Tehran Times

2026-03-09 21:14
By Sheida Sabzehvari

The Leader they tried to kill is still here

TEHRAN – Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei long regarded security as the most valuable asset a nation could possess. When he became Iran’s Leader in 1989, the country was emerging from one of the most devastating periods in its modern history.
- Iran’s top officials, clerics, and armed forces rally behind Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
- Assembly of Experts elects Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s third Leader

The life of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei

Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei is a prominent Iranian cleric and the second son of the late Leader and marja', Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He was born in 1969 in the city of Mashhad, one of Iran’s most important religious centers.
Iran’s top officials, clerics, and armed forces rally behind Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

Tehran - In a decisive display of constitutional continuity and national solidarity, senior Iranian military commanders, political leaders, and heads of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches have formally pledged their allegiance to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Nation pledges allegiance to new Leader

TEHRAN – Iranians took to the streets on Monday, converging in massive rallies to pledge strong allegiance to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
By Garsha Vazirian

Tehran leadership's 'defiance' vs Washington's 'Epic Failure'

How Western media outlets struggling to explain Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment

TEHRAN — Immediately after Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei was officially elected as Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Western press has produced a body of coverage that reveals far more about its own analytical frameworks—and their failures—than about the reality on the ground in Iran.
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei elected as Iran's Leader

TEHRAN — Iran's Assembly of Experts has chosen Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei to serve as the third Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He is the son of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's second Leader, who was assassinated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, 2026.

Politics

Political economy of modern warfare: Why mines are bedrock of military sustainability

TEHRAN - As an expert in defense economics, an analysis of the logistical and economic dimensions of the recent clashes between the United States, the Israeli regime, and the Islamic Republic of Iran reveals a jarring reality: the modern military-industrial complex is precariously dependent on mining and global supply chains.
Assembly of Experts elects Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s third Leader

TEHRAN – Iran’s Assembly of Experts on Monday announced the election of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Republic, following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a U.S. and Israeli attack.
On the tenth day of U.S.–Israeli aggression, Iran strikes back with precision

Tehran - On the tenth day of U.S. and Israeli aggression, Iran pressed ahead with powerful retaliatory measures against military and strategic targets, demonstrating both resilience and advanced capabilities.

Sports

Iran likely to withdraw from 2026 FIFA World Cup

TEHRAN – FIFA will "monitor developments" in Iran following the outbreak of military action by the United States -- the co-hosts of this summer's men's World Cup -- against Iran, who have qualified for the tournament and is due to play their group games in the U.S.
Iran, South Korea to lock horns at AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

TEHRAN - The respective head coaches of Korea Republic and Iran expressed confidence in their tournament preparations ahead of their opening AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 clash at the Gold Coast Stadium on Monday, which will represent the first-ever meeting between the pair.
Iranian women carry the hopes of a generation

TEHRAN - As the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup unfolds in Australia from March 1–21, few stories are as inspiring and hard-earned as that of Iran’s women’s national football team. For only the second time in its history, Iran have qualified for this premier continental tournament, a milestone that reflects both sporting progress and social resilience.

Culture

Cultural organizations reaffirm loyalty to new Leader

TEHRAN- Following the appointment of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Assembly of Experts, various artistic institutions and cultural organizations have issued statements pledging their allegiance to the new leadership.
Quranic Personality of Martyr Leader Ayatollah Khamenei published in two-volume book

TEHRAN – The two-volume book “The Quranic Personality of the Martyr Leader of the Revolution” was unveiled in Tehran in the presence of the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyed Abbas Salehi and the head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Mohammad Mahdi Imanipour.
Culture minister’s statement on election of new Leader of Islamic Revolution

TEHRAN – The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a statement on Monday following the selection of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Economy

Trade process ongoing, import of goods facilitated

TEHRAN- An official, while pointing out that “we have facilitated the trade process”, said: “Currently, trade is ongoing and the import of goods is being carried out smoothly.”
New blow to oil market; Iraq's oil production plunges 70%

TEHRAN- Reports indicate that following the escalation of consequences stemming from the outbreak of war in the West Asia, Iraq's oil production has dropped by 70%, Mehr News Agency reported on Monday.
Iran’s fuel supply stable, under control: officials confirm

TEHRAN- Iran’s oil minister announced that the attack by America and Israel on the oil depots in Tehran and Karaj has not disrupted the country's fuel supply process and emphasized: "With the measures taken, the sustainable fuel supply continues without interruption, but to overcome the problems caused by these attacks, we need more cooperation from the people."

Society

In memory of martyred leader who was devoted to environmental protection

TEHRAN – The National Tree Planting Day (March 5) was observed this year in the special memory of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who always recommended planting trees as a good and righteous act toward environmental protection.
A silent victim of war: environmental fallout of aggression against Iran

TEHRAN – War, by its very nature, unleashes devastating environmental consequences. Aside from widespread damage to air and water quality, the conflict creates escalating waste management challenges, amplifies noise pollution, degrades soil fertility, destroys agricultural land, pastures, and orchards, decimates livestock populations, and exacerbates dust storm occurrences. The long-term ecological and societal ramifications threaten the well-being of communities across affected regions.
People line up for blood donation to show sympathy, solidarity

TEHRAN – The people of Tehran from all walks of life refer in large numbers to blood donation centers to give blood and help treat the citizens injured during the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, demonstrating their strong bonds of sympathy and solidarity.

Tourism

Airstrikes damage 17th-century mosque in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Recent airstrikes on the Iranian city of Isfahan have damaged the historic Imam Mosque, also known as Masjed Jameh Abbasi, according to a provincial heritage official.
Science minister writes to UNESCO chief denouncing humanitarian law violations in attacks

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology has urged UNESCO to strongly condemn recent attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory, citing violations of international humanitarian law and UNESCO-protected sites.
Qazvin’s mirror and glass production unit damaged by U.S.-Israeli attacks

TEHRAN- Following U.S.-Israeli attacks, a mirror and glass production unit faced heavy damages in Qazvin province, said a cultural heritage official.

International

Tehran leadership's 'defiance' vs Washington's 'Epic Failure'

TEHRAN — Immediately after Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei was officially elected as Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Western press has produced a body of coverage that reveals far more about its own analytical frameworks—and their failures—than about the reality on the ground in Iran.
Hezbollah escalates attacks on Israeli regime

TEHRAN – The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has intensified its military campaign against the Zionist regime, opening a new regional front after the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
Dozens of British MPs seek apology over Balfour Declaration

Dozens of MPs and peers have signed a letter calling for a formal British apology over the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which paved the way for the creation of Israel in 1948 and the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the Nakba, Middle East Eye reported on Monday.

How Western media outlets struggling to explain Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment