Tehran Times

2026-02-23 21:40
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran 'ready for any scenario' as it heads into third round of nuclear talks with US

Negotiators to draft new text during Thursday discussions in Geneva

TEHRAN – Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has confirmed that Iran and the United States will hold a third round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva this Thursday—a meeting Tehran hopes will yield a breakthrough, though it remains fully prepared to defend itself should the U.S. repeat its June 2025 attack on diplomacy.
- If Iran attacked, it would unleash a conflict that would be impossible to control: senior analyst
- A surrendered Iran is a balloon in Trump’s dreams

Words vs. action: The Arab-Islamic response to Huckabee's provocation

TEHRAN – Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, ignited a storm of criticism across the Middle East when he suggested it would be “fine” if Israel expanded to control the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. The swift and unified backlash from Arab and Islamic governments underscores not only regional anxieties but also growing suspicion of Washington’s support for Israel’s maximalist ambitions.
By Saleh Abidi Maleki

Eight presidents, one failed playbook

A history lesson for Trump on why Iranians have not 'capitulated'

TEHRAN – In a recent interview with American media, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered President Trump some straightforward advice. He noted that previous American administrations have tried everything against Iran—sanctions, assassinations, and pressure—and that none of it worked. If Trump wants a deal, Araghchi said, he needs to engage with Iran differently.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hamat Air Base: A critical test of Lebanese sovereignty

SOUTH LEBANON — The growing controversy surrounding Hamat Air Base has ignited urgent questions about sovereignty, transparency, and Lebanon’s potential entanglement in a broader regional war.
By Wesam Bahrani

Israeli leadership: The cycle of corruption that drives aggression

TEHRAN – Power under pressure often reveals its survival instincts. In the Israeli regime’s case, political crisis and regional violence have become increasingly intertwined.
Tehran warns a new US war against Iran would ‘disintegrate global order’

TEHRAN — Any American military confrontation with Iran would not remain confined to its borders but would trigger "an inevitable path toward the disintegration of the global order," Al Mayadeen reported on Saturday, citing an alleged Iranian source close to decision-making circles in Tehran.

Politics

Huckabee’s position on Israel’s territorial expansion resembles ISIS’s caliphate ideology

TEHRAN - The Iranian Foreign Ministry has castigated remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee that “it would be fine” if Israel captures the lands from the Nile to the Euphrates, saying this is a strong indication that the United States is complicit in Israel’s capture of Arab lands and its genocidal war on the native inhabitants of Palestine.
Iran reciprocally names EU’s naval and air forces terrorist organizations

TEHRAN – The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a declaration on Sunday designating the naval and air forces of all European Union (EU) member states as terrorist organizations in response to the EU’s illegal move to put the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Araghchi reaffirms Iran’s inalienable nuclear rights in call with IAEA chief

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has once again asserted Iran’s unwavering commitment to its sovereign nuclear rights, making it clear that Tehran will not be intimidated by U.S. bullying.

Sports

Iran ready for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Jafari

TEHRAN – Marzieh Jafari, head coach of Iran’s women’s national football team, says Team Melli Banovan are well prepared for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia.
Persepolis extend Osmar Vieira deal

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club have extended the contract of head coach Osmar Loss despite criticism of the team’s recent performances.
Esteghlal beat Mes to move top of 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN - Esteghlal football team edged past rock-bottom Mes 1-0 in Rafsanjan Sunday night to move top of the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL).

Culture

Artists invited to contribute to intl. cartoon festival highlighting World Quds Day

TEHRAN- The call for the fourth edition of the International Cartoon Festival of Al-Quds Day has been announced.
Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba” on stage at Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater

TEHRAN – An adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s 1936 play “The House of Bernarda Alba” is on stage at the Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater in Tehran.
Persian translation of John Grisham’s “Camino Ghosts” hits bookstores

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the novel “Camino Ghosts” written by John Grisham has been released in the Iranian bookstores.

Economy

Iran–Azerbaijan joint Economic Committee meeting opens in Baku

TEHRAN – The seventeenth meeting of the Iran–Azerbaijan Joint Economic Committee opened in Baku on Monday, focusing on transport links, border infrastructure and broader economic and cultural ties.
CBI board approves draft bylaw for redenomination plan

TEHRAN – The High Council of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has approved a draft executive bylaw for implementing the law to remove four zeros from the national currency, the bank said.
Major dams 41% full as Iran enters final month of winter

TEHRAN – Iran’s major dams have entered the final month of winter at just 41 percent of capacity, with 59 percent of their storage remaining empty amid a prolonged five-year drought.

Society

Ramadan: A time for health. A time for giving

TEHRAN - During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and vaping. It is also a time of communal prayers, family gatherings, and the sharing of meals, which brings spiritual and social benefits but can also present unique health considerations.
Iran to host Ramsar Convention Regional Center for three more years

TEHRAN – The Ramsar Convention Secretariat has extended Iran’s certificate to host its regional center for the next three years, an official with the DOE has said.
Iranian delegation to attend Saudi Arabia’s Leap Exhibit 2026

TEHRAN – Knowledge-based companies will participate in the fifth edition of LEAP Exhibit, scheduled for April 13 to 16 at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, Saudi Arabia.

Tourism

Nowruz travel monitoring teams, 24-hour complaint system, activated across Iran

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has launched provincial monitoring teams and activated a 24-hour complaint mechanism ahead of the Nowruz 1405 travel season.
Seymareh Valley landscape seeks UNESCO tentative listing

TEHRAN – The cultural heritage chief of Ilam province said on Monday plans to submit a preliminary dossier for the natural and historical landscape of Seymareh Valley to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts for review and placement on the country’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Urmia mosque restoration nears completion ahead of UNESCO evaluation

TEHRAN – Restoration and preparation work on the Jameh Mosque of Urmia is in its final stages as the site is being readied for evaluation for possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list, a provincial official said on Tuesday.

International

Words vs. action: The Arab-Islamic response to Huckabee's provocation

TEHRAN – Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, ignited a storm of criticism across the Middle East when he suggested it would be “fine” if Israel expanded to control the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. The swift and unified backlash from Arab and Islamic governments underscores not only regional anxieties but also growing suspicion of Washington’s support for Israel’s maximalist ambitions.
Hamat Air Base: A critical test of Lebanese sovereignty

SOUTH LEBANON — The growing controversy surrounding Hamat Air Base has ignited urgent questions about sovereignty, transparency, and Lebanon’s potential entanglement in a broader regional war.
Israeli leadership: The cycle of corruption that drives aggression

TEHRAN – Power under pressure often reveals its survival instincts. In the Israeli regime’s case, political crisis and regional violence have become increasingly intertwined.

Negotiators to draft new text during Thursday discussions in Geneva

A history lesson for Trump on why Iranians have not 'capitulated'