Afghanistan’s neighbors gather in Tehran to coordinate support for the war-torn country

Araghchi tells participants ‘external’ solutions cannot ensure stability

TEHRAN – Representatives of Afghanistan’s neighbors — Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan — and Russia met in Tehran on Sunday to discuss the current and future situation of the war-stricken country, where security and safety have improved since the Taliban first returned to power in 2021, but poverty and hunger have increased and the question of international recognition remains unresolved.

Iran cinema wins two awards at 16th Baku International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian movies won two awards at the 16th Baku International Film Festival, which was held in Azerbaijan last week.

Iran, Tajikistan discuss ways to develop bilateral collaboration in publishing, printing industry

TEHRAN – A delegation of the printing and publishing sector of the Republic of Tajikistan, accompanied by Bahodur Nazir, counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, visited the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Tehran on December 13. 

Culture ministers of Iran, Kazakhstan sign MoU on cinematic cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi and the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva have signed a memorandum of understanding on cinematic cooperation in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Shah Cheragh shrine holds unique potential for religious tourism

TEHRAN – The holy shrine of Shah Cheragh, where Seyyed Mir Ahmad, one of the brothers of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, is laid to rest, holds a unique potential for religious tourism in the ancient city of Shiraz, the capital of Fars province.

How Carnet de Passage eases land travel in Iran

TEHRAN — The Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) says the issuance of the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) has created new opportunities for international land travel by simplifying border procedures for vehicles.

Digi and glimpses of culinary heritage in Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – A traditional dish known as Digi, prepared using a centuries-old method in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, offers insight into the area’s indigenous culinary culture, reflecting local knowledge, communal practices and social traditions passed down through generations.

By Afshin Majlesi

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

The 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture, scheduled to take place in Gorgan, the capital of Iran’s Golestan province, from Dec. 16 to 19, is often described as a celebration. But to see it only as a cultural event is to miss its deeper significance.

Tehran cultural center screens “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey”

TEHRAN- “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” a 2025 romantic fantasy film by American filmmaker Park Joong Eun, known professionally as Kogonada, went on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday. 

US troops and a civilian executed by Washington’s ‘partner forces’ in Syria

TEHRAN – A deadly ambush near the historic ruins of Palmyra on Saturday claimed the lives of two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter, marking the first American fatalities in Syria since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad a year ago.

Deadly shooting disrupts finals at Brown University, underscoring America’s gun violence crisis

More than 400 law enforcement personnel were deployed on Saturday as police sought the suspect in a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two students dead and another nine people wounded at the Ivy League school, Reuters reported Sunday, citing local officials.

Dasht-e Naz, a haven for Persian yellow deer

Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge in Sari, northern Mazandaran Province, serves as a haven for various animal species, particularly the iconic Persian gazelle, also known as the Persian yellow deer.

Iranian students shine at World Mathematics Team Championship 2025

TEHRAN – Five Iranian female students have won gold medals at the World Mathematics Team Championship (WMTC) 2025 held from December 3 to 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ministry of Education inaugurates new school in Qatar

TEHRAN – Education Minister Alireza Kazemi inaugurated a new school on Saturday for Iranians residing in Qatar.

TPO to hold conference on trade opportunities with India

TEHRAN – Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) will hold its second conference on understanding the Indian market and trade opportunities later this month, as officials and business representatives assess ways to expand Iran’s limited share of one of the world’s largest economies.

ICRC seeks to boost co-op with IRCS

TEHRAN – Vincent Cassard, the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has highlighted the need to expand collaborations with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in 2026.

Expert warns traditional approaches could lead to managerial backwardness

TEHRAN - Abuzar Shahpari, the head of the Association of Iranian Elites and Knowledge-Based Companies, has criticized traditional management approaches and the ceremonial view toward elites, warning of the danger of managerial backwardness in the country.

Hamas confirms assassination of senior commander, slams Israel’s breach of ceasefire

TEHRAN – Hamas has announced the martyrdom of its senior commander Raed Saad, in an Israeli strike on Gaza on Saturday. The attack near Gaza City also wounded at least 25 civilians. This marks the most prominent assassination of a resistance leader since the October ceasefire deal, underscoring Israel’s ongoing violations.