Tehran Times

2026-03-20 20:11
Leader declares ‘Resistance Economy in Shadow of Unity and Security’ as new year slogan

TEHRAN — In a message marking the Persian New Year, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, declared “Resistance Economy in the Shadow of National Unity and National Security” as the official slogan for the Iranian year 1405.

By Mohammad Sarfi Editor-in-chief

The spirit of spring

How the Iranian nation endured the past year and entered the new one

Tehran — This year, Nowruz was different. It is no exaggeration to call it the most unprecedented Nowruz in Iran’s contemporary history. The Persian year 1404 was a difficult and bitter one for Iranians. Early in the year, the country became embroiled in a 12-day war imposed by the United States and Israel, during which more than a thousand honorable Iranian citizens lost their lives and became victims of the lies, ambitions, and crimes of those two regimes.
By staff writer

Nowruz in the midst of unwarranted war

TEHRAN - Iranian citizens are celebrating the ancient Nowruz (the Persian New Year) while their country is under an illegal and borderless war by the United States and Israel.
By Shahrokh Saei

Nowruz 2026: The enduring spirit of Iran in wartime

TEHRAN – Iranians inside the country and across the diaspora have welcomed Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with vibrant celebrations that mark the arrival of spring and renewal. Rooted in traditions stretching back more than 3,000 years, Nowruz remains a powerful symbol of cultural continuity and joy, uniting families worldwide through age-old customs such as the Haft-Sin table—an arrangement of seven symbolic items beginning with the Persian letter “S,” representing health, prosperity, and rebirth.
By Afshin Majlesi

Nowruz in the shadow of war

This year, Nowruz does not feel the way it used to. Many things still look the same on the outside. The Haft-Seen table is ready, just like every year. There is green wheat, flowers, a mirror, a copy of the Holy Quran, and a glass bowl with small red fish swimming quietly.
By Mehdi Garshasbi

The power of Nowruz: a renewal of hope, even when everything is against it

Every year, as the spring approaches, Iranians prepare for Nowruz; a holiday that marks a new beginning, light after darkness, and hope after a long winter.

Politics

IRGC spokesman martyred in terrorist US-Israeli attack

TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that its spokesman, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, was martyred in an act of terrorism carried out by the United States and Israel.
Qalibaf urges Arab states to seize region’s ‘destiny’ and end dependence on US

TEHRAN – Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf called on Muslim nations to cast off reliance on the United States and forge a new regional security order rooted in Islamic solidarity, warning that American military presences in the region serve only to enable Israeli aggression and division.
Headline-grabber footballers back home - What happened in Australia?

TEHRAN - After more than a week of intense debate and widespread international media attention, Iranian female footballers have finally returned home from Australia, bringing an end to a wave of speculation and conflicting reports.

Sports

Mexico ready to host Iran’s matches in 2026 FIFA World Cup

TEHRAN – Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum has said they are ready to host Iran’s matches in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iran decide to participate at 2026 FIFA World Cup: official

TEHRAN – Mehdi Taj, head of Iran football federation, says that Iran will participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Homecoming: Iranian women players opt for return amidst speculation

TEHRAN - The saga surrounding the Iran's women football team took a significant turn as five players, who had initially opted not to return to Tehran from Australia, have now decided to come back. This decision follows an earlier announcement that seven players had chosen to remain in Australia, where Team Melli played three matches in Group A of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Culture

A convergence of faith and heritage: celebrating Nowruz amidst war

BABOLSAR- As the sun dips toward the horizon on this final Friday of the Persian calendar year 1404, the air in the northern city of Babolsar, Mazandaran, carries a bittersweet fragrance. It is the scent of blooming bergamot blossoms—the namesake of my eight-year-old daughter, Toranj—mingled with the salty mist of the Caspian Sea and the heavy, solemn aroma of rosewater from a recent funeral procession.
Culture minister calls for solidarity among Islamic nations against U.S.-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN –The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance has issued a message to the culture ministers of Muslim countries regarding the war imposed by the U.S. and the Zionist regime on Iran.
104 public libraries to remain open during Nowruz holidays amid Zionist-U.S. aggression

TEHRAN- Iran Public Libraries Foundation has announced that 104 public libraries across the country will remain operational throughout the Nowruz holidays amid the ongoing conflict and recent U.S.-Zionist strikes against Iranian soil.

Economy

US opinions to confront closing of Hormuz Strait not operational: economic analyst

TEHRAN- Ali Ashraf Afkhami, an economic analyst, believes that the US opinions to confront closing of the Strait of Hormuz are not operational, and the outlook for oil price reduction is weak.
Transport minister orders acceleration of commodities transfer from ports

TEHRAN- Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadeq ordered the acceleration of transfer of goods from the ports and more use of transport networks capacity, IRNA reported.
Foreign investment in free zones rises 268% in 11 months on year

TEHRAN- As announced by Iran’s Secretariat of the High Council and the Free Zones Organizations, foreign investment in the country’s free zones reached $1.025 billion during the first 11 months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2025-February 20, 2026), with an increase of 268 percent compared to the same period of time in the previous year.

Society

The power of Nowruz: a renewal of hope, even when everything is against it

Every year, as the spring approaches, Iranians prepare for Nowruz; a holiday that marks a new beginning, light after darkness, and hope after a long winter.
Nowruz, a unique opportunity to reinforce national unity

Despite the ongoing U.S.-Israeli imposed war, people from all walks of life in the country are preparing to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with the universal message of boosting unity and peace among people.
Life goes on, civic services underway despite attacks

TEHRAN – Despite the ongoing attacks by the U.S. and the Zionist regime against the country, people in Tehran, as in other cities, have no problem benefiting from civic services to meet their daily needs thanks to the efforts of responsible organizations.

Tourism

Nowruz in the shadow of war

This year, Nowruz does not feel the way it used to. Many things still look the same on the outside. The Haft-Seen table is ready, just like every year. There is green wheat, flowers, a mirror, a copy of the Holy Quran, and a glass bowl with small red fish swimming quietly.
Protecting cultural heritage under fire: The fragile role of international law

The deliberate targeting of cultural heritage during armed conflict remains a grave concern. International law provides crucial instruments for protection, anchored by agreements such as the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. These conventions represent a foundational effort to safeguard sites of historical and artistic significance, recognizing their intrinsic value beyond purely monetary terms.
How are Isfahan’s UNESCO and national heritage sites faring after airstrikes?

ISFAHAN - Airstrikes on the Iranian city of Isfahan have severely damaged two of its most iconic heritage sites: the UNESCO-listed Chehel Sotoun Palace and the National Heritage Site Ashraf Hall, alongside damage to over 12 other cultural landmarks.

International

Joe Kent’s resignation is telling that speaks volumes

TEHRAN – In a social media post on Tuesday, Joe Kent announced that he was resigning as Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center in protest to the Trump administration’s decision in joining Israel in the war against Iran.
The roar against dangerous war against Iran

TEHRAN - After the United States and Israel started a surprise and unlawful war on Iran on Feb. 28, waves of protests have gripped the United States. The protests have spread to more than 50 cities across the country. The huge protests in Washington, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles have been of particular importance.
Iran's strategic and operational mastery over US-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN – To assess the current trajectory of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran as of March 2026, it is essential to analyze how the involved parties have arrived at their present positions.

How the Iranian nation endured the past year and entered the new one