Tehran Times

2026-02-22 21:54
By Saleh Abidi Maleki

Eight presidents, one failed playbook

A history lesson for Trump on why Iranians have not 'capitulated'

TEHRAN – In a recent interview with American media, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered President Trump some straightforward advice. He noted that previous American administrations have tried everything against Iran—sanctions, assassinations, and pressure—and that none of it worked. If Trump wants a deal, Araghchi said, he needs to engage with Iran differently.
- Lot of contradiction within Trump administration on Iran: Western diplomat

Words vs. action: The Arab-Islamic response to Huckabee's provocation

TEHRAN – Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, ignited a storm of criticism across the Middle East when he suggested it would be “fine” if Israel expanded to control the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. The swift and unified backlash from Arab and Islamic governments underscores not only regional anxieties but also growing suspicion of Washington’s support for Israel’s maximalist ambitions.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hamat Air Base: A critical test of Lebanese sovereignty

SOUTH LEBANON — The growing controversy surrounding Hamat Air Base has ignited urgent questions about sovereignty, transparency, and Lebanon’s potential entanglement in a broader regional war.
By Wesam Bahrani

Israeli leadership: The cycle of corruption that drives aggression

TEHRAN – Power under pressure often reveals its survival instincts. In the Israeli regime’s case, political crisis and regional violence have become increasingly intertwined.
Tehran warns a new US war against Iran would ‘disintegrate global order’

TEHRAN — Any American military confrontation with Iran would not remain confined to its borders but would trigger "an inevitable path toward the disintegration of the global order," Al Mayadeen reported on Saturday, citing an alleged Iranian source close to decision-making circles in Tehran.
By Maryam Tavassoli

Ramadan unites Muslims worldwide with unique traditions

TEHRAN – Ramadan is a month that unites Muslims from all over the world by observing religious rituals with unique traditions that may be different but have the same purposes.

Politics

Araghchi reaffirms Iran’s inalienable nuclear rights in call with IAEA chief

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has once again asserted Iran’s unwavering commitment to its sovereign nuclear rights, making it clear that Tehran will not be intimidated by U.S. bullying.
Redefining the Persian Gulf: Iran and the shift toward multipolar security

MADRID – The security order of the Persian Gulf is undergoing a gradual but unmistakable transformation. For much of the post-Cold War period, regional stability rested on a relatively clear hierarchy. The United States provided overwhelming military predominance, Persian Gulf monarchies aligned within that framework, and Iran occupied a position defined largely through containment.
French government issued fake passports to leaders of Iranian terror cult

TEHRAN – The French government has issued fake passports for two top members of the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) terrorist organization so they can travel between countries more freely—a move that blatantly violates not only international law but also France's own domestic laws.

Sports

Iran’s Saveh Shemshaki satisfied with her performance at 2026 Winter Olympics

TEHRAN – Sadaf Saveh Shemshaki of Iran is pleased with her performance at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Iranian Paralympic athletes honored

TEHRAN - Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, honored 489 Paralympic and Deaflympic athletes during a ceremony held on Saturday in Tehran’s Summit Hall.
Iran basketball team beat Qatar in friendly match

TEHRAN- Iran’s national basketball team defeated Qatar 71-58 in a friendly match during a training camp in Qatar.

Culture

Artists invited to contribute to intl. cartoon festival highlighting World Quds Day

TEHRAN- The call for the fourth edition of the International Cartoon Festival of Al-Quds Day has been announced.
Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba” on stage at Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater

TEHRAN – An adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s 1936 play “The House of Bernarda Alba” is on stage at the Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater in Tehran.
Persian translation of John Grisham’s “Camino Ghosts” hits bookstores

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the novel “Camino Ghosts” written by John Grisham has been released in the Iranian bookstores.

Economy

Solar capacity expands fivefold as renewables reach 4,162 MW

TEHRAN – Iran’s renewable power capacity has risen sharply, with solar installations expanding more than fivefold and total renewable capacity reaching 4,162 megawatts, a senior energy official said.
NDF allocates $1b to strategic Makran projects

TEHRAN – Iran’s National Development Fund (NDF) has allocated around $1.0 billion to strategic projects in the Makran region, as part of broader financing of infrastructure and production schemes in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, a senior official said.
Tea exports rise 10.2% as global prices strengthen

TEHRAN – Iran’s tea exports increased 10.2 percent year-on-year, supported by higher global prices and steady demand in overseas markets, the head of the country’s tea syndicate said.

Society

Ramadan unites Muslims worldwide with unique traditions

TEHRAN – Ramadan is a month that unites Muslims from all over the world by observing religious rituals with unique traditions that may be different but have the same purposes.
‘Moscow, Tehran to establish joint technological market’

TEHRAN – Lauding Iran’s achievements and progress in the technology sector, Russian Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko has said that Russia and Iran intend to establish a joint market for technological products within a third country.
Nearly 450 Afghans return from Iran in one day

TEHRAN – Taliban authorities have said 449 Afghan refugees have been deported from Iran on Wednesday, February 18.

Tourism

Iran tourism minister says tour guides shape country’s global image

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, said on Saturday that tour guides play a central role in presenting the country’s culture and civilization to the world, marking International Tourist Guide Day on Feb. 21.
Iran is not like any other West Asian country, Turkish researcher says

TEHRAN -- Iran is not at all like any other country in the West Asia. People are very civil, calm, kind, and cultured. Even in the smallest villages, when they realize you are a foreigner, they treat you with complete respect.
Nowruz a great opportunity to deepen Iranian-Islamic identity: minister

TEHRAN -- Nowruz 1405 (March 2026), which focuses on harmony and empathy and aims to rebuild social spirit, provides the ground for strengthening social capital and Iranian-Islamic identity. Nowruz is an opportunity to create solidarity and public joy.

International

Words vs. action: The Arab-Islamic response to Huckabee's provocation

TEHRAN – Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, ignited a storm of criticism across the Middle East when he suggested it would be “fine” if Israel expanded to control the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. The swift and unified backlash from Arab and Islamic governments underscores not only regional anxieties but also growing suspicion of Washington’s support for Israel’s maximalist ambitions.
Hamat Air Base: A critical test of Lebanese sovereignty

SOUTH LEBANON — The growing controversy surrounding Hamat Air Base has ignited urgent questions about sovereignty, transparency, and Lebanon’s potential entanglement in a broader regional war.
Israeli leadership: The cycle of corruption that drives aggression

TEHRAN – Power under pressure often reveals its survival instincts. In the Israeli regime’s case, political crisis and regional violence have become increasingly intertwined.

A history lesson for Trump on why Iranians have not 'capitulated'