Government backs tourism operators, prioritizes pilgrimage, medical tourism: deputy minister

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has put support for tourism operators through facilitation measures at the center of its agenda and sees pilgrimage and medical tourism as sustainable drivers of the sector’s development, a senior tourism official said.

Mashhad combines pilgrimage with tourism and urban infrastructure

TEHRAN - Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi province, is one of Iran’s main domestic travel destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year for religious, cultural and leisure purposes.

Araghchi: Preserving Zayandeh-Rood River a national and international necessity

TEHRAN--Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the historical and cultural status of Isfahan, and said that Isfahan is not just a city, it is a symbol of Iranian civilization, and preserving Zayandeh-Rood River, its historical heritage, and boosting its tourism are considered a national and international necessity.

Qom has potential to implement ‘tourist card’ project

TEHRAN--Qom is one of the most sustainable tourism destinations in Iran and can be selected as a pilot for implementation of the ‘tourist card’ project given its domestic and foreign pilgrims, Shia authority, and religious events, said Qom governor-general on Saturday.

Ilam scholar mentions ancient cities, monuments eligible for UNESCO registration

By Katayoon Dashti

Habibollah Mahmoudian, PhD, is a specialist in prehistoric archaeology and a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University, Ilam Province. He has also published over 100 books as well as 200 articles in domestic and international publications. In an interview with the Tehran Times, Mahmoudian elaborated on his achievements, the western province’s history, tourism, ancient cities, and monuments that are eligible for registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Shah Cheragh shrine holds unique potential for religious tourism

TEHRAN – The holy shrine of Shah Cheragh, where Seyyed Mir Ahmad, one of the brothers of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, is laid to rest, holds a unique potential for religious tourism in the ancient city of Shiraz, the capital of Fars province.

Mashhad to hold specialized exhibition to boost tourism, pilgrimage

TEHRAN--Mashhad's specialized exhibition in the field of pilgrimage and tourism will be held in January 2026 in line with the plan to transform Mashhad, the capital city of Khorasan Razavi province, into a free zone for tourism and pilgrimage.

Mashhad hosting 4,000 pilgrims arriving on foot for Hazrat Fatemeh mourning

TEHRAN - More than 2,500 pilgrims arriving on foot entered Mashhad on Sunday to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Local officials expect the number of pilgrims entering the holy city on foot may reach 4,000.

Tehran, Riyadh vow to deepen cultural, tourism ties

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Monday that tourism could strengthen ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as he invited his Saudi counterpart to attend the upcoming Tehran International Tourism Exhibition.

‘Book on Travel’ plan to be implemented in Khorasan Razavi eco-lodges

TEHRAN--The ‘Book on Travel’ initiative is being implemented in traditional accommodations and eco-tourism sites of Khorasan Razavi province so that book as a kind friend can become a traveling companion for tourists, the deputy head of Khorasan Razavi Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department has said.

Iranians top list of pilgrimage tourists to Iraq

TEHRAN -  Iranians remain the largest group of religious tourists visiting Iraq, particularly to the holy city of Karbala.

268 tourism projects worth $130 million inaugurated across Iran

TEHRAN— A total of 268 tourism projects were inaugurated simultaneously via video conference by Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri on Wednesday.

Mashhad eyes sisterhood agreement with Mecca, Medina

TEHRAN – Ahmad Masoumifar, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ office in northeast Iran, has proposed establishing a sisterhood agreement between Mashhad and the Saudi cities of Mecca or Medina.

Iran-Saudi Arabia ties serve interests of both countries, Salehi-Amiri says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, said strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia is in the interests of both nations, speaking at a ceremony marking Saudi National Day at the Espinas Palace Hotel in Tehran on Tuesday.

Iran, Iraq to improve ties through tourism roadshow

TEHRAN— Iran-Iraq ties in cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts fields are improving in spite of regional and international crises, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri has said.

Qom to become a tourism hub within five years, minister says

TEHRAN—Qom province will gain special status in domestic and foreign tourism within five years through expanding the infrastructures, supporting the private sector and continued management stability, said Cultural Heritage Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri.

Iran seeks to expand tourism ties with Iraq

TEHRAN – Iran aims to broaden tourism cooperation with Iraq across four sectors, a senior industry official said.

Qeshm-Mashhad direct flights start to boost religious tourism

TEHRAN-- Direct flights to the holy city of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi province from the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm began this week in a move to the development of religious tourism and economic ties, the director general of Qeshm International Airport has said.

Iraq signals readiness to exchange 10 million tourists with Iran

TEHRAN – Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani said on Tuesday that his country welcomes increasing tourist exchanges with Iran to 10 million visitors in a year.

Over 4.4 million visit Mashhad for major religious event

TEHRAN - Mashhad, the capital of Iran’s northeastern Khorasan Razavi province and home to the shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.), has hosted more than 4.4 million visitors over a nine-day period that marked one of the largest religious gatherings of the year.

Mashhad is to host over 6.5 million pilgrims, governor-general says

TEHRAN – Mashhad, Iran’s holiest city, is expected to host between 6.5 million and 7 million pilgrims during the last ten days of the Islamic lunar month of Safar, the governor-general of Khorasan Razavi province said.

Over 2.6 million Arbaeen pilgrims exit Iran via land borders; Mehran most crowded

TEHRAN – More than 2.6 million pilgrims crossed Iran’s six land borders to enter Iraq for Arbaeen between July 26 and August 8, Iranian road management officials reported on Saturday.

Khorasan Razavi earns $4.5 billion annually from intl. tourism

TEHRAN – Khorasan Razavi generates some $4.5 billion annually from international tourism, according to Seyyed Javad Mousavi, the director-general of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts for the northeastern Iranian province.

Ways to facilitate Mashhad pilgrimage discussed for Pakistani travelers

TEHRAN - A recent business-to-business (B2B) meeting between a tourism delegation from Iran and officials from Pakistan’s Department of Culture and Tourism, Government of Sindh, focused on facilitating travel for Pakistani pilgrims to Mashhad.

Pilgrims flock to St. Thaddeus for Badarak ritual

TEHRAN – St. Thaddeus Church, also known as Qareh Klise (“the Black Church”), a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Chaldoran, northwest Iran, is set to host the 70th annual Badarak ritual from October 13 to 15.

Over 400,000 pilgrims expected to walk to Imam Reza shrine for martyrdom anniversary

TEHRAN - Today marks the 30th day of the lunar month of Safar, commemorated as the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam. In observance of this solemn occasion, a significant number of pilgrims have embarked on a spiritual journey on foot to his holy shrine in Mashhad. 

Dehloran hosts handicrafts exhibit for Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN - As millions of pilgrims embark on their annual pilgrimage to Iraq’s holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, the Dehloran region in Ilam province has set up an expanded sales exhibition featuring local handicrafts along the return route.

Tehran festival delves into Arbaeen heritage among nations

TEHRAN – The first international event dedicated to Arbaeen heritage took place in Tehran, bringing together scholars, researchers, and experts to explore the cultural and historical significance of the religious occasion which marks the culmination of 40 days of mourning for Imam Hussain (AS), the third Shia Imam.

Marine service launched for Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN – On Monday, Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash announced the launch of a new marine service to facilitate the journey of Arbaeen pilgrims.

4.5m Iranians expected to attend Arbaeen pilgrimage

TEHRAN - Over 4.5 million Iranian pilgrims have been estimated to attend this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage destined for the holy city of Karbala, an official said on Monday.