The Iranian Embassy also voiced hope that during the leadership of the new Pope, “we will witness broad efforts toward dialogue, interfaith rapprochement, the promotion of peace, social justice, and the eradication of oppression in the world”.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected on May 8, 2025, becoming the first American and first Augustinian to lead the Catholic Church.
Kamalvandi said Iran is not the only country enriching uranium while not possessing nuclear weapons and that there are several other nations that follow the same path.
He cited countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, Argentina, and Germany as examples of nations that engage in uranium enrichment but do not have nuclear weapons.
Kamalvandi criticized the US secretary of state for making what he called an uninformed statement, saying It is unfortunate for the US State Department’s staff that their top diplomat makes such claims without proper research.
He urged US officials to study more and speak more responsibly.
Rubio had earlier claimed that countries engaging in uranium enrichment are typically those that possess nuclear weapons, suggesting that Iran is a unique exception.
The US is among those states caliming Iran is pursuing nukes in its nuclear program. Tehran denies this.
As the city celebrates the auspicious occasion, the streets leading to the holy shrine are adorned with colorful lights and decorations, making the day even more special.
Pilgrims, often overwhelmed by devotion, gather in the courtyard of the shrine, engaging in prayer, songs of praise, and celebration of the Imam’s birth.
The festivities, held on the last day of the ten-day event, “Decade of Dignity” (Dahe-ye Keramat), have illuminated not only the city but also the hearts of the faithful.
The shrine’s surrounding areas are filled with vibrant flowers, flags, and banners commemorating the event, creating a festive atmosphere.
In addition to the spiritual celebrations, the Imam Reza Shrine and surrounding areas are offering increased social services, including medical support with additional ambulances and emergency units, as well as charity projects aimed at helping the needy.
The projects include construction initiatives in rural areas and efforts to provide hearing aids to students in need among others.
The international literary event “Night of Poetry” was also held, highlighting the beauty of Imam Reza’s teachings through poetry, fostering cultural connections among pilgrims.
Beautiful flowers, colorful banners, and decorative ribbons adorned the area, adding to the festive atmosphere.
More in pictures…
In a post on the social platform X, Pezeshkian shared an image of Iran’s national flag along with the hashtags #PersianGulf, writing, “The Persian Gulf will remain the Persian Gulf.”
This statement comes after an Associated Press report quoted two anonymous US officials claiming that Trump intends to officially use the name “Arabian Gulf” during his Middle East trip, reportedly under pressure from Arab states.
Trump later told reporters he would make a decision during the visit, adding, “I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
Iranian officials responded swiftly, with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, among others, condemning the move.
The name “Persian Gulf” has been documented in historical records for centuries, and Iran has long defended its legitimacy.
In 2012, Iran threatened legal action against Google for omitting the name from its maps. The dispute remains a sensitive issue.
According to her family, the cousin claimed he was experiencing serious relationship issues and sought confidential help. Trusting his request, Mirzaei invited the couple to her home.
Once inside, the attackers assaulted her with a hammer and then fatally slashed her throat.
Investigators say the perpetrators wrongly assumed Mirzaei possessed a significant amount of gold. After the murder, they discovered she owned little of value.
They were arrested hours later, with the stolen jewelry still in their possession.
Mirzaei lived with her mother and sister in a three-story family home. Her sister discovered the body after repeated unanswered calls. Authorities found signs of an attempted arson at the scene.
Mirzaei’s last public statement was a tweet criticizing the return of the anti-violence bill against women from parliament to the government.
The incident occurred after a Premier League match between Persepolis and Kheybar on Thursday night at Takhti Stadium in Khorramabad, the provincial capital of Lorestan.
According to the association, a post-match altercation led to Peyrovani being attacked by two Kheybar supporter leaders.
Reza Davoudnejad, spokesperson for the Lorestan Football Association, confirmed that the disciplinary committee of the Iranian Football Federation has issued an immediate ban on both individuals, preventing them from attending any football stadiums until further notice.
“This is a preliminary ruling. A final decision will be made after a thorough review of the evidence and witness reports,” Davoudnejad said.
The match ended in a 2-1 victory for Persepolis, part of the 29th week of Iran’s Premier League season.
The incident has drawn criticism from fans and officials alike, prompting calls for stricter regulations on fan conduct.
Alireza Abdollahzadeh, Head of Kashan’s Cultural Heritage Department, announced the registration on May 2, marking a milestone in Iran’s efforts to professionalize and elevate its cultural festivals on the global stage.
Celebrated each spring, the rosewater festival is much more than a local tradition—it is a symbol of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage. The ritual involves the early morning handpicking of Damask roses, followed by the distillation of rosewater in large copper pots, producing one of the region’s most cherished artisanal goods.
The resulting rosewater is not only a staple of Kashan’s economy and a treasured souvenir, but also plays a sacred role in religious rituals, such as cleansing the shrines of revered figures and use during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Abdollahzadeh emphasized that the inclusion of this event in the international tourism calendar opens a new chapter in introducing Iran’s rich cultural identity to the world and attracting global visitors seeking authentic heritage experiences.
In Tehran, government offices, banks, insurance companies, municipalities, and public institutions will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday through Wednesday, starting May 9.
Thursdays will be considered a non-working day across all counties in the province.
Emergency and essential service centers are exempt from the directive.
According to Moshirolhaq Abedi, Deputy Governor of Tehran for Development and Resource Management, the decision follows a directive from the Ministry of Interior aimed at reducing electricity consumption and managing national power grid demand during peak summer months.
Similar measures have been announced in several other provinces. Most have adopted identical working hours and Thursday closures, with some regions implementing partial remote work to comply with labor regulations.
Authorities stress that these changes are temporary and subject to review based on energy usage and climate conditions. Provincial officials have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the new schedule.
During the unveiling of the underground drone facility, Major General Salami stated: “The IRGC Navy possesses all elements required for full-scale warfare – from precision-guided anti-ship ballistic missiles to cruise missiles with varying ranges capable of hitting both stationary and mobile targets.”
The senior commander emphasized that the IRGC Navy can independently sustain and successfully manage extended military operations.”
He noted that “what the Iranian people witness today represents only a fraction of the IRGC Navy’s substantial drone capabilities.”
Salami warned adversaries that “our enemies should properly understand the extent of our power to avoid miscalculations stemming from ignorance of our capabilities.”
He reiterated Iran’s defense doctrine, declaring: “Our fundamental principle remains that any hostile action against our interests will be met with strikes against both the origin of aggression and any location housing enemy assets.”
© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
