Parthian mural excavated from southwest Iran reveals artistic innovation

TEHRAN – A rare Parthian-era wall painting, being kept at the National Museum of Iran, reveals sophisticated artistry and enduring secrets.

Registration documents for ‘Sacred Defense’ elements unveiled

TEHRAN - On the 43rd anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr, Iranian authorities unveiled official national registration documents for 12 sites and elements in Khuzestan province linked to the country’s eight-year war with Iraq, known domestically as the Sacred Defense (1980–1988).

By Afshin Majlesi

Reviving roots: a new chapter in Iran’s rural tourism

KERMAN - On May 21, the first-ever national celebration of ecolodges brought together some 600 ecolodge managers, travel insiders, and media personnel from across the country.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran holds first national celebration of ecolodges to promote sustainable tourism

KERMAN — The city of Kerman hosted Iran’s first-ever National Celebration of Ecolodges on May 21 (Ordibehesht 31), highlighting the country's growing commitment to sustainable and community-based tourism.

Stolen artifacts from Shah Nematollah Vali Museum recovered, main suspect arrested

TEHRAN - Iranian authorities have announced the successful recovery of several stolen artifacts, including rare handwritten copies of the holy Quran, from the Shah Nematollah Vali Museum in Mahan, Kerman province.

3,200-year-old Iron Age woman's skeleton discovered in northern Iran

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has uncovered the 3,200-year-old skeleton of a woman in a rural district in northern Iran.

WAC issues urgent statement on Gaza cultural heritage crisis

TEHRAN - The World Archaeological Congress (WAC), a leading international body of archaeologists committed to human rights and the protection of cultural heritage, has issued a powerful statement addressing the deepening humanitarian and cultural crisis in Gaza.

Tehran museum to host workshop on AI and content creation in museums

TEHRAN - In celebration of International Museum Day, Iran’s National Museum of Science and Technology will host a two-day collaborative workshop titled “Artificial Intelligence and Content Creation in Museums” on May 20 and 21 (30–31 Ordibehesht), in partnership with ICOM Iran.

Sohaili Village: a culinary jewel in Qeshm Island

TEHRAN – Located along the southern coast of Iran’s Qeshm Island, Sohaili Village has carved out a reputation as one of the Persian Gulf’s premier destinations for culinary tourism.

Iran to open eight new ‘Sacred Defense’ museums by 2028

TEHRAN - Iran plans to inaugurate eight new museums dedicated to the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War–referred to in the country as the “Sacred Defense” –by the Iranian year 1407 (March 2028), a senior official announced on Sunday.

Turkish tour operators participate in familiarization tour in Ardabil province

TEHRAN - A familiarization tour (fam tour) was held on Friday in Ardabil province for a group of Turkish tourism professionals, including tour operators and managers of travel agencies, aimed at showcasing the region’s tourism potential.

Zarif highlights Kish Island’s potential in Halal tourism

TEHRAN - Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as Iranian foreign minister from 2013 to 2021, has emphasized the importance of promoting Kish Island’s strengths in the fields of Halal and targeted tourism, highlighting its potential to attract Muslim travelers.

Kandelous village in northern Iran implements accessible tourism measures

TEHRAN - Kandelous village in Mazandaran province has become one of Iran’s pioneering rural destinations to successfully implement “accessible tourism” initiatives, according to Mehdi Es’haqi, the deputy provincial tourism chief.

Iran’s “Land of Kindness” draws over 300,000 visitors in China

TEHRAN — The “Land of Kindness” exhibition, showcasing relics from Iranian museums, has attracted over 300,000 visitors in China and garnered more than 100 million views on social media platforms.

Iran records 7.3 million foreign arrivals last Persian year, deputy minister says

TEHRAN – Some 7.3 million foreign tourists visited Iran during the Persian year 1403, which ended on March 20, 2025, according to Iran’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey.

Iranian village showcased as sustainable tourism model at BRICS meeting

TEHRAN - The historical stepped village of Palangan in Iran’s Kordestan province was introduced as a successful example of sustainable tourism that preserves local culture and heritage during a BRICS meeting held in Brazil on Monday.

Archaeological survey reveals evidence of Paleolithic human presence in Kerman plain

TEHRAN - An archaeological team has uncovered evidence of continuous human presence in the central plains of Kerman, southern Iran, stretching from the Paleolithic period to modern times.

From Tehran to Guangzhou: Iranian relics on show at ‘Land of Kindness’

TEHRAN - The Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou is currently hosting the Iranian cultural relics exhibition “Land of Kindness”, offering visitors a rare glimpse into five millennia of Persian art, culture, and craftsmanship.

Restoration project launched in historical core of Tabriz

TEHRAN - A new project aimed at restoring and reorganizing parts of the historic core of Tabriz, once the capital of Persia during the early Safavid period, has officially begun.

Armenian churches in Abadan and Ahvaz seen as potential tourism attractions

TEHRAN - Armenian churches and cemeteries in the Iranian cities of Abadan and Ahvaz hold significant potential to boost cultural tourism, according to an Iranian lawmaker representing the Armenian community.

Isfahan named Asian Capital of Tourism for 2025

TEHRAN – The historic city of Isfahan has been officially designated as the Asian Capital of Tourism for 2025 by the Asian Mayors Forum (AMF), in recognition of its rich cultural heritage, vibrant tourism offerings, and active engagement in international urban cooperation.

Paleolithic evidence discovered on Iran’s Makran coast

TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists, led by Dr. Morteza Hessari, has succeeded in discovering stone artifacts from the Paleolithic era on the Makran coast in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

A monument of engineering and history, Veresk turns 89

TEHRAN - Veresk Bridge, one of Iran’s most iconic engineering feats of the 20th century and a vital link in the Trans-Iranian Railway, has reached its 89th anniversary.

Mongolian delegation visits Iran’s National Museum, explores avenues for expanded cultural ties

TEHRAN - A high-ranking delegation from Mongolia visited the National Museum of Iran on Monday to explore opportunities for expanded cultural and museum cooperation between the two nations.

Festival of Iranian tribes kicks off in Bojnurd

TEHRAN – A festival of Iranian tribes, alongside a handicrafts and souvenirs exhibition, officially opened on Monday evening in the scenic Besh Qardash area of Bojnurd, the capital of North Khorasan province in northeastern Iran.

Iran eases visas, but media misinformation still a barrier to tourism

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian tourism official has said that the spread of negative media narratives about Iran – commonly referred to as Iranophobia – poses a significant challenge to the country’s tourism sector, even as visa requirements for most travelers have been eased or eliminated.