Tehran Times

2025-02-26 22:30
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Will Europe trigger snapback?

Dependence on US means tensions could further escalate with Iran, even if Europe doesn’t want that

TEHRAN – The 2015 Iran nuclear deal (officially the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) contains a "snapback" mechanism, which allows any signatory to reinstate pre-existing UN sanctions against Iran if they determine that the country is not staying true to the agreement.
- Iran-Europe talks continue as 'snapback' threat hangs over JCPOA
- West's nuclear blackmail

By Mohammad Javad Zarif, Vice President for Strategic Affairs

'Tehran Times a counterweight to corrosive trends'

TEHRAN – In today’s fast-paced media landscape, credible journalism plays a vital role not only in fostering informed societies but also in holding power accountable. Politicians, policymakers, and leaders must “deeply listen” to the voices of their people - voices that are too often drowned out by sensationalism, partisan rhetoric, and orchestrated misinformation.
By Mohammad Sarfi, Editor-in-Chief

15000 days with you

Our readers today hold the 15,000th edition of the Tehran Times. Reaching this milestone is no small feat, especially for a newspaper whose language is not the mother tongue of its country. The lifespan of the Tehran Times is nearly as old as the Islamic Republic.
Iran condemns new US sanctions as 'hostile' and calls for international accountability

TEHRAN – Iran has strongly criticized the latest round of US sanctions targeting figures and companies allegedly involved in the country’s oil trade, calling the move a violation of international law and an attack on the well-being of the Iranian people.
Abdullah Ocalan orders the PKK to dissolve

Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), called on the group he founded to lay down its arms and disband in a historic statement shared by pro-Kurdish politicians on Thursday.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Mossad chief reveals new details on evil Pager Massacre and Nasrallah assassination

BEIRUT – In a speech during the annual conference of the Institute for National Security Studies at the Hebrew University of Reichman, Mossad chief David Barnea revealed that “the walkie-talkie operation was developed about a decade ago, during the era of Tamir Pardo, and continued during the era of Yossi Cohen.”

Politics

Israeli FM repeats alarmist war threats in interview with Politico

TEHRAN – In a provocative interview with Politico on Wednesday, the Israeli regime’s Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar accused Iran of advancing its nuclear program to a “dangerous” threshold, hinting that “military action” might be required.
Araghchi urges stronger bilateral ties in meeting with new ambassador to Germany

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has underscored the significance of strengthening diplomatic relations between Iran and Germany, highlighting the historical ties and potential for expanded cooperation between the two nations.
IRGC chief says Iran’s enemies have yet to receive ‘serious blow’

TEHRAN – The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) praised the defense and military capabilities of Iran, emphasizing that the country's enemies have yet to face "serious" blows despite a series of retaliatory strikes and operations over the past year.

Sports

Iran to play China at 2025 Asian Water Polo Championship semis

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Singapore 14-7 on Friday and will play powerhouses China in the 2025 Asian Water Polo Championship semifinals on Saturday.
Iran freestyle team champions of Albania event

TEHRAN - The men’s freestyle competition is now completed at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Event in Tirana, Albania and Iran won the team title with 135 points, with the U.S. second with 97 points and Japan third with 93 points.
Iranian athlete Sajad Mohammadian banned three years

TEHRAN - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para athletics athlete Sajad Mohammadian of Iran for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code.

Culture

Iran cultural week underway in Qatar

TEHRAN-The Cultural Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran is underway in Doha, Qatar.
Vahdat Hall to host Davood Azad’s concert

TEHRAN-Tehran’s Vahdat Hall will host a performance by the Iranian singer, multi-instrumental musician, and composer Davood Azad on March 12.
Artificial Intelligence: A new tool in service of resistance cinema

TEHRAN-This year's Resistance International Film Festival marked the first official presence of artificial intelligence in cinematic productions, the assistant secretary of the festival said, emphasizing the need to overcome sanctions and develop local infrastructure to maximize the benefits of this technology.

Economy

Iran’s export to EAEU up 22% in 10 months on year

TEHRAN – The value of Iran’s export to the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) increased by 22 percent during the first 10 months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2024-January 19, 2025), as compared to the same period of time in the past year, according to the spokesperson for the Trade Development Committee of the House of Industry, Mining, and Trade.
Iran, Brazil agree to enhance financial and banking ties

TEHRAN – Iran and Brazil have agreed to expand their financial and banking relations, with a focus on using national currencies in bilateral trade and leveraging banking infrastructure for economic cooperation.
In contrast to European allies, Iran creates mutually beneficial partnerships

KHARTOUM - Earlier, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef conducted an indefinite visit to the Iranian capital Tehran, during which he met with his counterpart Abbas Araqchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Society

Iran, Belarus to set up joint scientific committee in spring

TEHRAN –Farhad Yazdandoost, an official with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, and Dmitry Koltsov, the Belarusian ambassador to Iran, have agreed on establishing a joint scientific committee in the upcoming spring.
Tehran, Belgrade ink MOU in ICT sector

TEHRAN –Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Sattar Hashemi, and his Serbian counterpart, Dejan Ristic, have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster cooperation in the information and communication technology sector.
Over 130 earthquakes occur in a week

TEHRAN – A total of 133 earthquakes were recorded across the country from February 15 to 21, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

Tourism

Iranian tourism minister, German ambassador discuss cultural ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has met with the German ambassador to Iran to explore avenues for strengthening cultural relations between the two nations.
Global tour operators explore Isfahan Healthcare City

ISFAHAN - On the second day of their visit to Isfahan, a group of 100 tour operators from 25 countries explored various sections of the Isfahan Healthcare City, including its state-of-the-art dental facilities and advanced nuclear medicine department.
Persian glassmaking art to be examined in scholarly meeting

TEHRAN – The University of Art, in collaboration with the Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran, is set to hold a scientific session titled “Examining the Art of Glassmaking in Iran.”

International

Mossad chief reveals new details on evil Pager Massacre and Nasrallah assassination

BEIRUT – In a speech during the annual conference of the Institute for National Security Studies at the Hebrew University of Reichman, Mossad chief David Barnea revealed that “the walkie-talkie operation was developed about a decade ago, during the era of Tamir Pardo, and continued during the era of Yossi Cohen.”
Gaza has survived for thousands of years. It cannot be erased by Trump and Israel

US President Donald Trump, never one for historical nuance, says the best plan for Gaza is to “level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings”, paving the way for an American takeover and redevelopment project.
Not yet taking the helm, Merz seeks to serve as subservient to Netanyahu

TEHRAN - Friedrich Merz, who is expected to be Germany’s next chancellor, told reporters on Monday that he would make sure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can visit Germany despite an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Dependence on US means tensions could further escalate with Iran, even if Europe doesn’t want that