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

By Mir Mohammad Alikhan

Shattered myths and unbroken spirit: Witnessing the true heart of Iran

As I was sitting in the plane about to take off from the Islamabad airport to Tehran, I was thinking about all the stories I'd heard over the years—the endless media narratives painting Iran as a nation in turmoil, its people supposedly rising up against their own government, desperate for outside intervention.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon’s 2026 elections on a tightrope: Domestic legitimacy vs. foreign calculations

SOUTH LEBANON — As Lebanon approaches its scheduled parliamentary elections in May 2026, an extraordinary debate has taken center stage: whether the vote should happen at all.
‘Greater Israel’ in action: How expansion and occupation threaten regional stability

TEHRAN – For decades, the idea of “Greater Israel” has existed more as a political and ideological aspiration than as a formal policy.
By Wesam Bahrani

Israel intensifies mass arrests in the West Bank

TEHRAN – Israeli regime forces have arrested more than 100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
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.

Politics

Tehran dismisses US pressure tactics, says 'surrender' not an option as Geneva talks loom

TEHRAN – As Iran and the United States prepare for the third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva this week, Tehran is issuing a clear directive that any agreement must guarantee the nation’s established rights, and that pressure tactics will fail.
Defense chief says Iran favors close ties with independent West African states

TEHRAN – The Iranian defense minister said on Monday that the Islamic Republic, in line with its principled position toward international issues, is firm to deepen ties with independent and revolutionary countries in the West African region, especially Burkina Faso.
Mahdavi naval squadron returns to Iran's territorial waters after 57 days

TEHRAN – The Shahid Mahdavi naval squadron run by the IRGC Navy has returned to Iran’s territorial waters after a 57-day voyage.

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

Japanese author Maki Kanai’s new book to introduce Kurdish culture of Nowruz celebration

TEHRAN - Renowned Japanese author and photographer Maki Kanai announced on Saturday that she is preparing to release a new photo book dedicated to the celebration of Nowruz and Kurdish culture. The book will be part of her popular series “Takusan no Fushigi” and is scheduled for release in March.
Persian edition of “The Thief Lord” republished

TEHRAN- The fourth edition of the Persian translation of German children’s writer Cornelia Funke’s novel “The Thief Lord” has recently been published.
Arasbaran Cultural Center to screen “The Departed”

TEHRAN- “The Departed”, a 2006 movie by prominent American filmmaker Martin Scorsese, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday.

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

Lebanon’s 2026 elections on a tightrope: Domestic legitimacy vs. foreign calculations

SOUTH LEBANON — As Lebanon approaches its scheduled parliamentary elections in May 2026, an extraordinary debate has taken center stage: whether the vote should happen at all.
‘Greater Israel’ in action: How expansion and occupation threaten regional stability

TEHRAN – For decades, the idea of “Greater Israel” has existed more as a political and ideological aspiration than as a formal policy.
Israel intensifies mass arrests in the West Bank

TEHRAN – Israeli regime forces have arrested more than 100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

Negotiators to draft new text during Thursday discussions in Geneva