Tehran Times

2026-10-30 23:04
By staff Writer

Washington’s Midterm Letter Game

From Carter to Vance, US messages have failed to break Iranian resistance

TEHRAN — The disclosure of a letter from US Vice President JD Vance to Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei has triggered a wave of contradictory narratives in Washington, speculative reporting in American media, and a calm, conditional response in Tehran.
- Iran tests new anti-ship missile near US aircraft carrier
- Iran quagmire: Trump’s failed strategy and its heavy cost

Iran’s nuclear doctrine debate reflects national demand for stronger deterrence

TEHRAN — Tehran’s interim Friday prayer leader, Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, has described calls to review Iran’s nuclear doctrine as a growing national demand rooted in the Iranian people’s experience of Western conduct, heightened security concerns and the need to strengthen the country’s deterrence capabilities.
Iran condemns Canada, UAE for reiterating territorial claims over three Persian Gulf Islands

TEHRAN– Iran has strongly condemned Canada and the United Arab Emirates for reiterating territorial claims over Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb, reaffirming that the three islands are inseparable and eternal parts of Iranian territory.
Iran targeted USS Abraham Lincoln with cruise missile, Navy Cmdr. says

TEHRAN - Iran's Navy targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with a strategic cruise missile during the 40-day Ramadan War, the Iranian Navy's deputy coordinator has said, noting that the force carried out more than 20 operations against U.S. warships and around 300 operations against American interests in various locations.
By Ranjan Solomon

Trump’s bluff meets Iran’s resolve : Limits of American power

Goa, India – Donald Trump has been bluffing for far too long. He threatens, he warns, he issues ultimatums, and then he expects the world to believe that he has everything under control. But there comes a point when even the loudest threats begin to lose their effect. Iran may well be that point for Trump. He seems to have underestimated a country whose political instincts, historical memory and civilisational confidence cannot be understood through the narrow lens of American power.
By staff writer

Hezbollah chief declares US-brokered framework agreement 'effectively nonexistent'

TEHRAN — Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a speech on October 28 that the resistance will keep its weapons for as long as Israel occupies Lebanese land.

Politics

Iran holds US and Israel responsible for disruption of maritime Security

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires to the United Nations in New York, Gholamhossein Darzi, has said the United States and the Israeli regime bear direct responsibility for any disruption or obstruction of maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, warning that their continued acts of aggression and maritime restrictions threaten the security of the entire region.
Iran reports destruction of US drone and three tanker incidents in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN – Iran’s armed forces have reported the destruction of two different American unmanned platforms and incidents involving three oil tankers attempting to navigate unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz, as the country maintains restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
Iranian army chief of staff: Passive defense key to national resilience against emerging threats

TEHRAN –Army Chief of Staff and Deputy Coordinator Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has stressed the strategic importance of passive defense in safeguarding the country’s critical infrastructure, maintaining essential services and strengthening national resilience against emerging and increasingly complex threats.

Sports

Hassan Yazdani makes wrestling history

TEHRAN - Eleven years. Four different weight classes. Eleven World and Olympic medals. As he approaches his 32nd birthday, Hassan Yazdani has achieved a milestone that stands alone in the history of international wrestling.
Zare collects gold at 2026 World Wrestling Championships

TEHRAN – Iranian heavyweight freestyle wrestler Amirhossein Zare won gold at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships on Saturday.
Persepolis move top: 2026/27 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team moved back to the top of the Persian Gulf Pro League table after securing a 1-0 away victory over Nassaji Mazandaran in Week 11 on Saturday.

Culture

19th International Resistance Film Festival kicks off

TEHRAN – The opening ceremony of the 19th International Resistance Film Festival was held on Thursday in Isfahan.
‘Narration of Resistance’ Caravan highlights Sistan-Baluchestan’s cultural riches

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian cultural, religious, media and sports personalities has traveled to Sistan-Baluchestan province as part of a program titled “Narration of the Resistance of the Brave,” aimed at showcasing the region’s cultural diversity, social solidarity and local capabilities.
Hoorakhsh Studios to produce “Shahnameh” animated series

TEHRAN – Production of the animated series “Shahnameh,” directed and produced by Ashkan Rahgozar, has commenced at Hoorakhsh Studios, utilizing artificial intelligence and 2D animation techniques.

Economy

‘Opportunities for agricultural cooperation with Africa available’

TEHRAN- Iran’s Minister of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, addressed the First National Meeting on Iran-Africa Agricultural Cooperation, stressing that opportunities for joint agricultural cooperation with Africa are available and must be converted into concrete, operational, and lasting economic ties.
South Pars phase 11 development continues with drilling of 13th well on platform B

TEHRAN- The CEO of Petropars Group announced the continuation of drilling operations for the 13th well on Platform B of South Pars Phase 11 and stated: After the completion and commissioning of 12 wells at this location, drilling of the 13th well has also been placed on Petropars’ agenda beyond its contractual commitments, and it is currently at the stage of drilling the 16-inch hole.
Iran's economy has capacity to overcome war pressures: economic analyst

TEHRAN- An economic analyst, emphasizing Iran's economic capacity to overcome the pressures caused by war and to revive production and employment, stated: "Erosive bureaucracy and delays in decision-making have prevented the utilization of the country's economic power."

Society

Iran proposes joint peace and friendship park with Armenia for biodiversity protection

TEHRAN - Iran has proposed establishing a joint peace and friendship park with Armenia to strengthen cross-border cooperation on biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection in the Caucasus region.
Baghdad seeks to beef up pharmaceutical partnerships with Tehran

TEHRAN – Iraq has called for expanded pharmaceutical cooperation and joint investment in healthcare infrastructure with Iran, highlighting opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties in the health sector.
Persian language proficiency test held for 200 international students

TEHRAN – Around 200 international students took the second Persian language proficiency test on Friday at examination centers in Iran and abroad, demonstrating growing interest in learning the language.

Tourism

ICOMOS continues evaluation of Masuleh’s UNESCO World Heritage nomination

TEHRAN - The evaluation of Masuleh and its cultural landscape for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is continuing, with an international expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) conducting field assessments and attending specialist meetings on the Iranian town’s architectural, archaeological, ecological and socio-economic heritage.
Tabriz Blue Mosque to mark 561st anniversary with focus on Qara Qoyunlu tilework

TEHRAN - A specialist meeting marking the 561st anniversary of the establishment of Tabriz’s Blue Mosque will explore the history of the Qara Qoyunlu dynasty and the distinctive tilework associated with its period of rule.
South Khorasan’s traditional oil-fried bread added to intangible heritage list

TEHRAN - The traditional skill of making Nan-e Roghan-Jushi, an oil-fried bread deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of South Khorasan province, has been inscribed on Iran’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

International

Lula defeats pro-Israel Bolsonaro, dealing Trump a major Latin American blow

TEHRAN — Brazilians re-elected Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday, October 25, giving the 80-year-old leftist a fourth term and the Trump administration its most consequential defeat in the Western Hemisphere. Lula took 51.8 percent to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s 48.2, a lead of more than 4 million votes, three weeks after trailing by 2.2 million. No one had ever won Brazil’s presidency after finishing second in the first round.
Who is the Hebrew-speaking ‘fox applying for the henhouse guard job?’

TEHRAN — Having spent years whitewashing Abu Dhabi’s submission to Israeli interests, Lana Nusseibeh is now being promoted by her handlers to run the United Nations.
The Yemen mandate that was never asked for

TEHRAN – Yemen’s “recognized” government has international backing but was not elected, has no money of its own, and no control over its own forces.

From Carter to Vance, US messages have failed to break Iranian resistance