Qajar-era crypt unearthed while digging at house yard in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – A historical crypt, supposed to date from the Qajar era (1789–1925), has recently been unearthed in the city of Urmia in northwest Iran while workers were digging in the yard of a house.

Urmia-Mashhad passenger train route launched

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways launched a passenger train route on Sunday, stretching some 1,650 kilometers from the northwestern city of Urmia to the holy city of Mashhad in the northeast.

International contribution ‘not sufficient’ for Urmia Lake restoration

TEHRAN – International contribution to revive Urmia Lake is not sufficient, as only Japan has provided an annual financial assistance amounting to $1 million since the past six years, National Wetlands Conservation Project manager, Ali Arvahi, has said.

Lake Urmia water level on the rise

TEHRAN – The level of water at Lake Urmia increased by 1.04 centimeters on Tuesday compared to the same day last year, according to the studies conducted by the Lake Urmia conservation program committee.

4th conference of ‘Examples of Patience’ held in Urmia

TEHRAN – According to the Public Relations Department of the Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism (ADVT), the 4th conference of “The Examples of Patience” was held in Urmia to pay tribute to the martyrs and survivors of terrorism in West Azerbaijan Province. 

Police helicopter crashes in northwest Iran

TEHRAN — A police helicopter crashed in Urmia, northwest Iran on Wednesday at noon, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran says will take preemptive strikes against border threats

TEHRAN - Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said on Wednesday that Iran will take strong preemptive strikes against any action that threatens security of national borders.

Urmia Museum of Anthropology adds manuscripts gallery

TEHRAN – Urmia Museum of Anthropology in West Azarbaijan province has added a new gallery, special for rare handwritten manuscripts.

Urmia to host crafts exhibit

TEHRAN – A sales exhibition of handicrafts is due to open on Monday in the northwestern city of Urmia, the capital of West Azarbaijan province.

Water transfer won’t revive Lake Urmia: official

TEHRAN — Water transfer won’t restore Lake Urmia, Hedayat Fahimi, an official with the Ministry of Energy has said, noting that promoting sustainable agriculture is the way to save the lake.

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

Salt mining in Lake Urmia: Opportunity vs. threat

The dryness of Lake Urmia in recent decades has revealed great salt reserves in its bed. Estimations for the amount of salt in the lake varies from 6 to 10 billion tons. That’s certainly a great potential for mining and has already tempted some individuals to extract some salt, however, there are different views on salt mining in the region.

Lake Urmia depletion will cause great discomfort

TEHRAN – The total dryness of Lake Urmia will have a large negative impact on the health and livelihood of local communities and even beyond.

Urmia gears up for major handicrafts exhibit

TEHRAN – Urmia, the capital of northwestern West Ararzbaijan Province, will host a major handicrafts exhibit from July 31 to August 4.

Posters depicting Trump as anti-peace on show at Urmia exhibit 

TEHRAN – A group of artists is displaying a collection of posters depicting the anti-peace spirit of U.S. President Donald Trump at an exhibition in the northwestern Iranian city of Urmia.

Boosting economic bonds with Iran top priority: Azeri min.

TEHRAN- Azerbaijan has expansion of economic ties with Iran among its top priorities, Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev avowed in Iran-Azerbaijan joint business forum held in Urmia, the capital city of north-western Iranian province of West Azarbaijan, on Thursday.