Tehran Times

2026-09-11 20:21
By Ali Minabi

Ansar Allah Now Commands Bab al-Mandab Strait

Yemeni forces secure 5,400 km²; Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree confirms ban on Saudi vessels remains active

TEHRAN – The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) have seized control of the country’s western coast, further consolidating their hold over the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait after capturing more than 5,400 square kilometers of territory from Saudi Arabia.
- Sharp surge in oil prices recorded
- Yemeni forces strike Saudi facilities in retaliatory blitz

Iran urges BRICS to expand use of national currencies in trade

TEHRAN— Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on BRICS members on Friday to expand the use of national currencies in trade, strengthen financial cooperation, and build more resilient economic ties among member states, warning that economic security can no longer be separated from national and regional security.
China, Russia reject pressure on Iran as nuclear dispute returns to UNSC

TEHRAN- China and Russia have jointly rejected renewed Western pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, challenging the legal and political basis of efforts to revive sanctions and bring the Iranian nuclear issue back under the scrutiny of the United Nations Security Council.
Iranian, South Korean FMs hold phone call as protesters in Seoul oppose Hormuz deployment

TEHRAN — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyeon, spoke by phone on Friday. The two top diplomats discussed bilateral relations, the broader conflict in West Asia, and the situation around the Strait of Hormuz amid US military adventurism in the region.
US acting Navy secretary: Iran ‘blew the hell out of’ US base in Bahrain

Iran FM: ‘The American people deserve better than footing the bill for Israel’s wars’

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed candid statements from top US Navy leadership acknowledging the extensive destruction at the American 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, framing the damage as definitive proof of the impact of Iran’s retaliatory operations.
By staff writer

Iranian strikes force UAE to dismantle plans for its AI mega-campus

TEHRAN — The United Arab Emirates is quietly dismantling its blueprint for a 5-gigawatt artificial intelligence project, abandoning plans for a centralized campus in Abu Dhabi in favor of a dispersed network of hardened facilities.

Politics

A quarter century of US war crimes at wedding celebrations

TEHRAN- The developments of recent decades in West Asia and beyond bear stark witness to a bitter truth: the military interventions and sustained strategic manoeuvres of dominant powers, notably the terrorist regime of the United States, have unfailingly come at the cost of thousands of defenseless lives.
10 freed Iranian fishermen return home from UAE

TEHRAN — Ten Iranian fishermen detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates were released and headed home on Friday, the Iranian Consulate General in Dubai announced.
Baqaei: IAEA risks becoming instrument for justifying aggression against Iran

TEHRAN- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has sharply criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director General, Rafael Grossi, accusing them of undermining the agency’s independence and turning its technical assessments into a basis for political pressure and justification for military action against Iran.

Sports

Iran learn fate at 2026 AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup

TEHRAN - The pathway to AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2026 glory was revealed following the Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Iran beat Chinese Taipei at 2026 AVC Volleyball Continental C'ship QFs

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18) at 2026 AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship quarterfinals on Friday.
Iran’s Rahimi wins gold at Ahmedabad 2026 World Archery Para Series

TEHRAN – Somayeh Rahimi of Iran claimed a gold medal at the Ahmedabad 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series on Wednesday.

Culture

“Land of Angels” wins Grand Prix at Kazan International Film Festival

TEHRAN- Iranian filmmaker Babak Khajehpasha’s “Land of Angels” received the Grand Prix for Best Feature Film at the 22nd Altyn Minbar Kazan International Film Festival, during the closing ceremony of the event in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan on Thursday.
Hilaj Theater to show legal drama filmed theater “Inter Alia”

TEHRAN – The filmed theater “Inter Alia” directed by Justin Martin will be shown at the Hilaj Theater in Tehran on Sunday.
Akbar Zanjanpour to stage Athol Fugard’s “The Island” at Tehran’s City Theater

TEHRAN – Iranian actor and theater director Akbar Zanjanpour will stage the play “The Island,” written by South African playwright Athol Fugard, at the Tehran’s City Theater from September 16.

Economy

Iran pushes for local currencies, alternative payment systems to counter sanctions in BRICS summit

TEHRAN- The Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, referring to the holding of the Second Meeting of Economy Ministers and Central Bank Governors of BRICS member countries, said: "The use of local currencies, the development of payment systems and domestic financial messengers, and increased economic coordination among BRICS members were among the most important topics raised at this meeting."
Iran expands trade footprint with 7 new commercial attachés

TEHRAN- Akbar Godari in Oman, Reza Bagherifard in Afghanistan, Mahmoud Eskandari in Belarus, Mohsen Montazeri in Malaysia, Seif-Ali Zarbi in Russia, Dariush Vossoughi in Turkey, and Mojtaba Moulaei Moein in India have been introduced as Iran's commercial attachés to begin operations in target markets.
Comprehensive housing plan drafted based on production leap law requirements

TEHRAN- The Minister of Transport and Urban Development announced the drafting and finalization of the "Comprehensive Housing Plan" in line with the implementation of legal requirements for approval by the Supreme Housing Council, and said: "With the implementation of this 10-year document, the government's policies in worn-out textures, land annexation, locating new towns, and prioritizing supportive intervention with special focus on deciles 1 to 5 will be operationalized."

Society

ACECR official, Turkmen envoy explore avenues to beef up sci-tech co-op

TEHRAN – Iran’s Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) and Turkmenistan have agreed to explore avenues for expanding scientific cooperation, following a meeting between ACECR Deputy for Research and Technology, Zahra Sheikhi, and Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Ilyas Ghaypov.
Elderly to account for 30% of Iran’s population by 2050

TEHRAN — With older adults already accounting for 13 percent of Iran’s population and the country’s fertility rate continuing to decline, demographic shifts are accelerating. Current projections indicate that within the next 25 years, nearly one-third of Iran’s population will be aged 60 and above.
International Day to Protect Education from Attack: Condemning US-Israeli aggression on Iran

TEHRAN - September 9, the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, is a reminder of one of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: schools, universities, teachers and students must be protected from the violence of war.

Tourism

Demolition of historical building in Sabzevar draws heritage ministry’s legal action

TEHRAN - A historical building known as the Tumanian building, also referred to as the Padegan-e Rusha (“Russian barracks”) has recently been demolished in Sabzevar, northeastern Iran, prompting the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts to blame the city’s municipality and pursue legal action.
Religious tourism accounts for 56% of foreign arrivals to Iran

TEHRAN – Religious tourism accounted for 56 percent of the two million foreign tourists who visited Iran during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey has said.
UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace undergoes emergency restoration

TEHRAN – The second phase of a comprehensive conservation and restoration program at Tehran’s Golestan Palace has begun, with priority given to preventing further damage before the onset of the rainy season, the head of the UNESCO-listed complex said on Wednesday.

International

Ansar Allah Now Commands Bab al-Mandab Strait

TEHRAN – The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) have seized control of the country’s western coast, further consolidating their hold over the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait after capturing more than 5,400 square kilometers of territory from Saudi Arabia.
Protesters in Cyprus condemn Herzog’s visit, denounce embrace of Israel

TEHRAN — Israeli “President” Isaac Herzog faced sharp condemnation during an official visit to Nicosia on Thursday, as human rights organizations and anti-war activists gathered outside the Presidential Palace to denounce the Christodoulides administration for hosting the head of a regime conducting genocide in Gaza.
Iranian strikes force UAE to dismantle plans for its AI mega-campus

TEHRAN — The United Arab Emirates is quietly dismantling its blueprint for a 5-gigawatt artificial intelligence project, abandoning plans for a centralized campus in Abu Dhabi in favor of a dispersed network of hardened facilities.

Yemeni forces secure 5,400 km²; Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree confirms ban on Saudi vessels remains active

Iran FM: ‘The American people deserve better than footing the bill for Israel’s wars’