Maximum preparedness of Armed Forces must be maintained: Leader

TEHRAN – A number of commanders from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces met with their Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution holds meetings with military officials around the same time each year to mark the new Iranian calendar year.    

By Michael Kimmage and Sudha David-Wilp

The Zeitenwende is real this time

Germany’s defense upgrade is necessary but could upset Europe’s balance of power

For many years, Germany has needed to dramatically expand its defenses, and today, it finally seems ready to do so. When Russia annexed Crimea and invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014, Germany’s response was muted. Berlin held inconclusive talks with the Kremlin, imposed a handful of sanctions, and then quietly returned to business as usual with Moscow. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a Zeitenwende, or “turning point.” He promised to increase defense spending, send more aid to Ukraine, and rapidly reduce Germany’s energy dependence on Russia. In the end, the Zeitenwende was a turning point in name only. Hamstrung by coalition infighting, Scholz failed to overhaul Germany’s defenses.

Tehran, a pioneer in history-based archaeology

TEHRAN - A member of the faculty of the Archaeological Research Institute, Ahmad Chaichi-Amirkhiz, has attached importance to the category of archaeology in tourism by creating a relationship between historical archaeology and historical tourism.

4,000 visits registered for Rey historical attractions during Nowruz holidays

TEHRAN - Over 4,000 Nowruz tourists visited historical attractions of the ancient city of Rey in Tehran province from March 15 to April 4, according to the Director of Rey National Heritage Base, Qadir Afrovand.

Dinosaur footprint discovered in Zarand becomes county’s top tourist attraction

TEHRAN - A recently discovered dinosaur footprint in the Deh-Alireza region of Dashtkhak, located in northern Zarand county in Iran’s Kerman province, has been identified as the area's most significant emerging tourist attraction, according to local heritage and academic officials.

Minister hails ‘successful’ Nowruz travel season, highlights growth in domestic tourism

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, praised the success of the 1404 (2025) Nowruz travel season, describing it as one of the most satisfying and least problematic in recent years.

First indigenous plasma therapy clinic inaugurated

TEHRAN – The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) in cooperation with Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, southern Fars province, has launched the first cold plasma therapy clinic for the treatment of wounds using indigenous technology.

Family Physician Program to restart this year: health minister

TEHRAN –Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi has said the Family Physician Program is planned to kick off in the current Iranian year that started on March 21.

Some 2,500 prisoners freed in Ramadan

TEHRAN –During the holy month of Ramadan (March 2-30), benefactors helped release a total of 2,500 prisoners of unintentional crimes.

University of Tehran, Beijing Intl. Exchange Association ink MOU

TEHRAN – The Caspian International Campus of the University of Tehran and the Beijing International Exchange Association (BIEA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster scientific ties.

DOE to enhance co-op with natural resources, watershed management organization

TEHRAN – The head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, and the head of the natural resources and watershed management organization, Ali Teymouri, have discussed ways to develop joint activities.

Iranian delegation visits Afghanistan to advance Khaf-Herat railway, boost transit and trade

TEHRAN – A high-level Iranian delegation has traveled to Afghanistan to explore avenues for expanding bilateral transport infrastructure, with a key focus on developing the Khaf-Herat railway line and addressing transit challenges between the two neighbors.

Bushehr chamber calls for establishing Iran trade center in Qatar

TEHRAN – The head of Bushehr Chamber of Commerce has called on the Iranian government to establish a national trade center in Qatar with operational leadership from Bushehr Province, citing its central role in trade between Iran and the Persian Gulf state.

Iran exports non-oil goods worth $6.8b to Turkey in a year

TEHRAN – Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $6.8 billion to Turkey in the past Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2025, according to an official with the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).

Non-oil export from Bushehr province up 12% in a year

TEHRAN- The value of non-oil export from Bushehr province, in the southwest of Iran, increased by 12 percent in the past Iranian calendar year, (ended on March 20), according to the province’s governor-general.

Iran to implement 26 economic growth packages in 2025

TEHRAN – Iran plans to implement 26 executive packages aimed at boosting economic growth in the current Iranian year (ending March 2026), following their development in 2024, a senior official at the Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) said.

Israel strikes Gaza City’s last hospital

Two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a main Gaza hospital on Sunday, destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures, medics said.

Annual exports to Eurasian Economic Union rise 20%

TEHRAN - Iran’s exports to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) rose by 20 percent in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19), reaching over $2.0 billion, according to figures released by Iran’s Customs Administration.

Iran’s oil minister to visit Iraq for energy talks

TEHRAN - Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced plans to travel to Iraq in the coming days at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart, highlighting strong bilateral ties across various sectors, particularly in the oil industry and joint petroleum projects.

Iran starts issuing debit cards for foreign visitors

TEHRAN - Iranian banks have been allowed to issue debit cards for foreigners visiting the country amid efforts to boost tourism.

Iran reports 30% surge in gas exports to Turkey

TEHRAN - Iran increased its natural gas exports to neighboring Turkey by 30.32 percent in 2024, according to a recent report published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

TEHRAN PAPERS

Important points about Iran-U.S. negotiations

TEHRAN - In a note, the Iran newspaper discussed important points for the success of the new nuclear negotiations.

Bilateral dialogue in focus as Iran, Norway deputy FMs hold talks

TEHRAN – On the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh met with his Norwegian counterpart, Andreas Kravik, for talks on key regional and international developments.