Tehran: The 36th Tehran International Book Fair, held from May 7-17, 2025, brought together approximately 2,400 domestic and 600 foreign publishers, showcasing a diverse array of books in languages including English, Arabic, French, German, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. The event commenced with a notable opening ceremony attended by prominent figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Saleh Shariati, foreign diplomats, and other cultural and artistic personalities.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Iraq's Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al Badrani was among the distinguished guests at the ceremony. A highlight of the event was the visit by the Iranian and Iraqi culture ministers to Iraq's pavilion, where Saleh Shariati presented Al-Badrani with a valuable book featuring the works of renowned Iranian painter Mahmoud Farshchian.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event, Minister Shariati emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening relationships among nations and governments, particularly highlighting the historical ties between Iran and Iraq. During the opening ceremony, Parliament Speaker Qalibaf underscored the significance of culture as a fundamental element for progress in Iran, stating that the Islamic system regards books as the essence of human knowledge.

Qalibaf also referred to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's focus on the importance of studying, highlighting that the primary mission of the Islamic government is to foster intellectual development and broaden knowledge.