Tehran Times

2025-04-29 22:41
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Why is Africa important to Iran?

Hundreds of African traders, officials convene in Tehran and Esfahan following the Iran-Africa Summit

TEHRAN – It's rare to find two regions with a completely unblemished history of ties. Most have experienced friction, and negative perceptions of foreign countries are common all around the world. When it comes to Iran and Africa, however, centuries of interaction have, for the most part, been marked by an absence of any major hostility.
- Iran, Africa seek expansion of ties in a variety of areas
- Iran to strengthen economic ties with Africa, launch shipping line to West Africa

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah chief proposes a roadmap to rescue Lebanon from its dilemmas

BEIRUT — Ahead of Lebanon’s municipal elections, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s striking speech on Monday evening carried many political and social messages.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Israel on trial in ICJ for Gaza aid restrictions

TEHRAN - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings in The Hague from April 28 marked a critical juncture in the longstanding humanitarian and legal challenges posed by Israel's responsibilities towards Palestinians, specifically access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank.
By Wesam Bahrani

Truman aircraft carrier flees Yemeni missiles in Red Sea

TEHRAN – A U.S. Navy fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea following a heavy assault on an American aircraft carrier by Yemeni forces.
Israel’s ‘delusional’ threats will not derail Iran-U.S. talks, says parliament speaker

TEHRAN – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has dismissed recent Israeli rhetoric as “delusions” meant to influence ongoing indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, warning that any act of aggression against Iran would set the region ablaze.
By Xavier Villar

Death without mourning: How global media trivialize Iranian suffering

MADRID – The explosion that claimed the lives of at least 70 people and left over a thousand injured at the Shahid Rajaei port in southern Iran has been a national tragedy of monumental proportions. Occurring near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for global energy transport, the incident has not only shaken Iranian society in humanitarian terms but has once again revealed the mechanisms through which the legitimacy of suffering is constructed within the international media space.

Politics

Iran's first VP condemns Western ‘Iranophobia’ and ‘Afrophobia’ as barriers to Africa ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref sharply condemned Western countries for perpetuating "Iranophobia" and "Afrophobia," adding that these narratives are designed to undermine Tehran’s efforts to forge stronger ties with African nations.
‘Silence on Gaza exposes human rights hypocrisy;’ Iran proposes Eastern alternative

TEHRAN – Iranian officials and international scholars convened at an International Human Rights Conference in Tehran on Tuesday, where Vice President for Strategic and Parliamentary Affairs Mohsen Esmaili delivered a scathing critique of Western-dominated human rights institutions, noting that they have enabled Israel’s "genocidal crimes" in Gaza.
Foreign military presence threatens Persian Gulf security: IRGC Navy chief

TEHRAN – The Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, has warned that any insecurity in the strategic Strait of Hormuz would have far-reaching international economic consequences.

Sports

Iran focus on reaching 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup final

TEHRAN - Fresh from lifting the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 in March, Iran will shift their focus towards the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 that kicks off on Thursday.
Send-off ceremony held for Iran’s women’s futsal team

TEHRAN — A send-off ceremony for the Iran's women's futsal team took place at the headquarters of the Iran National Football Camp on Tuesday in Tehran.
Iran coach Zamanpour hopeful for Division A promotion

TEHRAN - Azadeh Zamanzadeh, Iran’s women’s basketball coach, is optimistic about her team’s success in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B.

Culture

2 Iranian short animations to participate in Bulgarian festival

TEHRAN-Two short animations from Iran will participate in the 16th International Animation Film Festival Golden Kuker, in Sofia, Bulgaria, from May 7 to 11.
The New Horizon of Nader Talebzadeh

Nader Talebzadeh hosted hot debates on Iranian TV shows, and made films on the front lines of wars. He was an active participant in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini was a bit like Gandhi, he said, in that he told people, “Stay home, don’t work, stop the economy, and the Shah will leave, without violence,” and he did. He told me stories about how the US Embassy takeover there was utterly spontaneous. He made it sound like something from Occupy Wall Street.
Andisheh cultural center to review “Conclave”

TEHRAN- “Conclave”, a 2024 movie directed by German director and screenwriter Edward Berger, will go on screen at the Andisheh Cultural Center in Tehran on Tuesday evening.

Economy

Iran, Kyrgyzstan map out new avenues for economic co-op

TEHRAN – Iran and Kyrgyzstan held the 14th meeting of their Joint Economic Committee in Tehran, aiming to expand bilateral ties across economic, scientific, cultural, and technical sectors.
Iran's March steel output rises 3.7% year-on-year: WSA

TEHRAN – Iran's crude steel production reached 3.3 million tons in March, marking a 3.7 percent year-on-year increase, according to the latest report by the World Steel Association. The rise coincided with a broader global uptick in steel output during the third month of 2025.
ECO chief, Iran’s budget organization head stress regional transit development

TEHRAN – The Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) met with Iran’s Vice President to highlight Tehran’s role in promoting sustainable development, particularly in regional transport among ECO member states.

Society

Islamic nations to approve first joint document on AI: science minister

TEHRAN – The first multilateral document on artificial intelligence (AI) among Islamic countries is scheduled to be approved during the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-15) Dialogue Platform, which will be held in Tehran from May 18 to 20, Science, Research, and Technology Minister, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, has said.
UN ESCAP adopts Iran’s proposal on protecting Zagros forests

TEHRAN –With the approval of Iran’s proposal on protecting Zagros forests at the eighty-first annual session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the issue is placed on the agenda of the Asia-Pacific Center for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM).
Iran ready to boost co-op with Africa in health sector

TEHRAN – Ali Jafarian, the senior advisor to the health minister, has announced the country’s readiness to enhance ties with African countries in the field of health.

Tourism

Deputy tourism minister urges visiting tour operators to share Iran’s clean image

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey, has called on international tour operators to mirror a clear image of Iran to the world, highlighting the country’s hospitality, safety, and cultural richness.
Subsidence threats prompt new study on UNESCO-listed square in Isfahan

TEHRAN - Authorities in Isfahan plan to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the extent of land subsidence at the UNESCO-listed Naqsh-e Jahan Square, amid growing concerns that the phenomenon is threatening some of Iran’s most treasured architectural heritage.
Direct flights to be launched between Urmia and Istanbul

TEHRAN - A new direct flight route between Urumia, the capital of Iran’s West Azarbaijan province, and Istanbul is set to be launched within days.

International

Israel on trial in ICJ for Gaza aid restrictions

TEHRAN - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings in The Hague from April 28 marked a critical juncture in the longstanding humanitarian and legal challenges posed by Israel's responsibilities towards Palestinians, specifically access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank.
Hezbollah chief proposes a roadmap to rescue Lebanon from its dilemmas

BEIRUT — Ahead of Lebanon’s municipal elections, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s striking speech on Monday evening carried many political and social messages.
Truman aircraft carrier flees Yemeni missiles in Red Sea

TEHRAN – A U.S. Navy fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea following a heavy assault on an American aircraft carrier by Yemeni forces.

Hundreds of African traders, officials convene in Tehran and Esfahan following the Iran-Africa Summit