3.5 million religious tourists visited Iran last year

TEHRAN – Tourism Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri has said that 3.5 million religious tourists from Iraq, the Persian Gulf region, Central Asia, and the Caucasus traveled to Iran during the past Persian year (1403), which ended on March 20, 2025.

Tehran to host meeting of tourism ministers from Nowruz-observing nations

TEHRAN--Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri announced at the 25th meeting of the Cultural Heritage Ministry’s Strategic Council that the first meeting of tourism ministers from countries that celebrate Nowruz will be held in Tehran.

Ardabil plans to promote tourism capabilities in Persian Gulf states

TEHRAN – Ardabil province is set to promote its tourism attractions to attract more visitors Persian Gulf littoral countries, a provincial tourism official said.

Chinese imports found in Iran’s kish Island, excavations indicate historical trade links

TEHRAN — Archaeologists have uncovered imported Chinese ceramics during the seventh season of excavations at the ancient city of Harireh on Kish Island, reaffirming historical trade connections between China and southern Iran, researchers said on Saturday.

Kish Island, Armenia discuss tourism cooperation

TEHRAN—Managing Director of Kish Free Zone Organization Mohammad Kabiri and Armenian ambassador to Iran Grigor Hakobyan have emphasized promotion of tourism and economic cooperation in a joint gathering which was held on the sidelines of Kish Invex 2025 in the southern Iranian island on Wednesday.

Iran’s war room chief visits Persian Gulf islands as threats of aggression loom

TEHRAN – Iran’s war room chief has stepped up inspections of Iran’s southern islands and naval installations in the Persian Gulf, underscoring Tehran’s readiness to counter any potential aggression amid rising regional tensions with the United States and Israel.

IRGC Navy commander inspects forces on strategic Persian Gulf islands

TEHRAN – Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, visited the islands of Bu Musa and Siri on Sunday to assess the combat readiness of stationed forces and equipment.

Deputy minister urges for compiling comprehensive map of marine tourism development

TEHRAN - Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpei has urged the necessity for compiling a comprehensive map of marine tourism.

Evidence of Lower Paleolithic toolmakers may rewrite history of human migration to Iranian Plateau

TEHRAN - A massive prehistoric settlement discovered in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province is set to rewrite the history of early human migration to the Iranian Plateau, pushing back evidence of human presence in the region by hundreds of thousands of years.

Persian Gulf fully secure under Iran’s watch, says IRGC Navy chief

TEHRAN – Iran’s Armed Forces, including both the Navy of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the naval units of the Army (Artesh), have established full security throughout the Persian Gulf and its surrounding waters, according to IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.

Minister urges ambassadors to help attract visitors from neighboring countries

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Wednesday that Iranian ambassadors in neighboring and friendly countries can play a role in attracting more tourists to the Islamic Republic.

Three Iranian villages named among world’s Best Tourism Villages by UN

TEHRAN – The UN Tourism on Friday recognized three Iranian villages among the world’s 52 best tourism villages for 2025, praising their rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and commitment to sustainable tourism.

Wooden balconies to be revived in Bushehr

TEHRAN--Wooden balconies (known as Shanashir) of historical houses have become the focus of attention of Bushehr Cultural Heritage Department.

Iranian researchers discover new species of fish in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN –A research team from Tarbiat Modares University has discovered a new species of sillaginid fish, naming the species S. persica for its type locality in the Persian Gulf.

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.

Iran to give crushing response to enemies: IRGC Cmdr.

TEHRAN - The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corp (IRGC) has warned of a crushing response to any hostile move against the country.

Qeshm Island, where eco-lodges help foster community growth and sustainable tourism

TEHRAN – Home to 149 guesthouses and eco-lodges, Qeshm Island--southern Iran’s crown jewel in the Persian Gulf--is emerging as a model for community-based and sustainable tourism.

IRGC chief inspects Persian Gulf units ahead of potential new war with Israel

TEHRAN – The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corp (IRGC) says the IRGC’s naval troops will respond, with full force, to any move by the enemies in the Persian Gulf.

By Mohammad Khatibi

Strait of Hormuz, China’s imperative for deeper engagement in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – Beijing’s growing dependence on Persian Gulf oil and its aspiration to play mediator in the West Asia disputes collide in the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz. As more than 40% of China’s crude shipments flow through this chokepoint, how China maneuvers its ambitions without sparking a direct clash has become a vital barometer of its evolving global role.

Minab’s harvest festival fuses tradition and nature

TEHRAN - Minab in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province hosted a thanksgiving harvest festival dedicated to mangoes and jasmine from September 2 to 4.

Iran denounces Arab states’ claim to Persian Gulf Islands, Arash gas field 

TEHRAN – Iran has strongly reiterated its sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—its rights to the Arash gas field, and the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, responding to recent claims by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Bushehr province, one of top marine tourism destinations

TEHRAN--Bushehr province, with more than 900 kilometers of coastline along the Persian Gulf, is one of the most important marine tourism destinations in Iran. With its beautiful beaches, historical ports, and marine biodiversity, this province has great potential for developing sustainable marine tourism.

Persian Gulf islands

TEHRAN—Persian Gulf is the warmest body of water in the world. In spite of its salty water, there are 200 freshwater springs on the floor and 25 completely fresh springs on the shores of the Persian sea, which originate from Zagros mountains.

6,000-year-old fishing village reveals ancient maritime diet and fishing technology in Iran’s Makran

TEHRAN - Archaeologists working at the Koupal site in Dashtyari county, southeast Iran, have uncovered remarkable evidence of a 6,000-year-old fishing settlement, providing detailed insights into ancient maritime subsistence strategies.

Intl. Conference on Persian Gulf oceanography slated for January

TEHRAN – The sixth international conference on the Persian Gulf oceanography is scheduled to be held on January 27 and 28, 2026.

Shiraz emerges as key health tourism hub

TEHRAN – Shiraz, one of Iran’s main cultural and tourism destinations, has become a leading center for regional medical tourism, local and national officials said.

Iran seizes tanker carrying 2 million liters of smuggled fuel in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – In a blow to organized fuel smuggling networks, Iranian Border Guard Commander Brigadier General Ahmadali Goudarzi announced the interception of an oil tanker carrying 2,030,755 liters of illicit diesel in the Persian Gulf’s exclusive economic zone.