I will survive and I will write to you again. I hope to write soon: “The war is over, the people have returned home, no children will be killed.”

Alireza Bahrami |Tehran 

Correspondent for The AsiaN

TEHRAN: The ninth day of the war in Iran was the beginning of the week. (The Iranian week is from Saturday to Friday). There was more traffic in the city. The number of citizens in the subway had increased significantly. Unlike the previous days, all the seats in the subway train were occupied; of course, mostly by men. The Israeli attack on Tehran has decreased in the past 2 days. Last night, the famous cities of Isfahan and Shiraz were attacked. Perhaps this is why a number of people who had left Tehran have returned home.

When I left home today, one thing caught my attention. One street above our house is a kindergarten for autistic children. Like all kindergartens, it was closed. I wondered how autistic children are doing in these tense conditions. What is the situation of their families?

A few days ago, when Israel issued an evacuation warning before attacking an area in Tehran, there was a big Charity Nursery in that area. The babies were immediately moved to a safe place and placed on the floor of a hall. Yesterday, I saw an advertisement on the Internet inviting volunteer families to take these months-old babies to their homes until the war ends.

Access to international internet has improved a bit in Iran. In the Internet and in the cities, people are still kind; but how long will this situation last? Starting tomorrow, 30 percent of employees are scheduled to be present in organizations.

Today, I called a famous Iran-lover. I went to see him. We talked about the necessity of resuming cultural and artistic activities. I asked him to say a few words to my colleagues in the Asian Journalists Association (AJA) and the AsiaN audience. To give his opinion on this war.

Ali Dehbashi – Iranologist and editor of Bukhara magazine – said:

“We are the only country in the region that has natural historical borders. The historical background of this geography goes back thousands of years. The Iranian people have been the target of invasions by foreign tribes many times throughout history. And resistance is in their nature. It is in their thousand-year-old poets. So what happened to them today is reminiscent of the fighters who defended their land for thousands of years. These memories have come alive and created hope. And this hope has created life.”

So, I repeat: I will survive and I will write to you again. I hope to write soon: “The war is over, the people have returned home, no children will be killed.”

Read: War and Life in Tehran

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Courtesy: The AsiaN, Seoul, South Korea (Posted on June 22, 2025)

The post Humanity Faces War’s Repetition first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Alireza Bahrami

Correspondent for AsiaN

TEHRAN: Today I walked for four hours in the streets of Tehran. I chose my route to pass in front of the large army barracks near our house. Israel attacked these barracks in the first days of the invasion of Iran. The presence of police officers and guards was evident around the barracks.

Shortly after, about 500 meters away from home, on a side street, the presence of several secret police officers caught my attention. I looked into the side street. A 4-storey building had collapsed in the Israeli attack. I was still stunned to see the same scene repeated on the next side street. On this street, one of the guards had an automatic weapon hanging from his neck. Now I realized where the third series of explosions that terrified my family a few days ago were.

War has shown its terrifying face to my city, to my home and my family. I was thinking about this when I reached the large park near my house.

I saw first a young girl sitting on a park bench, listening to a podcast and drawing. On the bench next to her, a cat was lying down. A little further up, two old men trying to hang two pieces of cloth caught my attention. I sat down on a bench to see what they were going to do. When it was ready, they started playing pin-prick.

The streets of Tehran do not feel like you are in the middle of an apocalyptic movie, nor do they resemble the Tehran that was always bustling and noisy.

But the remarkable thing is that life in the city still goes on. Many people have left Tehran. Many others have stayed home. But some people in Tehran do not seem to have taken the shadow of war seriously at all. At a stall on the side of the street, I saw two women standing while a florist prepared their bouquets. A man had opened his paint shop, waiting for a customer. A woman was carefully cleaning the windows of her house.

Tehran spent the seventh day of the war relatively calmly. Perhaps because of Iran’s attack on Israel on Thursday morning. The news reported that Iran had used highly destructive, undetectable missiles in the attack. Foreign and domestic sources put the number of injured in the attack at more than 200. Or perhaps this calm and quiet in Tehran was due to the words of the foreign minister. He had told the European parties for Friday’s talks that diplomatic talks were meaningless until the Israeli attacks stopped.

Of course, the night before, some areas in a city near Tehran had been targeted by Israel. It was also announced that an attack would be carried out near a village in northern Iran on the morning of the eighth day. However, the air defenses in Tehran spent the seventh day doing little. Perhaps there was another reason.

The internet has not been international in Iran for the past 48 hours. It only works for Iranian sites and applications. The government announced that the numerous drones that were used to attack Iranian infrastructure in the past days were guided via the internet with SIM cards. So, with the internet cut off, these drones are useless. In the past days, many of the air defense shots were to counter these drones.

The news on the seventh day of the war was influenced by the forthcoming Friday’s talks between Iran and the European troika, in consultation with the United States. Another important piece of news was the message from the Iraqi Shiite leader.

The previous day, US President Donald Trump, in a strange (diplomatically) speech, raised the possibility of assassinating the Iranian leader. This was echoed by the Israeli defense minister.

Following these remarks, the Iraqi Shiite leader warned that continued Israeli aggression against Iran and the assassination of the Iranian leader would create a fire that would plunge the region into chaos.

The Iraqi Shiite leader was born in Iran, but has been living in Iraq for decades. He never interferes or speaks out on issues related to Iran. Only when the top Iranian general (Soleimani) decided to defeat Daesh in Iraq did he support his action by issuing a religious declaration. In the end, the Iranian general defeated Daesh, but President Trump (in his previous term) ordered the assassination of the Iranian general. He was killed at the airport in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. Everyone I spoke to in Tehran on Thursday asked two questions. One was how long this situation would last and what would happen in the end? The second was whether the talks on Friday.

Read: Iran between war and peace

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Courtesy: The AsiaN, Seoul, South Korea (Posted on June 20, 2025)

The post Observations: War and Life in Tehran first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi, Sindh

Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) and Shahed University, Tehran, Iran signed on Tuesday February 11, 2025 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish collaboration in students and faculty exchange program and in the field of research.

A ceremony was held at SMIU’s Conference Room, where Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Vice Chancellor of SMIU and Mr. Iman Zamani, Director of International Affairs at Shahed University, Tehran signed the MoU.

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Nohekhan, Senior Advisor to The University President, Shahed University, Tehran, Prof. Dr. Farman Ali Shah, Country Representative for Pakistan and from SMIU Dr. Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro, Director ORIC, Dr. Jamshed Adil Halepoto, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Khan, Advisor to the Vice Chancellor on Academic and Registrar Ghulam Mustafa Shaikh attended the ceremony.

According to the agreement both the universities shall develop and strengthen the bonds between two academic communities. It further says that SMIU and Shahed University, Tehran will initiate joint programs for improvement of their educative functions. Sharing research laboratories and accommodating the provision of necessary facilities are also a part of the agreement.  The MoU further says the collaboration in research projects, joint conferences, seminars, workshops and other such activities will be established.

On this occasion Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai welcomed the representatives of Shahed University of Iran and said that after other universities of Pakistan the Shahed University has signed MoU with SMI University that will benefit the students and faculty of both the universities. He said it will be good that the Shahed University is collaborating with SMIU especially in its Department of Artificial Intelligence, Education, English Language and other departments.

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Nohekhan, Senior Advisor to The University President, Shahed University, Tehran said they feel happy on signing MoU with the institution that happens to be an Alma-Mater of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. “We feel proud while visiting this historic and oldest institution of Pakistan, he remarked.

Vice Chancellor of SMIU Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai nominated Dr. Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro, Director ORIC for further coordination with the representatives of Shahed University, Tehran on behalf of SMIU. (PR)

Read: Turkey to establish Cultural Center at Sindh Madressatul Islam University

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Kabul

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Minister of Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the need to provide necessary facilities for Afghan refugees in Iran and to resolve their challenges during a meeting with Alireza Bigdeli, the acting ambassador of Iran in Kabul, TOLOnews.com reports.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the expansion of political, economic, and cultural relations.

Alireza Bigdeli expressed hope for strengthening ties between Kabul and Tehran by utilizing existing opportunities and emphasized the development of relations between the two countries.

Zia Ahmad Takal, the Director of Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said about this meeting: “The political, economic, and cultural relations of his country with Afghanistan, a neighboring and brotherly country, will further expand, and the continuation and development of bilateral relations will be emphasized using the existing opportunities.”

“The relations between both countries should expand further, and some existing challenges should be addressed by the new Iranian government. One of the major challenges is the Afghan refugees, who should live with dignity in Iran,” said Fazlur Rahman Oria, a political affairs expert.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Ambassador in Kabul, in a meeting with the acting head of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, described the expansion of trade and banking relations between the two countries as valuable and assured comprehensive cooperation in this regard.

The acting head of the Central Bank of Afghanistan also considered the development of banking relations and cooperation between Kabul and Tehran to be impactful on the trade progress of the two countries.

Hasibullah Noori, the spokesperson of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, said about this meeting: “In this meeting, the acting governor of the Central Bank mentioned that banking connections are very important for investment progress and assured cooperation.”

“In the future, we can establish banking systems in Afghanistan with the cooperation of Iran, which will be standard and allow our fellow citizens to make good use of the capital they have in the banks,” said Shamsur Rahman Ahmadzai, an economic affairs expert.

Alireza Bigdeli was introduced as the acting ambassador of Iran in Kabul on the 4th of Qaws (solar year) this year and arrived in Kabul on the 10th of Qaws. He described his main mission as strengthening neighborly relations with Afghanistan.

Read: Iran builds 10 km wall on border with Afghanistan

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on January 14, 2025)

The post Kabul, Tehran Discuss Strengthening Political and Economic Ties first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Bradley Blankenship, an American journalist, columnist

Last week, Masoud Dorosti, the managing director of Tehran’s bustling metro system, dropped a bombshell: After seven years of intense negotiations, the Iranian capital is gearing up to welcome a whopping 791 sleek metro trains from China. It’s a move set to transform the city’s transit scene, injecting new life into a system that hasn’t seen a serious upgrade in half a decade.

But that’s not all. Tehran’s mayor, Alireza Zakani, threw in another ace from his sleeve last month, unveiling a flurry of contracts inked with Chinese giants aimed at giving the city’s infrastructure a serious facelift. From major transportation projects to ambitious construction ventures, China’s fingerprints may soon be all over Tehran’s urban landscape. Heck, they’re even rolling up their sleeves to erect housing units in this sprawling metropolis of nearly 9 million souls.

For anyone who’s ever wandered the bustling streets of China’s megacities, the thought of Tehran sporting a metro system rivaling any of China’s tier-one cities isn’t just a pipe dream; it’s a tantalizing glimpse into the future. With its sleek trains zipping through immaculate stations, China’s urban rail network sets the gold standard for public transportation worldwide. Could Tehran, a city boxed in by international sanctions, really outshine the likes of New York City’s aging subway system?

Well, that wouldn’t actually be that hard – but it’s worth rewinding a bit.

This metro makeover isn’t just a spur-of-the-moment fling; it’s part of a grand strategic partnership inked back in 2016 between Iran and China, and later bolstered in 2021 with a 25-year plan. With a target of $600 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2026, an increasing amount of which is done in the Chinese national currency, this pact isn’t just about shiny new trains – it’s about forging a bond that runs deep, touching on everything from trade and economics to transportation and beyond.

At its core, the China-Iran partnership is a symphony of economic, political, and military notes, echoing across the Middle East and beyond. While the US grapples with its own internal squabbles, Beijing and Tehran are busy cozying up, flexing their muscles, and throwing down the gauntlet to Western hegemony in the region.

Read: Tehran To Buy 791 Metro Trains From China

Economically, this partnership is a match made in heaven. China’s insatiable hunger for energy dovetails perfectly with Iran’s vast oil and gas reserves, while Tehran sees Beijing as a lifeline amid mounting economic pressures and diplomatic isolation. With Western sanctions breathing down its neck, Iran’s embrace of China isn’t just strategic – it’s survival instinct.

Beyond economic ties, the China-Iran partnership holds significant geopolitical implications, challenging the traditional hegemony of Western powers in the Middle East. As China expands its presence in the region through ambitious infrastructure projects and strategic investments, it seeks to carve out a greater role in shaping regional dynamics, countering Western influence, and advancing its own strategic interests.

Read: From Iran, Syria and Afghanistan to Ukraine: U.S. Empire Sows Violence and Chaos Yet Again

By aligning with Beijing, Tehran aims to enhance its strategic autonomy, diversify its diplomatic and economic partnerships, and bolster its leverage on the global stage, presenting a united front against Western pressure and isolation.

However, the burgeoning China-Iran alliance is not without its challenges and complexities. As Beijing deepens its engagement with Tehran, it risks alienating key regional players and drawing the ire of Western powers wary of China’s expanding influence.

The stakes are high, with Beijing’s expanding influence drawing scrutiny and skepticism from all corners.

Yet, within Iran itself, the path forward is anything but smooth. There is domestic dissent, with voices like Ahmad Khorram, a former minister under President Mohammad Khatami, decrying Beijing’s encroachment on local turf as an affront to Iran’s engineering prowess. And while trade figures paint a rosy picture, with a paltry $12.5 billion exchanged last year compared to the lofty $600 billion goal, tensions simmer beneath the surface.

Troubles don’t end there. Recent squabbles over oil prices and diplomatic jousting in the Red Sea hint at deeper fissures within this budding alliance. But amidst the turbulence, one thing remains clear: The stakes are too high to ignore. Zooming out, the geopolitical chessboard takes shape, with China and Iran’s strategic gambit reshaping the regional landscape. A 25-year deal signed in 2021 sets the stage for a bold new era of cooperation, with Beijing’s vision for regional security and stability taking center stage.

Read: First cross-border railway between Afghanistan and Iran launched

But not everyone’s on board. Traditional adversaries such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States eye this burgeoning alliance cautiously, wary of the shifting tides in Middle Eastern politics. Yet, even amid lingering tensions, glimmers of hope emerge, with China’s role as a mediator facilitating a thaw in Saudi-Iranian relations last year.

And then there’s the elephant in the room – the US and its band of allies, forever casting a shadow over regional affairs. As China lends a helping hand in revamping Tehran’s metro, one might wonder if Uncle Sam is jealous given that its handful of metro systems are rat factories.

The bigger picture is clear: It’s no longer the US that has a monopoly on trade, technology, or foreign direct investment. China is already the world leader in global infrastructure development and is outpacing the US in research and development. Before long, Washington’s sanctions will be, as Jean Dujardin’s character described a subpoena from the US Department of Justice in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ papier toilette.

Read: Mehran of Sindh and Iran

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Courtesy: RT.Com (Posted on March 14, 2024)

The post Tehran is getting better infrastructure than New York – thanks to China first appeared on Sindh Courier.