Tehran Times

2024-12-21 22:16
By Wesam Bahrani

Yemen missile blitz rattles Tel Aviv

The Yemeni army targeted the Jaffa area in southern Tel Aviv with a hypersonic ballistic missile labeled “Palestine 2” that injured 16 Israelis

TEHRAN – Just two days after Israeli warplanes launched widespread deadly airstrikes on Yemen, the Ansarallah-led government followed through on its pledge to escalate its attacks on the Israeli regime in solidarity with Gaza.
- Ansarallah undeterred by Israeli attacks
- Great surprise

By Shahrokh Saei

Dancing to Washington's tune: US may embrace HTS as good terrorists

TEHRAN - The United States and its European allies are mulling whether to lift “terrorist” designations for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which overthrew the Syrian government along with its allies earlier this month.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

How Netanyahu manipulates Talmudic myths to occupy Lebanon, Syria and beyond

SOUTH LEBANON - In a new violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701, photos have circulated showing right-wing Zionists belonging to the “Uri Hatzvon” movement raising a banner on December 8 that read “Lebanon is ours.”
Iran issues demarche to Swiss, Italian diplomats over US-ordered arrests of citizens

TEHRAN – Iran's foreign ministry raised concerns with the Swiss ambassador and the Italian chargé d'affaires regarding the arrest of two Iranian nationals at the behest of the United States.
Iranian embassy employee martyred in Damascus, Iran calls for accountability

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the assassination of one of its embassy staffers in Damascus, Syria, following a terrorist attack on his vehicle.
Iran's own aircraft used in Syria withdrawal, declares foreign ministry spokesperson

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei emphasized Iran's "responsible decision" to withdraw advisors, taking into account the prevailing conditions in Syria and the broader region.

Politics

Tehran's regional doctrine: weathering storms and hardships

TEHRAN – Since Hamas launched its surprise offensive against Israel in October 2023, the face of West Asia has been changing. The operation brought the Palestinian cause back to the forefront of media coverage and became a key topic of discussion in elite circles. Although the "two-state solution" remains a distant prospect, it has gained renewed public support in the West as a potential resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Diplomatic talks lay groundwork for Pezeshkian’s Moscow visit

TEHRAN – Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko met Friday to discuss Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's upcoming visit to Moscow.
Growing radical influence in Syria threatens regional stability, Leader’s advisor warns

TEHRAN – In a statement released through the Mehr News Agency, an advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution warned that the rise of radical groups in Syria will have grave consequences for the entire region.

Sports

Iran edged by China at Water Polo World Cup 2025, Division 2 bronze medal match

TEHRAN - Iran would have hoped for third position but lost to China 12-11 at the Water Polo World Cup 2025, Division 2 Saturday night.
Tractor and Persepolis suffer home loss: PGPL

TEHRAN – Tractor and Persepolis football teams suffered home loss in the 2024/25 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Saturday.
Super heavyweight lifter Yousefi attracts world’s attention

TEHRAN - Alireza Yousefi, the 21-year-old Iranian weightlifting sensation, has captured the world’s attention with a stunning performance at the 2024 IWF World Championships. Yousefi’s clean and jerk of 262kg not only secured him a gold medal but also positioned him as a serious contender for future Olympic glory.

Culture

“Rojin's Dream” wins award at Duhok International Film Festival

TEHRAN-The semi-feature documentary “Rojin's Dream” directed by Serwa Aliveysi from Iran won an award at the 11th Duhok International Film Festival in Kurdistan region, Iraq.
Roberto Bolaño’s “The Spirit of Science Fiction” published in Persian

TEHRAN-The Persian translation of the novel “The Spirit of Science Fiction” by Chilean author Roberto Bolaño has hit the bookstores across Iran.
Iranian short film “Twenty-One Weeks Later” receives award at Spanish festival

TEHRAN-The Iranian short film “Twenty-One Weeks Later” written and directed by Nasrin Mohammadpour has received an award at the 11th La Mirada Tabú Film Festival, which was held in Zaragoza, Spain.

Economy

Iran’s exports to D-8 countries increase by 24%

TEHRAN - The value of Iranian exports to the Developing-8 (D-8), a group of eight developing Islamic nations, increased by over 24 percent in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-November 20) compared to the same period last year, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).
Private sector investment in Iran’s ports hits $4.4b

TEHRAN – The Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) has announced that private sector investments in Iran's ports have reached 2.2 quadrillion rials (about $4.4 billion) through 362 active contracts as of December 2024.
Iran's daily diesel production reaches 125m liters

TEHRAN – The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) has announced a 15-million-liter increase in the country's daily diesel (gasoil) production over the past four months, elevating output from 111 million liters to 125 million liters per day.

Society

Public participation essential in environmental protection: DOE chief

TEHRAN –According to Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), no single organization will be able to successfully preserve the environment on its own; environmental issues will be best addressed through public participation.
1,000 female prisoners freed to mark Mother's Day

TEHRAN – On the occasion of National Mother’s Day, which fell on December 22 this year, a total of 1,000 female prisoners of unintentional crimes were released across the country.
Administration aims to raise women’s presence in entrepreneurship: VP

TEHRAN –The administration has focused on increasing women's share of entrepreneurship in the science and technology sector from currently 12 percent to 30 percent, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, has said.

Tourism

How Iran’s Kordasht is a beacon for heritage tourism

JOLFA – Nestled in the tranquil landscapes of Iran’s East Azarbaijan province, the village of Kordasht serves as a living monument to history. It resonates with the courage of Iranian soldiers who defended their homeland against Tsarist Russian invasions over the decades.
Food festival brings Persian flavors to New Delhi

TEHRAN - The Eros Hotel, in partnership with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iran Culture House, and CD Foundation, hosted an exquisite Iranian food festival from December 11 to 17.
Iran becomes Türkiye’s second-largest source of tourism in November

TEHRAN - Iranian tourists have emerged as Türkiye’s second-largest group of visitors in November, contributing significantly to the country’s booming tourism sector.

International

Yemen missile blitz rattles Tel Aviv

TEHRAN – Just two days after Israeli warplanes launched widespread deadly airstrikes on Yemen, the Ansarallah-led government followed through on its pledge to escalate its attacks on the Israeli regime in solidarity with Gaza.
Dancing to Washington's tune: US may embrace HTS as good terrorists

TEHRAN - The United States and its European allies are mulling whether to lift “terrorist” designations for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which overthrew the Syrian government along with its allies earlier this month.
How Netanyahu manipulates Talmudic myths to occupy Lebanon, Syria and beyond

SOUTH LEBANON - In a new violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701, photos have circulated showing right-wing Zionists belonging to the “Uri Hatzvon” movement raising a banner on December 8 that read “Lebanon is ours.”

The Yemeni army targeted the Jaffa area in southern Tel Aviv with a hypersonic ballistic missile labeled “Palestine 2” that injured 16 Israelis