Tehran Times

2025-04-18 01:24
Saudi defense minister presents King Salman’s message to Ayatollah Khamenei

TEHRAN – Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and presented a message from the country’s King to him.
- Saudi king, crown prince receive letters from Iranian president
- Iran envoy to Saudi Arabia to arrive in Riyadh soon

Internal progress not dependent on Tehran-Washington talks: Iran president

TEHRAN – Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has reassured the public that the country’s internal affairs are progressing without any delays or interruptions, despite ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States.
By Soheila Zarfam

Grossi's dream for UN leadership

How the IAEA chief's aspirations are influencing his stance on Tehran's nuclear activities

TEHRAN – When thinking about Iran’s nuclear program and all the drama surrounding it, it’s easy to also think of a list of names belonging to those who wouldn't exactly mind if things went south.
Araghchi to deliver Leader’s message to Putin

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Moscow on Thursday to deliver a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
By Batool Subeiti

The well-balanced arms and diplomacy

LONDON - A military confrontation with Iran remains unlikely for now, but negotiations are expected to be lengthy and complex. Whether the United States continues its talks with Iran or instructs the Israeli occupation entity to initiate a military offensive, in both scenarios, it will be the entity that ultimately bears the cost.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Riyadh interferes in Lebanon’s municipal elections, excludes Hariri

BEIRUT — Not satisfied with the political quarantine it imposed on Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri more than two years ago, Saudi Arabia is seeking to sideline him as he announced his intention to return to political life by actively contesting the municipal elections scheduled for May 2025.

Politics

Iran ready to help seal Armenia-Azerbaijan peace

TEHRAN – After decades of tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh, a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan seems imminent. Iran, a neighbor with friendly ties to both nations, has offered to facilitate the signing of the finalized treaty.
Tehran Times highlights shared commitment to Palestinian cause during Al Jazeera visit

Doha — A delegation from Iran’s Tehran Times and Mehr Media Group visited Al Jazeera Media Network’s headquarters in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, engaging in discussions on collaborative journalism and the critical role of media in exposing the Israeli regime’s genocidal crimes in Gaza and across West Asia.
Iran summons Argentine diplomat over unfounded AMIA bombing allegations

TEHRAN – Iran has formally summoned the Argentine chargé d'affaires in Tehran to strongly protest against recent accusations made by Argentine judicial authorities, which targeted senior Iranian officials over the 1994 AMIA bombing.

Sports

Tractor one step closer to title, Sepahan beat Persepolis: PGPL

TEHRAN – Tractor football team defeated Malavan 3-0 to move a step closer to winning the title of the 2024/25 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Friday.
Iranian athletes win medals in 2025 Asian U18 Athletics Championships

TEHRAN – Samia Shahpari and Amirreza Ahanin Maram of Iran won medals at the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships.
Iran book berth in 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Div. B

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Jordan 88-70 on Thursday to book their berth in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Div. B – WABA Qualification Tournament.

Culture

Hormozgan to host Iran’s Regional Music Festival

TEHRAN- The 17th edition of the Iran’s Regional Music Festival will take place in the southern province of Hormozgan, with participation from 32 groups representing 22 provinces across the country.
13th Flying Turtle Awards concludes without golden prize winner

TEHRAN- The 13th edition of the Flying Turtle Awards took place on Tuesday evening, with no announcement made by the jury for a winner of the golden prize.
Iranian theater director Amir Reza Koohestani to lead 34th Ecole des Maîtres

TEHRAN-Iranian theater director and playwright Amir Reza Koohestani has been invited to direct the 34th Ecole des Maîtres (School of Masters), which is an advanced theatre training project, set to be held in various European cities from August 26 to October 3.

Economy

Land transit surpasses annual target by 25%, sets new record

TEHRAN – Iran’s combined road and rail transit volume in the past Iranian year (ended in March 2025) exceeded the first-year target of the country’s 7th National Development Plan by 25 percent, reaching a record 17.5 million metric tons, a senior official said on Thursday.
EDBI to expand support for global competitiveness of exporters

TEHRAN – The Export Development Bank of Iran plans to step up support for exporters, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in a bid to boost their competitiveness in international markets, a senior bank official said.
Khaf-Herat railway to be fully operational by Mar. 2026, official says

TEHRAN – Iran plans to complete the remaining deficiencies of the Khaf-Herat railway by August and finalize the fourth segment of the cross-border project by the end of the Iranian year in March 2026, the project manager said.

Society

IRCS, IFRC discuss ways to address regional challenges

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have explored the potential to foster joint activities for dealing with regional challenges.
Tehran, Islamabad to boost scientific ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy science minister, Abolfazl Vahedi, and Pakistan’s Science Minister, Khalid Hussain Magsi, have discussed ways to develop collaborations between universities of the two countries.
Health ministry, UNICEF join hands to equip 13 PHC centres in deprived areas

TEHRAN –Supported by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) has staffed and equipped 13 Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in highly refugee-populated regions in Sistan-Baluchestan and Khorasan Razavi provinces.

Tourism

Iran sets goal of €6 billion annual revenue from medical tourism

TEHRAN – Iran has set a target to generate €6 billion in annual revenue from medical tourism, according to a new policy document approved and announced by the government.
Tehran, Moscow working toward full visa waiver, Lavrov says

TEHRAN - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Iran and Russia are actively working toward abolishing visa requirements between the two countries, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and boosting tourism.
Iran celebrates Intl. Day for Monuments and Sites amid rich cultural legacy

TEHRAN - Each year on April 18, many countries across the globe celebrate the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) — a date dedicated to recognizing and protecting the cultural treasures that connect us to the past.

International

Cambodia-China relations: A shared future in the new era

BEIJING- Chinese President Xi Jinping has wrapped up his three-nation Southeast Asia tour by visiting Cambodia.
The well-balanced arms and diplomacy

LONDON - A military confrontation with Iran remains unlikely for now, but negotiations are expected to be lengthy and complex. Whether the United States continues its talks with Iran or instructs the Israeli occupation entity to initiate a military offensive, in both scenarios, it will be the entity that ultimately bears the cost.
Riyadh interferes in Lebanon’s municipal elections, excludes Hariri

BEIRUT — Not satisfied with the political quarantine it imposed on Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri more than two years ago, Saudi Arabia is seeking to sideline him as he announced his intention to return to political life by actively contesting the municipal elections scheduled for May 2025.

How the IAEA chief's aspirations are influencing his stance on Tehran's nuclear activities