PLO leader Saeb Erekat in ‘critical’ condition

Prominent Palestinian leader Saeb Erekat is in a critical condition and his health has deteriorated as he undergoes treatment for COVID-19-related complications, al Jazeera reported. 

Iran most active country in WHO study for COVID-19 treatment

TEHRAN – Six months after the World Health Organization's “Solidarity” clinical trial for COVID-19 treatments, Iran was ranked first among the 30 study partners in the “Patient Participation” platform.

Hassan Yazdani aims gold at 2020 World C’ships

TEHRAN – Iranian freestyler Hassan Yazdani says that he is looking forward to win his third gold at the World Championships in Serbia.

WHO provides Iran with ventilators, PCR systems

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered 150 medical ventilators and 100 high-performance real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermal cyclers to Iran to further support the health system and help respond to the pandemic.

Governor says COVID-19 violators will be forced to work in hospitals

TEHRAN – People who endanger the whole society due to non-observance of health protocols will be forced to work in hospitals to provide services to coronavirus patients, the governor of Zanjan has said.

UNICEF in Iran provides anti-corona supplies for vulnerable children

TEHRAN – The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has delivered a number of locally procured hygiene items to address the needs of vulnerable children in Iran during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Croatian schoolchildren learning how to deal with COVID-19 from “Hannah, Our Hero”

TEHRAN – Schools in the northern Croatian town of Krapina have selected Iranian writer Ali-Asghar Seidabadi’s book named “Hannah, Our Hero” to teach their students how to take care of themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Top film expert Akbar Alemi dies of COVID-19

TEHRAN – Veteran Iranian film scholar Akbar Alemi died of COVID-19 on Tuesday morning. He was 75.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

COVID-19 has given a fillip to biodiversity

TEHRAN – The COVID-19 outbreak caused many problems for the world, but in return gave the planet's environment and biodiversity a chance to breathe. The high mortality rate may be worrisome, but it provided us with the opportunity to think more about how we should treat biodiversity in a better way.

By Zahra Mirzafarjouyan

U.S. goal to destabilize Iran's economy, political system

TEHRAN – Referring to U.S. sanctions amid Covid-19, a former Turkish diplomat said, "destabilizing Iran’s economy and political system is an integral part of the grand U.S. strategy for the Middle East" regardless of who wins the election.

Iran has good news about Covid-19 vaccine: minister

TEHRAN – The Iranian health minister announced on Sunday that he had “good news” about a Covid-19 vaccine being developed in the country.

Iran’s nuclear chief tests positive for Covid-19

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has tested positive for Covid-19, AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi announced on Sunday.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

COVID-19 taking high toll

TEHRAN – COVID-19 is surging globally with 37.2 million infections and over 1 million mortalities, haunting countries that had apparent success in suppressing initial outbreaks.

Iran sets fines for violating COVID-19 measures

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani announced on Saturday that individuals and business owners who do not wear masks leaving home or at their place of work will be fined from 500,000 rials (some $12 at the official rate of 42,000 rials) up to 10 million rials (around $240).

Tehran museums extend closures due to COVID-19

TEHRAN- Museums and historical sites in Tehran province will remain closed for at least one more week as the province is on the high-risk “red” zone due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cinema Vérité receives over 130 submissions on COVID19 

TEHRAN – The 14th edition of the Cinema Vérité, Iran’s major international festival for documentary films, has received over 130 submissions in the pandemic and COVID-19 category.

Armed forces support health sector in battling COVID-19

TEHRAN – As the COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the whole country, fifty-six hospitals belonging to the armed forces have been equipped to exclusively admit patients infected with the coronavirus.

National mental health week starts amid pandemic

TEHRAN - The national mental health week is being observed in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and with a focus on “Mental health for all: more investment - more access for all, everywhere”.

26 countries criticize sanctions amid Covid-19

TEHRAN – Speaking on behalf 26 countries, Zhang Jun, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, issued a joint statement on Monday at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, calling for an immediate lifting of unilateral sanctions, criticizing Western countries for violating human rights, and voicing concern on racial discrimination.

South Africa lifts visa for Iranian travelers

TEHRAN - South Africa’s government has announced that it waived visa requirement for passport holders from Iran and ten other countries.

COVID-19 at record high, Tehran in ‘extremely severe’ condition

TEHRAN – Iran registered unprecedented 3,902 new cases of coronavirus and 235 deaths on Monday as the capital city Tehran is experiencing ‘extremely severe’ condition.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran sets sights on tourism rebound if coronavirus wanes, minister says

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran is developing necessary infrastructure in the realms of traveling, accommodation, and human resources as it eyeing to jumpstart travels whenever coronavirus restrictions ease, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan told the Tehran Times in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

Coronavirus: All Iran-Iraq flights called off until further notice

TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) has said that all flights of Iranian airlines and Iraqi Airways were canceled until further notice from Iran to Iraq and vice versa due to the spread of COVID-19.

Book series training children against COVID-19 released by Iranian publisher 

TEHRAN – A book series recounting educational stories for children on COVID-19 has been published by a Persian publisher.

We are formulating responsible, smart tourism for coronavirus-era, deputy minister says

TEHRAN – Regulations and rules for launching responsible and “smart” package tours are being formulated by senior experts of the tourism ministry in close cooperation with counterparts of the health ministry in a bid to somehow restart the sector which has come to a standstill since the coronavirus outbreak, deputy tourism minister has said.

Persons with disabilities, elderly immunized against flu

TEHRAN – Persons with disabilities and the elderly in 311 daycare centers received influenza vaccines on Friday, the deputy head of the Welfare Organization for rehabilitation has announced.

‘Domus’ Eyes on Iran’ released by Italian Embassy

TEHRAN - On October 2, the premises of the Italian ambassador’s residence in Tehran witnessed the inauguration of the latest series produced by the Italian Embassy, entitled “Domus’ Eyes on Iran”.

Trump tests positive for Covid-19

President Trump said early Friday morning that he and the first lady had tested positive for the coronavirus, throwing the nation’s leadership into uncertainty and escalating the crisis posed by a pandemic that has already killed more than 207,000 Americans and devastated the economy, The New York Times reported.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Let's care more for our elderly during coronavirus

TEHRAN – Many people around the world, particularly the elderly, are suffering from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iran attends UNIATF meeting on COVID-19, NCDs

TEHRAN – Iran participated in a meeting of the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (UNIATF) which was held on Sunday with the aim of examining the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the world.