Tehran Times

2026-09-22 20:18
Leader on the beginning of the new academic year:

The power of knowledge, joined with piety and ethics, protects humanity from criminal US and Israel

TEHRAN — Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has described power rooted in knowledge, piety and ethics as a shield against what he called the “savagery of the system of domination,” particularly referring to the United States and the Zionist regime.
- Bells return tomorrow, 277 desks won't

By Mohammad Sarfi, Editor-in-Chief

Saddam and Trump’s shared delusion

TEHRAN — Yesterday marked the 46th anniversary of Saddam’s invasion of Iran. In the early days of the war, while standing on occupied Iranian soil near the country’s southwestern borders, Saddam told reporters that he would hold his next interview with them in Tehran a few days later.
Pezeshkian: UN General Assembly must restore global trust and help end wars

TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed hope that the annual United Nations General Assembly can help rebuild confidence in the international system and contribute to ending wars and bloodshed around the world.
Mehr Media Group receives two awards at OANA Awards 2026 in Moscow

TEHRAN – Mehr Media Group received two awards at the OANA Awards 2026 during the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) 65th anniversary conference in Moscow on Monday.
Iran possesses sustainable deterrence, Qalibaf affirms

TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned the United States against attempting to pressure Iran into submission, stressing that the country’s military capabilities and sustained deterrence provide Tehran with the capacity to respond to threats while pursuing its national interests through diplomacy.
IRGC: Talks are another battlefield as Iran reveals new weapon test

TEHRAN — Iran is maintaining its military readiness while keeping diplomacy available as an instrument of national policy, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said, stressing that negotiations should not be equated with compromise and can themselves constitute “another battlefield.”

Politics

China rejects US sanctions on Iranian airlines

TEHRAN — China’s Foreign Ministry has announced that Beijing opposes US sanctions against Iran, including sanctions targeting Iranian airlines.
Araghchi: Defending Iran’s rights and interests is main goal at UN

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said defending the rights, interests and legitimacy of the Iranian people will be the central objective of his participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, as Tehran seeks to present its positions and highlight the consequences of the recent US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iran rejects US attempts to blame Tehran for rising fuel prices

TEHRAN — Iran has rejected US attempts to hold Tehran responsible for rising fuel prices, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei arguing that Washington is seeking to deflect responsibility for the consequences of the conflict and the disruption of commercial shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Sports

Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos to miss Iran’s friendly matches

TEHRAN - Iran internationals Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Saman Ghoddos will miss the national team’s upcoming friendly matches against Uzbekistan and Russia.
Iran’s women’s kata secure silver at 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN - In the women’s team kata final held at the Toyohashi Gymnasium, the Iranian team, represented by Fatemeh Sadeghi, Sepideh Amini and Zeinab Hosseini, faced Vietnam and suffered a 5–0 defeat, settling for the silver medal.
Iran’s women’s kabaddi beat Bangladesh in Nagoya

TEHRAN - Iran’s women’s kabaddi team continued their winning start at the Nagoya Asian Games with a commanding 54–19 victory over Bangladesh in their second match on Tuesday.

Culture

Mehr Media Group receives two awards at OANA Awards 2026 in Moscow

TEHRAN – Mehr Media Group received two awards at the OANA Awards 2026 during the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) 65th anniversary conference in Moscow on Monday.
20th International Resistance Theater Festival kicks off in Tehran

TEHRAN – The 20th International Resistance Theater Festival kicked off on Monday at the Azadi Tower in Tehran.
Asghar Farhadi’s “Parallel Tales” to be shown, reviewed in Tehran

TEHRAN – The latest film by the Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, “Parallel Tales,” will be shown at the Adapa Art and Cultural Center in Tehran on Tuesday.

Economy

Iran, Uzbekistan eye AI-driven agricultural co-op as trade delegation aims for $2b

TEHRAN- In a joint meeting and subsequent conference on agricultural cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan, the two countries' agriculture ministers emphasized joint investment in AI-based modern farming, livestock breeding, and pasture development. With a large Iranian trade delegation present—comprising over 100 companies and heads of provincial chambers—officials outlined plans to boost bilateral agricultural trade from $200 million to $600 million within two years, while broader trade ambitions target $2 billion. Iran also highlighted its transport capacities to provide landlocked Uzbekistan with access to open waters.
Recovery of lost capacity at South Pars refineries accelerates

TEHRAN- The Manager of Integrated Planning at the National Iranian Gas Company announced the recovery of part of the lost capacity of South Pars refineries and said: Two phases of the Early Recovery Program have been completed.
Iran expands rail routes to China, targets higher-value exports: TPO

TEHRAN- At a press conference, Amir Roshanbakhsh Ghanbari, deputy for international business development at Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), said Iran is negotiating with China to develop rail routes for goods transit, with part of Iranian cargo already moving to China via Yazd Dry Port. He said transport is a fundamental trade issue and current conditions impose restrictions.

Society

Over 200,000 foreign nationals enrolled in Iranian schools

TEHRAN – More than 200,000 foreign national students, including boys and girls, have been enrolled in schools in Iran and will benefit from educational services in the current academic year, which starts on September 23.
Iranian, Pakistani officials explore potential to develop science diplomacy

TEHRAN – University of Tehran Chancellor Mohammad-Hossein Omid and Pakistani Ambassador to Iran Imran Ahmed Siddiqui have explored avenues to strengthen scientific, academic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
New rare diseases identified in Iran

TEHRAN – Eighteen more rare diseases have been identified in the country, bringing the total number of rare diseases to 531, according to the Rare Disease Foundation.

Tourism

Tourism ministry focuses on domestic travel, neighbors and AI-driven transformation

TEHRAN – Iran is focusing on domestic tourism and travel to neighboring countries as it seeks to revive the tourism industry following the country’s war with the US forces, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushiravan Mohseni-Bandpei said Tuesday.
Iran to promote tourism potential at Dushanbe Intl. Tourism Exhibition

TEHRAN - Iran plans to showcase its tourism potential at the Dushanbe International Tourism Exhibition 2026, seeking to expand cooperation between Iranian and Tajik tourism businesses and open new channels for attracting visitors from Tajikistan and the wider region.
Ground broken for Makkoran’s history and culture museum in Chabahar

TEHRAN - Ground was broken for the Makkoran’s history and culture museum in the Chabahar Free Zone on Tuesday, marking the start of a project aimed at documenting and showcasing the ancient history and cultural heritage of Iran’s Makkoran coast.

International

Washington and Tel Aviv face global revolt at 81st UN General Assembly

TEHRAN — The 81st United Nations General Assembly opened Tuesday under a cloud of unprecedented hostility toward the United States and Israel.
Shifting regional dynamics deepen pressure on Israel

TEHRAN – Developments in Yemen reveal the Axis of Resistance’s new strategy to reshape the strategic landscape from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and East Africa.
ICC blacklist plan prompts US senator’s calls to sanction Trump and Rubio

TEHRAN — U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen on Monday called on European governments and signatories to the Rome Statute to impose sanctions on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.