Iran has taken a significant step towards the potential registration of its historical mosques as a collective property on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

So far, a primary selection of 34 mosques from 12 different provinces has been made to undergo extensive research and a field survey to prepare a comprehensive dossier for submission, ISNA reported on Saturday.

Abdolrasul Vatandoust, the project manager overseeing the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of “Iranian Mosques,” announced the commencement of this enormous project, describing it as one of the most important cultural heritage initiatives in Iran in the last 50 years.

Speaking to ISNA, Vatandoust, who has previously represented Iran in the successful registration of the “Hegmataneh” and “The Persian Caravanserai” sites, explained that preliminary studies for the dossier have begun. However, the more critical and time-consuming fieldwork is yet to commence, which will require significant funding and cooperation from provincial units and other relevant organizations.

He added that the selected structures represent the architectural evolution of mosque design in Iran, spanning from the early Islamic period to contemporary times.

Vatandoust noted that the current list of 34 mosques might change over the course of the next one to two years, with some mosques potentially being added or removed as the research progresses. “The key objective is to ensure that these mosques are thoroughly documented and studied in time for submission.”

Commissioned by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicraft, the project aims to complete the dossier by the end of this year, with the hope of submitting it to UNESCO in the following year. However, Vatandoust emphasized that the success of this timeline is heavily dependent on securing the necessary funds, particularly for tasks such as documentation, laser scanning, aerial photography, and field research.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the expert addressed whether mosques already on the World Heritage list, such as the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, would be included in this new nomination. He confirmed that the “Iranian Mosques” dossier is envisioned as a chain of interconnected sites, and excluding any of these already registered mosques would compromise the integrity of the entire proposal.

“The dossier aims to showcase the architectural development of mosques in Iran from the Islamic era to the present day,” he underlined.

To date, Iran has successfully registered 28 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage list, with the most recent being Hegmataneh, added on August 6, 2024. It is anticipated that Iran will propose “Falak-ol-Aflak Castle and the Khorramabad Valley” for registration at the next UNESCO session, while several other dossiers, including those for “Iranian Mosques,” “Iranian Windcatchers,” “Iranian Houses,” and the “Cultural Landscape of Masuleh,” are currently in development.

Stunning domes and minarets, integral to the country’s mosques, can be seen in nearly every city and village. These architectural elements have become iconic, with some mosques recognized as timeless masterpieces of Islamic architecture.

Architecturally, Iranian mosques display a rich diversity influenced by regional variations in geometry, materials, and style. These mosques often feature complex structures adorned with colorful tiles and symbolic patterns, reflecting the unique architectural traditions of each area.

Among Iran’s most beautiful and must-visit mosques are the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan, the Shah Cheragh Mosque in Shiraz, the Imam Mosque in Isfahan, the Jameh Mosque of Yazd, the Blue Mosque in Tabriz, the Goharshad Mosque in Mashhad, the Vakil Mosque in Shiraz, and the Agha Bozorg Mosque in Kashan.

A mosque, known locally as “masjed” or “masjid” (meaning “a place of prostration” to God), is a central place of worship in Islam. In Iran, mosque architecture is characterized by symmetry, intricate geometric designs, and vibrant colors. /T.T/

The Iranian national team achieved remarkable success at the inaugural International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, earning a bronze team medal and securing the 18th overall rank in Bulgaria.

The team, comprised of students Mohammad Sadra Kouhestani, Amir Hossein Zarei, Parsa Sadeghi, and Alireza Rahimi Yazdi, showcased their skills in a highly competitive environment.

In one of the three scientific challenges, the Iranian team delivered the best solution among 41 participating teams from 33 countries, demonstrating an accuracy that surpassed not only their competitors but also the solution provided by the problem’s designer, according to PressTV.

The first International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2024) took place from August 9 to August 15 in Burgas, Bulgaria, attracting around 40 teams from across the globe.

Gold medals were awarded to teams from Letovo, Poland, and Singapore in this edition. In the practical round, gold medals went to Poland, Bulgaria, Australia, and the United States.

This event aimed to highlight the significance of artificial intelligence education and competition at the high school level. /MNA/

An Iranian knowledge-based company has exported and installed over 17,000 advanced medical devices in 50 countries on five continents. The company specializes in the design and production of advanced medical equipment, including patient vital signs monitors, advanced ICU ventilators, electrocardiographs, AED defibrillators, and suction devices, IRNA reported on Monday.

These products are widely utilized in critical care units (CCU, ICU), emergency departments, and ambulances.

The CEO of the company said the organization has helped Iran gain self-sufficiency in the field of advanced medical equipment’s design and production.

As a result, Iran has transformed into an exporter of these sophisticated products to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, Reza Yaghoubzadeh added./IRNA/

An Iranian knowledge-based company has worked on producing a kit for detecting dengue fever and monkeypox. According to a report by the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, the knowledge-based firm “Zhiwan Zist” started its activity in 2012 with the focus on producing a broad range of molecular biology kits. It has supplied its products, which include various high-quality detection kits, enzymes, buffers and molecular solutions to laboratories, clinics, hospitals and research centers across the world.

Amir Ali Karimi, the CEO of Zhiwan biotechnology company, stated that their knowledge-based company, relying on locally-developed knowledge and advanced research and development, has so far made more than 80 kits in different fields of laboratory and research extraction and detection.

“Also, the research and development department of the company is currently working on detection kits for dengue fever and monkeypox to meet the country’s needs in those fields,” the CEO said.

Karimi described DNA extraction kits from amniotic fluid and fetal DNA extraction from mother’s blood by using the column method as the other kits produced in their company, adding that, “These kits, which were produced for the first time in Iran and are easily available, are used to check the health status of the embryo.” /MNA/

Iranian handicrafts continue to gain recognition in global markets, with exports to countries around the world, according to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.

In a statement reported by Mehr News Agency, the ministry highlighted the steady demand for Iranian handicrafts in international markets. “Ukraine, Thailand, Kenya, Syria, and Yemen were the leading importers of Iranian handicrafts in terms of weight during the first three months of the [current Persian] year (started on March 20).”

Ukraine topped the list, importing Iranian handicrafts worth approximately $42,000, followed by Thailand with $36,500, Kenya with $27,000, Syria with $19,500, and Yemen with around $14,000.

However, when considering the total value of exports, other countries showed even greater financial engagement. Russia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Japan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey recorded the highest financial transactions related to Iranian handicrafts during the period.

According to Farzad Ojani, an official with the ministry, Iran’s handicraft industry has experienced a remarkable 53% increase in exports during the first quarter of the current Iranian year. The official highlighted that approximately 26 tons of handicrafts, valued at $74.5 million, were exported in the first three months of this year, compared to about 16 tons worth $48.6 million in the same period last year.

“The top provinces in terms of export value were Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, West Azarbaijan, Kermanshah, and Ilam,” the official mentioned, adding that Tehran led with nearly $30 million, followed by Khorasan Razavi with $7.3 million, West Azarbaijan with $7.2 million, Kermanshah with $6.5 million, and Ilam with $5.8 million.

Detailing the types of handicrafts exported, Ojani noted the significant contributions from metal crafts, wooden crafts, textiles, traditional embroideries, precious metals, ceramics, traditional glassware, and leather products.

He further elaborated on the performance of various handicraft sectors, mentioning a 79% increase in export value and an 86% increase in the weight of metal crafts. Wooden crafts saw a 74% rise in export volume and a 75% rise in value, the official continued.

“Textiles and traditional embroideries witnessed a 61% increase in weight and a 69% rise in value,” Ojani stated. “Moreover, the export of traditional embroideries and textiles grew by 49% in volume and 58%.”

He also noted a 31% increase in the export value of precious metals, with figures rising from approximately $13 million in the first quarter of last year to about $18 million this year.

In the ceramics sector, there was an 8% growth in volume and a 12% increase in export value, according to the official. Traditional glassware exports saw a significant 230% increase in weight, though with only a 4% rise in value, he added.

However, the leather goods sector faced challenges, experiencing a 45% decline in export volume and a 61% decrease in value, Ojani brought to light.

The official concluded by highlighting that other handicraft products saw a 168% increase in export volume and a 69% rise in value. /T.T/

Iran has always been a popular destination for international tourists with its thousands of years of history, rich and diverse culture, unique historical monuments and stunning natural scenery. In recent years, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has made extensive efforts to improve tourism infrastructure and ensure the safety and well-being of tourists by implementing effective policies and measures. Considering the lowest crime rates in the region, public safety is very high in the country.

Several investments have been made in the development of tourism infrastructure, including hotels, residences, transportation and welfare facilities, which have significantly improved the quality of services provided to tourists. Iranian hospitality is one of our main value.

The inbound tourists’ number also magnifies show the growth. For example, last year, Iran received 6.4 million international shows a growth of 51%, and in the first four months of this year, more than 2.5 million tourists from different countries visit Iran, which signifies the world’s trust and interest in visiting our country.”

The Imam Khomeini (RA) World Award is the highest Badge of Honor of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is granted to the most effective real and legal entities active
in the field of promoting Imam Khomeini’s (RA) School of Thought. This award is granted in two theoretical and practical sections to outstanding and exceptional scientific works as well as effective and extensive sociopolitical activities at national and international levels.

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Imam khomeini world Award

Statistics indicate that Iran’s generation of electricity during the administration of the late President Ebrahim Raisi registered a 13.5 percent growth, with Iran generating more electricity than industrialized countries like the UK and Italy.

The latest statistics released in a report on “Statistical Review of the Global Energy” show that Iran generated 382.9 terawatts/hour of electricity in 2023, registering a 4.3 percent hike compared to a year earlier.

Iran had generated more than 367.1 terawatts/hour of electricity in 2022.

The growth of Iran’s generation of electricity in 2023 was nearly twice that of the average growth of the generation of electricity in the world.

The report put the total generation of electricity worldwide in 2023 at more than 29,924 terawatts/hours, which was 2.5 percent higher than a year earlier.

Iran’s generation of electricity in 2023 exceeded that of industrialized countries like the UK, Italy, and Spain as well as Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand, the report added. /T.T/

The Iranian feature film “The Wasteman” directed by Ahmad Bahrami and produced by Mohammad Hosseinkhani won an award at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) in China.

Competing with 13 other films from Spain, Argentina, Germany, France, Japan, Bangladesh, Italy, Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and China in the main competition section of the event, “The Wasteman” won the Outstanding Artistic Achievement award on the closing ceremony of the festival on June 22, Mehr reported.

A 2024 production, “The Wasteman” is about a middle-aged wagon driver, of a determined demeanor, who trundles a corpse toward the cemetery of a strange, silent village bereft of all apparent life.

Ali Bagheri is the sole actor in the 80-minute drama that had its world premiere at this year’s SIFF. With no dialogue, Bagheri focuses intensely on facial expressions, body language, and interaction with the environment during the film.

The movie serves as the final chapter of Bahrami’s “Waste Trilogy”. It continues the previous films’ use of long takes, black-and-white cinematography, and themes of struggle. In “The Wasteland,” a man facing imminent unemployment fights for his rights, while in “The Wastetown,” a woman imprisoned for killing her husband fights for custody rights.

China’s longest-running and most internationally respected major cinema event, the Shanghai festival hosted an estimated 1,600 screenings of 461 films across its 10-day duration this year.

This year’s festival was held from June 14 to 23 and hosted masterclasses, debates on women’s position in the film industry, forums on story-telling and the development of the Chinese film industry, and numerous company presentations.

Founded in 1993, the Shanghai International Film Festival is the only competitive film festival in China approved by FIAPF.

SIFF focuses on awards, markets, forums, and film exhibitions to build an international platform and promote the development of the Chinese film industry.

In recent years, with the increasing growth of China’s economic strength and the rise of its international status, Chinese films have attracted more and more attention from people worldwide. SIFF, held in June annually, has become a great event for filmmakers worldwide, whose universal industry appeal, international influence, and effect on the world’s multicultural film culture and development of the film industry have also been praised by people inside and outside the industry. /T.T/

Iran is set to conduct two significant satellite launches in the coming weeks, according to Hassan Salariyeh, the head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA).

Salariyeh announced on Saturday that the launches are scheduled to occur before July 21.

Salariyeh noted that the ISA is currently performing compatibility tests between the satellites and the launch rockets.

“The compatibility and joint tests between launches and carrying rockets are among important and sensitive issues which sometimes can face delays because of certain technical problems,” he stated.

He assured, however, that the satellite launches would proceed only after ensuring a 100% success rate in the compatibility tests.

On Tuesday, Iran’s Minister of Communications Issa Zarepour highlighted the significant advancements in the nation’s space and communication sectors in recent years.

“In less than two and a half years, 12 satellites have been successfully launched into space, and two more launches are planned by the end of the current administration to set a new record in Iran’s space history,” Zarepour noted.

He also mentioned efforts to stabilize the technology for injecting satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

“After a decade-long hiatus, the space life program has been revived, and two new biological capsules are under construction to take an important step towards sending humans into space,” Zarepour added.

Despite Western pressure and sanctions on its space sector, Iran has successfully conducted satellite launches in recent years.

Iran maintains that peaceful technological advancement in the aerospace field is the country’s legitimate right with authorities stating that the satellites are used for various scientific and development purposes in the country.

In January, Iran launched three satellites simultaneously for the first time using a modern satellite carrier developed by the Iranian Defense Ministry.

The ISA-built Mahda satellite was unveiled during these launches.

This event followed the launch of the Sorayya satellite into orbit with a rocket designed by Iran’s elite military force, the IRGC.

Additionally, in late February, an Iranian satellite was placed into a 500-kilometer orbit for the first time.

The Pars 1 research-sensing satellite was launched from Russia’s Vostochny spaceport using the Soyuz rocket.

MNA/