Israeli military expands presence in Syria’s Quneitra amid rising local protests

Israeli forces have advanced into the Quneitra area of Syria’s occupied Golan Heights and set up two military checkpoints, Al Jazeera reported Saturday.

Massive leak exposes masterminds behind Israel’s UAV arsenal

TEHRAN – In a blow to the Israeli military’s veil of secrecy on Saturday, the pro-Palestine hacking collective Handala released the full identities and professional profiles of the principal designers fueling the regime’s drone programs.

“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” honored at Kerala film festival

TEHRAN- Iranian director Shahram Mokri’s latest film “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” was honored at the closing ceremony of the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India on Friday. 

“The Hungry Tide” at Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN- A Persian translation of Indian writer Amitav Ghosh’s novel “The Hungry Tide” has recently been published by Amut Publications in Tehran.

By Mohamadreza Seyedagha

6th anniversary of General Haj Qassem Soleimani’s martyrdom to be held in 12 countries

Taipei attacker acted alone in four-death spree, police claim

The man suspected of carrying out an attack in Taiwan with a smoke grenade and knife acted alone, police said on Saturday about the incident that killed four, including the attacker.

Ukraine says eight killed in Odesa; Russia cites only ‘transport and storage sites’

A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa in southern Ukraine killed eight people and wounded 27, AP reported Saturday, citing Ukraine’s emergency service, as a Kremlin envoy was set to travel to Florida for talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war.

Academic meeting examines role of narrative in museums

TEHRAN – An academic meeting titled “Narrative in the Museum: From Representation to Education” was held on Saturday at the Faculty of Art and Architecture of Tarbiat Modares University, organizers said.

Central Asian writers, poets and physicians visit historical sites in Hamedan

TEHRAN - A delegation of 23 poets, writers and medical professionals from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan visited historical sites and medical facilities in Iran’s western province of Hamedan as part of a cultural and scientific exchange program.

Tehran to host Yalda festival across 22 districts

TEHRAN - Tehran will hold Yalda festival events across its 22 municipal districts through Sunday, Dec. 21, the head of the Tehran Municipality Tourism Headquarters said.

Persepolis to host Yalda Night ceremony

TEHRAN - The UNESCO-registered Persepolis will host a ceremony of Yalda Night on Sunday to mark the winter solstice and celebrate one of the country’s oldest cultural traditions, site officials said.

Ilam scholar mentions ancient cities, monuments eligible for UNESCO registration

By Katayoon Dashti

Habibollah Mahmoudian, PhD, is a specialist in prehistoric archaeology and a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University, Ilam Province. He has also published over 100 books as well as 200 articles in domestic and international publications. In an interview with the Tehran Times, Mahmoudian elaborated on his achievements, the western province’s history, tourism, ancient cities, and monuments that are eligible for registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Imran Khan and wife handed 17-year sentences over ‘undervalued gifts’

A Pakistani court convicted and sentenced imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife on Saturday to 17 years in prison after finding them guilty of retaining and selling state gifts, AFP reported Saturday, citing officials and Khan’s party.

Commodities worth $244m exported from Mazandaran province in 8 months

TEHRAN- Non-oil commodities valued at $244.382 million were exported from Mazandaran province, in the north of Iran, during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-Novemebr 21), according to a provincial official.

SEO head says investor confidence has returned, plans up to 20 IPOs by late Mar. 2026

TEHRAN – Iran’s capital markets regulator said investor confidence has returned to the stock market and plans are in place to list up to 20 companies through initial public offerings by the end of the current Iranian year (late March 2026).

Transport Ministry unveils upgraded road maintenance fleet as renewal accelerates

TEHRAN – Iranian Transport and Urban Development Ministry has unveiled part of a renewed national road maintenance fleet at a ceremony attended by the transport minister, highlighting efforts to modernize equipment and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to road emergencies.

Iran, Malaysia explore avenues to promote science diplomacy

TEHRAN – Iranian and Malaysian officials have discussed ways to enhance collaborations between the two countries, especially the promotion of science diplomacy.

29-day-old baby died after ‘sharp temperature decline’ amid Gaza’s winter crisis

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it is seeing a sharp rise in respiratory infections across Gaza, as harsh winter weather exacerbates already dire living conditions and poses a growing danger to young children.

10 countries award scholarships to Iranian students

TEHRAN – Ten countries, namely Hungary, China, Japan, Malaysia, Iraq, Brazil, Serbia, Brunei, Bangladesh, and Russia, offer scholarships to Iranian university students.

Health screening underway for women heads of households

TEHRAN – The health ministry, in collaboration with the Welfare Organization, is conducting health screening tests for women heads of households nationwide.

S. Korea, UNICEF join hands to boost resilience in Sistan-Baluchestan province

TEHRAN – Funded by the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in cooperation with the Government of Iran, has constructed a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Kohak, Sistan-Baluchestan province, to foster resilience in the region.

South Pars gas refineries maintain uninterrupted output amid cold snap

TEHRAN – Iran’s South Pars gas processing plants are operating at full readiness and maintaining stable, uninterrupted production despite rising demand as colder weather sets in, the head of the South Pars Gas Complex said.

Esteghlal club celebrate 80th anniversary

TEHRAN – Esteghlal football club marked the 80th anniversary of their establishment on Friday night in a ceremony held close to Yalda Night (the longest and darkest night of the year), attended by current members, former players, and club officials.

Trump says US ‘hit ISIS thugs in Syria’ in retaliation for Palmyra deaths

The United States military “hit the ISIS [ISIL] thugs in Syria,” President Donald Trump said in a speech Friday evening in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, a week after two U.S. soldiers and an interpreter were killed in Syria’s Palmyra city.