Iran seeks UNESCO recognition for 17 historic mosques showcasing ‘Persian Mosque’ legacy

TEHRAN – Iran has placed 17 of its most iconic mosques on UNESCO’s Tentative List under the collective title “Persian Mosque,” paving the way for a possible future inscription on the World Heritage List.

Needle-carved image linked to Sasanian king found in Southern Iran

TEHRAN — A needle-carved rock image believed to depict a Sasanian king has been discovered in the cliffs of the ancient city of Istakhr, located in Marvdasht Plain, an archaeologist said.

Tehran Municipality launches new tourism project dedicated to mosques

TEHRAN – Tehran Municipality has launched a new tourism initiative centered on the city’s mosques, with an initial pilot phase implemented at five sites, Amir Ghasemi, head of the municipality’s tourism headquarters, said on Tuesday.

Tehran, Riyadh vow to deepen cultural, tourism ties

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Monday that tourism could strengthen ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as he invited his Saudi counterpart to attend the upcoming Tehran International Tourism Exhibition.

Iran proposes AI-based global tourism innovation network at UN Tourism assembly

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri on Sunday proposed the establishment of a global tourism innovation network based on artificial intelligence during the 26th General Assembly of the UN Tourism in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Pottery research center opens in Hamedan

TEHRAN – A specialized pottery research center has recently been inaugurated within the Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan to strengthen links between academia and the pottery industry, a provincial official said on Saturday.

Iran to submit independent UNESCO nomination for traditional rosewater distillation

TEHRAN - Iran plans to submit its own nomination file to UNESCO to register the country’s centuries-old tradition of rosewater distillation, known as Golab-Giri, as an element of intangible cultural heritage, an Iranian official said.

UNESCO recognition of Cyrus Cylinder highlights Iran’s role in human rights, museum director says

TEHRAN – The recent UNESCO recognition of the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the earliest documents on human rights is a source of national pride and a reaffirmation of Iran’s contribution to universal human values, the director of the National Museum of Iran said on Sunday.

Comprehensive book on Kish Island’s Millennia of Art Museum unveiled

TEHRAN – Iran’s Mostazafan Foundation has released its first museum publication, a comprehensive book dedicated to the art collections of the Millennia of Art Museum located on Kish Island in southern Iran, the foundation’s affiliated Daffineh Museum Institute announced on Saturday.

Persian handicrafts on show at Shanghai Intl. Import Expo

TEHRAN – Several Iranian companies are participating in the 2025 Shanghai International Import Expo, which runs through November 10, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts announced on Thursday.

Blue Mosque of Tabriz to undergo emergency restoration with minimal intervention

TEHRAN – The centuries-old Blue Mosque of Tabriz will undergo emergency restoration with minimal intervention to prevent further loss of its original tilework, a local official said.

UNESCO recognizes Cyrus Cylinder as one of world’s earliest human rights charters

TEHRAN - UNESCO’s General Conference on Thursday adopted a resolution recognizing the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the world’s earliest declarations promoting cultural diversity and human rights.

10 beautiful cities you should visit during travel to Iran

TEHRAN--Iran stands out as a land where urban life is deeply intertwined with centuries of history, spirituality, and stunning natural diversity.

By Hani Rastegaran

Qaleh Bala Village: a model of solidarity, creativity, and local development

TEHRAN - Qaleh Bala, a village nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Shahvar where the dry expanse of the desert blends into the wind‑shaped hills of the Kharturan buffer zone, has become one of the most remarkable examples of community‑based rural development in Iran. Its people, who have long struggled with drought, isolation, and lack of infrastructure, have relied on social cohesion and a series of small yet persistent innovations to transform what was once a depopulating settlement into a destination for community‑led ecotourism.

Lighting and security system installed at Lar’s Neshat Garden

TEHRAN - The Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Larestan has completed and inaugurated a lighting and surveillance camera project at the historical Neshat Garden in Lar, southern Iran, the department’s head said.

Golestan Palace: centuries-old canal to be restored to revive Persian garden layout

TEHRAN – Restoration work on a historical water canal at Tehran’s UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace is set to begin after 13 years, as part of efforts to revive the traditional geometry of the Persian garden.

Growth in Zanjan travel; emerging phenomenon

TEHRAN— Zanjan province is currently recognized as a symbol of the transformation in Iranian travel patterns; a transformation that can pave a new path for the development of modern and event-based tourism in the country.

Intl. Iranology congress to be held in Tehran and Shiraz in mid-November

TEHRAN – An international Iranology congress, organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and the Iranology Foundation, will take place in Tehran and Shiraz from Nov. 15 to 18.

Over 1,700 caravanserais still standing across Iran, researcher says

TEHRAN – More than 1,700 caravanserais dating from the Sassanid to the Qajar periods remain across Iran, with about 60% of them still active or capable of restoration, a university researcher said.

Polish tourists to travel to Lut Desert

TEHRAN—Some 11 polish tourists are to travel to Lut Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during November 7-16, said Mohammad Arab, the deputy head of South Khorasan Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department.

Iran, Tajikistan seek UNESCO label for Cyrus Cylinder, famed as world’s first charter of human right

TEHRAN – Iran and Tajikistan have jointly submitted a draft resolution to the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference seeking recognition of the Cyrus Cylinder as a global symbol of early human rights and cultural diversity.

Architecture students visit historical sites in Aran and Bidgol

TEHRAN - Architecture students conducted a one-day field visit to historical sites in Aran and Bidgol county on Thursday to study traditional architecture, restoration methods, and cultural heritage preservation, a local tourism official said.

Semnan is to host intl. tourism conference

TEHRAN – The first International Tourism Conference of Semnan, titled “Silk Road: Opportunities and Perspectives,” will be held tomorrow at Semnan University, according to the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.

Tajik interior minister visits tourist attractions in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Tajikistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ramazon Rahimzoda visited the historic city of Isfahan on Monday as part of his ongoing trip to Iran.

Mostazafan Foundation, tourism ministry sign agreement to boost jobs and economic empowerment

TEHRAN – Iran’s Mostazafan Foundation and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts have signed an agreement aimed at promoting economic empowerment and creating sustainable jobs.

Quranic-themed handicraft exhibit underway in Sanandaj

TEHRAN — A handicrafts exhibition showcasing various objects mainly with a Quranic theme is currently underway in Sanandaj, the capital of Kordestan province, western Iran.

Iran launches pilot program for tourist currency exchange and payment cards at airports

TEHRAN – The Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CBI) said it has begun a pilot phase of a plan to buy foreign currency from international tourists and issue “tourist cards” at the country’s international airports.

Iran holds talks with Iraq on preserving ruins of Taq Kasra monument

TEHRAN - Iran has held discussions with Iraqi officials on preserving and restoring the ancient Taq Kasra monument, a major remnant of the Sassanid Empire located near Baghdad, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Saturday.