Iranian dishes you need to try: Ash Reshteh

TEHRAN - For many Iranians, Ash Reshteh (Persian greens, bean and noodle soup) is a sign of the arrival of spring. The thick soup is served during the festivities leading up to Noruz, the Persian New Year, which usually falls on March 20.

Coronavirus causes $14.2m damage to Iran’s museums

TEHRAN – Iranian museums and historical sites have taken 600 billion rials (about $14.2 million) hit from the coronavirus outbreak over the previous months.

Coronavirus: National Museum of Iran hailed by online visitors

TEHRAN – Art-and-history lovers welcomed an initiative launched by the National Museum of Iran to facilitate online visits during the Persian New Year (Noruz) holidays.

Ayatollah Khamenei: We need a further surge in production

TEHRAN – In a New Year message on March 20, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said a further surge in production is needed in the country, saying the slogan of the New Year is “Surge in Production”.

By Afshin Majlesi

Age-old Noruz traditions altered by coronavirus in Iran

Iranians experienced totally-changed traditions during this Noruz (the two-week New Year holidays started March 20) in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the tourism and hospitality industries worldwide.

1399; Year of health, employment, surge in economic and cultural matters

TEHRAN_ Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in his new year message stated that the New Persian Year of 1399 should be a year of health, employment and surge in economic and cultural matters.

Leader determines “surge in production” as pivotal issue of New Year

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a message on the occasion of the new Iranian calendar year, 1399.

Cuban ambassador lauds Iranians fighting coronavirus amid ‘genocidal’ U.S. sanctions 

TEHRAN - Alexis Bandrich Vega, the ambassador of Cuba to Iran, sent a message on Tuesday to the Tehran Times congratulating Iranians on the new Persian year and praised the Iranians who are working hard to contain coronavirus amid sanctions imposed on the country by the “immoral and genocidal” U.S.

Interactive virtual tours ready to respond coronavirus crisis in Iran

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian startups are offering free interactive virtual tours across the country as its tourism, like many other countries, has gone into partial or complete lock down over the Covid-19 pandemic.

By Afshin Majlesi

New year travels plunge amid virus outbreak

For many Iranians, the new year’s eve conjures up memories of holidays and traveling along dreamy beaches, silky warm seas, lush sceneries, and endless sunshine.

Tehran’s major museums open during Noruz despite corona fear

TEHRAN – Tehran’s major museums and historical places will be open during Noruz (Iranian new year holidays, starting March 21) despite the outbreak of coronavirus.

Online campaign launched to protect handicrafts as virus fears hurt sales

TEHRAN – An online campaign has been launched in Iran to protect handicrafts as fears of coronavirus outbreak have left shops and stores empty countrywide.

Tourism minister asks people to delay travels in face of coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iranian tourism minister has asked people to postpone or reschedule tours so as to help the tourism industry deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

New films line up to augment Noruz holiday

TEHRAN – Seven Iranian films are scheduled to go on screen at Iranian theaters during Noruz, the Iranian New Year celebration, which will begin on March 20.

Iran proposes Croatia to join UN-recognition of Noruz

TEHRAN – Iran has put forward Croatia a proposal to join a multinational dossier for Noruz that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has approved for Iran and several other countries.

1.1m visited Sistan-Baluchestan during Noruz

TEHRAN – Over 1.1 million visited Sistan-Baluchetan province during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5), which shows 19 percent increase in comparison to the same period last year, its governor general has said.

By Afshin Majlesi

Travel in Iran grows over Persian New Year holidays

TEHRAN - People in Iran made 74 million overnight stays in their domestic trips during the Persian New Year (Noruz) holidays, an increase of 20 percent year on year, Iran tourism chief announced on Sunday.

Over 74m overnight stays recorded across Iran in Noruz

TEHRAN – Iranians made over 74 million overnight stays during the two-week New Year (Noruz) holidays, starting March 21, CHTN reported.

Problems originate from newbies in Washington: Rouhani

TEHRAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said the country's problems have originated from the U.S.

Leader calls for 'pick-up in production' in New Year

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has offered congratulations to Iranians on New Year, calling on the government and the nation to boost production in the country.

Staff at Tehran Times celebrate New Year

Staff at the Tehran Times celebrated the New Year (well-known as Noruz) prior to the beginning of the two-week holidays.

IRCS centers to offer aerial emergency services during Noruz

TEHRAN —24 Iranian Red Crescent Society centers will be offering aerial emergency services during Noruz (New Year holidays, starting on March 21), IRCS chief Ali Asghar Peyvandi  has said.

Mazandaran villages ready to host Noruz holidaymakers

TEHRAN – Necessary arrangements for hosting travelers during Noruz (New Year holidays, starting March 21) have been made in 208 villages across Mazandaran province, northern Iran, a local official has said, IRNA reported.

Mountain search and rescue groups on call during New Year holidays

TEHRAN — Some 60 mountain search and rescue groups will be on duty during the New Year holidays nationwide, head of Rescue and Relief Organization, Morteza Salimi, has said.

‘Feast of charity’ underway at Iranian schools

TEHRAN – ‘Feast of charity’, a campaign held prior to the Iranian New Year celebration each year helping families having hard time addressing their essential needs, is underway at schools across the country.

Envoys, cultural figures to mark Noruz in Tehran

TEHRAN – Tehran’s Milad Tower will host an international ceremony in honor of Persian New Year or Noruz on February 28.

Tehran tourism exhibit offers must-see places for Noruz

TEHRAN – Hundreds of potential travelers for Noruz holidays are choosing, bargaining or even negotiating prices with travel markets at the 12th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition, which will be running through February 16.

Noruz added to Vancouver calendar of events

TEHRAN – Vancouver City Council has added Noruz, the Persian new year festivity, to its official celebrations and observations calendar.