Tehran Times

2026-02-21 22:11
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Trump risking US lives and economy to fight a war for Israel

The president’s push for a war against Iran serves Israeli interests, not American voters, and not even himself

TEHRAN - When Donald Trump was vying for a second term in the White House in 2024, he rolled out a series of promises to American voters. He said he would "end inflation," "make America affordable again," and create millions of jobs. He also pledged to "stop all wars" and become a "president of peace."
- How Trump rejoined ‘team’ Netanyahu
- Trump falls into the Netanyahu trap

Behind Huckabee’s remarks: The U.S. role in advancing the ‘Greater Israel’ vision

TEHRAN – When US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that it would be “fine” if Israel took all the Middle East land—from the Nile in Egypt to the Euphrates in Iraq—he revealed more than personal opinion.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Blood in the Bekaa and Ain al-Hilweh: Who protects Lebanon’s sovereignty?

SOUTH LEBANON — The Israeli enemy has escalated its aggression against Lebanon, committing a massacre in the Bekaa Valley and launching a deadly strike on the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon.
By Wesam Bahrani

Trump’s “Board of Peace” sparks UN fears

TEHRAN – Concerns are mounting that U.S. President Donald Trump’s new initiative for Gaza could sideline the United Nations and reshape global governance.
Iran FM asks for evidence as West repeats casualty lies to justify future aggression

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has asked Western officials and Western media to stop lying about the number of deaths during the recent unrest in the country—unrest that began with legitimate economic protests in late December but was infiltrated in January by armed Mossad and CIA agents who laid waste to Iranian cities and killed security forces and civilians alike.
Tehran condemns yet another Israeli aggression against Lebanon

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has categorically condemned recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon, namely the strikes on the Bekaa region and the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh in Sidon, which left more than 40 Lebanese and Palestinians dead or wounded.

Politics

Iran’s warships become mobile air defense hubs with new missiles

TEHRAN - Newly released photos from last week’s IRGC Navy drill in the Strait of Hormuz show a new leap in Iran’s maritime power. During the “Smart Control” exercise, forces fired a Sayyad 3-G missile from the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi warship, a launch that showed Iranian vessels have officially moved past point defense and are now armed with long-range, vertical-launch capabilities.
The Western idea that change can be imposed from outside the Islamic Republic of Iran is an illusion

The New York Post recently claimed that the United States could dismantle Iran’s power structure using a Venezuela-style model and even suggested a figure in exile as a transitional option. The Post’s piece does not read like political analysis; it reads like a performance staged in a Washington think tank, detached from political and historical realities.
Iran sends Dena destroyer to MILAN-2026 exercise in the Indian Ocean

TEHRAN – In line with marine diplomacy, expanding defense interactions, and demonstrating operational capabilities in open seas, the Iranian Navy has sent its Dena destroyer to the Indian Ocean to participate in the “MILAN 2026” naval exercises hosted by India.

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

33rd International Holy Quran Exhibition opens in Tehran

TEHRAN- The 33rd edition of the International Holy Quran Exhibition was inaugurated on Saturday, marking the commencement of a 15-day cultural event under the motto “Iran under the Protection of the Quran.”
Arasbaran Cultural Center reviews “Marty Supreme”

TEHRAN- “Marty Supreme”, a 2025 movie by American filmmaker Josh Safdie, went on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday.
Art Palace hosting Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen”

TEHRAN – Art Palace in Tehran is hosting an adaptation of “Carmen,” an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet.

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

Behind Huckabee’s remarks: The U.S. role in advancing the ‘Greater Israel’ vision

TEHRAN – When US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that it would be “fine” if Israel took all the Middle East land—from the Nile in Egypt to the Euphrates in Iraq—he revealed more than personal opinion.
Blood in the Bekaa and Ain al-Hilweh: Who protects Lebanon’s sovereignty?

SOUTH LEBANON — The Israeli enemy has escalated its aggression against Lebanon, committing a massacre in the Bekaa Valley and launching a deadly strike on the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon.
Trump’s “Board of Peace” sparks UN fears

TEHRAN – Concerns are mounting that U.S. President Donald Trump’s new initiative for Gaza could sideline the United Nations and reshape global governance.

The president’s push for a war against Iran serves Israeli interests, not American voters, and not even himself