Farming in Persepolis buffer zone limited to protect ancient site, official says

TEHRAN - Iran has imposed strict limits on agricultural activity within the primary buffer zone of Persepolis, the head of the UNESCO-listed site said, as authorities seek to protect the ancient complex from potential damage.

Iranian artisans to showcase handicrafts at Muscat Nights

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian artisans will present a wide range of traditional handicrafts and visual arts at Muscat Nights 2026, a month-long cultural festival to be held in the Omani capital from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, organizers said.

Chabahar airport to resume intl. flights in mid-January

TEHRAN - International flights from Chabahar Airport in southeastern Iran will resume in January, 2026 with services to Muscat, Karachi and Sharjah, the head of the Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone said on Monday.

Sightseeing along ancient spice route added to Iran’s tourism calendar

TEHRAN – Sightseeing tours along sections of the ancient spice route located in Iran have been officially added to the country’s tourism calendar, a move aimed at highlighting Iran’s historical role in regional and global trade networks, a local tourism official said on Sunday.

Ilam province expands handicraft exports to Persian Gulf markets

TEHRAN - Iran’s western province of Ilam has begun exporting its handicrafts to the Persian Gulf littoral countries, marking a new phase in efforts to expand international markets for locally made products, a provincial official said on Sunday.

Tehran to host Nowruz summit with ministers, ambassadors from 18 countries

TEHRAN – Iran is set to host an international Nowruz summit with ministers from 18 countries in Tehran from March 27 to 29, 2026, a senior official from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Sunday.

Iran to hold international tourism content festival

TEHRAN - Iran will hold the International Tourism Content Festival (ITCF) in February, 2026, aiming to promote the country’s cultural and historical capacities through creative digital storytelling, organizers said.

CCTV journalist highlights Khuzestan’s cultural heritage

TEHRAN – A Chinese journalist has said Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan has strong appeal for international audiences, citing its rich cultural heritage and diversity.

Iran, Tajikistan national museums plan joint exhibitions to expand cultural cooperation

TEHRAN — Officials from the National Museum of Iran and the National Museum of Tajikistan have agreed on plans to expand cultural cooperation and organize joint exhibitions during a meeting in Tehran on Wednesday.

Ancient rock-cut grain stores highlight tourism potential of Ilam village

TEHRAN - An Iranian village in Ilam province is drawing attention for a series of rock-cut grain storage structures believed to be up to 800 years old

Sasanian-era pottery jar discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN – A pottery jar dating back to the Sasanian era has recently been discovered in Dehqaed village of Bushehr province, southern Iran, following recent rainfall, the provincial tourism chief said on Tuesday.

Dome of Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine restored

TEHRAN – A restoration and conservation work has been completed for on the dome of the Shah Nematollah Vali shrine in the city of Mahan in Kerman province, the provincial tourism chief said on Monday.

Nahavand’s tumulus-shaped tomb could shed light on Seleucid era: archaeologist

TEHRAN – An Iranian archaeologist has said the discovery of a tumulus-shaped ancient tomb near the city of Nahavand could reveal new details about the Seleucid period, citing it as the only known tumulus in Iran dated to that era.

Afghan migrants mark Yalda Night in Mashhad ceremony

MASHHAD – A number of Afghan migrants and local residents gathered in Mashhad on Sunday evening to mark the ancient festivity of Yalda Night at a cultural program held at the Persian Gulf Complex, organizers said.

Parthian-Sasanian artifacts from Amlash culture made national heritage

TEHRAN - Iran has added three Parthian-Sasanian period artifacts discovered in Amlash county in Gilan province to its national heritage list, the provincial head of cultural heritage said on Saturday.

Tajik ambassador underscores cultural convergence between Iran and Central Asia

TEHRAN – Tajikistan’s ambassador to Iran, Nizamuddin Zahedi, has said Iran’s festival of tribal culture reflects cultural convergence between the Islamic Republic and Central Asian countries.

Academic meeting examines role of narrative in museums

TEHRAN – An academic meeting titled “Narrative in the Museum: From Representation to Education” was held on Saturday at the Faculty of Art and Architecture of Tarbiat Modares University, organizers said.

Central Asian writers, poets and physicians visit historical sites in Hamedan

TEHRAN - A delegation of 23 poets, writers and medical professionals from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan visited historical sites and medical facilities in Iran’s western province of Hamedan as part of a cultural and scientific exchange program.

Tehran to host Yalda festival across 22 districts

TEHRAN - Tehran will hold Yalda festival events across its 22 municipal districts through Sunday, Dec. 21, the head of the Tehran Municipality Tourism Headquarters said.

Persepolis to host Yalda Night ceremony

TEHRAN - The UNESCO-registered Persepolis will host a ceremony of Yalda Night on Sunday to mark the winter solstice and celebrate one of the country’s oldest cultural traditions, site officials said.

Gorgan hosts intl. tribal culture festival highlighting regional ties

GORGAN - Iran’s Golestan province hosted the 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture this week, with officials saying the event reflects Iran’s historical links with neighboring countries.

Iran’s Ilam, Iraq’s Karbala discuss joint tourism exhibition

TEHRAN - Iranian and Iraqi officials have reached an initial agreement to hold a joint handicrafts and tourism exhibition in Iraq, Ilam’s cultural heritage chief said, following talks between provincial authorities.

Tourism minister says Yalda can serve as platform for regional dialogue

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has said that the ancient festivity of Yalda should be viewed as a shared cultural framework for dialogue, cohesion and civilizational convergence across the region.

By Afshin Majlesi

Golestan at a glance: forests, ancient monuments and Caspian landscapes

GORGAN - Golestan is one of the least visited provinces in Iran, yet for many travelers who take the time to explore it, the region may quickly become a favorite destination.

Iran-Uzbekistan cultural ties seen as opening markets for Iranian handicrafts

TEHRAN – Uzbek artist and carpet researcher Farrokh Manhal said on Thursday that deep historical and cultural links between Iran and Uzbekistan provide a strategic basis for expanding cultural diplomacy and markets for Iranian handicrafts in Central Asia.

Iran, Georgia sign MoU in motor racing, tourism fields

TEHRAN-- Touring & Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) and Georgian Automobile Sport Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with the aim of developing bilateral cooperation in the field of motor racing and land tourism.

Iranian artists showcase traditional arts in India exhibitions

TEHRAN - Iranian artists are presenting traditional arts at a series of exhibitions in India under a cultural memorandum of understanding between Shiraz’s Setaiesh art house and the Jaipur Art Summit institute.