Tehran Times

2026-02-24 22:02
By Soheila Zarfam

Trump admits his ‘help on the way’ means a ‘bad day’ for Iranians

Meanwhile, on one of the two aircraft carriers sent to ‘help’, the crew cannot find a working toilet!

TEHRAN – The ailing Iranian “opposition” factions based in the West—those who were either toppled during the 1979 Islamic Revolution or failed to compete with the popularity of Imam Khomeini and his followers for a place in the country’s new political establishment—have spent nearly five decades in exile.
- Bully politics: The American style
- For Egypt and Jordan, Trump's Gaza plan is a choice between regime collapse or economic ruin

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 Munir Daair

Letter to disillusioned Iranians

Disarmament is not deliverance

If you are a Western-based Iranian who believes that American or Israeli bombs would fall on your homeland in order to improve the life there, you are not being optimistic. You are being naïve.
By Shahrokh Saei

Kushner’s overreach in France: A wake-up call for European independence

TEHRAN – Recent tensions between Paris and Washington over U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner go beyond a routine diplomatic spat—they expose America’s bullying, coercive, and domineering behavior, rather than just a disagreement between allies.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Syria's agrarian collapse: The undeclared costs of “reform” and occupation

SOUTH LEBANON — Recent statements by Grand Mufti of Syria, Osama al-Rifai, regarding the nation’s agrarian reform lands have sparked a renewed and impassioned debate on one of Syria’s most contentious socio-economic debates.
By Wesam Bahrani

U.S. withdrawal from Al-Tanf base

TEHRAN - The United States’ withdrawal from the Al-Tanf base in southern Syria signals a shift in military strategy rather than a full exit.

Politics

Dutch diplomat flees Iran after Tehran airport seizes luggage containing spy devices

TEHRAN – A senior Dutch diplomat abruptly departed Iran before authorities could inspect his luggage, which was later found to contain communications equipment associated with espionage. The incident occurred in January, as Iran was reeling from deadly unrest that was fueled by CIA and Mossad operatives, leaving more than 2,500 civilians and security forces dead.
Defense minister says Iran opposes foreign intervention in the Caucasus region

TEHRAN – Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh says the Islamic Republic opposes any change in the Caucasus geopolitics, suggesting that security in the region should be provided by the regional countries.
Iran has strategic view toward Africa: Pezeshkian

TEHRAN - President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Africa’s strategic importance has a special place in Iran’s foreign policy, saying Tehran seriously follows comprehensive ties with African states based on balanced diplomacy and mutual interest.

Sports

Antonio Manicone parts ways with Iran football team

TEHRAN - Italian coach Antonio Manicone has ended his cooperation with the Iran national football team.
Iran to compete at China international U23 tournament

TEHRAN - The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has confirmed the four participating teams for the CFA Team China International U23 Tournament 2026, scheduled to take place from March 25 to 31 in Xi'an, China.
Crisis in Red: Persepolis’ title dream slipping away in 2025/26

TEHRAN - Persepolis football team entered the 2025/26 Persian Gulf Pro League season as clear favorites, widely tipped to reclaim domestic dominance and reinforce their status as Iran’s most decorated club. But as the campaign has unfolded, the Reds have found themselves battling inconsistency, pressure, and internal tension instead of lifting silverware.

Culture

37th Tehran International Book Fair to be held in May

TEHRAN- The 37th edition of the Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF), the country’s largest annual cultural event, is scheduled to open on May 13, the organizers have announced.
Veteran pianist Fereydoun Nassehi performs famous classical pieces at Tehran’s Roudaki Hall

TEHRAN – Iranian veteran pianist Fereydoun Nassehi performed pieces from world-renowned composers at a recital titled “Chopin Night – Liszt Night” on Tuesday at Roudaki Hall in Tehran.
“An Astrologer's Day” audiobook brings world literary classics to Persian listeners

TEHRAN- The audiobook “An Astrologer's Day”, a collection of short stories by renowned writers from around the world, has been released for Persian listeners.

Economy

Price of conflict: Global economic fallout of a U.S. war with Iran

TEHRAN- As tensions escalate in the West Asia and the United States builds up its military presence, the world watches with growing unease. A potential conflict with Iran, holder of the world's third-largest oil reserves and controller of one of global energy's most vital arteries, would send shockwaves far beyond the battlefield. While diplomatic efforts continue, with U.S. and Iranian officials reportedly set for talks in Oman, the threat of military action looms large.
Iran–China trade reaches $2.54b in a month

TEHRAN – Non-oil trade between Iran and China reached about $2.54 billion in the Iranian month of Aban 1404 (October-November, 2025), according to data released by the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO).
Iran rail transit surpasses 5m tons, sets new record

TEHRAN – Iran’s international rail freight volume has exceeded five million tons so far this year, setting a new record in the country’s railway transport history, a senior official at the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways said.

Society

WHO hails Iran’s mental health strategy as an “innovative and replicable global model”

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization has praised Iran’s SERAJ – a pioneering model for integrated mental health and social care, describing it as an “innovative and replicable global model.”
Tehran, Ankara discuss ways to develop science diplomacy

TEHRAN – Iranian and Turkish officials have discussed avenues to expand academic cooperation within the framework of a joint program to promote science diplomacy.
Five cholera cases identified in Iran in 2025

TEHRAN – In the first nine months of the current Iranian year, which started in March 2025, five cholera cases have been identified in the country, according to the health ministry.

Tourism

Nationwide training courses to be implemented for tourism workforce, official says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts will implement targeted training packages titled “Empowerment and Retraining Courses for Tourism Human Resources” across the country, a senior tourism official said on Monday.
Kerman chosen to host 2nd ECO Silk Road Tourism Working Group meeting

TEHRAN – Iran’s southeastern province of Kerman will host the second meeting of the Silk Road Tourism Working Group of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the sixth International Silk Road Food Festival in the second half of 2026, the deputy tourism minister said on Tuesday.
Handicrafts artists participate in Intl. Holy Quran Exhibition

TEHRAN – Handicrafts artists are taking part in the 33rd International Holy Quran Exhibition, which is currently underway at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, a provincial official said on Tuesday.

International

Kushner’s overreach in France: A wake-up call for European independence

TEHRAN – Recent tensions between Paris and Washington over U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner go beyond a routine diplomatic spat—they expose America’s bullying, coercive, and domineering behavior, rather than just a disagreement between allies.
Syria's agrarian collapse: The undeclared costs of “reform” and occupation

SOUTH LEBANON — Recent statements by Grand Mufti of Syria, Osama al-Rifai, regarding the nation’s agrarian reform lands have sparked a renewed and impassioned debate on one of Syria’s most contentious socio-economic debates.
U.S. withdrawal from Al-Tanf base

TEHRAN - The United States’ withdrawal from the Al-Tanf base in southern Syria signals a shift in military strategy rather than a full exit.

Meanwhile, on one of the two aircraft carriers sent to ‘help’, the crew cannot find a working toilet!

Disarmament is not deliverance