Tehran Times

2026-02-23 21:40
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran 'ready for any scenario' as it heads into third round of nuclear talks with US

Negotiators to draft new text during Thursday discussions in Geneva

TEHRAN – Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has confirmed that Iran and the United States will hold a third round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva this Thursday—a meeting Tehran hopes will yield a breakthrough, though it remains fully prepared to defend itself should the U.S. repeat its June 2025 attack on diplomacy.
- If Iran attacked, it would unleash a conflict that would be impossible to control: senior analyst
- A surrendered Iran is a balloon in Trump’s dreams

By Mohammad Sarfi, Editor-in-Chief

What will Moscow and Beijing do with a potential proving ground?

Tehran — The international order, at least as we once understood it, should now be considered a thing of the past. What happened shortly after midnight on January 3 in Caracas was a symbolic marker of that shift. The United States government, in what can only be described as gangster-like conduct, abducted the lawful president of a sovereign nation and his wife. Donald Trump bluntly and brazenly declared that it was all about Venezuela’s oil.
By Mir Mohammad Alikhan

Shattered myths and unbroken spirit: Witnessing the true heart of Iran

As I was sitting in the plane about to take off from the Islamabad airport to Tehran, I was thinking about all the stories I'd heard over the years—the endless media narratives painting Iran as a nation in turmoil, its people supposedly rising up against their own government, desperate for outside intervention.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon’s 2026 elections on a tightrope: Domestic legitimacy vs. foreign calculations

SOUTH LEBANON — As Lebanon approaches its scheduled parliamentary elections in May 2026, an extraordinary debate has taken center stage: whether the vote should happen at all.
‘Greater Israel’ in action: How expansion and occupation threaten regional stability

TEHRAN – For decades, the idea of “Greater Israel” has existed more as a political and ideological aspiration than as a formal policy.
By Wesam Bahrani

Israel intensifies mass arrests in the West Bank

TEHRAN – Israeli regime forces have arrested more than 100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

Politics

Tehran dismisses US pressure tactics, says 'surrender' not an option as Geneva talks loom

TEHRAN – As Iran and the United States prepare for the third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva this week, Tehran is issuing a clear directive that any agreement must guarantee the nation’s established rights, and that pressure tactics will fail.
Defense chief says Iran favors close ties with independent West African states

TEHRAN – The Iranian defense minister said on Monday that the Islamic Republic, in line with its principled position toward international issues, is firm to deepen ties with independent and revolutionary countries in the West African region, especially Burkina Faso.
Mahdavi naval squadron returns to Iran's territorial waters after 57 days

TEHRAN – The Shahid Mahdavi naval squadron run by the IRGC Navy has returned to Iran’s territorial waters after a 57-day voyage.

Sports

Iran to play Puerto Rico in friendly, official says

TEHRAN - Iran’s national team will play a friendly match in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iran depart for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 showdown

TEHRAN – The Iran women's national football team departed Tuesday morning to compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, set to take place in Australia.
Sepahan defeat Esteghlal Khuzestan: 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Sepahan football team defeated Esteghlal Khuzestan 3-1 in Matchweek 21 of the 2025/26 Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Monday night.

Culture

Japanese author Maki Kanai’s new book to introduce Kurdish culture of Nowruz celebration

TEHRAN - Renowned Japanese author and photographer Maki Kanai announced on Saturday that she is preparing to release a new photo book dedicated to the celebration of Nowruz and Kurdish culture. The book will be part of her popular series “Takusan no Fushigi” and is scheduled for release in March.
Persian edition of “The Thief Lord” republished

TEHRAN- The fourth edition of the Persian translation of German children’s writer Cornelia Funke’s novel “The Thief Lord” has recently been published.
Arasbaran Cultural Center to screen “The Departed”

TEHRAN- “The Departed”, a 2006 movie by prominent American filmmaker Martin Scorsese, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday.

Economy

Iran, Azerbaijan sign economic co-op document covering 10 sectors

TEHRAN – Iran and Azerbaijan signed a cooperation document outlining joint economic initiatives across 10 sectors, including transport, energy, electricity and water, the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development said.
Iran power capacity rises to 98,802 MW, up 5,800 MW in 18 months

TEHRAN – Iran’s installed electricity generation capacity has increased by about 5,800 megawatts in less than 18 months, reaching 98,802 MW from roughly 93,000 MW at the start of the current administration, according to the latest weekly report by the Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Management Company (Tavanir).
Iran Expo 2026 to be held during June 18–22 to boost non-oil exports

TEHRAN – The eighth Exhibition of Export Capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran Expo 2026) will be held from June 18 to June 22, 2026, aimed at strengthening trade diplomacy and expanding non-oil exports, a senior official at the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) said.

Society

FAO’s solutions help pistachio growers deal with predicaments

TEHRAN – Practical and research-based techniques offered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to farmers in Rafsanjan, the heart of Iran’s pistachio industry, have helped them cope with specific challenges, primarily water shortages and climate variability.
Iranian, Malaysian officials explore avenues to enhance scientific ties

TEHRAN – Iranian and Malaysian scientific officials have discussed ways to promote cooperation between the two countries, particularly in scientific and academic interactions.
PERHOPE highlights local, global commitment to post-disaster recovery

TEHRAN – The closing ceremony of a project titled ‘Emergency Support for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction of Human Settlements in Hormozgan Province’ (PERHOPE project) highlighted the project’s achievements and reaffirmed national and international commitments to resilient recovery and sustainable development.

Tourism

Nowruz travel monitoring teams, 24-hour complaint system, activated across Iran

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has launched provincial monitoring teams and activated a 24-hour complaint mechanism ahead of the Nowruz 1405 travel season.
Seymareh Valley landscape seeks UNESCO tentative listing

TEHRAN – The cultural heritage chief of Ilam province said on Monday plans to submit a preliminary dossier for the natural and historical landscape of Seymareh Valley to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts for review and placement on the country’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Urmia mosque restoration nears completion ahead of UNESCO evaluation

TEHRAN – Restoration and preparation work on the Jameh Mosque of Urmia is in its final stages as the site is being readied for evaluation for possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list, a provincial official said on Tuesday.

International

Lebanon’s 2026 elections on a tightrope: Domestic legitimacy vs. foreign calculations

SOUTH LEBANON — As Lebanon approaches its scheduled parliamentary elections in May 2026, an extraordinary debate has taken center stage: whether the vote should happen at all.
‘Greater Israel’ in action: How expansion and occupation threaten regional stability

TEHRAN – For decades, the idea of “Greater Israel” has existed more as a political and ideological aspiration than as a formal policy.
Israel intensifies mass arrests in the West Bank

TEHRAN – Israeli regime forces have arrested more than 100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

Negotiators to draft new text during Thursday discussions in Geneva