Tehran Times

2026-10-10 20:20
By Seyed Mohammad Torabi

From Athens to Anger

Why Rubio's history lesson backfired in Iran

TEHRAN – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's October 7 speech at the Pnyx hill in Athens, in which he invoked ancient Greece to call for Western revival and labeled the Islamic Republic of Iran a "cult of death," has triggered a wave of angry reactions across Iran — from senior officials and former diplomats to academics, newspapers, and social media users.
- “Cult of Death”? Check your calling card, Mr. Rubio
- From burning Sardis to bombing Tehran: What Rubio got wrong about Persia

More than 50 Iranian army units deployed along borders, commander says

TEHRAN — Iran has deployed more than 50 combat and support units of its Army Ground Force along the country’s borders, including mobile, rapid-reaction, armored and mechanized brigades, as well as artillery, engineering, missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) units, the force’s commander has said.
US sanctions the entire ICC to shield American and Israeli war criminals

TEHRAN — The United States placed the International Criminal Court under sanctions on Friday, October 9, dropping any pretense that its quarrel was limited to individual judges and prosecutors.
By staff writer

Yemen hits Riyadh airport again as Saudi flights collapse

TEHRAN — Riyadh’s airport was hit again on Saturday, two days after Yemeni missiles killed three Saudis there. Regional officials told the Associated Press that air traffic stopped and the airport was evacuated.
By staff writer

Trump seethes that no one knows her; Navi Pillay has rattled US and Israel anyway

TEHRAN — Within hours of Navi Pillay being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the American president had shared a post calling her a hater of America and Israel, and his secretary of state had sanctioned an entire international court. Israel summoned Joseph Goebbels.
Pezeshkian visits Tehran exhibition showcasing rural and nomadic achievements

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday visited the sixth exhibition of rural and nomadic achievements in Tehran, praising rural residents and nomadic communities for their contribution to the country’s production and supply of essential goods.

Politics

Pezeshkian, Qalibaf vow justice after bombing kills senior female police official

TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Police Chief Brigadier General Ahmadreza Radan have condemned the killing of a senior female police official in a terrorist bombing in southeastern Iran, vowing that the attack will not weaken the country’s resolve to safeguard security and public order.
Iran nuclear chief accuses IAEA of yielding to US and Israeli Pressure

TEHRAN — Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its 'submission to pressure from the United States and Israel,' saying the UN nuclear watchdog has failed to uphold its responsibility to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and ensure equal access to the technology for all nations.
MP warns any attack on Iran would trigger a much stronger response

TEHRAN — Abbas Goudarzi, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s Presiding Board, has described US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran as part of Washington’s psychological warfare, warning that any attack on the country would be met with a response many times more forceful.

Sports

2026 YOG: Iran beach volleyball discover fate

TEHRAN - The match-ups are now known for the beach volleyball tournament at the Dakar 2026 YOG.
Alipour could compete at 2028 Olympic Games, official says

TEHRAN - Iran Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation President Reza Zarei praised Reza Alipour’s silver medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, saying the athlete could compete in the 2028 Olympic Games.
Iran to compete in Belarus beach soccer tournament

TEHRAN - Iran’s national beach soccer team will compete in a three-team tournament in Belarus featuring the hosts and Oman on Oct. 17 and 18.

Culture

Martyr Leader’s “Cell No. 14” published in Armenian

TEHRAN – The Armenian translation of the book “Cell No. 14,” which is the autobiographical memoir of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was unveiled at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Yerevan State University in Armenia on Friday.
“Shootinga” takes top honors at 38th Isfahan children’s film festival

TEHRAN- The film “Shootinga” emerged as one of the leading winners at the 38th edition of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Isfahan, receiving awards for best children’s film, best director and technical achievements at the closing ceremony on Thursday.
Tehran Theater to host Francis Veber’s comedy “The Dinner of Fools”

TEHRAN – Tehran's Sahne-ye Abi (Blue Stage) Theater will host the comedy play “The Dinner of Fools” by Francis Veber from October 15 to 24.

Economy

South Pars pressure boosting project to accelerate

TEHRAN- The deputy chairman of the Energy Committee of the Parliament, referring to the oil industry’s efforts to advance the South Pars pressure enhancement project, said: The recent approval issued by the Economic Council paves the way for accelerating the implementation of this national project.
CNG consumption increases by 12%

TEHRAN- The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, regarding the impact of implementing the third-tier gasoline rate on the fuel consumption pattern, said: The implementation of this plan has had two effects; in the CNG sector, we have witnessed about a 12% growth in consumption, and the willingness to use this fuel, especially in public transportation and online platforms, has increased.
Hormozgan non-oil trade stands at $8b in H1

TEHRAN- The supervisor of customs in Hormozgan Province, citing a 97% increase in the province’s customs revenues, said that in the first half of the current year, more than 14,370,000 tons of goods worth over $8 billion were exported and imported through the province’s customs.

Society

High-tech companies discuss ways to boost ties at 3rd Russia-Iran ICT Forum

TEHRAN – Leading Iranian and Russian companies have explored ways to expand bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies at the third Russia-Iran Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Forum.
Iran’s Medical Council urges global health bodies to act over US sanctions

TEHRAN – The Iranian Medical Council has called on the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the World Medical Association (WMA) to take immediate action against the use of patients’ lives as a tool of political and military pressure.
DOE advances conservation efforts for reptile and amphibian species

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) is developing national conservation programs for priority reptile and amphibian species, with a focus on deploying modern monitoring technologies, strengthening local community engagement, and providing ongoing training for experts.

Tourism

Cultural officials reject Rubio’s remarks on Persian history at Athens’ Acropolis

TEHRAN – Joining Iranian political officials, several senior cultural figures, including the tourism minister, the head of the Iranology Foundation and the director-general of the National Museum of Iran, have criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks on ancient Persian history, saying historical civilizations should not be used to justify political hostility or threats of war.
From ancient clay to living tradition: the enduring art of Iranian pottery

TEHRAN - Pottery is among the oldest forms of human craftsmanship, transforming ordinary clay into vessels and objects of practical use and artistic expression.
Forgotten Safavid-era village discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Researchers have identified and documented the remains of an abandoned village believed to date back to the Safavid era in the Dasht-e Barm forest area of Kazerun county, Fars province, southwestern Iran.

International

Trump seethes that no one knows her; Navi Pillay has rattled US and Israel anyway

TEHRAN — Within hours of Navi Pillay being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the American president had shared a post calling her a hater of America and Israel, and his secretary of state had sanctioned an entire international court. Israel summoned Joseph Goebbels.
US sanctions the entire ICC to shield American and Israeli war criminals

TEHRAN — The United States placed the International Criminal Court under sanctions on Friday, October 9, dropping any pretense that its quarrel was limited to individual judges and prosecutors.
Yemen hits Riyadh airport again as Saudi flights collapse

TEHRAN — Riyadh’s airport was hit again on Saturday, two days after Yemeni missiles killed three Saudis there. Regional officials told the Associated Press that air traffic stopped and the airport was evacuated.

Why Rubio's history lesson backfired in Iran