Tehran Times

2025-10-12 21:59
By Wesam Bahrani

Genocide — and Nothing Else

200,000 tons of explosives dropped on Gaza

TEHRAN- Over two years since the start of the brutal Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip, a comprehensive report from the Government Media Office in Gaza has laid bare the devastating human, social, and infrastructural toll inflicted upon the enclave’s population.
- Israel readies for captive release as Hamas demands high-profile prisoners
- Exclusive: Israel’s military failures forced partial withdrawal from Gaza, Aleef Sabbagh says

By Salman Parviz

Trump and Rubio gunning for regime change in Venezuela

Tehran, Beijing, Moscow slam U.S. military escalation

TEHRAN – At the request of the Venezuelan government, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday after U.S. military strikes on speed boats that have killed at least 21 people off Venezuela’s coast in a span of one month. Members of the UNSC voiced concern over escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, calling for dialogue to settle disputes.
By Sahar Dadjoo

Exclusive: Israel’s military failures forced partial withdrawal from Gaza, Aleef Sabbagh says

Senior Palestinian analyst highlights Netanyahu’s inability to defeat Hamas or relocate Gaza’s population

TEHRAN- Following two years of devastating war and unprecedented human suffering in Gaza, Hamas and Israel accepted a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on October 9 under Donald Trump’s controversial 20-point plan. While the agreement temporarily halts Israel’s military operations and paves the way for prisoner exchange and phased withdrawals, analysts warn that it leaves unresolved the root causes of the conflict and may only postpone another round of violence.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hezbollah organizes a massive scout gathering

BEIRUT — Hezbollah commemorated on Sunday the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Imam Mahdi Scouts at the Camille Chamoun Sports City.
By Garsha Vazirian

Echoes of the Durand Line: Afghanistan and Pakistan at a crossroads

Old borders, new battles, and escalating mistrust

TEHRAN – On the night of October 9, explosions in Kabul — widely reported as strikes aimed at Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) figures — triggered a rapid chain of violence that by 11–12 October had become the sharpest Afghanistan–Pakistan confrontation in years.
Netanyahu's Putin-carried de-escalation message fails to sway Iran

Araghchi warns of Israel’s possible deception as commanders prepare for 2nd war

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has touched upon Tel Aviv’s message to Iran sent via Russia, warning of possible deception by Tel Aviv.

Politics

Iranians make plea for recapture of Persian Gulf islands of Aryana, Zarkooh

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian citizens have called for the liberation of the Iranian islands of Aryana and Zarkooh, which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claims ownership of.
Araghchi discusses Afghanistan tensions with Pakistani counterpart

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation to discuss major regional and international developments, underscoring the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand regional engagement.
Sanctions have limits; Iran is demonstrating that

In a recent article titled “Four Keys for Iran Snapback Implementation,” the Washington Institute once again prescribes an outdated formula for pressuring Iran: reimposing sanctions, intensifying intelligence coordination against Tehran, and restricting Iran’s access to advanced technology.

Sports

Hadi Choopan comes second at 2025 Mr. Olympia

TEHRAN – Hadi Choopan of Iran became runner-up at the 2025 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open Bodybuilding.
Rostami takes silver at 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championship

TEHRAN - Iran’s Roohallah Rostami seized a silver medal at the 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championship underway in Cairo, Egypt.
Iran clinch historic 2025 World Weightlifting Championship title

TEHRAN - In a thrilling display of power and precision, Iran’s men’s team emerged as the dominant force at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, held in Førde, Norway, from Oct. 2 to 11.

Culture

Five Iranian books selected for 2025 White Ravens list

TEHRAN- The 2025 White Ravens Catalogue, compiled by Munich’s International Youth Library (Internationale Jugendbibliothek, IJB), includes five notable works by authors from Iran.
Iranian short flick “Like A Secret” wins at India’s Pink City International Short Film Festival

TEHRAN – The Iranian short film “Like A Secret” by Saeed Zamanian won an award at the 12th Pink City International Short Film Festival, which was held in Jaipur, India, from October 1 to 12.
Cultural initiative “Twelve” launched to support charity through art, poetry

TEHRAN- “Twelve,” a cultural and artistic multimedia project, has been launched to support the charitable efforts of the Kahrizak Charity Foundation, the organizers announced during a press conference held in Tehran on Saturday.

Economy

Iran’s non-oil exports steady at $25.9b in H1, trade deficit narrows

TEHRAN – Iran’s non-oil exports reached $25.94 billion in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21– September 22), nearly unchanged from the $25.92 billion recorded in the same period last year, according to Mohammad-Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, head of the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO).
Iran, China ink cooperation deal on wastewater projects

TEHRAN – Iran’s National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Economic and Trade Exchange Center of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to advance cooperation in wastewater management and technology transfer, the company’s head said.
Iran invites Malaysian investors to tap into mining sector opportunities

TEHRAN – Iran is ready to welcome Malaysian investors into its mining industry, with the necessary infrastructure already in place to support joint projects and foreign participation, a senior industry official said during a meeting with Malaysia’s ambassador in Tehran.

Society

Iran garners two awards at IUCN World Conservation Congress

TEHRAN – The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) has presented two awards, namely Reverse the Red and the International Ranger Awards 2025, to the country at the World Conservation Congress.
Iranian, Turkish universities ink MOU to boost scientific ties

TEHRAN – Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and Suleyman Demirel University of Turkey have signed a scientific, research, and educational memorandum of understanding.
ISC IWUR includes more Iranian universities

TEHRAN – The Islamic World University Rankings (IWUR) has included 84 Iranian universities among the top universities in Islamic countries, up from 80 in 2023, according to the latest report by the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC).

Tourism

Minister urges overhaul of transport, preservation of historical districts to strengthen tourism

TEHRAN – Transport and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadegh has called for stronger collaboration between the transport and tourism sectors to revitalize historical urban areas and upgrade public transport infrastructure in a bid to support the country’s tourism industry.
Lorestan Archaeology Museum reopens after precautionary war closure

TEHRAN – The Lorestan Archaeology Museum, housed within the historic Falak-ol-Aflak Castle in Khorramabad, officially reopened to the public on Thursday, October 9, following a three-month closure.
Golestan Palace’s library equipped with advanced fire protection system

TEHRAN – The manuscript library and album house of the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace has been equipped with a state-of-the-art automatic fire detection and suppression system using FM-200 gas.

International

Exclusive: Israel’s military failures forced partial withdrawal from Gaza, Aleef Sabbagh says

TEHRAN- Following two years of devastating war and unprecedented human suffering in Gaza, Hamas and Israel accepted a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on October 9 under Donald Trump’s controversial 20-point plan. While the agreement temporarily halts Israel’s military operations and paves the way for prisoner exchange and phased withdrawals, analysts warn that it leaves unresolved the root causes of the conflict and may only postpone another round of violence.
Hezbollah organizes a massive scout gathering

BEIRUT — Hezbollah commemorated on Sunday the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Imam Mahdi Scouts at the Camille Chamoun Sports City.
Echoes of the Durand Line: Afghanistan and Pakistan at a crossroads

TEHRAN – On the night of October 9, explosions in Kabul — widely reported as strikes aimed at Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) figures — triggered a rapid chain of violence that by 11–12 October had become the sharpest Afghanistan–Pakistan confrontation in years.