Health officials want to cancel hajj for Iranians due to swine flu
The Health Ministry and the Majlis Health Committee are seriously opposed to allowing Iranians to go on hajj this year due to the swine flu epidemic, MP Mohammad-Reza Rezaii-Kouchi said on Saturday. - 11/7/09
Photos: The Beautiful Nature - Manjil Heights, Gilan
The photos by Sina Shiri presented here are from the beautiful nature in the heights of Manjil, a historical town in Iran's northern province of Gilan. Manjil is known as the windy city of Iran; a reputation caused by its geographical position in the Alborz mountains i.e., at a small cleft in Alborz that funnels the wind through Manjil to the Qazvin plateau. Throughout the history Manjil has been a gate to the Southern Caspian area. - 10/31/09
Limon - A New Classy Restaurant in Tehran
Once in a while, even in Tehran, one walks into a real surprise. This is what I felt when our friend Ali had invited us to a new restaurant in town. As always he wanted to impress his guests with his wit and taste and despite my reservations I must admit that he won me over. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 10/26/09
Iranian tourism officials banned from giving interviews
Iran's Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) has recently forbidden its managers to be interviewed by the news media or for them to disclose any information to the press on the number of foreign tourists visiting Iran. - 10/21/09
The Swiss Restaurant in Forsat Street,Tehran
I am certain that those of us who used to go out in Tehran many many years ago will have been familiar with the famous Swiss Restaurant in Forsat Street. Next to the Fardis Hotel, it has been around for nearly fifty years and it was one of the best places in Tehran to dine -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 10/14/09
Swine flu claims 3 more lives in Iran, death toll reaches 10
The Iranian Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that three more persons have died of swine flu virus over the last week, bringing the number of patients who have died so far of the H1N1 disease to 10 in the country. - 10/14/09
Tehran's Longest Metallic Overpass Opens
Roshandelan overpass, which is one of the most important urban projects of Tehran and will facilitate motor traffic along Enqelab Avenue as well as Roshandelan Street, Pich Shemiran intersection and Bahar Avenue was inaugurated on Saturday, October 10 in a ceremony attended by Tehran Mayor, Dr. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. - 10/13/09
Tehran Subway Passengers Hit 1.6m a Day
Managing director of Tehran and Suburbs Operations Company noted that since the beginning of October and the new academic year, the number of subway passengers has increased to 1.6 million per day and is expected to hit 1.7 million per day in November. - 10/13/09
Photos: A walk in the mountains around Tehran
At about 7 in the morning, we set off from the sleepy village of Ahar, which is off the Lavasan to Fashun road, and walked along an easy and clear path northwards � the way was very green and peaceful, with hardly any other walkers. We went through a wooded valley, past cherry orchards and passing apple trees and pear trees, before getting to a steep slope which was heavier going. -Syma Sayyah and Paul Sanford, Tehran - 10/7/09
Photos: Life in the Village of Anbouh in Gilan, Iran
Following photos by Narges Tankberis have captured the people and scenery of the beautiful village of Anbouh located near the city of Rudbar in Iran's northern province of Gilan. Rudbar or Roodbar is a city situated in the mountainous region of Gilan Province in Iran. - 10/5/09
The Tough Days of Zayandeh Rud
Zayandeh Rud (life giver river) is the largest river on the central plateau of Iran, Isfahan Province. The Zayandeh starts in the Zagros Mountains and flows 400 kilometres eastward before ending in the Gavkhouni swamp, a seasonal salt lake, southeast of Esfahan city. The Zayandeh Rud is spanned by many historical Safavid era bridges, and flows through many parks. Zayandeh Rud normally has significant flow all year long, unlike many of Iran's rivers which are seasonal. But this year the severe draught has caused the river to completely dry up. -Photos by Hossein Baharloo, ISNA, - 9/29/09
A Picnic by Damavand
Our good friend Mehrdad and his brother Babak were our guides and our mutual friend Eli our host. We started late morning and drove east of Tehran towards Damavand. It is the highest mountain peak in Iran and it looks stunning, majestic and awesome on the rare occasions that we can see it from different parts of Tehran if the pollution allows. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 9/25/09
Iran's aviation regulation seen as a factor in air crashes
Iran often blames sanctions for preventing aircraft upgrades. But one industry official faults politically driven regulators who fail to do their job, and who bend the rules for well-connected airline -Borzou Daragahi, LA Times - 9/15/09
U.S. to Sell Plane Spare Parts to Iran
Specifically, the Obama Administration has stated that if Iran were to request safety of flight waivers for repairs/overhaul of its civilian passenger aircraft not involved in military purposes, the United States would be very forthcoming, with the simple and obviously necessary proviso that the parts are replaced outside Iran so the old parts cannot be re-used in military aircraft. - 9/14/09
Iran says US aviation sanctions 'inhumane'
Speaking to Press TV, CAO spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh said on Saturday that "Although these sanctions have resulted in the development of Iranian specialists, nevertheless, this act by the US is against humanity and contrary to all international conventions." - 9/12/09
Photos: Isfahan's Sabzeh Maydon, fruit and vegetable market
Sabzeh Maydon (literally meaning Green Square) or Kohneh Maydon (Old Square) in Isfahan is next to Jameh mosque. There is a plan to renovate this fruit and vegetable market and interconnect it to the rest of Bazar and ultimately to Naghsh-e Jahan Square. - 9/11/09
Photos: Beautiful Shomal, Iran's Caspian sea area
Traveling to North Iran with Azen Haghighi, photographer - rice harvesting, lush roads, fishing... - 9/8/09
Photos: Allahnazar Village in Sarakhs, Iran
Sarakhs is both a city and also a 8407 km-square district of Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. Sarakhs town was once a stopping point along the Silk Road, and in its 11th century heyday had many libraries and a famous school of architects. Much of the original city site is now just across the border at Saraghs in Turkmenistan. -Photos by Amin Khosroshahi, ISNA - 9/5/09
Regular flu more fatal than swine flu in Iran
Seasonal flu death rate is higher than swine flu's, the director of the Iranian Society of Internists warned in Tehran on Saturday. - 9/5/09
Photos: Darvish Khan's Stone Garden
Darvish Khan's Stone Garden is located about 45 kilometers from the city of Sirjan in Iran's Kerman province. The garden was created almost 4 decades ago by the late Darvish Khan Esfandiarpoor, a deaf and dumb gardener, upon losing his treasured garden. Darvish Khan lived in the garden, with his only son and 7 grandchildren, till his death. - 9/2/09
Report and Photos: Kojoor (to Caspian Sea) Canyon in Mazandaran, Iran
Kojoor Plateau is a small plain that sits at an elevation of 1500 m among the peaks of the Alborz Mountains roughly 22 Km south of the Caspian Sea Coast. Although the mountains that surround the Kojoor plateau are forested, the plateau itself remains tree-less. -Nader Honarkhah - 9/1/09
Photos: Date Harvest Season in Minab - Iran
Minab is a city in Hormozgan province in the southeast of Iran not far from Bander Abbas. It is famous for fishing and for farming. - 8/31/09
Photos: The Unique Twin Ice-Pits in Sirjan, Kerman
The twin ice-pits on Sirjan, Kerman Province, are unique and there is no similar example in the world, said director general of Kerman Province Cultural Heritage Department. "The ice-pits dates back to 108 years ago; the generous people of the time constructed the ice-pits to hold the ice for summer," added Fakour Pas. - 8/27/09
Photos: Shirvan Valley, Sabalan
Shirvan Valley is one of 11 wildlife habitats located in Sabalan mountains area. It is located about 20 kilometers from city of Meshkinshahr. Shirvan is 2200 meters above sea level, and covers 75 kilometers square. This valley is deep and wide, and enjoys spectacular scenery. There are also two 40-meter-waterfalls in the valley. -Photos by Navid Jadidoleslam, ISNA - 8/25/09
Russia delays jetliner deliveries to Iran
Russia has postponed for one year the delivery of five Tupolev TU-204SM jetliners to Iran, despite initial agreements between the two countries. Russia's Ilyushin Finance Company (IFC) was expected to deliver five Tupolev Tu-204SM passenger aircrafts to Iran - 8/25/09
Swine Flu Cases Hit 238 in Iran
A total of 238 people in Iran have been so far diagnosed with swine flu, the Health Ministry announced on Wednesday. - 8/19/09
Photos: Vanak Church in Isfahan, Iran
This is the most important and famous historical church in Isfahan from the viewpoint of architecture and decorations values and wall paintings. This church has other names such as san sour or Amena Perkich that means savior. This splendid church was built in 1015 H / 1605 AD. It has a great dome, tall walls and vaults that is now the residence of Armenian caliphate of Iran and India. -Photos by Hossein Baharloo, ISNA - 8/18/09
Saudi Arabia has highest incidence of flu
Iran Air is reported on 10 August to have suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia, following an earlier Iranian government ban on all citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia during 30 days of Ramadan, beginning around 22 August. Iran had 144 reported cases of H1N1 on 8 August, according to WHO, mostly pilgrims who had visited Saudi Arabia. - 8/11/09
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama regarding Iranian plane crashes
I write to bring to your attention a human tragedy that plane crashes have brought to the Iranian people and visitors who travel to Iran. In tune with your "hope" and "change" slogans, I also write to urge that you help mitigate this calamity by lifting sanctions on the sale of American-made civilian planes and spare parts to Iran. - 8/10/09
Photos: Children's Painting Workshop
in Zayandeh dry river bed - Isfahan - 8/10/09
Flu Fears Prompt Iranian Ban on Ramadan Pilgrimages
Iran has banned its citizens from making pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan in an effort to slow the spread of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. - 8/7/09
Passenger plane makes emergency landing in Ahvaz, Iran
A Saha airline plane made an emergency landing on Monday in Ahvaz airport due to a technical problem in one of its engines. - 8/3/09
Photos: Iran-Europe railway interrupted due to ground movement
Iran-Europe rail connection has been interrupted due to ground movements in the vicinity of the town of Khoy in West Azarbaijan province. About 300 meters of the railway has been destroyed. A special team has been formed to repair the railway. - 8/3/09
Tehran's dust pollution remains at dangerous level
Dust pollution in Tehran will remain at a dangerous level throughout Monday, Tehran's air pollution emergency committee announced on Sunday. According to the emergency committee, pollution's average PM (particulate matter: tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas) reached 119 on Sunday. - 8/2/09
A Weekend in Azerbaijan
Last February, we were at Felor and Anoosh's house along with some other friends who have become part of our group when we decided to accept Buick and Mercedeh's invitation to go to their hometown Tabriz once the weather was warmer and visit the famous Kandovan Rocky Hotel. I had been to Tabriz only on business years ago, and Paul had never been, so we jumped at the opportunity. It took some time to make sure everybody's time was free but we eventually made the trip last week. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 8/1/09
Swine flu victims reach 42 in Iran
The number of people found infected with swine flu virus has reached 42, the director of the infectious diseases management department at the Health Ministry said on Tuesday. - 7/28/09
Photos: Plane crash in Mashhad, Iran
16 people were killed and 33 others injured when an Aria Air plane crash-landed in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Friday. The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-62 jet, had 153 passengers and crewmembers onboard. The Russian-designed Ilyushin 62 which belongs to Kazakhstan struck the wall in the airport. - 7/25/09
Swine flu cases confirmed in Iran's provinces of South Khorasan and Kerman
Health officials have confirmed that two people in South Khorasan and Kerman provinces who had returned from pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia were found infected with swine flu virus. - 7/24/09
Photos: Norouz Sayyad Festival, Salkh Village, Qeshm Island
Salkh village is located on the Iranian island of Qeshm. Qeshm is an island situated in the Strait of Hormuz off the south coast of Iran and east of the Persian Gulf. Qeshm Island is located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran, opposite the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir. -Photos by Amir Reza Fakhri, ISNA - 7/23/09
Iran's swine flu cases increase to 9: minister
Health Minister Kamran Baqeri-Lankarani stated here on Tuesday that 9 cases of swine flu have been detected in Iran. Lankarani added none of the detected cases have been infected in Iran. - 7/22/09
Photos: Deserts of Iran by Nasrollah Kasraian
Many of you will be familiar with the works of the well known veteran and internationally acclaimed Iranian photographer Nasrollah Kasraian, who has had more than 20 of his books published. Kasraian has taken a most diverse range of photographs in terms of people, the region and repetition in different years to record more changes than any Iranian photographer during his working life of nearly half a century. -By Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 7/21/09
Photos: Tabriz Bazaar
The Tabriz Bazaar is the one of the oldest and largest covered bazaars in the Middle East and is located in the centre of the city. This spectacular structure consists of several bazarche, such as the Amir Bazaar (gold and jewelry), the Mozzafarieh (carpet bazaar), a shoe bazaar, and many more for a variety of other goods. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 7/20/09
Photos: Harvesting Wheat, The Traditional Way, Kermanshah, Iran
Following photos by Saber Karimi show the farmers in the western province of Kermanshah in Iran harvesting wheat using the traditional ways. Kermanshah Province is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. It is in the west of the country, bordering Iraq. - 7/19/09
Iran Recovers Black Boxes From Crashed Plane
Iranian state media say officials have found two flight recorders from the passenger plane that crashed in northwestern Iran, killing all 168 people on board. The United States has extended its condolences to the families of those killed in the crash. - 7/16/09
Photos: Iranian Plane Crash Near Tehran Kills All 168 Aboard
Iranian state media say a passenger plane has crashed in northwestern Iran, killing all 168 people on board. State television said Wednesday the Iranian airliner was heading to the Armenian capital of Yerevan when it went down near the northern Iranian city of Qazvin. The plane crashed 16 minutes after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport. Reports quote some witnesses as saying the plane was on fire in mid-air. - 7/15/09
Scenic Iran
I'm finally back in Tehran after an almost week long trip across Iran. Starting out from Babol, some friends and I went to the Iranian province of Hamedan to visit Ali Sadr Cave, an amazing natural beauty. -Mohammad Sagha, Chicago Now - 7/12/09
Citing Sandstorm, Officials Shut Down Iranian Capital
Authorities in the Iranian capital have ordered state offices and businesses there closed on July 9 due to fierce sandstorms, Radio Farda reports. Iranian opposition groups have noted that the timing of the closure is convenient for officials still eager to combat public expressions of frustration over the country's June 12 election, which detractors and two losing candidates allege was massively flawed. - 7/8/09
Tehran closes down for second day due to dust pollution
The rising level of dust pollution has forced the closure of Tehran's offices and educational centers for a second day. Dust storms raising from Iraq and Saudi Arabia have hit Iran's western and southwestern areas, including the provinces of Qom, Kurdistan, Chahar-Mahal and Bakhtiari, Zanjan and Fars. - 7/7/09
Photos: Norwegian bikers in Qom, Iran
Following photos are from a group of bikers from Norway touring the city of Qom in Iran. The bikers are visiting Qom as part of a "cultural dialogue" tour. -Photos by Mohammad Akhlaghi, ISNA - 7/7/09
U.S. Department of State'sTravel Warning for Iran
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran . Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran . American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and carefully consider non-essential travel. - 7/7/09
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