Tehran Times

2026-09-22 20:18
Leader on the beginning of the new academic year:

The power of knowledge, joined with piety and ethics, protects humanity from criminal US and Israel

TEHRAN — Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has described power rooted in knowledge, piety and ethics as a shield against what he called the “savagery of the system of domination,” particularly referring to the United States and the Zionist regime.
- Bells return tomorrow, 277 desks won't

By Mohammad Sarfi, Editor-in-Chief

Saddam and Trump’s shared delusion

TEHRAN — Yesterday marked the 46th anniversary of Saddam’s invasion of Iran. In the early days of the war, while standing on occupied Iranian soil near the country’s southwestern borders, Saddam told reporters that he would hold his next interview with them in Tehran a few days later.
Iranian armed forces vow stronger response to any new aggression

TEHRAN — Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters have vowed a stronger response to any new act of aggression against the Islamic Republic, saying future attacks would inflict heavy costs on the aggressors, particularly the United States and Israel.
Bells return tomorrow, 277 desks won't

Iran remembers 277 students and 67 education staff killed in two wars, including 120 children in the Minab school attack.

TEHRAN – The sound of school bells and the cheerful voices of children once again filled classrooms across the country on Monday. Students resumed education after the US-Israeli war last year left a trail of damaged schools.
Iran is prepared for a protracted war: IRGC

TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any renewed US or Israeli aggression against Iran would trigger a substantially different military response, with changes expected in the geography of the conflict, the weapons deployed and the targets struck.
Araghchi: Israel Hayom calls for US-Israel integration to make Washington pay for pressure on Israel

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticized growing Israeli influence over US policy toward Iran, pointing to an opinion article in Israel Hayom that calls for deeper US-Israeli integration so that Washington would face high costs if Israel were subjected to financial pressure.

Politics

Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani passes away at 98; nation mourns prominent jurisprudent

TEHRAN – Iran and the broader Islamic world are in deep mourning following the passing of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Musa Shobeiri Zanjani, a towering figure of Shia jurisprudence and a highly respected source of emulation, who departed this life on Monday at the age of 98.
The Saudi crisis

MADRID — The writing of history rests on the selective erasure of certain pasts, and of the artefacts bearing witness to them. From the omission of archive documents to the demolition of sacred and secular spaces, every act of destruction is also an act of state-building.
Iran downs another US drone over Strait of Hormuz, brings total American drone losses to 53

TEHRAN – The Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has intercepted and destroyed yet another US military MQ-1 drone over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The latest successful interception marks a humiliating blow to Washington, as the IRGC has over the past seven months downed over 50 US drones.

Sports

Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos to miss Iran’s friendly matches

TEHRAN - Iran internationals Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Saman Ghoddos will miss the national team’s upcoming friendly matches against Uzbekistan and Russia.
Iran’s women’s kata secure silver at 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN - In the women’s team kata final held at the Toyohashi Gymnasium, the Iranian team, represented by Fatemeh Sadeghi, Sepideh Amini and Zeinab Hosseini, faced Vietnam and suffered a 5–0 defeat, settling for the silver medal.
Iran’s women’s kabaddi beat Bangladesh in Nagoya

TEHRAN - Iran’s women’s kabaddi team continued their winning start at the Nagoya Asian Games with a commanding 54–19 victory over Bangladesh in their second match on Tuesday.

Culture

Asghar Farhadi’s “Parallel Tales” to be shown, reviewed in Tehran

TEHRAN – The latest film by the Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, “Parallel Tales,” will be shown at the Adapa Art and Cultural Center in Tehran on Tuesday.
Ganjoor founder receives National Parsi-jan Award

TEHRAN- The National Parsi-jan Award was presented to Hamidreza Mohammadi, founder of Ganjoor website, at the second edition of the event, which highlighted the importance of preserving and strengthening the Persian language.
Marionette Museum opens in Tehran

TEHRAN – The Marionette Museum was inaugurated at the Ferdowsi Hall of the Rudaki Foundation in Tehran on Saturday.

Economy

Iran, Uzbekistan eye AI-driven agricultural co-op as trade delegation aims for $2b

TEHRAN- In a joint meeting and subsequent conference on agricultural cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan, the two countries' agriculture ministers emphasized joint investment in AI-based modern farming, livestock breeding, and pasture development. With a large Iranian trade delegation present—comprising over 100 companies and heads of provincial chambers—officials outlined plans to boost bilateral agricultural trade from $200 million to $600 million within two years, while broader trade ambitions target $2 billion. Iran also highlighted its transport capacities to provide landlocked Uzbekistan with access to open waters.
Recovery of lost capacity at South Pars refineries accelerates

TEHRAN- The Manager of Integrated Planning at the National Iranian Gas Company announced the recovery of part of the lost capacity of South Pars refineries and said: Two phases of the Early Recovery Program have been completed.
Iran expands rail routes to China, targets higher-value exports: TPO

TEHRAN- At a press conference, Amir Roshanbakhsh Ghanbari, deputy for international business development at Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), said Iran is negotiating with China to develop rail routes for goods transit, with part of Iranian cargo already moving to China via Yazd Dry Port. He said transport is a fundamental trade issue and current conditions impose restrictions.

Society

Over 200,000 foreign nationals enrolled in Iranian schools

TEHRAN – More than 200,000 foreign national students, including boys and girls, have been enrolled in schools in Iran and will benefit from educational services in the current academic year, which starts on September 23.
Iranian, Pakistani officials explore potential to develop science diplomacy

TEHRAN – University of Tehran Chancellor Mohammad-Hossein Omid and Pakistani Ambassador to Iran Imran Ahmed Siddiqui have explored avenues to strengthen scientific, academic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
New rare diseases identified in Iran

TEHRAN – Eighteen more rare diseases have been identified in the country, bringing the total number of rare diseases to 531, according to the Rare Disease Foundation.

Tourism

Tourism ministry focuses on domestic travel, neighbors and AI-driven transformation

TEHRAN – Iran is focusing on domestic tourism and travel to neighboring countries as it seeks to revive the tourism industry following the country’s war with the US forces, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushiravan Mohseni-Bandpei said Tuesday.
Iran to promote tourism potential at Dushanbe Intl. Tourism Exhibition

TEHRAN - Iran plans to showcase its tourism potential at the Dushanbe International Tourism Exhibition 2026, seeking to expand cooperation between Iranian and Tajik tourism businesses and open new channels for attracting visitors from Tajikistan and the wider region.
Ground broken for Makkoran’s history and culture museum in Chabahar

TEHRAN - Ground was broken for the Makkoran’s history and culture museum in the Chabahar Free Zone on Tuesday, marking the start of a project aimed at documenting and showcasing the ancient history and cultural heritage of Iran’s Makkoran coast.

International

The security and economic gamble facing Iraq

TEHRAN – This withdrawal of U.S. forces is not like its predecessor in 2011, and comparisons drawn from earlier stages of the American-Iraqi relationship are of no use here.
Ansarallah consolidates Red Sea control as Trump rejects MBS’ desperate appeals

TEHRAN — The Saudi campaign of aggression in Yemen is unraveling on the western coast. In a lightning offensive that swept through the coastal plain, Yemeni forces under Ansarallah command have captured the port city of Mokha, Mayyun Island, and strategic highlands in Lahij province.
Impulsive German leader left in a quandary

TEHRAN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is being squeezed badly by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Iran remembers 277 students and 67 education staff killed in two wars, including 120 children in the Minab school attack.