IAF to review “The Phoenician Scheme”

TEHRAN – The Cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) will screen American filmmaker Wes Anderson’s 2025 movie “The Phoenician Scheme” on Thursday.

“The Toilers of the Sea” comes to Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN – “The Toilers of the Sea” by French writer Victor Hugo has been published in Persian by Hermes Publications. 

Ashura opera puppet show returns to stage to commemorate Muharram 

TEHRAN – Iranian director Behruz Gharibpour is restaging the Ashura opera puppet show with his Aran Theater Troupe at Tehran’s Ferdowsi Hall to mark the month of Muharram.

Over 700 Palestinians killed while collecting water in Gaza

More than 700 Palestinians, mostly children, have been killed by Israeli army fire while collecting water since October 2023, local authorities said on Monday, according to Anadolu Agency.

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Geagea capitalizing on US envoy’s threats that Lebanon may annex Lebanon

BEIRUT — Despite sparking widespread public and political outrage, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was quick to justify the threats made by the US envoy to Lebanon, Thomas Barrack, regarding Lebanon’s “concession” to Syria and its inclusion as part of the Levant.

Gaza civilians killed with commercial drones, probe finds

The Israeli army is weaponizing Chinese-made drones to kill Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, according to an investigation by the Israeli publications 972 Magazine and the Local Call, Al Jazeera reported.

Syria, Azerbaijan renew ties amid secret talks with Israel

Azerbaijan and Syria took steps toward restoring bilateral relations on 13 July, with both countries' leaders pledging enhanced cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, amid talks between Syrian and Israeli officials in the Azeri capital, according to Cradle.

BCG 'paid over $1m' for Gaza maritime aid project

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was paid over $1m for advising a private US maritime aid initiative for Gaza that operated outside the traditional United Nations-led system, according to the Financial Times.

TEHRAN PAPERS

The complexities of the snapback mechanism

TEHRAN - Javan discussed Europe's readiness to activate the snapback mechanism in an article.

No return to talks without guarantee of diplomatic effectiveness: Iran foreign ministry

TEHRAN — Iran will not reenter nuclear negotiations unless it is assured of diplomacy’s effectiveness, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday, warning against politicizing the concept of dialogue and reaffirming Iran’s commitment to defending its national interests through both diplomatic and military means.

Iran, Iraq, Pakistan unite for Arbaeen amid regional solidarity against Israeli aggression

TEHRAN – The interior ministers of Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan convened in Tehran on Monday for a trilateral summit focused on coordinating security and logistical measures for the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Netanyahu failed to win war, now trying to control U.S. policy on Iran: Araghchi

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to achieve any of his objectives in the regime’s recent war against Iran, yet is now attempting to dictate U.S. policy on Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.

War not our choice, but surrender not an option: Pezeshkian to Iranian diaspora

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy and national sovereignty in a message to Iranians living abroad following the 12-day war with the Israeli regime.

European snapback bid would be ‘utter audacity,’ senior Iranian diplomat warns

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, condemned potential European efforts to trigger the snapback mechanism as an act of "utter audacity," warning that it would significantly curb talks with European counterparts and provoke proportional countermeasures.

New figure says 1,062 martyred, 5,800 wounded in 12 days of Israeli aggression

TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation, Saeed Ohadi, confirmed on Monday that at least 1,062 people were killed during Israel’s 12-day military aggression against Iran, with 5,800 others wounded.

Pezeshkian visits families displaced by Israeli attacks, vows continued support

TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met on Monday with several families affected by the recent Israeli aggression during a visit to a temporary shelter center in Tehran Province.

Dr. Abu Safiya enduring severe abuse in Israeli prison

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, is being held under extremely alarming conditions after being detained and taken to an Israeli prison in December following a brutal military campaign on the key Gaza hospital, Al Mayadeen reported.

Rafah plan is ethnic cleansing disguised as aid: Olmert

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an interview with the Guardian on Monday, said that "Israel's" proposed "humanitarian city" in Rafah is tantamount to ethnic cleansing and would operate as a concentration camp if realized.

Trump set to unveil Ukraine weapons plan at meeting with NATO chief

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to the White House came on the day that Trump promised to deliver a "major statement" on Russia, AFP reported.

Echoes of the past: gold rhyton in the form of a winged lion

TEHRAN - Drinking vessels of varied designs flourished throughout the Near East from the 1st millennium BCE well into the Islamic era.

Storm shows another part of Fahraj Spice Road

TEHRAN—Storm showed another part of Fahraj Spice Road. The Spice Road was one of Iran’s first ancient routes for trading spice to various parts of the world. It was connected to Silk Road. Some parts of it were exposed in the late 1990s due to a severe storm.

Tourism, one of Iran's soft power tools in international interactions

TEHRAN—The Secretary of the Cabinet Seyyed Kamel Taqavi-Nejad said today, tourism is not only an industry but is one of the effective tools for Iran’s economic and cultural diplomacy.

224 Hamedani Mookebs render services to Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN—Reza Mousavi, a senior official of Hamedan province, said 224 Mookebs (service centers with a religious nature where Shia Muslims come together and conduct religious rituals during Arbaeen) have been launched across the province to render services to the pilgrims during Arbaeen.

University of Michigan professor congratulates Iran on UNESCO designation of Paleolithic caves

TEHRAN - Professor John D. Speth, a distinguished anthropologist and emeritus faculty member at the University of Michigan, has warmly congratulated the recent inscription of the Paleolithic caves of Iran’s Khorramabad Valley on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Negin Rasoulipour wants to rewrite history

TEHRAN - For Negin Rasoulipour Khameneh, the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 is more than just another tournament. It is a chance to rewrite history.

‘I will never regret coming’: solo female traveler reflects amid Israel’s strikes on Iran

TEHRAN - When 24-year-old Taiwanese traveler Ariel Kang Chengxuan went to bed on June 12 in Isfahan, Iran, she had no idea she was about to wake up in the midst of all-out war.