Ali Daei confirmed as Persepolis coach

- Persepolis football team announced that Ali Daei will take charge the team from next season. The board of management of Persepolis appointed Daei on Monday as Yahya Golmohammadi's replacement. - 5/20/13

Iranian Wrestlers Abruptly Leave US Early

- The U.S. State Department has denied Iranian media reports that the United States deported the Iranian wrestling team ahead of a Sunday meet in Los Angeles. A State Department official tells VOA's Persian News Network that U.S. authorities had nothing to do with their departure. - 5/18/13

Iran-US Wrestling Match in Los Angeles Cancelled

- Executive Director of US Wrestling Federation Rich Bender said here Friday, ˈWe could not accept responsibility of Iranian Wrestling Team in Los Angeles, and therefore the Iranians preferred to return to Tehran. - 5/17/13

Photos: Iran joins US charity wrestling event in New York

- Iranian wrestlers participated in a New York charity event dubbed "The Rumble on Rails" at Grand Central Station, facing off against their U.S. and Russian adversaries on May 15, with Iran defeating the U.S. 6 to 1. - 5/16/13

Iranian footballer named as Asian football ambassador

- Iranian footballer and former player of Hamburger SV Mehdi Mahdavikia has been named as the ambassador of Asian football. According to the report of Asia Football Confederation Website, Mahdavikia, along with Chinese female footballer Bai Lili, were officially named as the first Asian football ambassadors. - 5/16/13

Photos: Teams From U.S., Iran, Russia Back Olympic Wrestling

- Wrestlers from the United States, Iran, and Russia have appeared jointly at the United Nations to promote the value of wrestling. The teams, which are in New York for a wrestling exhibition on May 15 at New York's Grand Central Station railway terminal, hope to apply pressure on the International Olympic Committee to keep their sport in the Olympics. - 5/15/13

Iranian wrestlers head to U.S.

- The Iranian free-style wrestling team left Tehran for the United States on Sunday morning to participate in an exhibition match in New York's Times Square. The United States, Russia and Iran will come together in solidarity to compete in a unique wrestling competition in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal in New York City on May 15. - 5/13/13

Esteqlal wins Iran's Premier League title a week before end of tourney

- Esteqlal has won the championship of Iran's Premier League (IPL) for the third time after beating Foulad one week before the end of the tournament. The Blues blanked host Foulad 1-0 in a match in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday. - 5/6/13

Sepahan wins Iran's Hazfi Cup in penalty shootout

- Sepahan defeated Persepolis in Iran's Hazfi Cup at Tehran's packed Azadi Stadium on Sunday. The game went to penalties after extra-time finished on 2-2, and Sepahan beat Persepolis 4-2 in the penalty shootout. - 5/6/13

Persepolis-Hamburg SV match in Tehran will be Mahdavikia's swan song

- Former Persepolis captain Mehdi Mahdavikia will play his farewell match at Tehran's Azadi Stadium against Germany's Hamburg SV in June. Mahdavikia, who will turn 36 in July, has decided to bring an end to his 18-year football career. - 5/5/13

Iran's Ali Parvin receives AFC Distinguished Service Award

- Iranian football legend midfielder Ali Parvin was conferred prestigious Gold Award on Friday in recognition of his services in Asian football for 30 years. Homayoon Behzadi and Ali Jabbari of Iran, who did not attend the ceremony, were also given golds in the AFC Distinguished Service Award 2013 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday. - 5/4/13

25 Ducks: From Iran to Division I, Arsalan Kazemi has come a long way

- Arsalan Kazemi has come a long way - 7,120 miles if you want to be exact. Even though it wasn't very popular in his home country, Iran, Kazemi decided to add basketball to his already-full list of sports when he was 9. -Turner Maxwell, Daily Emerald - 5/3/13

Iran's Kaleh crowned Asian Men's Club Volleyball Champion

- Iran's Kaleh wrapped up the title of the 2013 Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship with a win over Al-Rayyan on Monday. The Iranian representative defeated Al-Rayyan in three straight sets (25-22, 25-17, 25-21) at Tehran's Azadi Hall. - 4/30/13

U.S. to face Iran wrestling team in Los Angeles

- The United States and Iran wrestling teams will face in a friendly, slated for May 19 in Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in the United States. The Iranian freestyle team will leave Tehran on May 11 to participate in an exhibition match in New York's Times Square. - 4/27/13

Iranian mountaineer ascends Mount Makalu

- Iranian mountaineer Azim Gheichisaz on Wednesday managed to ascend the 8,463 meter Mount Makalu. With his latest feat, the number of summits with the height of over 8,000 meters scaled by the Iranian mountaineer reached 11. - 4/25/13

Iranian wrestlers win three bronzes in Asian Championships

- Three Iranian free-style wrestlers claimed bronze medals in the 2012 Asian Wrestling Championships.Parviz Hadi won Iran's only gold medal in the 120kg on Sunday. - 4/23/13

Iran weightlifting 4th in Youth World Championships

- Iran weightlifting team finished in fourth place in the 2013 IWF Youth World Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Alireza Dehghan of Iran in the 85kg weight class, claimed the gold medal with a total of 319 kg. - 4/15/13

Iranian wrestling team to travel to U.S. for exhibition match in New York

- The Iranian freestyle team will leave Tehran on May 11 to participate in an exhibition match in New York's Times Square. The United States Wrestling Federation has said that a dual meet will be held on May 16. - 4/10/13

Iranian marathon runner finishes third in Spanish competitions

- Iranian marathon runner, Hossein Fazeli, became third in the over-55-year category of the thirteenth semi-marathon competitions in the Spanish capital of Madrid. - 4/8/13

Iran, US, Austria form coalition to save wrestling in 2020 Olympics

- Austria has joined Iran and US to save wrestling in the list of 2020 Olympic Games. Austrian media said that Austria joined Iran and US forming coalition to keep wrestling in the list Olympic Games. - 3/30/13

Footballer Daniel Davari invited to Iranian national team

- Iranian-German keeper Daniel Davari has been invited to the Iranian national football team for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait on March 26. Davari had been invited to Iran football team for the match against Lebanon on February 6 but withdrew due to his concentration on his club's matches. - 3/17/13

Iranian American Wonderkid Runs 100 Yards For 40 Yard Touchdown

- American Football may be in its infancy in the UAE, but 12-year-old Kian Sohrabi is doing his best to put it on the map. Sohrabi has been the talk of the sport's community over the past few days, and it's little wonder, after scoring a stunning touchdown that has had Sport360 towers in raptures. - 3/12/13

Photos: Paragliding in Mazandaran, Iran

- Paragliding is a favorite adventure for tourists visiting the town of Galugah by the Caspian Sea in Iran's Mazandaran province. The heights at the village of Mahdirjeh offer a great point to soar about the beautiful landscape and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. - 3/6/13

Hamed Haddadi to wear No. 98 with the Suns in honor of Iran

- Phoenix Suns center Hamed Haddadi has decided to pay tribute to his home country by choosing to wear No. 98, Iran's international telephone code. According to ESPN's NBA reporter Arash Markazi, the switch was made from his old number 15 as a sort of homage to his native Iran. The number 98 is Iran's international telephone country code. - 3/3/13

Iran leaders gain as football loses

- "My experience as the national team manager of Iran was that football plays a major role in the political, social and even economic direction that the nation takes and the people who decide the direction of the country are constantly using the game for their political agenda," said Afshin Ghotbi, head coach of the national team from 2009 to 2011. John Duerden, Aljazeera - 3/3/13

Photos: Celebrations in Tabriz after Traktorsazi defeats Al Jazira in ACL

- Iran's Traktorsazi football team kicked off this year's Asian Champions League with a 3-1 win over Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates in Group A on Tuesday. After the game, people celebrated their home team's win in the streets of Tabriz. - 2/27/13

Iran wrestling team invited to New York: Report

- The U.S. Wrestling Federation has invited the Iranian freestyle team to participate in the exhibition match in New York's Times Square, the Iranian media reported. The U.S. Wrestling has said that a dual meet will be held in May. - 2/27/13

Wrestling Diplomacy Cuts Tension at Nuclear Talks With Iran

- U.S. diplomats found rare common ground with the Islamic Republic at a fresh round of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and world powers, noting Iran's victory in the freestyle wrestling World Cup held in the Iranian capital last week. -Reuters - 2/27/13

US, Iran Go to the Mat for Olympic Wrestling

- The United States and Iran rarely agree on much. But now sports officials in both countries are going to the mat to try to save wrestling as an Olympic sport. World Championship wrestling in Tehran pits the United States against Iran. But the match is about more than victory for one side or the other. For the wrestlers and their coaches, it is the start of a shared struggle. - 2/23/13

The Phoenix Suns acquire Haddadi

- The Phoenix Suns have traded backup point guard Sebastian Telfair to the Toronto Raptors for center Hamed Haddadi and a second-round pick. The 7-2 center became the first Iranian-born player in NBA history when he made his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008-09, according to insidehoops. - 2/23/13

Photos: Iran overpowers US freestyle wrestling team 6-1 at World Cup in Tehran

- Defending World champion Iranian freestyle wrestling team in a brilliant performance on Thursday evening overpowered US free style wrestling team 6-1. Iranian team set a shining record on the first day of the international tournament and powerfully won all five teams in its pool. - 2/22/13

Iran wins Freestyle Wrestling World Cup 2013 title

- Iran has grabbed the 2013 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup title after beating Russia on the final day of the tournament in Tehran. Russia finished runner-up, followed by the United States on Friday at the 12,000-seat hall of the Azadi Sports Complex in west Tehran. - 2/22/13

Iran, US strongest ally in wrestling: US national wrestling teams director

- The national teams director for USA wrestling says Iran is 'one of the strongest allies' of the US in wrestling, siding with the Islamic Republic in efforts to reverse a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude wrestling from the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. - 2/21/13

Iran wins Greco-Roman silver at Wrestling World Cup

- Iran had to settle for a silver in the Greco-Roman Wrestling World Cup 2013, which was held, in Tehran, after losing to powerhouse Russia in the final. On Wednesday, Russia defeated Iran 5-2 in the gold medal match, which was held at Tehran's Azadi Sports Complex. - 2/20/13

Sports brings nations together: U.S. wrestling coach

- The United States freestyle wrestling coach Zeke Jones has said that sports bring nations together. In an email interview with the Tehran Times on Tuesday, Jones also talked about the 2013 Freestyle World Cup, which will be held in Tehran from February 20 to 21. - 2/20/13

Photos: 2013 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Cup in Tehran

- Iran defeated Turkey 4-3 in the first match of the 2013 Greco-Roman wrestling World Cup in Tehran on Tuesday. The Iranian team next overcame Kazakhstan 6-1 and will wrestle with Hungary and Azerbaijan later in the day. It is predicted that Iran and Russia will face each other in the final. - 2/19/13

U.S. Wrestling Team To Compete In Freestyle World Cup in Iran

- Wrestling is a national sport in Iran, and huge sellout crowds are expected to fill the Azadi Sports Complex all week long. USA Wrestling has a close relationship with the Iranian Wrestling Federation, and U.S. teams have competed in Iran numerous times since 1998, when a U.S. freestyle wrestling team was the first U.S. sports team to compete in Iran after the Iranian Revolution. - 2/16/13

U.S., Iran, Russia team up to save wrestling

- On the world stage, the U.S. is in dire conflict with Iran and Russia. On the wrestling mat, the three powers in the sport suddenly are in alliance. "I think without a doubt we're together on the wrestling front," says Greg Strobel, two-time former U.S. Olympic wrestling coach and former coach at Lehigh University. "We'll be working together." -Gary Mihoces, USA Today - 2/15/13

Vote 'No' to dropping wrestling out of Olympic sports

- ESPN, leading website in sports, has held poll to elicit the viewers' opinion on which sports should be dropped from Olympic. This comes after decision by IOC to drop wrestling out of Olympic. ESPN has also polled other 26 sports to remain in the list. - 2/13/13

Iranian official calls for efforts to prevent removal of wrestling from Olympic games

- As it looks to revamp the Games sports program, the International Olympic Committeeˈs Executive Board said in a surprise recommendation on Tuesday that wrestling should be removed from the 2020 Olympic Games. - 2/12/13

Photos: Iran basketball team clinches WABA title

- Iran claimed the title of the 2013 West Asian Basketball Association (WABA) Championship on Saturday. The Persians rolled past Lebanon 100-86 in Tehran's Azadi Basketball Hall. - 2/10/13

Brazilian football player Juninho joins Iran's Foolad

- Roberto Neves Adam Junior "Juninho" has reached an agreement to join Iranian football team Foolad. The 23-year-old Brazilian will reunite with his countrymen Leandro Padovani Celin and Luciano Pereira Mendes in the Ahvaz-based team. - 2/8/13

Football: Iran defeats Lebanon 5-0 in World Cup qualifying game in Tehran

- Javad Nekounam starred with a hat-trick as three-time champions Iran kick-started their 2015 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a crushing 5-0 victory over Lebanon on Wednesday. The rousing win made Iran early favourites to join Japan, host nation Australia and South Korea, who finished first, second and third in 2011, at the Asian Cup's next edition in early 2015. - 2/6/13

Iranian players are talented: Women's football coach Helena Costa

- Iran women's football coach Helena Costa said that the Iranian players are so talented. "The Iranian players are so talented but they need to improve their tactical skills as well," the Portuguese said. - 2/4/13

Iran's Behdad Salimi named Best Lifter of Year 2012

- Iran's superheavyweight lifter Behdad Salimi was selected as the Best Lifter of the Year 2012 on Thursday. Over 1,300 verified voters took part in the election, which was organized by the International Weightlifting Federation site. - 2/2/13

Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz blasts Lebanon for time-wasting

- Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz criticized Lebanon for time-wasting ahead of the match against the West Asian team in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Carlos Queiroz's team has lost to Lebanon 1-0 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September in Beirut. Iran is scheduled to face Lebanon on Wednesday in Tehran's Azadi Stadium. - 2/2/13

Haddadi: "I miss the Grizzlies fans"

- Iranian center Hamed Haddadi said on Saturday that he misses the Grizzlies fans after leaving the NBA team. The Toronto Raptors acquired center Hamed Haddadi and Rudy Gay on Wednesday. - 2/2/13

Iran Wins Asian Beach Soccer Championship on Penalties

- Iran made history by winning the Asian beach soccer championship for the first time. Iran came back from a 6-3 deficit to secure a 6-6 draw against Japan in regulation time of the final of the Asian qualifiers for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. - 1/28/13

Daniel Davari uninterested in joining Iran football team

- Germany's Eintracht Braunschweig keeper Daniel Davari has said that he is not interested in joining the Iran football team at the moment, a report says. The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) recently opened an inquiry into German-Iranian keeper, but he declined the invitation, saying he wanted to concentrate on his club. - 1/28/13

Football: Daniel Davari to wear Iran No. 1 shirt

- Iranian-German keeper Daniel Davari will be invited to the Iran football team, coach Carlos Queiroz said on Monday. The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) has recently opened an inquiry into German-Iranian keeper, who currently plays for Eintracht Braunschweig in the 2. Bundesliga. - 1/23/13

FIFA banns Iran football coach for two matches: report

- FIFA banned Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz for two matches for insulting South Korean captain during Iran's 1-0 win over South Korea in October. - 1/23/13

Iran's Mehdi Mahdavikia voted Asia's Most Popular Footballer

- Mehdi Mahdavikia of Iran was voted the Most Popular Footballer in Asia amongst currently active players in 2012, according to the results of voting on the website of the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). - 1/13/13

I'm ready to help Memphis Grizzlies win: Haddadi

- Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi says he has worked hard over the summer to get in shape. Haddadi has played in just eight games this season, but three of those appearances have come in the last four games, according to Commercial Appeal. - 1/9/13

Iran football coach: "I don't have a magic wand"

- Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz says he has no magic wand to create new players. "There are horrible typhoons in front of us. We could have earned the better results in the previous matches but suffered two bitter defeats against Lebanon and Uzbekistan," Queiroz said on Friday. - 1/5/13

Photos: Alpline Ski Competitions at Darbandsar Ski Resort, Tehran

- The second round of the International Alpine skiing competitions was held in Darbandsar Ski Resort north of Tehran with the participation of athletes from Poland, Slovenia, India and Iranian clubs. - 1/1/13

Iran Football Coach Carlos Queiroz Laughs Off Red Bulls Link

- "Without a doubt, we will talk about consecutive victories in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in the new year. There is nothing to say. I wish you all a happy new year," Queiroz said in a letter sent to Khabaronline on Tuesday. - 1/1/13

Iran Football Coach Shortlisted for New York Red Bulls Job: Report

- Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz is a candidate to take charge of New York Red Bulls, MLS Soccer reported. - 12/29/12

Iranian men's snooker team named world second team

- According to data released by the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF), Pakistan is the world's snooker champion team with 172 points. Iran, moving two places up in the latest IBSF ranking, is in the second place with 144 points. It is followed by England with 142 points. - 12/24/12

Photos: Little World Champion, Iranian Girl Motahare Asadi, Has Big Dreams

- Motahare Asadi from Iran won the gold medal of the World Youth Chess Championships 2012 on November 19. In the competitions held in Maribor, Slovenia from November 7-19 Asadi finished at the first place in the U8 Girls section where she collected 10.5 points. - 12/23/12

Lifter of the Year 2012: Vote for Iranian weight-lifting giant

- International Weightlifting Federation has announced the voting for the best weightlifter of the year for 2012. Behdad Salimi, Iranian weight lifter in +105kg category, is the only Iranian representative among the candidates. - 12/22/12

Persepolis coach Manuel Jose resigns: report

- Persepolis coach Manual Jose has resigned, Iranian media outlets reported on Saturday. Last week, Yahya Golmohammadi replaced the Portuguese coach following poor results in the Iran Professional League. - 12/22/12

Iran's football coach: It's time to be united

- Iran failed to qualify for the semifinal round of the 2012 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship. However, Queiroz insisted on Monday that he took advantage of the game and would pick up some young players for the World Cup qualifier. - 12/17/12

Football: Iran eliminated from WAFF despite defeating Yemen

- Iran defeated Yemen in the 2012 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship on Saturday but the team failed to book a place in the semifinals round. Iran defeated Yemen 2-1 in the match held at the Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium in Kuwait City. - 12/16/12

Iran held by 10-man Bahrain in WAFF

- Iran football team failed to beat 10-man Bahrain in the 2012 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship on Wednesday. In the match held at the Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium in Kuwait City, Iran was held to a goalless draw against Bahrain in Group B. - 12/13/12

Iran ranks 2nd in World Taekwondo Championships in Colombia

- Iran ranked second in the seventh WTF World Taekwondo Poomsea Championships 2012 in Tunja, Colombia. The Iranian national team managed to win one gold, three silver and five bronze medals. - 12/10/12

Iran's female shooting team wins silver medal

- The Iranian female shooting team became vice-champion of trapshooting in India's clay pigeon shooting competitions by winning the sport event's silver medal, the secretary of Iran's Shooting Federation said. - 12/10/12

Football: Iran, Saudi Arabia play out goalless draw

- Neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia was able to produce a goal in the first group match of the 2012 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship. - 12/9/12

Photos: Basij goes face to face with Pollution in Tehran

- A group of Basij members daringly confronted Tehran toxic pollution on Thursday. Sort of! They paraglided right into it! - 12/6/12

Iran Football Federation named Asia's best

- Iran Football Federation (IFF) was chosen as the AFC Member Association of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at a glittering ceremony on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Iran's futsal team was also selected as the best team in Asia. - 12/1/12

Iran finishes 2nd in World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships

- Iran finished in second place of the 2012 World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships held in Santa Cruz, Aruba on Sunday. Defending champion Iran lost to South Korea 27-13 and came second. - 11/27/12

Ali Karimi among three nominated for AFC Player of the Year award

- The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the final three names for the 2012 AFC Player of the Year award award. - 11/25/12

We'll not axe Carlos Queiroz: Iran football chief

- Head of the Iran Football Federation Ali Kaffashian said on Tuesday that he has not decided to axe Carlos Queiroz. Iran lost to Uzbekistan last week in the 2012 World Cup qualifier and has a difficult task to advance directly to the competitions. - 11/21/12

The "Leopard of Iran" gone missing on Mont Blanc

- Iranian experienced mountaineer Mahdi Amidi Ahang has not yet found after more than one month. Amidi, known as snow leopard of Iran, was last seen on 16th October at near the Tete Rousse refuge on the Mont Blanc in the Alps. - 11/20/12

Iranian duo shortlisted for AFC Player of the Year Award

- Ali Karimi and Mohsen Bengar of Iran have been nominated for the 2012 AFC Player of the Year award on Sunday. Japan, Korea Republic and China have a player each in the list. - 11/18/12

Iran loses to Uzbekistan in World Cup qualifier

- Uzbekistan stunned host Iran in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. The Iranian national football team lost 1-0 to the Uzbeks in front of 40,000 home fans at Tehran's Azadi Stadium. - 11/15/12