Tehran Times

2026-02-16 22:41
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran's mission: Diplomats in Geneva, generals in the Strait of Hormuz

IRGC Navy commander tells Tehran Times that some tactics and equipment used in new drill are classified and reserved for critical moments

TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has launched the first phase of a large-scale live-fire drill across Iran’s islands in the Persian Gulf as its diplomats prepare for a second round of nuclear negotiations with Washington, while the prospect of a new war with the U.S. requires preparations for a potential closure of the Hormuz Strait.
- Top commander highlights naval advances, says IRGC builds missile boat with speed of 116 knots
- IRGC Navy holds extensive drills simulating defense of Persian Gulf islands

We are ready to close Hormuz Strait: IRGC navy chief

TEHRAN – The commander of the naval unit of the IRGC announced on Monday that Iran is ready to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz upon an order by Iran’s top echelons.
UN Watch: Civil society or a political proxy?

Civil society institutions exist to challenge power—not to echo it.

Within the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations earn their credibility through one essential principle: independence. They are assumed to represent civic conscience, not a certain state’s strategy. That presumption is what gives them moral authority and special access inside multilateral institutions.
Defensive deterrence is non-negotiable: Iran’s Larijani

Iran’s security chief says Israel seeking to sabotage nuclear talks with US

TEHRAN - A top Iranian security official has said Tehran won’t negotiate over its ballistic missile program as a deterrence capability.
By Shadi Afzoonmanesh

Toronto's 'bomb Iran' rally sparks shock, fear, and outrage

TEHRAN - “I can't believe this is real,” wrote one Canadian citizen reacting to protests that took place in Toronto on Saturday. The demonstrations were not those of the famous truckers who flocked to the streets in 2022 protesting COVID mandate measures, nor were they the popular protests that have occurred several times since 2023, demanding Israel cease its killing of Palestinians in Gaza.
By Garsha Vazirian

The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ and the architecture of engineered darkness

Washington’s energy siege transforms Cuba into a laboratory of calculated humanitarian collapse

TEHRAN – In the obsidian silence of a Havana night, the only light comes from the cold, calculating eyes of Washington’s imperial architects.

Politics

Shin Bet says it arrests Israeli on suspicion of spying for Iran

TEHRAN - The Israeli regime’s internal security and intelligence agency, better known by the acronyms Shabak or Shin Bet, has claimed it has apprehended an Israeli person on charges of spying for Iran.
'Europe home to Nazism': Iranian MP reacts to MEP’s insulting move against Iran Leader

TEHRAN - An Iranian parliamentarian has reacted to an insulting move by a member of the European Parliament (MEP) against the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Big threats and empty hands

Renewed moves by the United States and Israel against Iran have once again inflamed the regional media landscape. From the repositioning of military equipment to the escalation of threatening rhetoric, everything points to mounting psychological pressure. But behind the noise, what reality lies hidden, and which way has the balance of power tilted?

Sports

Omid Ravankhah no longer Iran U23 head coach

TEHRAN - The Iran Football Federation has parted ways with head coach Omid Ravankhah following the national U23 team’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup.
Iran to face Nigeria and Costa Rica in March: spokesperson

TEHRAN – Amirmahdi Alavai, spokesperson of the Football Federation of Iran, the national team will play two friendly matches on March 27 and 31, respectively.
Official: Iran – Spain friendly called off

TEHRAN – Amirmahdi Alavai, spokesperson of the Football Federation of Iran, has announced that the planned friendly match between Iran and Spain has been canceled.

Culture

Persian calligraphy exhibition, master class held at Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan

TEHRAN – An exhibition and master class on the art of Persian calligraphy was held at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana by the master Iranian calligrapher Hadi Ghasemi, with the support of the Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kazakhstan, on the weekend.
“Untraceable” appears at Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN- A Persian translation of Russian writer Sergei Sergeevich Lebedev’s book “Untraceable” has recently been published by Markaz Publications in Tehran.
41st Fajr International Music Festival concludes with tribute to veterans, unveiling of AI singer

TEHRAN- The closing ceremony of the 41st Fajr International Music Festival was held at Vahdat Hall on Saturday evening, bringing the six-day event to an end with tributes to veteran artists and the presentation of the prestigious Barbad Awards.

Economy

Tehran, Moscow target $10b trade amid calls to ease customs hurdles

TEHRAN – Iranian and Russian business representatives called for the removal of customs restrictions and faster trade procedures, setting a $10 billion target for bilateral trade over the next three years.
TPO head visits Tajikistan to expand industrial, commercial ties

TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) traveled to Tajikistan alongside the industry minister to discuss expanding industrial, mining and trade cooperation between the two countries, officials said.
Iran’s agriculture minister visits Pakistan to boost bilateral co-op

TEHRAN – Iran’s agriculture minister arrived in Islamabad on Monday at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, Iranian media reported.

Society

'WHO verifies Iran has sustained measles, rubella elimination'

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified that Iran has sustained rubella and measles elimination, an official with the health ministry has said.
Iranian delegation to attend Korea Chem, Korea Pharm & Bio

TEHRAN – Iranian knowledge-based companies will set up their pavilions at the 18th Korea International Exhibition for Chemical Processing, Fine and Specialty Chemicals (KOREA CHEM) and the 16th Korea International Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Exhibition (KOREA PHARM & BIO), which are scheduled to be held from March 31 to April 3 in Seoul, South Korea.
Muscat calls for boosting ties with Tehran in combating drugs

TEHRAN – Omani Drug Liaison Officer, Abdul Hakim bin Saleh Al Siyabi, in a meeting with Iran’s anti-narcotics police chief, Iraj Kakavand, has called for signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deal with illegal drugs by taking joint measures and sharing expertise.

Tourism

Siah-Chador weaving in South Khorasan, from nomadic tradition to economic opportunities

TEHRAN--In the vast deserts of eastern Iran, where life is tied to the harsh climate, a long-standing art still breathes; an art that not only creates shelter, but also narrates the history, identity, and sustainability of a culture. Siah-Chador weaving (weaving the black tents) by the nomads of South Khorasan province is on verge of a new development today; a development that can link this indigenous heritage from nomadic habitats to national and even global markets.
26 Golestan events added to national tourism calendar

TEHRAN – Some 26 tourism events of Golestan province have been included in Iran's National Tourism Events Calendar.
Ilam’s Sarcham hill, a place of settlement from prehistoric to historical eras, says archaeologist

TEHRAN--Initial studies show that human settlement was established in the hill of Sarcham in Holeylan county, Ilam province, from prehistoric to historical eras, as well as the Bronze Age.

International

The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ and the architecture of engineered darkness

TEHRAN – In the obsidian silence of a Havana night, the only light comes from the cold, calculating eyes of Washington’s imperial architects.
Israel’s renewed anxiety over Egypt’s strategic weight

BEIRUT — Since the early confrontations of 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 to the uneasy decades that followed the Camp David Accords, Egypt and its army have remained central to the anti-Israel conflict equation.
Why America lost the soft power battle in the Arab world

TEHRAN – America’s declining soft power is more than an image issue; it’s a major setback in its effort to restore global influence and leadership.