Tehran Times

2025-05-18 21:44
Pezeshkian: Iran will never give up its peaceful nuclear program

Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025 : Officials, diplomats, and experts gather for two-day event on regional issues

TEHRAN – Journalists, diplomatic missions, dignitaries, and scholars took to the busy roads of Tehran in the early hours of Sunday (the second day of the week in Iran) to reach a grand international gathering in the north of the capital: the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF).
- 'Kurds are one of us': Leader
- Pezeshkian makes milestone visit to Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Araghchi warns 'unrealistic' demands from U.S. could derail nuclear talks

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that unrealistic expectations could derail ongoing indirect negotiations with the United States, emphasizing that uranium enrichment is a non-negotiable right of the Iranian people.
Tehran, Baku launch joint military drill in Karabakh region

TEHRAN – Iran and Azerbaijan have launched a joint military exercise dubbed “Aras 2025” in the recently liberated areas of Karabakh, aimed at bolstering border security and enhancing joint preparedness against potential threats.
By Sahar Dadjoo

PKK’s historic shift: From insurgency to politics and regional outcomes

TEHRAN – The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced its disbandment, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics with major effects on Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, the PKK waged a four-decade insurgency seeking Kurdish independence.
By Wesam Bahrani

Why Syria’s President skipped Arab Summit?

TEHRAN – Syria’s self-appointed President Ahmad al-Sharaa was noticeably absent from the Arab League meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah’s former recruit arrested for collaborating with Israel

SOUTH LEBANON — In recent days, rumors about former Hezbollah recruit, Mohammad Saleh, some accurate and some exaggerated, have circulated rapidly, after the government commissioner to the military court, Judge Fadi Akiki, filed a complaint against him on charges of collaborating with the Israeli enemy.

Politics

President Trump and the name Persian Gulf

TEHRAN - As we noted during his stay in the region, President Trump forwent wisely tinkering with geographical names and discarded the ostensible preliminary idea of using a different name for the Persian Gulf. A report by the AP pointing to this eventuality has stirred emotional reactions among the Iranians from all different walks of life.
UK’s ‘terror plot’ claims crumble as it frees all five Iranian suspects

TEHRAN – The United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police has released all five Iranian nationals arrested earlier this month on suspicion of terrorism-related activities, marking a dramatic collapse of a high-profile investigation that Iranians have condemned as a politically motivated media spectacle.
Tehran hosts memorial conference for martyred officials with focus on Resistance diplomacy

TEHRAN – The International Conference on Resistance diplomacy was held in Tehran on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the martyrdom of former President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Sports

Paykan win promotion to the 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Paykan Football Club secured their promotion to the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) after defeating Mes Kerman 2-1 on Sunday.
Tabiat beat Sagesse in 2025 WASL

TEHRAN - Tabiat once again withstood Sagesse SC in a thrilling encounter, 79-73, to complete the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) 2025 Final, Saturday night at the Stade Nouhad Naufal.
Maral Torkaman wins Top Scorer accolade

TEHRAN - With four goals for Iran prior to the third-place playoff, Maral Torkaman added two more on Saturday against China to emerge as the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup and help lead her side to the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025.

Culture

18th Resistance International Film Festival kicks off in Tehran

TEHRAN – The opening ceremony of the 18th Resistance International Film Festival took place on Saturday at the Persian Gulf Hall of the Sacred Defense Museum in Tehran.
Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Nekrassov” on stage at Iranshahr Theater

TEHRAN –The satirical play “Nekrassov” by Jean-Paul Sartre is on stage at the Iranshahr Theater Complex in Tehran.
Embassy of Mexico in Iran promoting literary, cultural understanding

TEHRAN - A book launch ceremony was held at the stand of the Embassy of Mexico in Iran at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) on Thursday, where the book “Teherán lleva tilde” was unveiled in the presence of the Ambassador of Mexico in Iran, Guillermo Puente Ordorica, and the authors of the book.

Economy

Iran designs 6 AI megaprojects to tackle energy imbalance

Tehran – The Information Technology Organization of Iran has launched efforts to address the country’s energy imbalance using artificial intelligence, with six large-scale AI projects designed to support the initiative, according to an IT and AI expert.
Tehran to launch two new refineries, three fuel quality projects

TEHRAN – Iran plans to commission two new oil refineries and three fuel quality upgrade projects by the end of the current Iranian year (March 2026), the head of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) announced on Saturday.
Thermal power capacity set to grow by 4,000 MW ahead of summer peak

TEHRAN – Iran will add over 4,000 megawatts of new thermal power capacity to its electricity grid this summer through the construction of new units, upgrades to gas turbines, and removal of production bottlenecks in existing steam power plants, a senior energy official said.

Society

Tehran, Moscow discuss boosting counter-narcotics co-op

TEHRAN –Iranian and Russian officials have explored the potential of promoting joint efforts in combating drugs.
Iran to attend Nevsky Intl. Ecological Congress

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation will participate in the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress which is planned to be held from May 22 to 23 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Youth population key priority for health ministry

TEHRAN – Youth population is the top priority of the health ministry and the current administration, an official with the health ministry has said.

Tourism

Commemorative stamp honoring Persepolis Fortification Tablets unveiled

TEHRAN - On Sunday, May 18, coinciding with International Museum Day, a ceremony was held at the National Museum of Iran to unveil a commemorative stamp honoring the Persepolis Fortification Tablets.
Iran is a roofless museum, deputy cultural heritage minister says

TEHRAN - Iran is like a roofless museum in terms of cultural and historical assets and values, said the country’s Deputy Minister for Cultural Heritage.
Hegmataneh Museum unveils golden artifacts to mark Intl. Museum Day

TEHRAN - In celebration of International Museum Day, the Hegmataneh Museum in Hamedan province has unveiled three exquisite golden artifacts, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Iran’s rich cultural heritage spanning millennia.

International

PKK’s historic shift: From insurgency to politics and regional outcomes

TEHRAN – The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced its disbandment, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics with major effects on Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, the PKK waged a four-decade insurgency seeking Kurdish independence.
Why Syria’s President skipped Arab Summit?

TEHRAN – Syria’s self-appointed President Ahmad al-Sharaa was noticeably absent from the Arab League meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Hezbollah’s former recruit arrested for collaborating with Israel

SOUTH LEBANON — In recent days, rumors about former Hezbollah recruit, Mohammad Saleh, some accurate and some exaggerated, have circulated rapidly, after the government commissioner to the military court, Judge Fadi Akiki, filed a complaint against him on charges of collaborating with the Israeli enemy.

Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025 : Officials, diplomats, and experts gather for two-day event on regional issues