Tehran Times

2026-04-12 00:53
By Shahrokh Saei

Tehran enters Islamabad talks with deep distrust of Washington

TEHRAN - High-profile Iranian and American officials held their first round of talks in Pakistan on Saturday in the wake of a two-week ceasefire, following a 40-day US–Israeli war against Iran that began on February 28.
- ‘Minab 168’ flight: Iran carries the weight of US aggression into Islamabad talks

‘Minab 168’ flight: Iran carries the weight of US aggression into Islamabad talks

TEHRAN – As Iran’s delegation departed for negotiations with the United States in Pakistan, the journey itself became an act of remembrance — and a quiet indictment.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

20 million Iranians, one voice: The story of the grassroots ‘JANFADA’ campaign

TEHRAN - At a time when the world is more divided than ever grappling with crises, polarization, and social fractures, the emergence of large-scale grassroots movements takes on a meaning far beyond ordinary collective action. The “Janfada” campaign is one such phenomenon: an initiative that began on March 29 and, in a remarkably short time, has reached a staggering figure, over 21 million participants at the time of writing.
Ashish Prashar says Washington and Tel Aviv underestimated Iran’s preparedness

U.S.-Israeli pressure on Iran risks strategic failure: Political strategist

TEHRAN — Ashish Prashar, an award-winning political strategist and human rights advocate who has advised senior political figures in the United States and Europe, spoke with Tehran Times about the implications of the U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28.
Islamabad talks: Iran draws red lines, ball in US court

TEHRAN – Iran and the United States are set to hold negotiations on Saturday in Islamabad following a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan. The truce came after 40 days of unlawful and unprovoked US–Israeli aggression against Iran that began on February 28.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s message on 40th day of late Leader’s martyrdom:

We will definitely take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new phase

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei hailed the Iranian people’s “clear victory” in the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

Politics

Iran’s strong diplomacy aims to secure regional stability: Velayati

TEHRAN- Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on international affairs, says Iran’s robust diplomatic approach is focused on safeguarding national sovereignty and promoting regional peace and stability.
A leaky umbrella: The fraying myth of US security pacts

TEHRAN – For a long time, Washington has peddled the same story to the world: hand your security over to us, and all you need to do is obey and pay. Once, there were those who believed it. Now, even the storyteller can no longer keep the tale straight.
Iran to UN: Assassination of Kharrazi is an attack on diplomacy itself

TEHRAN- Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has said that Israel’s assassination of the senior Iranian official, Kamal Kharrazi, reflects a deliberate pattern of criminal conduct aimed at silencing advocates of peaceful engagement and systematically undermining diplomatic pathways.

Sports

Team Iran arrive in Sanya for Asian Beach Games

TEHRAN - After a lengthy journey, Iran’s athletic delegation has officially landed in Sanya, China, the host city for the upcoming Asian Beach Games.
Iran’s Benyamin Faraji secures spot in 2026 Youth Olympic Games

TEHRAN - The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has officially announced that Iran’s rising star, Benyamin Faraji, has earned qualification for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
FIFA confirms Iran’s 2026 World Cup matches will go ahead in the U.S.

TEHRAN - FIFA has put an end to speculation surrounding Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming that Team Melli’s matches will take place in the United States as originally scheduled. The proposal to relocate Iran’s fixtures to Mexico has been rejected.

Culture

12th Islamic Revolution Art Week kicks off with nationwide street performances

TEHRAN- The 12th edition of the Islamic Revolution Art Week officially commenced nationwide on Thursday, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Seyyed Morteza Avini.
Artists, cultural figures to honor Martyr Leader at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall

TEHRAN – The 40th-day mourning ceremony for the Martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei by the American-Zionist enemy will be held with the presence of cultural, artistic, and media figures at Vahdat Hall in Tehran on Sunday.
“Iran Symphony” unveiled in Italy

TEHRAN – At a ceremony in Italy, the musical work “Iran Symphony,” composed by the renowned Italian musician Antonio Pappalardo was unveiled.

Economy

Economic consequences of US-Israeli attack on Iran & ensuing war on global price stability

TEHRAN- The prospect of a coordinated US-Israeli military attack on Iran, followed by a full-scale regional war, is not merely a geopolitical crisis—it is a looming economic catastrophe.
‘Strait of Hormuz to determine future of global economy’

TEHRAN- An economic expert, stating that the Strait of Hormuz will determine the future of the global economy, said: Given the $40 trillion debt of the US federal government and Russia's decision to sell oil in yuan, not only will America's position in global trade weaken, but it will also further cement China's role in the global economy.
Government pursuing a plan to compensate industrial, production units damaged in war

TEHRAN- The head of the Iran Chamber of Industries and Mines stated that issues related to paying facilities, compensating damages, and supporting industrial units are on the government's serious agenda.

Society

‘Damage to Pasteur Institute of Iran threatens regional health security’

TEHRAN – Mario Moreira, President of the Pasteur Network, has expressed concern over the destruction of Pasteur Institute of Iran, targeted by the US-Israeli airstrikes on April 2, and warned of the potential regional impacts as it disrupts the major role of this century-old pillar of global health in prevention and control of existing and rising health threats in the region.
Blood donation among women, first-time donors on rise during war

TEHRAN – Since the beginning of the US-Israeli imposed war on February 28, there has been a notable growth in the number of women and first-time donors referring to blood donation centers across the country, an official with the Blood Transfusion Organization has said.
Drying intl. wetlands in Golestan province coming back to life

TEHRAN – Three international wetlands of northern Golestan province, which were drying due to drought in previous years, are being restored thanks to recent rainfall, the head of the provincial Department of Environment has said.

Tourism

Scholars condemn damage to Iran’s cultural heritage

TEHRAN - A group of international researchers and heritage specialists has condemned the damage inflicted on Iran’s cultural heritage during the recent US-Israeli military strikes, warning that the destruction threatens not only historical sites but also global scientific research and collective human memory.
Minister inspects damage at Sa’dabad palace complex after air strikes

TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage visited the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex in northern Tehran on Thursday to weigh damage caused by recent air strikes.
Extent of damage to Isfahan’s historic sites unclear, UNESCO academic says

Isfahan - A senior Iranian academic affiliated with UNESCO said it is not yet possible to provide an accurate assessment of damage to historic monuments in Isfahan following recent air strikes, citing the need for detailed studies once conditions stabilize.

International

Hezbollah strikes Zionist regime after Lebanon massacre

TEHRAN – Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on the Zionist regime, launching non-stop rocket barrages and long-range missiles.
Why the war on Iran will dictate the next era in American politics

TEHRAN — The fragile two-week ceasefire that took effect around April 8, decidedly not a victory for Washington or Tel Aviv, has forced Iran’s adversaries to confront the limits of their military pressure and the internal rivalries that both fuel the war and are now being reshaped by its possible fallout.
The art of American capitulation

TEHRAN — The announced two-week conditional ceasefire between Iran and the United States on April 8 stands as one of the most telling reversals in recent geopolitical history.