Tehran Times

2026-10-10 20:20
By Seyed Mohammad Torabi

From Athens to Anger

Why Rubio's history lesson backfired in Iran

TEHRAN – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's October 7 speech at the Pnyx hill in Athens, in which he invoked ancient Greece to call for Western revival and labeled the Islamic Republic of Iran a "cult of death," has triggered a wave of angry reactions across Iran — from senior officials and former diplomats to academics, newspapers, and social media users.
- “Cult of Death”? Check your calling card, Mr. Rubio
- From burning Sardis to bombing Tehran: What Rubio got wrong about Persia

More than 50 Iranian army units deployed along borders, commander says

TEHRAN — Iran has deployed more than 50 combat and support units of its Army Ground Force along the country’s borders, including mobile, rapid-reaction, armored and mechanized brigades, as well as artillery, engineering, missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) units, the force’s commander has said.
US sanctions the entire ICC to shield American and Israeli war criminals

TEHRAN — The United States placed the International Criminal Court under sanctions on Friday, October 9, dropping any pretense that its quarrel was limited to individual judges and prosecutors.
By staff writer

Yemen hits Riyadh airport again as Saudi flights collapse

TEHRAN — Riyadh’s airport was hit again on Saturday, two days after Yemeni missiles killed three Saudis there. Regional officials told the Associated Press that air traffic stopped and the airport was evacuated.
By staff writer

Trump seethes that no one knows her; Navi Pillay has rattled US and Israel anyway

TEHRAN — Within hours of Navi Pillay being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the American president had shared a post calling her a hater of America and Israel, and his secretary of state had sanctioned an entire international court. Israel summoned Joseph Goebbels.
Pezeshkian visits Tehran exhibition showcasing rural and nomadic achievements

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday visited the sixth exhibition of rural and nomadic achievements in Tehran, praising rural residents and nomadic communities for their contribution to the country’s production and supply of essential goods.

Politics

Pezeshkian, Qalibaf vow justice after bombing kills senior female police official

TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Police Chief Brigadier General Ahmadreza Radan have condemned the killing of a senior female police official in a terrorist bombing in southeastern Iran, vowing that the attack will not weaken the country’s resolve to safeguard security and public order.
Iran nuclear chief accuses IAEA of yielding to US and Israeli Pressure

TEHRAN — Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its 'submission to pressure from the United States and Israel,' saying the UN nuclear watchdog has failed to uphold its responsibility to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and ensure equal access to the technology for all nations.
MP warns any attack on Iran would trigger a much stronger response

TEHRAN — Abbas Goudarzi, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s Presiding Board, has described US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran as part of Washington’s psychological warfare, warning that any attack on the country would be met with a response many times more forceful.

Sports

Iran’s wheelchair basketball teams learn opponents: Aichi-Nagoya 2026

TEHRAN - Iran’s men’s and women’s national wheelchair basketball teams have learned their group-stage opponents for the fifth Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as both sides prepare to compete for strong results at the continental event.
Iran to send 29 athletes to 2026 Youth Olympics

TEHRAN - Iran will compete with a 29-athlete delegation across 14 sports at the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games, set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, following a four-year postponement.
Iran’s cycling continue downward slide in Nagoya

TEHRAN - Iran’s cycling team continued their disappointing decline at the Nagoya Asian Games, failing to deliver any encouraging results. A review of the past five editions of the Asian Games highlights a steady deterioration in the country’s performance, raising serious questions about the development and future direction of the sport in Iran.

Culture

Martyr Leader’s “Cell No. 14” published in Armenian

TEHRAN – The Armenian translation of the book “Cell No. 14,” which is the autobiographical memoir of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was unveiled at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Yerevan State University in Armenia on Friday.
“Shootinga” takes top honors at 38th Isfahan children’s film festival

TEHRAN- The film “Shootinga” emerged as one of the leading winners at the 38th edition of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Isfahan, receiving awards for best children’s film, best director and technical achievements at the closing ceremony on Thursday.
Tehran Theater to host Francis Veber’s comedy “The Dinner of Fools”

TEHRAN – Tehran's Sahne-ye Abi (Blue Stage) Theater will host the comedy play “The Dinner of Fools” by Francis Veber from October 15 to 24.

Economy

South Pars pressure boosting project to accelerate

TEHRAN- The deputy chairman of the Energy Committee of the Parliament, referring to the oil industry’s efforts to advance the South Pars pressure enhancement project, said: The recent approval issued by the Economic Council paves the way for accelerating the implementation of this national project.
CNG consumption increases by 12%

TEHRAN- The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, regarding the impact of implementing the third-tier gasoline rate on the fuel consumption pattern, said: The implementation of this plan has had two effects; in the CNG sector, we have witnessed about a 12% growth in consumption, and the willingness to use this fuel, especially in public transportation and online platforms, has increased.
Hormozgan non-oil trade stands at $8b in H1

TEHRAN- The supervisor of customs in Hormozgan Province, citing a 97% increase in the province’s customs revenues, said that in the first half of the current year, more than 14,370,000 tons of goods worth over $8 billion were exported and imported through the province’s customs.

Society

‘Makan’s Mission’: environmental storytelling project wrapped up honoring martyred students

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has held the closing ceremony of an environmental storytelling project, titled ‘Makan’s Mission’, to honor students martyred in the US-Israeli war against the country.
Iranian researchers win gold at INOVA International Invention Show

TEHRAN – A team of five Iranian researchers won a gold medal at the 50th International Invention Show, INOVA Golden Jubilee, held in Zagreb, Croatia, from October 1 to 4.
Iran proposes BRICS intl. network of photonics labs

TEHRAN – Iran has proposed the establishment of an international network of photonics laboratories among BRICS member states to strengthen scientific cooperation and facilitate access to advanced research infrastructure.

Tourism

Pezeshkian visits Tehran exhibition showcasing rural and nomadic achievements

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday visited the sixth exhibition of rural and nomadic achievements in Tehran, praising rural residents and nomadic communities for their contribution to the country’s production and supply of essential goods.
Tehran tourism needs coordinated policies, not more infrastructure: council member

TEHRAN – Tehran’s main tourism challenge is not a shortage of infrastructure but fragmented policymaking and limited public awareness of the capital’s existing attractions, a city council member said.
Book on history of vehicle license plates in Iran unveiled

TEHRAN – A book tracing the history of vehicle license plates in Iran, from the arrival of automobiles to the introduction of the country’s national registration system, was unveiled on Saturday at the Mostazafan Foundation’s headquarters in Tehran.

International

Trump seethes that no one knows her; Navi Pillay has rattled US and Israel anyway

TEHRAN — Within hours of Navi Pillay being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the American president had shared a post calling her a hater of America and Israel, and his secretary of state had sanctioned an entire international court. Israel summoned Joseph Goebbels.
US sanctions the entire ICC to shield American and Israeli war criminals

TEHRAN — The United States placed the International Criminal Court under sanctions on Friday, October 9, dropping any pretense that its quarrel was limited to individual judges and prosecutors.
Yemen hits Riyadh airport again as Saudi flights collapse

TEHRAN — Riyadh’s airport was hit again on Saturday, two days after Yemeni missiles killed three Saudis there. Regional officials told the Associated Press that air traffic stopped and the airport was evacuated.

Why Rubio's history lesson backfired in Iran