Iran calls on UN to hold Israel accountable for kidnapping Iranian diplomats

TEHRAN— In a statement issued on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry recalled the kidnapping of four Iranian diplomats by the Israeli regime on July 5, 1982.

Advisor to Iran FM meets UN, Norwegian envoys

TEHRAN - Ali Asghar Khaji, a senior advisor to the Iranian foreign minister, held a meeting via video link with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and Hilde Haraldstad, Norway’s special envoy for Syria.

President stresses seizing trade opportunities with neighbors

TEHRAN— Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi reiterates the need to seize the trade opportunity with regional countries, referring to his recent meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states in Turkmenistan.

Iran backs Lebanon's political process: senior adviser

TEHRAN - Iran supports the improving political situation in Lebanon, according to Ali Asghar Khaji, a senior adviser to the Iranian foreign minister on special political affairs.

Belgium takes first step for releasing Iranian diplomat

TEHRAN — The Belgian parliament adopted the first step toward ratifying a pact with Iran on Wednesday, that could allow an Iranian convicted in Belgium to be returned to Tehran.

Iran, Egypt agree to develop ties: report

TEHRAN – Iran and Egypt have held a high-level meeting in recent days and have agreed to boost their relations, according to a Qatari-owned newspaper. 

"We do not have any extravagant demands"

Washington has not assured Iran on economic guarantees: Iran FM

TEHRAN— Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Wednesday hosted his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Golden Pen Awards held without winners for Adult Story, Research

TEHRAN – Iran Pen Association organized the 20th edition of its annual Golden Pen Awards on Tuesday evening while no books were winners in the categories of Adult Story and Review and Research.

Seven travel startups unveiled in Tehran 

TEHRAN – On Tuesday, seven startups in the fields of tourism, cultural heritage, and handicrafts were unveiled during a ceremony in Tehran.

Jameh Mosque of Golpayegan restoration works begin

TEHRAN – The Jameh Mosque of Golpayegan has undergone some rehabilitation works, Golpayegan’s tourism chief has said. 

Karaj ancient bridge restoration cost estimated at $160,000

TEHRAN – Restoration of Khatun Bridge, a centuries-old arched monument in Karaj, is expected to cost some $160,000, an official with Iran’s ministry of cultural heritage and tourism said on Wednesday.  

Safavid caravanserai undergoes partial restoration

TEHRAN – Hojaib caravanserai, one of Iran’s well-preserved roadside inns dating from the Safavid era, is being given a makeover.

Yasuj to host national tribal festival

TEHRAN – The national tribal festival of Kuch, dedicated to the ethnic culture is scheduled to be inaugurated in Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, southwest Iran on Sunday, the provincial tourism chief has said. 

Efforts made to conserve old trees in UNESCO garden   

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian experts has finished work to help conserve old trees at the UNESCO-registered Fin Garden in central Iran. 

By Afshin Majlesi

Oil drilling reveals cemetery with giant urn-like tombs in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – An ancient cemetery bearing urn-like tombs has accidentally been discovered in an oil drilling project off the river Karun in Ahvaz, southwest Iran.

Taneli Kukkonen’s book on Andalusian philosopher Ibn Tufayl published in Persian

TEHRAN – “Ibn Tufayl: Living the Life of Reason” by Taneli Kukkonen, a professor of philosophy at NYU Abu Dhabi, has been published in Persian.

“A Girl in Exile” at Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN – “A Girl in Exile”, a novel by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, has been published in Persian by Chatrang in Tehran.

Kurdistan Region theaters to screen Iranian drama “The Majority” 

TEHRAN – Theaters in the Kurdistan Region cities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok will start the premiere of the Iranian drama “The Majority” on Thursday.

WHO admires Iran's blood transfusion measures

TEHRAN – Iran's blood transfusion measures are admirable and influential in the region, Mikoko Senga, the deputy representative of the World Health Organization in Iran, has said.

Iran makes progress in ISC World University Rankings by Subject

TEHRAN – The Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) World University Rankings by Subject 2021 has listed 42 universities from Iran in different subject areas, while last year, 39 universities were included.

Charity foundation supports 2,500 knowledge-based firms

TEHRAN – Barekat Charity Foundation, affiliated with the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, supports 2,500 knowledge-based companies in the end of the current [Iranian calendar] year, ending March 20, 2023.

Iran, Kuwait sign MOU to deal with dust storms

TEHRAN – Iran and Kuwait inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday to cooperate on mitigating sand and dust storms (SDSs) in the region, IRNA reported.

Iran, Azerbaijan discuss expansion of ties in water, electricity sectors

TEHRAN- During a meeting between Iranian Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian and Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev in Baku on Wednesday, the two sides explored the ways for the expansion of ties between the two countries in the fields of water and electricity.

TEDPIX loses 8,400 points on Wednesday

TEHRAN- TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), lost 8,477 points to 1.502 million on Wednesday.

TPO inks co-op MOU with IOFS

TEHRAN – Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) for economic cooperation in the field of agriculture and food products.