Tehran confirms 2025 launch of Zafar and Paya satellites aboard Russian Soyuz

TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Space Agency has announced that the country’s Earth-observation satellites Zafar and Paya will be launched into orbit aboard Russia’s Soyuz rocket in the fall of 2025, following delays caused by foreign partners.

Israel had strategic miscalculations during war against Iran: IRGC

TEHRAN – The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that Israel severely misjudged its war against Iran, despite deploying its full capabilities during a 12-day conflict.

Efforts to activate ‘snapback’ are illegal and illogical: Iran foreign ministry

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has rejected European efforts to activate the JCPOA snapback mechanism, calling the move both illegal and illogical.

1.2 million undocumented Afghan nationals left Iran in past year, declares interior minister

TEHRAN – Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has announced that more than 1.2 million Afghan nationals—mostly undocumented migrants—have left Iran over the past year, with the highest number of departures recorded at the eastern borders of Khorasan Razavi province.

TEHRAN PAPERS

China and Russia oppose invoking snapback mechanism

TEHRAN - In an article, Vatan-e-Emrooz addressed China and Russia’s opposition to Europe’s move to activate the snapback mechanism against Iran and wrote: The opposition of China and Russia, as two permanent members of the UN Security Council, has created a significant political capacity against Europe’s move.

Football match held between Iran, Tajikistan to boost tourism

TEHRAN-Deputy head of Tehran Tourism Department gave news of holding a football match between Iranian art stars and Tajik art stars with the aim of attracting tourists.

Kermanshah province holds handicraft exhibitions during Arbaeen

TEHRAN—Head of Kermanshah Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department announced sales of 70 billion rials ($77,777) at the province's handicraft exhibitions during Arbaeen, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, marking the end of a 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Each year, millions of Shia Muslims from around the globe undertake this pilgrimage to Karbala, walking hundreds of kilometers as an expression of their faith and devotion.

Iran police seize 11 ancient Parthian coins in Khorramabad

TEHRAN – Iranian police have seized 11 historical coins believed to date back to the Parthian era in Khorramabad, the capital of western Lorestan province.

Millennium festival planned for minaret of Semnan Jame’ Mosque

TEHRAN—Semnan governor gave news of planning for holding the millennium festival of the minaret of the Jame’ Mosque of Semnan concurrent with Semnan Day.

Study of ancient rock-carved structures launched in Kermanshah

TEHRAN – A project to study, document, and conduct laboratory research on ancient rock-carved structures in Kermanshah province has begun, an archaeologist who leads the project said on Monday.

Some 800,000 more Afghan refugees to be expelled by March 2026

TEHRAN – Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has said some 800,000 more undocumented Afghan refugees will be sent back to their home country by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2026).

Iran honors WHO representative at end of mission

TEHRAN – In a farewell ceremony held on Wednesday, August 14, in Tehran, the ministry of health appreciated Jaffar Hussain, the World Health Organization representative, for his efforts and contributions to the development of the country’s health sector.

DOE official highlights role of science in species conservation

TEHRAN – Utilizing the science and capabilities of experts is essential for species conservation as it plays a key role in addressing the critical situation of endangered species, an official with the Department of Environment (DOE) has said.

Over 30 countries to attend 10th Science, Technology Exchange Program

TEHRAN – Participants from over 30 countries will attend the 10th Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP), scheduled to take place on September 7 at Tehran’s Amirkabir University of Technology.

TEHRAN PAPERS

Consequences and future scenarios: balance or escalation?

TEHRAN - Shargh, in a commentary, discussed possible consequences of invoking the JCPOA’s dispute resolution mechanism by Europeans.

Iran, Armenia bound by shared interests, FM Araghchi writes in a note

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the interests of Iran and Armenia are closely linked, particularly in light of global uncertainty and shifting regional dynamics.

IRGC thwarts terrorist plots in Sistan and Baluchestan, kills five terrorists

TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dismantled two terrorist teams plotting suicide attacks in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. According to the Quds Base of the IRGC Ground Force, five terrorists were killed in raids on their hideouts in the province’s northern and southern regions.

Iran warns enemies of devastating response as it honors war veterans 

TEHRAN – Iran's military leaders have marked the anniversary of prisoners returning from the Iran-Iraq war with harsh warnings to the United States and Israel, promising overwhelming retaliation against any new aggression.

Iran, Saudi Arabia entering strategic rapprochement, says Iranian envoy

TEHRAN – Iran and Saudi Arabia are deepening their diplomatic and strategic engagement, addressing shared regional challenges, according to Iranian Ambassador to Riyadh Alireza Enayati.

Tehran-Baghdad security agreement prevents foreign interference: Iran’s top security official

TEHRAN – Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has stressed that Tehran and Baghdad must not allow third parties to undermine their shared security and stability, pointing to the recently signed Iran-Iraq security agreement as a model for regional cooperation.

Pakistan's 79th Independence Day celebrated in Tehran

TEHRAN – The Pakistani community in Iran gathered at Pakistan House for a celebration marking the nation's 79th Independence Day. Dozens of expatriates joined embassy officials for the flag-hoisting ceremony, where Ambassador Muhammad Mudassir Tipu raised the green-and-white standard as the national anthem played. 

Iranian woodcarvers showcase craftsmanship at global art event in Japan

TEHRAN– Two Iranian woodcarving artists from Kermanshah province took part in the Osaka International Art 2025, presenting wooden sculptures and cultural talks highlighting Iran’s handicraft traditions, an Iranian official said on Sunday.

Iran to open five new ‘sacred defense’ museums dedicated to 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War

TEHRAN – Iran plans to open five new museums dedicated to the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, known domestically as the “sacred defense,” by late this year or by May 2026 at the latest, an official said on Saturday.

Earthquakes decline week by week

TEHRAN – The number of earthquakes recorded across the country in the current Iranian calendar month (July 23 -August 22) has been in a downward trend, decreasing from 163 in the first week to 117 and 87 in the second and third weeks, respectively.

‘We remain fully committed to protecting, assisting people of Gaza’: ICRC assures IRCS

TEHRAN – In a letter to the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Pirhossein Kolivand, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, has reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to doing its utmost to assist civilians in Gaza.

Iranians shine at FIRA RoboWorld Cup, IESO 2025 contests

TEHRAN – The robotics and earth science teams of Iran have won different awards at the Federation of International RoboSports Association (FIRA) and the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) competitions, which were held in South Korea and China, respectively.

Iran offers rescue aid as Pakistan floods kill over 320

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s solidarity with Pakistan following catastrophic monsoon floods that killed at least 320 people.