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Iran to test upgraded bio-capsule in suborbital launch

News, News 6

TEHRAN, Dec. 17 (MNA) – Iran’s Space Agency says an upgraded bio-capsule has entered the final stages of design and construction and is scheduled for a suborbital test launch within the next six to nine months.

Head of the Iranian Space Agency Hassan Salarieh said the organization’s upgraded bio-capsule has reached the final phases of design and manufacturing and is planned to undergo an experimental launch in the coming year.

Speaking to Mehr News Agency, Salarieh said the first launch will be suborbital and aimed solely at conducting initial tests and demonstrating the capsule’s technical capabilities.

He recalled that a 500-kilogram bio-capsule was launched around two years ago, noting that work on the next-generation model began immediately afterward. The initial design targeted a mass class of approximately 1,500 kilograms, but following technical studies and redesigns, the project has now reached an optimized configuration with a final mass of about 700 kilograms.

Despite its reduced weight, Salarieh said the new capsule is significantly more advanced than previous models, particularly in terms of volume, mass efficiency, and guidance, control, and navigation systems.

He emphasized that the most critical upgrade is the enhanced controllability and attitude control of the capsule, which is essential for future missions intended to carry living organisms and potentially humans. Precise and fully controllable landing capability, he said, is a key requirement for bio-capsules.

Salarieh added that the capsule has been designed to accommodate biological payloads under various conditions and dimensions and that, from a technical standpoint, the ability to carry a human has been considered. However, he stressed that no living organism will be onboard during the initial launches, as several test missions will be conducted first to fully validate the capsule’s technical performance.

Regarding onboard life-support conditions, Salarieh said the ability to provide suitable biological conditions, including tolerance to acceleration and environmental factors, has been a core design requirement to ensure the capsule can eventually host living payloads.

He also noted that the upgraded bio-capsule will be launched using a domestically developed launch vehicle. While the earlier capsule was launched using the “Salman” launcher, the increased mass of the new capsule has necessitated the design and development of an upgraded launcher.

According to Salarieh, the new launcher is a domestically developed liquid-fueled system, with special attention given to controlling acceleration levels, as living organisms can only withstand limited g-forces. Design and construction of the launcher are progressing in parallel with capsule development.

Salarieh said both the capsule and its subsystems have shown strong progress and added that while setting an exact launch date in space projects is challenging due to potential technical delays, current estimates point to an experimental launch within six to nine months, likely in early next Iranian year.

MNA

Driving spirit of martyrs must be passed down to future generations: Leader

News, News 1, Supreme Leader of Iran

TEHRAN – During the Tuesday meeting with officials of the National Congress for the Commemoration of the Martyrs of the Alborz Province, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei emphasized that one of the most important tasks today is to convey the motivations and values of the Sacred Defense era (the period of Iran-Iraq war era) to the younger generation.

He noted that despite the many modern tools available to influence young people, they have largely preserved their religious identity, creating an opportunity to creatively and effectively transmit these values to them.

He stated: “Our youth are good young people. Despite the advanced means available to influence them with various ideas and content, they have managed to preserve their religious identity. This environment must be used to creatively explain and transmit these values to young people.”

The Leader highlighted the yearning to meet God and the sense of religious duty among the defenders of the Sacred Defense as just two of the many values and motivations that defined that era. He warned that these motivations must not be allowed to fade. “Unfortunately, the behavior of some cultural institutions and certain responsible organizations does not reflect the dedication needed to pass on the values of the Sacred Defense,” he noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that transferring the values and motivations of that era to the next generation requires careful, artistic work and tireless effort. “Despite all the hardships, poverty, and challenges, there are countless positive elements and opportunities in the country to advance Islam and the Revolution, and these must be strengthened,” he added.

He praised the people of Alborz Province, particularly the families of the martyrs, and expressed gratitude to the congress organizers. He also noted that the presence of people from all over Iran in Karaj is a significant advantage. “If the commemoration of the martyrs and the transmission of their messages and values is done effectively, this advantage will help extend their impact to other parts of the country as well,” he said.

Reflecting on the purpose of these commemorations, he asked: “Why do we hold these events? When we examine the martyrs of the imposed war, the martyrs of recent conflicts, and most martyrs of these wars, we see that they possessed motivations that led them into dangerous situations, sometimes costing their lives. Many others shared these motivations and, thankfully, returned safely. What are these motivations? Why does a young person give up a comfortable life—being with family, studying, working, pursuing dreams and a career—to face the hardships and dangers of war, difficulties that only those who have experienced it truly understand?”

He noted: “If we reduce this great endeavor to mere emotions, we do a disservice to this movement and to these individuals. To say, ‘They were moved by speeches and emotions, so they went,’ is to misunderstand their sacrifice. There are deeper motivations—seek them out and understand them.”

Tehran Times

Iranian wrestler Farrokhi named Greco-Roman Breakout Star of Year

News, News 5

United World Wrestling (UWW) has named Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Gholamreza Farrokhi, who won the gold medal at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships, as the Breakout Star of the Year for his outstanding display of grappling skills.

Farrokhi claimed the world title at the 82-kilogram weight category of the prestigious tournament in Zagreb, Croatia, on September 19 after he prevailed over his Georgian opponent Gela Bolkvadze with a decisive 4-0 score in the final round.

On his way to the title contest, he defeated Li Qingzhe of China 9-0 in Round 32, and then bested Erik Szilvássy of Hungary 8-0 in Round 16.

He then overcame Ramon Betschart, a representative from Switzerland, 9-0 in quarterfinals, and Croatian rival Karlo Kodrić 7-1 to secure a berth in the final.

The 2025 World Wrestling Championships took place in the Croatian capital of Zagreb from September 13 to 21.

World Wrestling Championships 2025: Farrokhi, Mirzazadeh strike gold, Ahmadi claims silver

World Wrestling Championships 2025: Farrokhi, Mirzazadeh strike gold, Ahmadi claims silver

Two months later, Farrokhi took a gold medal at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG).

In the final bout of the men’s Greco-Roman 87-kilogram class on November 18, he defeated Islam Yevloyev of Kazakhstan 6-0.

The 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, known as Riyadh 2025, were an intercontinental multi-sport event organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), held from November 7 to 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Press TV

Iranian-made electric buses begin service in Tehran

News, News 2

A first batch of Iranian-made electric buses has entered service in the Iranian capital, Tehran, as part of efforts to modernize the city’s public transport fleet and reduce pollution caused by traditional diesel-powered buses.

Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohsen Hormozi attended a ceremony on Tuesday to unveil five new electric buses manufactured by Iranian companies for use in the city’s public transport system.

Hormozi said the five buses will operate on a 4.5-kilometer, relatively flat route in central Tehran as part of a pilot program designed to test their performance under real-world operating conditions.

“It took a considerable amount of time to complete the technical tests on these buses, as they are the first of their kind produced domestically and needed to reach full operational stability,” he said.

The official added that up to 25 more domestically produced electric buses will be delivered to the Tehran municipality by the end of the current Iranian calendar year in late March, followed by another 25 by late May. He said that the number of home-made electric buses in Tehran’s fleet is expected to reach 100 by the summer of next year.

A joint product of Iranian companies Oghab Afshan and MAPNA, the buses are supplied by a newly established company called SHETAB and are marketed under the Zima brand. They will join a fleet of 390 electric buses that have already been imported from China and are currently serving inner-city passengers in Tehran.

Reports say that around 110 additional Chinese-made electric buses are expected to join Tehran’s transport fleet soon after completing customs clearance at ports in southern Iran.

The introduction of electric buses is part of a broader program in Tehran and other major Iranian cities aimed at upgrading public transport systems and reducing emissions from conventional vehicles.

According to recent data from Iran’s Environment Protection Organization, motor vehicles account for up to 80% of air pollution in Tehran, a city that experiences particularly high pollution levels during the early and mid-autumn months.

Press TV

Iranian scholar wins recognition at Mahathir Mohammed Award

News, News 3

Hadi Borhani, an Iranian professor of Palestinian Studies at the University of Tehran, has won recognition at the fifth edition of the prestigious international “Mahathir Mohammed Award.”

Borhani secured third place in the “Mahathir Mohammed Award for Intellectual Creativity,” a cultural and scientific event held this year under the theme “Palestine: A Pillar of Civilization Renaissance.”

The award is one of the annual events organized by Malaysia’s International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, which seeks to promote scientific research and ideas on critical issues while honoring contributors to Islamic and global thought and civilization.

Each year, the award is presented to researchers and intellectuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge and thought. It is chaired by Mahathir Mohammed, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, and named in recognition of his pivotal role in building a modern Malaysia.

In his paper, Islamic World: After and Under Zionism, Borhani examines the historical trajectory of the Muslim world, highlighting its periods of flourishing civilization and the impact of Zionism on its contemporary challenges.

Roulami Abdelhamid from Algeria and Egyptian professor Salah Abdul Raouf won first and second place, respectively.

Borhani explained that his research focuses on a major historical transformation in which the Muslim world has shifted from an era of civilizational prosperity to a present state marked largely by crisis and instability.

He noted that the first part of his study demonstrates how the ideological foundations of Zionism are inherently anti-Islamic and rooted in a zero-sum worldview, one that regards monopolizing Palestine and weakening the unity and civilizational strength of the Muslim world as prerequisites for the survival of Israel’s colonial project.

The second part of his research offers a practical analysis of Israel’s strategies, identifying five key areas: direct military aggression and occupation, enforced military and nuclear superiority, the internal destabilization of Muslim societies and states, discursive campaigns to distort the image of the Muslim world, and reliance on Western powers as instruments of pressure against Muslim countries.

Borhani concluded that any progress in the unity or strength of the Muslim world is perceived as an unacceptable loss for the Zionist project.

He emphasized that the Muslim world now stands at a decisive historical juncture, profoundly impacted by the expansion of Zionism and its regional repercussions.

He warned that neglecting the nature of this confrontation risks consolidating Zionist dominance and perpetuating the current state of civilizational crisis in the Muslim world.

Iranian students shine at World Mathematics Team Championship 2025

News, News 4

TEHRAN – Five Iranian female students have won gold medals at the World Mathematics Team Championship (WMTC) 2025 held from December 3 to 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Parnyian Heidarian, Fatemeh Mazini, Sarina Kiaei-Jamali, Sania Kiaei-Jamali, and Helena Aghaei-Hamlabad are the five young students who secured five gold medals at the competition, IRNA reported.

The 2025 competition brought together participants from 30 countries, including China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, and Bulgaria.

The competition aims to strengthen understanding and communication among youths from different regions, help them foster friendships worldwide, cultivate the spirit of teamwork and cooperation, enhance their interest in mathematics, and improve their thinking abilities.

Promoting communication and cooperation among mathematicians and mathematics educators from around the globe, and helping to advance the development of mathematics education, are among the other goals of the competition.

Recent achievements

Iranian students secured three gold medals and a special award in the International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF) 2025, ranking them among the top innovators worldwide.

Organized by the Indonesian Young Scientist Association (IYSA), the competition was held in Bali from November 12 to 15.

Iranian students competed in various fields, including biotechnology, educational technology, artificial intelligence, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, and nanotechnology.

Raman Nafarieh won a gold medal and a special award in biotechnology.  The team, comprising Radin Abbasi and Sam Rashidi, clinched a gold medal in engineering. Moreover, Matin Hayati won a gold medal in educational technology and artificial intelligence.

Iranian students continued to showcase their excellence at international competitions by winning medals at the Yakutia International Science Fair (YISF) and the World Invention Creativity Olympics (WICO).

YISF was held in Yakutsk, Russia, from July 6 to 9. The event brought together 129 teams from 10 countries, participating in two different categories.

The first category included mathematics, computer science, and information technology, and the second one involved physics, astronomy, and engineering.

In the second category, Mehran Rajabi and Alireza Jafarnejad ranked first for their project titled ‘EcoNet Bin: AI-Driven Waste Segregation with IoT-Enabled’.

‘Protecting Curious Little Minds: A Smart Child Safety Solution with IoT and Image Processing’ was the name of the project presented by Moeid Rajabi and Helena Rajabi, who secured second place.

Artin Radmatin, Baran Bahman, Mohammad-Hossein Ezzati, Niki Abtahi, Sarina Nosrati, and Baran Derakhshandeh won third place for ‘Evaluation of the effect of using magnetic gear in improving the performance of process systems based on mechanical gear’.

Also, Zhina Aminorroaya-Karladani grabbed the special prize for her project, ‘UVGuard Grooming Brush’.

In the first category, Artin Salari and Amir-Abbas Kavosi Amin ranked second for ‘Smart Glasses for the Blind with Real-Time Object Detection.

Ilia Majidzadeh Heravi and Parsa Karimi Yazdi came in third for their project titled ‘CommuniMate SmartApp: An Innovative Solution for Deaf Communication’.

Source: TEHRAN TIMES

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

Art & Culture, Art & Culture 1, News, News 2

The 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture, scheduled to take place in Gorgan, the capital of Iran’s Golestan province, from Dec. 16 to 19, is often described as a celebration. But to see it only as a cultural event is to miss its deeper significance.

Over the years, the festival has become a quiet but effective instrument for tourism development, economic activity, and cultural diplomacy. It may even be a revealing lens through which to view how Iran negotiates identity at home and engagement abroad.

The scale of participation alone sets the event apart. Artists, ritual performers and handicraft makers from across Iran, alongside guests from neighboring countries, transform Gorgan into a temporary crossroads of cultures. Through sustained hosting, the city has positioned itself as a rare, semi-permanent stage for the public presentation of Iran’s ethnic diversity — a role few cities in the country have assumed so consistently.

What makes the festival particularly consequential is the way it challenges simplified or stereotypical portrayals of Iran’s ethnic groups. In an era when media representations often flatten cultural difference, the festival offers a direct encounter with lived traditions: music performed rather than archived, rituals enacted rather than described, and customs practiced rather than curated. This immediacy does more than entertain; it reshapes public understanding and reinforces a shared national fabric built on diversity rather than uniformity.

There is also a clear economic logic at work. According to Golestan’s tourism chief, Fereydoun Fa’ali, this year’s festival will feature more than 80 handicrafts booths from across the country and about 50 representing local artisans. For many of these makers, such events are not symbolic gestures but practical lifelines — rare opportunities to reach new buyers, test markets and sustain small-scale livelihoods that struggle to survive outside seasonal tourism cycles.

The festival’s international reach adds another layer of meaning. With participants from Central Asia, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and several evenings dedicated specifically to Central Asian cultures, the event functions as a modest but effective exercise in cultural diplomacy. At a time when formal political channels are often strained, shared heritage becomes a language of engagement, positioning Golestan as a cultural bridge between Iran and its broader neighborhood.

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

Tourism, too, is inseparable from this equation. Held during the autumn and winter travel season, the festival draws visitors from across the country, many of whom extend their trips to explore Golestan’s natural landscapes and historical sites. Side programs such as guided tours, supported by local officials, deepen this impact by encouraging longer stays and broader economic circulation.

Beyond numbers and markets, the festival performs a subtler task: transmitting cultural memory. Ritual dances, indigenous music, local cuisines and traditional dress are not staged as nostalgic artifacts, but presented as living practices. For younger Iranians in particular, this encounter can turn abstract notions of “intangible heritage” into something immediate and personal.

Handicrafts sit at the center of this cultural economy. Direct sales, connections with bulk buyers and even informal export opportunities regularly emerge from the festival, with many artisans reporting sustained benefits long after it ends. In that sense, the event offers a compelling reminder that culture, when treated as a living system rather than a decorative asset, can generate both meaning and material value.

Taken together, Gorgan’s Tribal Culture Festival suggests a broader lesson. Culture, often relegated to the margins of policy, can function as infrastructure — supporting tourism, shaping identity and enabling dialogue across borders as a form of soft power.

Source: TEHRAN TIMES

Pezeshkian: Women are pillars and builders of Iran and its future

News, News 1

Tehran, IRNA – President Masoud Pezeshkian says it is inconceivable to assign women any status or value lower than that of men, stressing that “women are the pillars of society and the builders of the country and its future.”

Speaking at a ceremony marking Woman’s Day and Mother’s Day on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said that men and women “build life together and are responsible for raising children and the future-makers of the country.”

He said that the role of women and mothers carries “a very high level of importance and value.”

Criticizing “wrong beliefs” that treat women as tools, the president said, “I believe that those who do not see women and their valuable place in society are blind.”

Pezeshkian concluded by congratulating all Iranian women and mothers, saying he believes fully in their abilities and worth.

Source: IRNA

Iran becomes key player in space-related events

News, News 3

The Iranian Aerospace Research Institute’s PR manager says Iran has been constantly pursuing space sciences.

Morteza Nikkho, secretary of World Space Week in Iran, said at the opening ceremony that this gathering was established by a 1999 United Nations General Assembly resolution and has now become the largest international event dedicated to space. He explained that the main goals are to educate the public on the benefits of space exploration, promote sustainable development, build public support for space programs, and encourage the next generation to pursue space sciences. The week also emphasizes the expansion of international cooperation in the field.

This year’s theme, “Space and Sustainability,” focuses on humanity’s efforts to make space a livable environment. Nikkho said the theme highlights innovative technologies, major challenges, and the role of international partnerships in achieving that goal.
Last year more than 1,567 events were held in 90 countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran, with 284 registered events, ranked among the top ten countries and even placed third in some categories. Nikkho said several provinces, including Isfahan, Yazd, Fars,

Razavi Khorasan, and East Azerbaijan, played a leading role. East Azerbaijan, he noted, has already started its programs this year, including outreach sessions for children.
He underlined that Iran’s Space Agency, the Space Research Center Space, and the Aerospace Research Institute are central to promoting space sciences. Also universities, schools, scientific associations, private organizations, and knowledge-based companies actively participate.

Among this year’s special programs are stargazing nights, the distribution of books, simple astronomy and space lessons for children, webinars, and distributing educational materials in underprivileged areas.

He stressed the role of media in raising public awareness of space science and said intensive training courses will soon be launched for journalists to introduce key concepts and terminology.

Nikkho concluded that, given the climate change, shrinking natural resources, and natural disasters, space technologies can play a decisive role in managing resources, confronting crises, and improving quality of life. /MNA/

 

268 tourism projects worth $130 million inaugurated across Iran

News, News 1

A total of 268 tourism projects were inaugurated simultaneously via video conference by Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri on Wednesday.

They include 33 hotels and hotel apartments, 98 traditional and eco-tourism residences, 26 traditional dining halls, 12 tourism complexes, and 99 other tourism facilities, which, with a total investment of over 130 trillion rials (some $130 million), will provide employment for 2,830 people.

Speaking at a ceremony which was held in a boutique hotel in downtown Tehran, Salehi-Amiri appreciated the efforts of investors in the tourism sector.

Talking to officials of Ilam province, the minister said, “Ilam is one of the centers of Iranian civilization and a province with unparalleled tourism potential, warm and hospitable people, and valuable handicrafts. This province has a special status in the tourism industry not only due to its rich history and culture, but also as a host to millions of pilgrims to the holy shrines.”

After inaugurating Qazvin tourism projects, he said that Qazvin is a province rooted in Iranian civilization, with magnificent historical monuments such as the Saad-ol-Saltaneh complex and beautiful handicrafts. It has extensive potential to become one of the country’s most important tourism destinations, he pointed out. Its proximity to the capital is also a strategic advantage for further boosting Qazvin’s tourism, he added.

The minister also inaugurated Khorasan Razavi projects and said Khorasan Razavi province is the major pilgrimage tourism hub of the country and along with it, other areas of tourism have also grown significantly.

“The appropriate infrastructure of this province has made Mashhad a reliable center for holding national and international events. We expect this province to be a model for other provinces in the country.”

Following the inauguration of Bushehr tourism projects, he emphasized the importance of marine tourism. “Bushehr is a vital point in Iran’s geography. This province has a great potential in marine tourism and more investment should be made in this area. Fortunately, the private sector is also active in this field and a bright future awaits marine tourism in the south of the country.”

He continued that Semnan is province with unique tourism potentials and is considered both economic and tourism destination.

“This province, with its special position in desert trekking and hosting Razavi pilgrims, can become one of the country’s important tourism hubs. The role of the private sector in this direction is very decisive, and we consider the private sector to be the driving force behind tourism development.”

Salehi-Amiri pointed out that the three northern provinces are the beautiful image of Iran in the minds of domestic and foreign tourists. With the launch of marine tourism projects in the north of the country, a significant boom will take place in the tourism industry of these provinces, especially Mazandaran, and new horizons will be opened in the development of national tourism, he added.

Also, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpei said that $160 million was allocated for tourism and handicrafts sector in current Iranian year, while $25 million was allocated in the last Iranian year.

He added: “Strategies to identify the status of tourism in the governance system were important to us. Iran, with a history of more than 60,000 years, has an active and talented private sector in all fields that can flourish those different sectors. Considering the capabilities to strengthen the place of tourism in the governance system, we witnessed changes in this sector.”

Mohseni Bandpei also said: “By developing the ecotourism and empowering local communities, we can achieve reverse migration and tourism development. The Minister of Economy said that tourism can be the driving force of the country’s economy, which is indeed the case.”

Stating that Iran is one of the most attractive countries in the world, he added that despite Iranophobia, Iranian tourism is active in the fields of pilgrimage, health tourism, etc.

He continued: “Another of our strategies is to facilitate processes and use the private sector so that we can achieve sustainable tourism.” /T.T/