Tehran Times

2026-01-31 21:24
Trump’s tower of deceit: Epstein’s files pull back the curtain

Over three million pages of DOJ files fuel critical allegations, placing the U.S. president at the heart of Epstein's elite sex scandal network

TEHRAN – The newest release of the Epstein files has once again pulled U.S. President Donald Trump, along with a long list of powerful figures, into the center of a story that refuses to fade. The U.S. Department of Justice — the federal agency responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing the FBI — published more than three million pages of documents, along with thousands of images and videos, on Friday. What emerged is a portrait of Epstein’s world that is both familiar and newly disturbing: a network of wealth, secrecy, and influence that stretched across politics, entertainment, business, and even intelligence circles.
- Trump’s entanglement and the rot of power in Epstein’s shadow ledger
- New Epstein estate photos show Trump surrounded by women with blacked-out faces

By Abbas Akhoundi

A framework for collective security in the Persian Gulf and West Asia

TEHRAN - The gradual erosion of the liberal international order and the emergence of a more coercive global environment have profoundly altered the security calculus for middle powers. In the current international landscape—often described as a “new world order”—the direct use of force by major powers has become increasingly normalized.
By Fatemeh Kavand

American security and double standard of disorder

TEHRAN - While Donald Trump labels American protesters “professional agitators” and calls for their imprisonment or deportation, the very same pattern of behavior has for years been framed in Western narratives of insecurity in Iran as “civil protest”—a stark rupture in how order, security, and the legitimacy of violence are defined.
Putin hosts Iranian security chief in Kremlin

TEHRAN — President Vladimir Putin received Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, for a high-stakes summit at the Kremlin on Friday.
By Saleh Abidi Maleki

‘Iran as ready for diplomacy as it is for war’

In Ankara, Araghchi restates Tehran’s long-held position as neighbors call on Washington to halt escalation against Iran

TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in the Turkish capital on Friday with a message for Washington that was as firm as it was measured: Tehran remains open to a diplomatic resolution regarding its nuclear program, but it will not negotiate under duress, nor will it hesitate to engage in total war if the United States miscalculates again.
U.S. seeks an Iran that is subservient, says Chinese expert

Hongda Fan warns U.S. and Israeli interference could reshape regional alliances and intensify security rivalries

TEHRAN-Amid renewed unrest in Iran and escalating rhetoric from Washington and Tel Aviv, questions are mounting over whether Western claims of supporting civil liberties mask deeper geopolitical objectives. To explore these dynamics, Tehran Times spoke with Professor Hongda Fan, Professor and director of the China-Middle East Center at Shaoxing University, China.

Politics

Qalibaf says Iran will pursue justice for terror riot victims at home and abroad

TEHRAN – Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf has reiterated that Tehran does not reject dialogue or diplomacy in principle, stressing that any negotiations must be genuine, balanced, and grounded in mutual respect, clear guarantees, and the protection of Iran’s national interests.
Tehran warns Berlin of consequences following Merz’s ‘low-minded provocations’

TEHRAN — The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned German Ambassador Axel Dittmann on Thursday to deliver a condemnation of Berlin’s increasingly aggressive interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
Iran’s response to any aggression will be ‘immediate, decisive:’ Pezeshkian warns

TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stern warning against any military miscalculations by foreign powers, asserting that while the Islamic Republic seeks peace, it is fully prepared for a crushing retaliation.

Sports

Our main goal is gold at 2026 Asian Para Games: Behrouz Soltani

TEHRAN – Behrouz Soltani, head coach of Iran’s national wheelchair basketball team, said that their primary objective is to win the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya.
We need to criticize ourselves to fix weaknesses: Jafari

TEHRAN – Marzieh Jafari, head coach of Iran’s women’s national football team, says self-criticism is essential as the team prepare for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Iran’s Gorgan lose to Astana: 2025/26 FIBA WASL

TEHRAN - BC Astana rose to solo no. 2 in the 2025/26 FIBA WASL-West Asia League standings following a vengeful 88-73 victory over Shahrdari Gorgan at the Sarkarya Velodrome on Friday night.

Culture

16th Ammar Popular Film Festival concludes in Tehran

TEHRAN – The 16th Ammar Popular Film Festival concluded on the evening of Thursday, January 29, in Tehran.
Iranian artist pens truth on Venezuela's front page

TEHRAN- An Iranian artist has articulated the nation's perspective on recent developments through the platform of a major Venezuelan publication.
Book exhibition at Kanoon displaying 300 titles by Iranian expats

TEHRAN – A book exhibition titled “Tak Khal” (literally meaning Ace), featuring 300 published works by Iranian expats in various languages, is underway at the Reference Library of the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon), in Tehran.

Economy

World Bank says 3 governance indicators improved in Iran

TEHRAN – The World Bank said three of Iran’s governance indicators improved in 2024, citing gains in government effectiveness, control of corruption and accountability.
IMIDRO says 420 exploration maps to draw private investment

TEHRAN – Iran’s Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) plans to use more than 400 newly produced exploration maps to attract private sector participation and reduce risk in mineral exploration, its head said.
Paknejad plays down concerns over U.S. dealings with Iran’s oil customers

TEHRAN – Iran’s oil minister dismissed concerns that potential U.S. dealings with buyers of Iranian crude could undermine Tehran’s oil sales or revenues, saying the country remains in control of its export strategy.

Society

DOE underscores use of smart environmental protection systems

TEHRAN – Given that traditional methods can no longer meet the needs of a fragile environment, the integration of smart technologies for environmental conservation seems inevitable, an official with the Department of Environment has said.
Iran to host ANF specialized standardization workshop

TEHRAN – Iran will play host to a specialized standardization workshop for the member states of the Asian Network Forum (ANF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 229.
Third national event on ‘future schools’ to be held

TEHRAN – The third national event on future schools will be held in February, highlighting the use of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blended learning in fostering thinking skills and creativity, as well as collaboration among the future generation of students.

Tourism

Koozeh-Shekani: Where tradition, belief and renewal converge

TEHRAN - The Koozeh-Shekani ceremony is one of the nearly forgotten traditions observed on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Iranian calendar year, coinciding with Charshanbe Suri, in some villages and towns of South Khorasan province in eastern Iran.
Natural heritage overlooked in Iran’s tourism policy, researcher says

TEHRAN – Iran’s natural heritage is an integral part of the country’s national identity but remains poorly defined, under-prioritized and constrained by institutional conflicts, a natural heritage expert said.
Ancient Sadeh festival can reinforce social cohesion and unity, governor-general says

TEHRAN – Kerman’s governor-general Mohammad-Ali Talebi said on Wednesday that the ancient Sadeh festival is a national ritual belonging to all Iranians and can contribute to social cohesion and unity.

International

Trump’s tower of deceit: Epstein’s files pull back the curtain

TEHRAN – The newest release of the Epstein files has once again pulled U.S. President Donald Trump, along with a long list of powerful figures, into the center of a story that refuses to fade. The U.S. Department of Justice — the federal agency responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing the FBI — published more than three million pages of documents, along with thousands of images and videos, on Friday. What emerged is a portrait of Epstein’s world that is both familiar and newly disturbing: a network of wealth, secrecy, and influence that stretched across politics, entertainment, business, and even intelligence circles.
Rafah border crossing: What the reopening reveals about Israel’s next moves

TEHRAN – The scheduled opening of the Rafah border crossing on Sunday is another sign of the Israeli regime’s larger scheme.
Israel’s admission of Gaza death toll shatters its own denial

TEHRAN — A quiet admission from a senior Israeli military official has opened a door Israel has tried to keep shut for two years. By acknowledging that around 71,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the official effectively confirmed what the Gaza Health Ministry has been reporting since the start of the war.