Tehran Times

2025-04-19 22:15
The story goes on

Following second round of negotiations in Rome, expert-level talks set for Wednesday in Muscat ahead of April 26 high-level meeting

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has highlighted that Iran and the United States have made significant progress in their ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations.

By Garsha Vazirian

A house divided: U.S. discord strengthens Iran’s hand in nuclear negotiations

TEHRAN – As Iranian and U.S. negotiators concluded the second round of indirect nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday, Washington’s credibility hangs in the balance.
Exclusive:

Democrats looking to crimp Iran-US talks before results can come through

ROME - Under a partially sunny sky in the Italian capital, Republican U.S. Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff headed to the Omani diplomatic premises to begin indirect talks with Iranians. For his fellow Democratic Americans back in the U.S., however, April 19th couldn't have been gloomier.
By Najah Mohammad Ali

Rome negotiations: Iranian diplomacy shines amid American divisions

LONDON – All eyes are on Rome, where the Italian capital is preparing to host a new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman.
Iran-Saudi ties key to regional stability: Tehran’s envoy to Riyadh

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali Enayati, has described the recent visit of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran as a key milestone in deepening regional cooperation and advancing Iran-Saudi relations.
By Wesam Bahrani

Ongoing Genocide: More massacres in Gaza

TEHRAN – The Israeli occupation regime continues its relentless airstrikes and artillery shelling across Gaza, killing more civilians.

Politics

No retreat from stance despite pressure: Iran FM tells RT

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has asserted that the country has not wavered in its positions, despite external pressures.
Iran-Russia strategic agreement will be reviewed if ratified by parliament: Guardian Council

TEHRAN – The Guardian Council has announced that it will review the Iran-Russia strategic agreement if it passes through Parliament, in accordance with Articles 77 and 125 of the Constitution.
Nuclear program architect Dr. Akbar Etemad laid to rest in Tehran

TEHRAN – Iran held a farewell on Saturday morning for Dr. Akbar Etemad, widely known as the “father of Iran’s nuclear program.”

Sports

Reza Darvish quits as Persepolis general manager

TEHRAN – Reza Darvish is no longer the Persepolis general manager after more than three years.
Iranian Para shooter Javanmardi to compete in 2028 Paralympic Games

TEHRAN – Four-time Paralympic gold medalist Sareh Javanmardi has announced her intention to compete in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Previously, she had indicated that she would retire from the sport after the 2024 Paralympics.
Iran’s women’s basketball captain Issaeian announces retirement

TEHRAN – Edna Issaeian, the captain of Iran’s women’s basketball team, has announced her retirement from national duty.

Culture

Iran’s culture minister pays tribute to Gaza photojournalist following her tragic death

TEHRAN- In a message on social media platform X, Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi expressed his deep sorrow over the death of Gaza-based photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, who was killed alongside her family in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday.
Veteran actor Reza Babak’s paintings on display at Saless Gallery

TEHRAN-An exhibition of paintings by the Iranian veteran actor Reza Babak was launched on Friday at Saless Gallery in Tehran.
Audience reception brings “The Midnight Library” back on Malek Theater stage

TEHRAN-The play “The Midnight Library,” loosely adapted from the namesake fantasy novel written by Matt Haig has begun its second round of performances at Malek Theater in Tehran.

Economy

Iran signs $750m investment deals in rail transport sector

TEHRAN – Iran on Sunday signed investment memoranda worth $750 million in the country’s rail transport sector, in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Urban Development, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI), private investors, and industry stakeholders.
Annual agricultural exports surge 29% to $5.2b

TEHRAN – Iran's agricultural exports rose by 29 percent in the Iranian year 1403 (ended March 19, 2025), reaching $5.2 billion, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).
Iranian private sector ready for joint investments in Uzbekistan

TEHRAN - The head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said the country’s private sector is ready to pursue joint investments in Uzbekistan and called on Tashkent to implement a reciprocal visa waiver to ease travel and boost tourism between the two countries.

Society

UN program for persons with disabilities in Iran drives meaningful progress

TEHRAN – Launched in 2023 by the United Nations Iran, the program for persons with disabilities, materialized through the joint efforts of World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has been greatly successful in improving their quality of life.
Iranian, Italian universities ink scientific, educational MOU

TEHRAN – Shahid Beheshti University and the University of Salento, Italy, have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster scientific, research, and educational ties.
Tashkent seeks to boost sci-tech ties with Tehran

TEHRAN – Daliv Shahrukh Khozhakbarovich, Uzbekistan's first Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, has called on Iranian universities and scientific institutions to help develop technology and innovation in Uzbekistan, saying that face-to-face interaction between scientific officials is much more effective than diplomatic communications.

Tourism

Iran seeks UNESCO labels for mirrorwork art and Falak-ol-Aflak fortress

TEHRAN – Iran has formally submitted two major cultural heritage dossiers to UNESCO for potential inscription on the World Heritage List: the ancient decorative art of mirrorwork, known as Ayeneh-kari, and the historic Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress along with its surrounding cultural landscape in Lorestan province.
Italian firm partners with Mazandaran for handicraft training and export development

TEHRAN – The tourism chief of Mazandaran province has announced a joint plan for specialized handicraft training courses in collaboration with the Italian international company Cheche.
Dehloran, land of ancient stories of settlement and life

TEHRAN - Dehloran, as one of the significant regions in western Iran, has been settled in prehistoric times and contains signs of civilization, said Habibollah Mahmoudian, a faculty member at Islamic Azad University of Ilam.

International

A definitive speech by the Hezbollah chief

BEIRUT — A definitive speech by Sheikh Naeem Qasim, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, late on Friday summed up in one phrase: Remove the idea of disarming the resistance from your dictionary!
Ongoing Genocide: More massacres in Gaza

TEHRAN – The Israeli occupation regime continues its relentless airstrikes and artillery shelling across Gaza, killing more civilians.
We will fight whoever wants to disarm Hezbollah: Sheikh Qassem

TEHRAN - Sheikh Naim Qassem on Friday night reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to armed resistance, declaring that the Resistance movement’s weapons were instrumental in liberating Lebanese territory and remain essential to national defense. Citing Imam Sayyed Moussa al-Sadr, he stated, “Carrying weapons to defend the nation is a duty,” and vowed to resist any efforts to disarm the group, invoking past confrontations with Israeli aggression as justification.

Following second round of negotiations in Rome, expert-level talks set for Wednesday in Muscat ahead of April 26 high-level meeting