally behind nuclear negotiators

A coalition of prominent Iranian professors, scholars, and professionals has issued a public statement endorsing the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic efforts in nuclear negotiations and advocating for peaceful engagement with the United States and Western nations.
Narrative warfare: How Trump uses preemptive optimism to pressure Iran

TEHRAN – In a world increasingly shaped by narratives, optimism can be used in a preemptive strike. While recent rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump and his confidantes oscillates between threats of dismantlement and a sense of measured optimism regarding a potential deal with Iran, Iran’s strategic patience must be translated to strategic caution at this stage. Iranian policymakers know better than to be drawn into the illusion of goodwill.
Iran equips all fighter jets with indigenous long-range missiles, announces Air Force commander

TEHRAN – The Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force has announced that all Air Force fighter jets have been equipped with a full range of domestically produced munitions, advanced equipment, and long-range missiles, marking a significant step forward in the country’s military self-sufficiency.

Sports

Iranian canoeists win medals in 2025 Asian Championships

TEHRAN – Three Iranian athletes won medals at the 2025 Asian Canoe Confederation Canoe Sprint Asian Championships underway in Nanjing, China on Friday.
Iran defeat Hong Kong in AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025

TEHRAN - Defending champions Iran secured their place in the quarter-finals after defeating Hong Kong 3-1 in their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025 Group B tie on Friday.
Nassaji join Havadar in PGPL relegation

EHRAN – Nassaji football team were relegated in the penultimate week of the 2024/25 Iran Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL), joining Havadar in the Azadegan League next season.

Culture

Iranian video art “Sculpture” wins at IndieFEST Film Awards

TEHRAN-The Iranian video art “Sculpture,” written, directed, and composed by Ramin Hosseinpour, received the Award of Merit Special Mention at the April 2025 edition of the IndieFEST Film Awards in California, the United States.
Imam Reza visual arts festival wraps up

MASHHAD — The closing ceremony of the visual arts section of the 22nd Imam Reza (AS) International Festival was held in Mashhad on Thursday, recognizing outstanding artists and their contributions to various artistic fields.
Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” on stage at IAF

TEHRAN-The Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran is hosting the play “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams.

Economy

Over 2,200 companies attend West Asia's biggest oil industry gathering in Tehran

TEHRAN - Iran's oil industry, a key economic driver, is showcasing its latest achievements at the 29th International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show 2025) in Tehran, where over 2,200 domestic and international companies have convened.
Iran, China sign deal on coal-to-gas technology cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) and a major Chinese firm called Keyon have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on coal-to-natural gas conversion technologies, officials said on Thursday.
Iran sees Turkmenistan partnership as gateway to regional gas trade

TEHRAN – Iran's National Gas Company is ramping up efforts to attract foreign investment and expand energy ties with neighboring countries, with a senior official saying closer cooperation with Turkmenistan could pave the way for broader regional gas trade.

Society

Iranian, Iraqi officials discuss fostering educational ties

TEHRAN –Iran’s deputy minister of education, Hamid-Reza Sheikholeslam, and Iraqi minister of education, Ibrahim Namis Yassin, have discussed avenues for expanding educational cooperation between the two countries.
National red crescent week to be marked

TEHRAN – The national red crescent week is scheduled to be held from May 8 to 14.
Special budget allocated to rare, hard-to-treat diseases

TEHRAN – The administration has approved 120 billion rials (some 144,000 dollars) for treating rare and hard-to-treat diseases in the current Iranian year, which started on March 21.

Tourism

Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism

KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) – Nestled in the heart of Iran’s Alborz mountain range and just 35 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, the ancient village of Kandelous offers an authentic rural escape for those in search of tradition, tranquility, and natural beauty.
Iran offers to help restore Taq Kasra in Iraq

TEHRAN – Iran has expressed readiness to assist in the restoration of Taq Kasra, a masterpiece of Sassanid-era Persian architecture located near Baghdad.
Ambassadors of five nations visit Qazvin

TEHRAN—Ambassadors and representatives of Uganda, Sierra Leon, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka visited Qazvin to become acquainted with the economic, cultural, and tourism potentials of the Iranian province.

International

Divisions emerge between Israel and US over Gaza and Yemen

TEHRAN - Prior to President Trump's trip to the Middle East in mid-May, his administration has stepped up diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel is continuing its relentless military operations there.
Lessons Lebanon can learn from what is happening in Syria

BEIRUT — By intensifying its attacks on “New Syria”—under the pretext of protecting the Druze—the Israeli enemy is trying to make anyone who dares to challenge the HTS-led regime’s positions understand that they are forbidden from objecting to Israel’s known conspiracy to expand, destabilize, and subjugate West Asia’s peoples.
Hamas ambushes occupation forces

TEHRAN – The armed wing of Hamas inflicts heavy losses on two separate units of the Israeli occupation forces.