Gilan’s tourism potential could rival oil revenues, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Saturday that the northern province of Gilan has the capacity to generate revenues on par with oil if investment in tourism infrastructure is prioritized.

Iranians cannot be made to surrender: Larijani

TEHRAN – The Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, sat down with a media outlet affiliated with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to conduct his most expansive interview since being appointed to his new role.

Araghchi warns Europe against 'snapback' misuse, stresses Iran’s readiness for diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in phone calls with his French, British, German counterparts and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Friday, reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to diplomacy while warning that the European trio and the EU lack both the legal and moral authority to invoke the so-called “snapback” mechanism.

Iran prioritizes branding and regulation in health tourism sector

TEHRAN – Iran is focusing on branding and regulatory reforms in its health tourism industry as part of plans to expand the sector, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey has said.

Iran says new UK sanctions 'fundamentally unacceptable'

Iran has slammed the United Kingdom’s imposition of fresh sanctions, describing the move as “fundamentally unacceptable” and a violation of international norms.

Iran’s military leadership vows 'stronger' response to any aggression as naval drill tops headlines

In a series of messages marking National Defense Industry Day, Iran’s top military commanders have unanimously declared the nation’s armed forces are at their highest level of readiness, promising a response to any aggressor that would be “more crushing” than the one delivered during the 12-day war with Israel.

Iran earns $7.4 billion from foreign tourism in past year

TEHRAN – Iran generated about $7.4 billion from foreign tourism in the past Iranian calendar year (ended in March 2025), with more than 7 million international visitors arriving in the country, the culture minister said on Thursday.

Archaeologists uncover lusterware fragments, Islamic-era ruins in Isfahan excavation

TEHRAN – Archaeologists in Iran have recently unearthed fragments of Persian lusterware ceramics, historical coins, and remnants of Islamic-era architecture during the second phase of excavations at Kamar-Zarrin passage in Isfahan, a local official said on Thursday.

‘Turning point’ for Iran-Belarus relations as new cooperation roadmap planned

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his visit to Belarus marked a “turning point” in bilateral relations, stressing that Tehran sees no limits to strengthening cooperation with Minsk across political, economic, and cultural fields.

Iran used its older generation of missiles during recent war with Israel, says defense minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics has declared that the country possesses advanced missile systems with significantly greater capabilities than those deployed during the recent 12-day war against Israel, cautioning that Tehran will not hesitate to use them in response to any new hostilities.

US pursuit of ‘zero enrichment’ derailed nuclear diplomacy: Araghchi 

TEHRAN – Iran’s top diplomat has stated that Washington’s recent military actions against Iran were a direct result of its failed efforts to force Tehran into completely abandoning its nuclear enrichment program.

TEHRAN PAPERS

Highlights of Pezeshkian’s strategic trip to Armenia

TEHRAN - In a note, Hamshahri discussed President Masoud Pezheshkian's trip to Armenia and wrote: About 10 days after the signing of the peace agreement between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan at the White House (on the establishment of the Zangezur corridor), the President's visit to Yerevan carried special strategic importance.

Ayatollah Khamenei offers condolences on passing of Iranian miniaturist Mahmoud Farshchian

TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has offered his condolences on the passing of the celebrated master miniaturist Mahmoud Farshchian.

Oil minister says Iran has no unsold oil waiting at sea

TEHRAN – Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has stated that the country has no unsold oil waiting at sea, clarifying that all current shipments are strategically managed in line with market demand.

Ardabil Friday Mosque under restoration with credit worth over $333,000

TEHRAN--The restoration of the Friday Mosque of Ardabil in northwest of Iran has been realized after years of waiting, and this valuable historical mosque was placed in the hands of restorers with a credit of 300 billion rials ($333,333), said the deputy head of Ardabil Cultural Heritage Department.

Family tourism route focuses on Tehran’s historical monuments

TEHRAN—Family tourism route with focus on historical and cultural monuments, creates the possibility of easy visit for all ages and boosts promoting tourism sector of Municipal District 12 of Tehran, said Mayer of Tehran’s District 12 Mohammad Ayini.

Iran, Belarus agree to launch direct flights, ease visa rules

TEHRAN – Iran and Belarus have agreed to launch direct flights and expand tourism exchanges during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Minsk, Iran’s tourism minister said on Wednesday.

6,000-year-old fishing village reveals ancient maritime diet and fishing technology in Iran’s Makran

TEHRAN - Archaeologists working at the Koupal site in Dashtyari county, southeast Iran, have uncovered remarkable evidence of a 6,000-year-old fishing settlement, providing detailed insights into ancient maritime subsistence strategies.

Intl. Conference on Persian Gulf oceanography slated for January

TEHRAN – The sixth international conference on the Persian Gulf oceanography is scheduled to be held on January 27 and 28, 2026.

Iran among top five countries in DOAJ-indexed journals

TEHRAN – According to the latest Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) data, Iran, with a total of 1,003 indexed journals, is one of the top five countries among 138 countries publishing the most open-access journals.

Six Iranian universities in Shanghai ranking 2025

TEHRAN – Shanghai University ranking 2025 has placed six Iranian universities among the top 1,000 institutions worldwide, down from 9 in 2024.

Comprehensive plan for combating SDSs approved

TEHRAN – The national specialized working group on sand and dust storms (SDSs), in cooperation with other governmental bodies, has approved a comprehensive plan to address SDSs, which will be used as a national reference document to enhance the country’s resilience against one of the most acute environmental threats.

Sheila R. Canby, who shaped the study of Islamic art, dies at 76

TEHRAN - The world of Islamic art history is mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished figures, Sheila R. Canby, who passed away this week.

By Shahrokh Saei

President Pezeshkian's Armenia visit: Cementing a strategic partnership

TEHRAN — President Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day trip to Armenia, which began on Monday, reaffirmed the close ties between Tehran and Yerevan despite persistent anti-Iran narratives in certain Western media outlets.

TEHRAN PAPERS

Increasing power through economic development

TEHRAN - Arman-e-Melli discussed the Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska in an interview with international relations analyst Fereydoun Majlesi.

Iran's military strength has increased since 12-day war: IRGC

TEHRAN – The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that Iran’s military preparedness is now significantly higher than it was two months ago, when the war with Israel began.

South Caucasus route takes center stage in Iran-Armenia talks as two sides plan strategic pact

TEHRAN – Iran and Armenia have signed a series of cooperation agreements aimed at deepening their political, economic, and cultural ties, with both sides agreeing to finalize a comprehensive strategic cooperation document in the near future.