Tehran Times

2026-01-26 21:24
Foreign Ministry’s warning regarding any possible aggression against Iran:

‘Sweeping and regret-inducing’

TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei issued a definitive warning on January 26, declaring that the Islamic Republic is fully prepared to deliver a “sweeping, regret-inducing response” to any act of aggression.

By Sheida Sabzehvari

Iran will not fight alone this time

From Baghdad to Beirut, Tehran’s partners signal a wider war if US strikes

TEHRAN – As U.S. naval deployments in the Persian Gulf intensify and Washington hints at the possibility of renewed aggression, a constellation of Iran’s allied forces across West Asia are issuing coordinated warnings that a second war against the country would ignite a region-wide confrontation — one that neither the United States nor Israel, they say, is prepared to contain.
By Xavier Villar

The hidden strategic toll of confronting Tehran

MADRID - In Washington, there remains a persistent temptation to treat a confrontation with Iran as a modular option. Limited strikes, punitive operations, calibrated actions aimed at restoring deterrence without altering the broader strategic balance. That logic has proven effective in other contexts, but with Iran, it is increasingly less so. A US attack on Iranian territory would not be interpreted as a discrete operation or as another episode in a long-standing rivalry. It would be read as a strategic rupture: the moment when the accumulated power of the United States in the Middle East begins generating adverse effects that reinforce one another.
By staff writer

The ceasefire illusion: Israel’s cover for calculated aggression in Lebanon

TEHRAN — Despite the ceasefire agreement signed with Israel in November 2024, the promised peace remains a distant hope for the people of Lebanon. Israel’s military has effectively transformed a signed truce into a period of controlled aggression, conducting near-daily strikes that have claimed hundreds of innocent lives.
By Ranjan Solomon

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza and the monetization of ruins

GOA — Gaza today is not emerging from conflict; it is still being crushed by its consequences. Entire neighbourhoods have been erased, civilians displaced en masse, famine conditions allowed to fester, and allegations of international crimes hang unresolved over the ruins. Any serious discussion of Gaza’s future would begin with a ceasefire, accountability, and the restoration of Palestinian political agency. Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” begins elsewhere. It begins with money, authority, and control.
By Shima Naseri

US can’t shirk its legal responsibility regarding the recent unrest in Iran

TEHRAN - The events of January 8 and 9 once again revealed the operational and structural linkage between the Zionist regime and the United States within the context of regional armed conflicts. These events were not merely a series of field or military developments; rather, they carry profound legal implications that, from the perspective of international law—particularly international humanitarian law and human rights law—require serious examination. Neglecting these legal dimensions means normalizing violations of the very principles upon which the foundation of the international legal order rests.

Politics

Aggression against Iran would entail ‘serious destabilization’: Kremlin

TEHRAN — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a sharp warning on Monday, stating that any military strike against the Islamic Republic would result in a “serious destabilization” of the Middle East.
Tehran slams foreign media’s ‘fictional storytelling’ on detainee medical neglect

TEHRAN — The Tehran Province Prisons Department issued a rebuttal on Monday against a wave of “fictional storytelling” and coordinated disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign-based Persian-language media.
UNHRC resolution ‘against Iran, not about rights’

TEHRAN — Iran’s government spokesperson sharply rejected a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on the country’s recent unrest, calling the measure a ‘politically motivated’ effort to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic while ignoring Western sanctions and Western-backed regional wars that constitute grave rights abuses.

Sports

Iran U23 football team invited to China

TEHRAN – The football federation of Iran has received an invitation from its Chinese counterpart to play a friendly match with Iran’s U23 team.
Iran lose to China at 2026 Asian Handball Championship

TEHRAN – Iran lost to China 33-23 in Group IV of the 2026 Asian Handball Championship on Sunday.
Asgari wins bronze at Karate One Premier League

TEHRAN – Bahman Asgari Ghoncheh of Iran claimed a bronze medal at the Karate One Premier League Istanbul on Sunday.

Culture

12th Tehran International Cartoon Biennial concludes

TEHRAN – The closing ceremony of the 12th Tehran International Cartoon Biennial was held on Sunday evening in Tehran.
12th Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival screening Iranian modern, classic movies

TEHRAN – Five films from Iran are present at the 12th Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival, which is underway in India.
44th Fajr Film Festival to be held in February with 31 films vying for Crystal Simorgh

TEHRAN – The 44th Fajr National Film Festival will be inaugurated at Mellat Cineplex in Tehran on February 1, setting the stage for ten days of artistic celebration and competition.

Economy

Iran proposes Eurasian free zones body to boost economic cooperation

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian foreign ministry official has proposed establishing a Eurasian free zones organization to promote economic cooperation and synergy among member states.
Iran free zones seek investment from CIS countries

TEHRAN – Iran’s free trade and special economic zones are ready to attract investment from countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a senior official said on Monday.
NIDC brings 12 new gas wells online

TEHRAN – The National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) has brought 12 new gas wells into production under a drilling contract with the Central Iranian Oil Fields Company, strengthening gas supply, particularly during the winter season, the NIDC head of said.

Society

School-building benefactors honored

TEHRAN – The 27th national conference on honoring school-building benefactors was held in Tehran on Monday, with Education Minister Alireza Kazemi and several benefactors in attendance.
Family and youth population projects to be supported

TEHRAN – The Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology and Knowledge-based Economy, in cooperation with the Innovation and Prosperity Fund, will support the implementation of projects in the family and youth population sectors.
Japanese envoy highlights boosting ties with Iranian universities in AI, emerging technologies

TEHRAN – Japanese Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada has highlighted the significance of promoting scientific ties with Iranian universities in different areas, especially emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced materials.

Tourism

Iran to resubmit Masuleh cultural landscape dossier for UNESCO World Heritage status

TEHRAN — Iran is set to soon submit a revised nomination dossier for Masuleh and its cultural landscape for possible inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a senior cultural heritage official said on Monday.
Minister of Cultural Heritage, UNESCO official emphasize necessity of joint convergence

TEHRAN—Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri and Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO Hassan Fartousi emphasized the necessity of joint convergence and efforts to strengthen the position of the country's cultural and civilizational heritage in the regional and international arena.
Langeroud eyes becoming sea-based tourism hub in northern Iran

TEHRAN - Langeroud county in Iran’s northern Gilan province, which has 17 kilometers of coastline along the Caspian Sea, could develop into a sea-based tourism hub, a local official said.

International

The ceasefire illusion: Israel’s cover for calculated aggression in Lebanon

TEHRAN — Despite the ceasefire agreement signed with Israel in November 2024, the promised peace remains a distant hope for the people of Lebanon. Israel’s military has effectively transformed a signed truce into a period of controlled aggression, conducting near-daily strikes that have claimed hundreds of innocent lives.
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza and the monetization of ruins

GOA — Gaza today is not emerging from conflict; it is still being crushed by its consequences. Entire neighbourhoods have been erased, civilians displaced en masse, famine conditions allowed to fester, and allegations of international crimes hang unresolved over the ruins. Any serious discussion of Gaza’s future would begin with a ceasefire, accountability, and the restoration of Palestinian political agency. Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” begins elsewhere. It begins with money, authority, and control.
Lebanon: Rising pressures amid Syria’s instability and Israeli threats

BEIRUT — With the Israeli enemy maintaining continuous attacks from the south and the resurgence of ISIS and other extremist groups in Syria, Lebanon faces unprecedented security challenges.

From Baghdad to Beirut, Tehran’s partners signal a wider war if US strikes