Tehran Times

2026-02-08 22:05
Claudius returns to poison the deal

As diplomatic talks begin in Muscat, Netanyahu rushes to Washington to ensure peace with Iran never materializes

TEHRAN – Shakespeare’s Hamlet shows King Claudius as the main cause of Hamlet’s downfall. Claudius begins by secretly murdering Hamlet’s father and taking the throne, then hides his crime behind the image of a calm and caring king.
- The goals of Netanyahu's trip to U.S.
- How Trump rejoined ‘team’ Netanyahu

$The boomerang of division: Israel's fractured leadership and Gaza's unbroken will$
By staff writer

The boomerang of division: Israel's fractured leadership and Gaza's unbroken will

TEHRAN – The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 exposed serious failures in Israel’s security system and laid bare deep divisions within the Israeli political and military leadership.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Smuggling, sovereignty, and transitional power: The Lebanese–Syrian border after Assad

BEIRUT — The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government did not bring an end to smuggling between Syria and Lebanon. Instead, it transformed its logic, scale, and actors.
By Wesam Bahrani

Europe and Trump: Strategic paralysis and the end of a unified West

TEHRAN – Europe’s survival and its position on the global stage now hinge on a critical moment of self-reflection.
Beyond the colonial gaze: Rethinking Iran on its own terms

By Xavier Villar

MADRID – The concept of a colonial toolbox remains a potent but often under-examined framework for understanding contemporary international discourse. It does not refer to a physical object, but to the enduring repertoire of practices, epistemologies, and governmental rationalities developed by imperial centers to categorize, manage, and ultimately subordinate colonized populations.
Pezeshkian: Dialogue rooted in Iran’s legal rights, not pressure

TEHRAN — President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the latest round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States as a “step forward,” stressing that Tehran’s position stems from rights guaranteed under international law — not concessions made under pressure.

Politics

We insist on right to enrichment even at cost of a war: Iranian FM

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran favors “diplomacy,” but at the same time, it is “ready for war”.
Iran’s military chief warns US will bear responsibility for any regional war

TEHRAN – Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has said Iran remains fully equipped and ready to deliver a “swift, decisive, and regret-inducing” response to any act of aggression — while making clear that the Islamic Republic seeks no regional war and is acting with restraint.
11 members of PJAK terror group arrested in western Iran

TEHRAN - A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says as many as 11 local ringleaders of the PJAK terrorist group have been apprehended in the city of Kermanshah, the capital of a western province with the same name.

Sports

Malavan defeat Persepolis in 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN — Malavan edged past Persepolis 1–0 in matchweek 20 of the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Sunday.
Iran’s Oskou wins gold at 2026 Zagreb Open

TEHRAN – Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Ali Oskou won a gold medal at the Zagreb Open Saturday night.
Iran’s Ahmad Abbasi named Most Valuable Player

TEHRAN - Saied Ahmad Abbasi capped a memorable AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 after he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player on Saturday.

Culture

Iran’s Book of the Year Awards honors outstanding literary works

TEHRAN- The selected works of the 43rd Iran’s Book of the Year Awards were unveiled during the closing ceremony of the prestigious cultural event, held at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Sunday in the presence of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi, and a large gathering of writers, researchers, intellectuals, and members of the literary community.
Tehran’s City Theater hosting “Rostam and Esfandiyar”

TEHRAN – The play “Rostam and Esfandiyar” directed by Dariush Nassiri and Reza Hassankhani is on stage at the City Theater in Tehran.
Persian rendition of “The Transfiguration of the Commonplace: A Philosophy of Art” released

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “The Transfiguration of the Commonplace: A Philosophy of Art” by Arthur Coleman Danto has been released in the bookstores across the country.

Economy

Iran to roll out 110 smart irrigation projects, expand solar power on farms

TEHRAN – Iran is implementing 110 pilot smart irrigation projects covering about 10,000 hectares nationwide as part of a broader push to boost water efficiency and deploy renewable energy in agriculture, a deputy agriculture minister said.
TPO plans operational steps to boost trade with Africa

TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) said Tehran is preparing operational programs to facilitate and expand trade with African countries, following talks with senior Zimbabwean officials.
Iran hosts pavilion at Baghdad international trade fair

TEHRAN – Iran has set up a national pavilion at the 49th Baghdad International Trade Fair, the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) said, as part of efforts to expand commercial ties with Iraq.

Society

Iran attends Intl. Mediterranean Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

TEHRAN – Iranian professors and students of Persian medicine have participated in the 12th International Mediterranean Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MESMAP-12) in Thailand.
Spain, Palestine, Italy, and Germany red cross societies condemn killing of IRCS member

TEHRAN – Red cross societies of Spain, Palestine, Italy, and Germany have condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Iran, which led to the martyrdom of one and injuries to five other staff members of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).
Welfare Organization, UNICEF discuss ways to boost ties

TEHRAN – The head of the Welfare Organization, Javad Hosseini, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ad interim Representative in Iran, Monika Oledzka Nielsen, have explored the potential to expand cooperation, particularly regarding children aged below 18.

Tourism

Tehran, Baku consider reopening passenger border crossings

TEHRAN - Iran and Azerbaijan are considering reopening of passenger traffic across their shared border following talks between senior officials, Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday.
Semnan tourism department to revamp surroundings of Shah Abbasi caravanserai

TEHRAN – Semnan’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts department has begun plans to reorganize the area surrounding the centuries-old Shah Abbasi caravanserai which is located in the north-central Iranian province.
Preserving historical monuments is necessity in country with ancient past: restoration graduate

TEHRAN - The appropriate restoration of historical monuments is not a matter of choice but a necessity in a country where every corner contains layers of history, a young restoration specialist says.

International

$The boomerang of division: Israel's fractured leadership and Gaza's unbroken will$
The boomerang of division: Israel's fractured leadership and Gaza's unbroken will

TEHRAN – The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 exposed serious failures in Israel’s security system and laid bare deep divisions within the Israeli political and military leadership.
Smuggling, sovereignty, and transitional power: The Lebanese–Syrian border after Assad

BEIRUT — The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government did not bring an end to smuggling between Syria and Lebanon. Instead, it transformed its logic, scale, and actors.
Europe and Trump: Strategic paralysis and the end of a unified West

TEHRAN – Europe’s survival and its position on the global stage now hinge on a critical moment of self-reflection.

As diplomatic talks begin in Muscat, Netanyahu rushes to Washington to ensure peace with Iran never materializes

By Xavier Villar