Online handicrafts expo to start on Nov. 3

TEHRAN – The 34th national handicrafts exhibition of Iran will be held virtually starting November 3, Pouya Mahmoudian, the deputy cultural heritage, handicrafts, and tourism minister, said. It’s the first time that the annual expo will be held online due to the outbreak of coronavirus, she noted.

Iran hopes to introduce coronavirus vaccine within 4 months

TEHRAN – Health Minister Saeed Namaki has expressed hope that the country will introduce the home-grown COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2021).

Cultural heritage, tourism in critical situation if coronavirus crises continue: minister

TEHRAN-Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism will be in a critical situation if the crises caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus continue, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Wednesday.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

More serious strategies needed to tackle pandemic

TEHRAN – The difficult and progressive conditions of the coronavirus pandemic in the country and the high rate of mortality and infection necessitate a serious review of the management methods.

Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf tests positive for coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Envoy: Provoking so-called human rights issues part of ‘maximum pressure strategy’ against Iran 

TEHRAN – Tehran’s representative to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Monday denounced a new report by the UN rights rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran as part of the Trump administration’s "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic Republic, Fars reported.

Iran’s Dramatic Arts Center disagrees with theaters’ shutdown 

TEHRAN – The public relations office of Iran’s Dramatic Arts Center has announced that the center totally disagrees with the shutdown of the theaters due to the spike in the coronavirus in the country.

FFIRI confirms date for General Assembly

TEHRAN - The General Assembly of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) will be held on Nov. 28.

Our priority is health of our players: Davarzani

TEHRAN - The Islamic Republic of Iran Volleyball Federation (IRIVF) president Mohammadreza Davarzani says that the health of the Iranian players and coaching staff is the federation’s priority.

43 cities in Iran go into tough coronavirus lockdown

TEHRAN – The National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control started strict restrictions for a week as of Monday in 43 cities that have the highest rate of infection in the country.

Corona stops archeological work in Burnt City

TEHRAN – Archeological excavations in the UNESCO-registered Burnt City, southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, have been stopped over the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.

Air pollution has no effect on coronavirus spread: expert

TEHRAN – Air pollution has no special effect on the spread of the coronavirus disease, and studies have shown that there is no connection between these two issues, Ali Maher, deputy chief of Tehran special working group for coronavirus control said.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Italian envoy highlights role of art in commemorating healthcare workers

TEHRAN – Italian Ambassador to Tehran Giuseppe Perrone has said artisans can play a great part in commemorating the healthcare workers who were sacrificed during the battle against the coronavirus.

National handicrafts expo to be held online due to coronavirus

TEHRAN – The 34th national handicrafts exhibition of Iran will be held online due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

UNWTO conference in Iran postponed over coronavirus

TEHRAN – The International Conference on Ecotourism and Rural Tourism, which was scheduled to be held in Iran in November, has been postponed over the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Leader insists on national unity, says disrespect is forbidden 

TEHRAN – In remarks on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted on the need for unity and internal cohesion in the country, saying desecration is forbidden, especially among the top officials of the country.

Hotels allowed to raise prices up to 30%

TEHRAN - The Iranian Hoteliers Association has announced that hotels in the country have been allowed to increase prices up to 30 percent as of September 22.

Iranian researchers produce nano-mask with 99.9% lethality to coronavirus

TEHRAN – Researchers at the Institute of Materials and Energy affiliated with the Ministry of Science, produced nano face masks that can kill coronavirus by 99.9 percent.

By M.A. Saki and M. Garshasbi

Leniency toward Covid-19 may prove tragic

TEHRAN - Finally, Health Minister Saeed Namaki talked frankly about the lack of enough attention and diligence to contain the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Govt. supports corona-affected tourism, handicraft sectors in Khorasan Razavi

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has paid 570 billion rials (about $13.5 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) in loans to support people and businesses active in tourism and handicrafts sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak in Khorasan Razavi province.

2020/21 IPL season likely to be postponed

TEHRAN - The Sports Medicine Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (SMFIRI) has asked Iran’s Football League Organization to postpone the league for six days.

Bandar Lengeh-Dubai shipping line resumes operation after COVID-19 halt

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) has announced that a shipping line between Bandar Lengeh and Dubai has resumed operation after a halt over the coronavirus pandemic. 

Women’s basketball league postponed

TEHRAN – Iran’s women basketball league has been postponed, Iran basketball federation announced.

Russia says visa-free regime with Iran hinges on pandemic

TEHRAN – Russia hopes to finalize work on a bilateral visa-free regime for certain tourist groups with Iran in the near future, but says the time for its implementation depends on the situation of coronavirus pandemic in the two countries. 

IranAir to resume Tehran- Cologne service as of Oct. 30

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier IranAir is scheduled to resume flights to Cologne, Germany, as of October 30.

Online courses aim to raise awareness of child safety travels

TEHRAN –The Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran has formulated day-long educational courses focusing on safe traveling of children and young adults with an eye to challenges, hazards, demands, practical tips, and the threats of vehicle crashes.

Eighth archaeological season begins at Tepe Rivi without German experts

TEHRAN – The eighth round of archaeological seasons at the ancient Tepe Rivi site in northeastern North Khorasan province has begun in the absence of German experts who did not join due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Special clinic to be launched to relieve bereaved coronavirus families

TEHRAN – A special clinic will be opened for the first time in the country to provide free psychological services to families who have lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.