By Xavier Villar 

Israel, the United States, and the attack on Qatar

MADRID – The Israeli attack on members of the Hamas delegation in Qatar, gathered to discuss a ceasefire proposal, marks a political turning point that goes beyond the immediate framework of the war in Gaza. It was not a mere military act nor a routine operation: it was a calculated move with broader implications. It called into question the validity of diplomacy, exposed the vulnerability of America’s allies, and laid bare that the regional alliance system rests on subordination, not sovereignty.

Documentary “Symphony of Cities; Windows of Friendship” screened in Astrakhan

TEHRAN – The Iranian documentary film “Symphony of Cities; Windows of Friendship” was screened in Astrakhan, Russia, on Thursday and was attended by officials and enthusiasts of culture and art from both Iran and Russia.

Tehran center to host reading performance of “The House of Bernarda Alba”

TEHRAN-Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater in Tehran will be playing host to a reading performance of Federico Garcia Lorca’s famous play “The House of Bernarda Alba” on Saturday evening.

IAF cinematheque reviews “Faust”

TEHRAN- “Faust,” a 1994 drama film by Czech film director Jan Švankmajer, was reviewed during a session at the Cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) on Thursday.

By Garsha Vazirian

The widening gyre: Charlie Kirk's assassination and America's spiral into political violence

TEHRAN – In the shattered aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, America stares into a mirror cracked by its own hand. “Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer,” William Butler Yeats intoned in “The Second Coming,” evoking a world where order dissolves into chaos.

Israeli drones strike Sumud flotilla twice; activists press on

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led mission to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, has faced two suspected drone attacks in Tunisian waters this week, drawing international condemnation and diplomatic pressure on Israel.

UN overwhelmingly endorses two-state solution declaration 

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly voted to endorse a declaration outlining "tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps" towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of a meeting of world leaders, Reuters reported. 

By Mona Hojat Ansari 

After Cairo talks, a cautious resumption of Iran-IAEA cooperation

Inspectors' full return to Iran hinges on sanctions and security body’s judgement 

TEHRAN – After a meeting in Cairo between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, Iran and the IAEA agreed to resume cooperation on Tuesday, an agreement that seemingly pleased Grossi but created a bedlam in the Iranian parliament. 

By Sahar Dadjoo

Exclusive: If IAEA remains politicized, safeguards system may collapse, ex-senior inspector warns

Abu Shadi calls for nuclear-weapon-free zone in West Asia, urges equal accountability for Israel

TEHRAN – Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently agreed to resume cooperation after the agency's inspectors left Iran during a U.S.-Israeli bombardment campaign on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, and were subsequently barred from re-entry. 

Araghchi in Tunisia: Iran and Tunisia pledge stronger ties, condemn Israeli aggression

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi paid an official visit to Tunisia on Wednesday, holding high-level talks with President Kais Saied, Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti, and other senior officials, as part of his broader tour of North Africa.

TEHRAN PAPERS

Opportunity for diplomacy and threat of multiple domestic voices

TEHRAN - In an analysis, Shargh discussed the agreement between Iran and the IAEA and the pressure from extremist groups within the country and wrote: The recent agreement between Tehran and the IAEA can initiate a new chapter in Iran's nuclear interactions with the international community.

Iranian officials urge coordinated Muslim response to Israeli crimes

TEHRAN – Senior Iranian officials have strongly condemned Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes on Qatar, denouncing the attacks as state terrorism carried out with U.S. backing, and urging Muslim nations and international institutions to take decisive action.

Shia and Sunni scholars unite to condemn Israeli aggression against Iran

TEHRAN – Shia and Sunni scholars across Iran and the wider Muslim world have issued strong condemnations of Israel’s war on Iran, framing resistance as a sacred duty that transcends sectarian divides.

Nair hosts national festival of Ash and traditional foods

TEHRAN – Iran’s 18th National Festival of Ash and Traditional Foods opened on Wednesday in Nair, Ardabil province, attracting participants from 12 provinces and drawing large crowds, officials said.

Iran considers importing tourism vehicles from China

TEHRAN – Iran considers importing tourism vehicles from China and drafting a joint roadmap to strengthen transport infrastructure for the sector, the head of Iran’s Touring and Automobile Club said on Thursday.

Iran tour operators welcome restrictions on unplanned foreign travel

TEHRAN – Iranian tour operators have welcomed new guidelines requiring foreign visitors to travel with visas and licensed guides, saying the move will support the tourism industry and local communities.

Rock carving of Sassanid ‘nobleman’ discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN - A Sassanid-era rock carving estimated to be more than 1,500 years old has been discovered on the cliffs of Marvdasht in southern Iran’s Fars province, an Iranian historian said on Thursday.

Global tourism rises 5% in first half of 2025, UN Tourism says

TEHRAN – International tourist arrivals across the globe grew 5% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 4%, according to UN Tourism.

‘Show of humiliation’ as Israeli army lays siege to West Bank’s Tulkarem

Israeli forces have sealed off entrances to Tulkarem in the northern occupied West Bank, further escalating a campaign of raids, arrests and collective punishment that has displaced thousands of Palestinians as the military relentlessly destroys Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. 

Iran's heavy crude stands at $69.18 in August as OPEC output rises

TEHRAN– The price of Iran’s heavy crude fell in August in line with declines across OPEC’s basket of crudes, the producer group said in its latest monthly report.

Tehran, Yerevan discuss expanding energy cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran and Armenia have held talks on expanding cooperation in the energy sector, including trade in petroleum products and potential supplies of liquefied gas, during meetings between senior officials of the two countries.

Iran water polo know rivals at 2025 Asian Aquatics Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s water polo team discovered their fate at the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships.

Iran in talks with Chinese firms to expand solar, energy storage projects

TEHRAN – Iran is negotiating with several Chinese companies to develop solar power plants and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as part of efforts to boost renewable capacity, a senior official at the Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company (Tavanir) said.

Iran, Pakistan, Turkey agree with ECO to revive ITI transit rail corridor

TEHRAN – Iran, Pakistan and Turkey have agreed with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to revive monthly freight services along the 6,540-km Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad (ITI) rail corridor, aiming to cut trade times and boost regional competitiveness.

‘Burkina Faso needs Iran's expertise for sustainable development’

TEHRAN – Burkina Faso’s Ambassador to Tehran, Mohammadi Kaboureh, has highlighted the significance of boosting scientific ties with Iran, calling it essential for the sustainable development of the African country.