Tehran Times

2026-09-18 21:07
By Mahmoud Mahmoudian Ravi

313,000 “Janfada” for Iran

Tehran stages a defiant display of sacrifice and unity

TEHRAN — From Imam Hussein Square to Enghelab Square, Tehran’s streets on Friday became the setting for one of the largest public mobilizations seen in Iran since the war began in February. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in the “Janfada-ye Iran” — Devoted to Iran — campaign, with women, young people, veterans and other sections of society joining a 313,000-strong parade, according to Iranian organizers.
- Tehran’s largest mural unveiled to honor Martyred Leader, national solidarity
- ‘JANFADA’ girls demonstrate readiness to defend country

By Mehdi Soltani

International Youth Festival 2026 in Russia ends with 50 Iranian youth participants

The festival highlights Russia’s focus on youth potential for development and international cooperation

YEKATERINBURG, Russia — The International Youth Festival 2026 concluded in Yekaterinburg on September 17, bringing together around 10,000 young people from 191 countries, including approximately 50 young participants from Iran.
South Korea rebuffs Trump: No troops for US war on Iran

TEHRAN — In a decisive stance reflecting growing domestic anti-war sentiment and strategic prudent realism, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung announced on Friday that Seoul will not deploy its armed forces to join the US war against Iran, effectively rejecting escalating demands from Washington to entangle the East Asian nation in its Middle Eastern conflict.
End of the ‘unipolar order’: Sino-Russian vetoes deal a blow to US Iran sanctions push

TEHRAN – The United Nations Security Council on Thursday failed to adopt a US-drafted resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Iran, after China and Russia vetoed the measure.
15 nations call for ban on attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities

TEHRAN — Fifteen countries, including Iran, China and Russia, have called for a clear and unequivocal prohibition on attacks or threats of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities operating under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, warning that silence over such actions could undermine international law and erode the credibility of the global nuclear safeguards regime.
By Ali Minabi

Yemen denounces Saudi allegations of targeting Mecca

TEHRAN – Ansarallah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has strongly rejected accusations by Saudi Arabia that Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the holy city of Mecca.

Politics

Dep. FM: US cannot escape war crimes responsibility by leaving UN Rights Council

TEHRAN — Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi has said the United States cannot avoid responsibility for war crimes in Iran simply by withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council.
‘US restrictions on Iranian officials in New York are propagandistic’

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has criticized Washington for restrictions imposed on Iranian officials attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, contrasting the measures with broader economic pressure and sanctions on Iran.
Scott Ritter warns of impending US economic collapse and exposes NATO military vulnerabilities

TEHRAN — The latest joint X Space hosted by Tehran Times and Sputnik featured former UN weapons inspector and US Marine intelligence officer Scott Ritter, who warned of an impending structural collapse within the American economic system driven by reckless foreign policies and soaring energy costs, while dismantling Western war narratives and exposing deep-seated military vulnerabilities across the United States and NATO.

Sports

Iran’s sabre team ready to win medal in Nagoya

TEHRAN - Mohammad Rahbari, who won individual and team bronze medals in fencing at the Hangzhou Asian Games three years ago, will now return to the continental showpiece in a different role. After retiring from competitive fencing following the Paris Olympics, Rahbari joined Iran’s national sabre team coaching staff and is set to make his Asian Games coaching debut in Nagoya.
Iran’s delegation marches at Nagoya Asian Games opening ceremony

TEHRAN - The opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games got underway on Saturday at Mizuho Park Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, with Iran’s delegation taking part in the parade of nations.
Teymourian part ways with Iran football team

TEHRAN - Andranik Teymourian has ended his time as an assistant coach of the Iran national football team, bringing his collaboration with head coach Amir Ghalenoei to a close.

Culture

Minab children’s unfinished dreams live on in paintings

TEHRAN- There are exhibitions that can be visited, and there are exhibitions that stay with you long after you have left. The group painting exhibition dedicated to the martyred children of Minab belongs to the latter.
Iranian short film “Like a Miracle” wins at Italian festival

TEHRAN – The Iranian short film “Like a Miracle,” directed by Abod Kazemi, won the Best Short Film award at the 6th Son of a Pitch® Award, which was held from September 2 to 12 in Rome, Italy.
Filmmakers, human rights NGOs back “NAZA” directors amid threats, accusations by Israeli authorities

TEHRAN - More than 1,500 film industry figures, including prominent Israeli filmmakers, and over 40 local human rights organizations have expressed solidarity with filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the creators of the documentary “NAZA” that features testimony from Israeli military and intelligence personnel about the army’s operations in Gaza.

Economy

Iran’s fishery products export capacities outlined

TEHRAN- The pavilion of Iran at the International Fisheries and Aquaculture Exhibition in St. Petersburg hosted senior Russian officials, and Iran’s aquatic products export capacities were outlined.
Contracts worth $13.6b for development of oil, gas fields kick off

TEHRAN- The Director of Engineering and Development of the National Iranian Oil Company announced the ratification and start of executive operations of five oil and gas field development contracts worth $13.6 billion in the 14th government, and said: With the implementation of these contracts, daily production capacity will increase by more than 600,000 barrels of oil and 30 million cubic meters of gas.
Iran’s technical achievement in implementing maritime single window presented at IMO meeting

TEHRAN- Iran’s experience in implementing and operating the Maritime Single Window (MSW) and the capabilities of the Integrated Maritime Management System (IMAS) were presented at the specialized and technical regional meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Georgia, drawing the attention of the organization’s experts and representatives of regional countries.

Society

Tehran, Moscow seek closer cooperation on disaster management, emergency response

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia have discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in disaster management, including joint training programs, emergency response, and the use of advanced technologies in dealing with natural and man-made hazards.
IRCS, Iraqi health ministry agree to deepen ties in health sector

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and Iraq’s Ministry of Health have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in healthcare, with a focus on medical education, treatment, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.
Upcoming precipitation expected to help revive Hour al-Azim wetland

TEHRAN – Increased rainfall forecast for the coming two seasons is expected to help restore the Hour al-Azim wetland, Ahmad-Reza Lahijanzadeh, the deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE), has said.

Tourism

Gonbad Kabud Mosque: Nine centuries of history, art and memory in northeast Iran

TEHRAN – Situated in the historic landscape of Kalat in northeastern Iran, the Gonbad Kabud Mosque stands as a remarkable record of nine centuries of architectural change, artistic expression and cultural continuity.
Iran presents climate-resilient tourism experiences at COMCEC meeting

TEHRAN - Iran has presented two community-based tourism initiatives as examples of climate-resilient and sustainable tourism at the 27th Meeting of the COMCEC Tourism Working Group in Ankara.
Global tourism growth slows to 0.4% in H1

TEHRAN - International tourism grew by 0.4% in the first half of 2026, with around 690 million tourists travelling abroad as rising travel costs, geopolitical tensions and the conflict in West Asia weighed on global demand, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism.

International

Denying Palestinians visa for UN summit contravenes peace and statehood

TEHRAN – Just like last year, the U.S. State Department has barred the Palestinian Authority delegation, including President Mahmoud Abbas, to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
Yemen denounces Saudi allegations of targeting Mecca

TEHRAN – Ansarallah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has strongly rejected accusations by Saudi Arabia that Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the holy city of Mecca.
Iran ends the American Middle East: analysis

TEHRAN - Marc Lynch, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, says the failed U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has put an end to “the American Middle East.”

Tehran stages a defiant display of sacrifice and unity

The festival highlights Russia’s focus on youth potential for development and international cooperation