ICOFC unveils $9b gas investment opportunity

TEHRAN - The Iranian Central Oil Fields Company (ICOFC) has prepared 11 investment packages worth approximately $9.0 billion to develop gas fields, aiming to boost the country’s daily gas production capacity by 100 to 140 million cubic meters, the company’s managing director said.

Iran Oil Show offers golden opportunity for intl. cooperation

TEHRAN - Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs and Trade emphasized the importance of energy diplomacy, highlighting the unique opportunities for expanding international cooperation in the oil industry at the upcoming Tehran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show 2025).

First National Conference on Islamic Revolution Art kicks off in Tehran

TEHRAN- The inaugural National Conference on Islamic Revolution Art commenced on Sunday at the Iranian Academy of Arts in Tehran. 

Iranian short on screen at Chicago Palestine Film Festival 

TEHRAN- Iranian director Mohammad Lotfali’s short animated movie “The Sound of Clouds” is competing at the 24th edition of the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, which is underway at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago, the U.S. 

Protestors across the world demand arms embargo on Israel, end to Gaza blockade

TEHRAN - People in major cities across the world organized demonstrations to demand an immediate arms embargo against Israel and termination of the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

By Mohammad Hossein Boroumand

Special features of Iran-U.S. negotiations

TEHRAN - Hamshahri examined the special features of Iran-U.S. negotiations in an interview with Mohsen Pakaein, a former Iranian diplomat.

Iran mourns Pakistani workers killed in terror attack

TEHRAN – The Iranian embassy in Islamabad has issued a strong condemnation of what it called a "cowardly and inhumane attack" that claimed the lives of eight Pakistani citizens in Iran's southeastern Sistan-and-Baluchestan province. 

US airstrikes on Yemen leave 338 civilian casualties since mid-March

Yemen’s Ministry of Health announced that ongoing U.S. airstrikes across the country have resulted in 338 civilian casualties, including women and children, since mid-March. 

Canada’s Tory leader vows to deport foreigners protesting Israeli crimes

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, on the campaign trail, vowed Saturday to deport foreigners from Canada who hold protests against Israeli crimes in Gaza, accusing them of promoting antisemitism, AFP reported.

China holds nuclear security drill in eastern Fujian

China on Saturday held its sixth nuclear security drill in the eastern province of Fujian, the country's Atomic Energy Authority said, Anadolu Agency reported.

Vast majority of West Bank residents killed by Israel die in north: UN

OCHA has found that as of Thursday, more than 90 percent of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank this year were in the six northern governorates of Jenin, Tubas, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqilya, and Salfit.

Oman talks remain indirect, exposing Trump’s propaganda attempt  

TEHRAN – President Trump's claim last week that the U.S. and Iran would hold direct talks in Oman on April 12 turned out to be false, leading many to believe it was a clumsy attempt at psychological manipulation. 

Iran’s ground force reinvented for modern warfare, says top commander

TEHRAN – Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force, unveiled a comprehensive update on the Army’s modernization efforts and defense posture during a press conference on Sunday, describing the force’s transformation into a “mobile, offensive, and rapid reaction force.”

Regional countries endorse diplomatic path as Iran, U.S. engage in indirect talks in Muscat

TEHRAN – The launch of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in the Omani capital has drawn widespread praise from regional powers, who hailed the diplomatic initiative as a constructive step toward de-escalation and long-term regional stability.

Iran says no direct talks while threats persist; US discussions ‘positive so far’

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iran did not reject direct negotiations with the U.S. so it could skirt such engagement based on ideology. Rather, it made no sense for it to talk face-to-face while Washington continues to sanction, threaten, and try to intimidate Iran. 

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.