Tehran Times

2026-01-06 22:09
By Soheila Zarfam

What would an 'unconfined' Iranian response look like?

Defence Council’s statement suggests Iran wants to make any new US-Israeli aggression their last

TEHRAN – For several years, Iranian political and military leaders have been known for practicing "strategic patience"—a policy of avoiding impulsive responses and refusing to be the party that escalates tensions. This has largely remained Tehran’s approach over the last two years too, even as Israel has set the region ablaze, crossing new red lines daily in an attempt to drag Iran and its allies into a full-scale war with the United States.
- Trump’s policy may put entire Middle East on fire: analyst
- Fool me once

By Mona Hojat Ansari

Baghaei tells Tehran Times ‘relations with Lebanon matter greatly’ ahead of FM’s visit

Spox says new Lebanese and Iranian ambassadors will begin missions soon

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei recently visited the Tehran Times, where he met with the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief and CEO and gave a detailed interview to a correspondent.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon’s governance in crisis

Lebanon’s political system is so hollowed out that even a fictitious foreign prince can dictate governance

BEIRUT—Imagine a country where a fictitious foreign prince, armed only with a phone and a fabricated authority, can dictate political appointments, unlock frozen bank accounts, and influence judicial decisions—all without leaving his home.
By staff writer

Israel’s expansionist agenda: Aggression in Syria amid Paris talks

TEHRAN – The persistence of Israeli military aggression in southern Syria, reported on Tuesday even as negotiations were underway in Paris, illustrates the contradiction between declared diplomatic efforts and the reality of the regime’s expansionist policies.
By Wesam Bahrani

Catastrophic year for Palestinians in 2025

TEHRAN – An official Palestinian report has documented the catastrophic suffering of Palestinians in 2025 at the hands of the Israeli occupation regime.
By Shahrokh Saei

From ally to aggressor: Greenland exposes Europe’s security illusion

TEHRAN - For years, European leaders have spoken of Russia as the singular threat to Europe’s security. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen captured this consensus in October 2025 when she stated: “There is only one country that is willing to threaten us (Europe), and it is Russia, and therefore we need a very strong answer back.” That statement reflected the prevailing mindset that NATO’s purpose was to contain Russia, and the United States was the indispensable ally in that mission.

Politics

Iran decries US 'rogue state' actions in Venezuela and against itself

TEHRAN – Addressing an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, condemned the United States for its military attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of the nation's democratically elected President and First Lady.
Tehran rallies Latin American allies after US ‘law of jungle’ act in Venezuela

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with his counterparts from Brazil and Cuba, with the recent U.S. military aggression in Venezuela dominating the discussions.
The West’s nuclear renaissance and the denial of others’ rights

The Trump administration’s renewed focus on reviving the U.S. nuclear industry has once again exposed the deep contradiction between the West’s official narrative of “clean and sustainable energy” and its political treatment of independent countries—a contradiction in which nuclear energy is deemed legitimate for some and criminal for others.

Sports

Korea Republic, Iran settle for draw in AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026

TEHRAN - Korea Republic and Iran settled for a goalless draw in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 opening Group C match on Wednesday.
Iranians honor 58th anniversary of Takhti’s death

TEHRAN - Iranians on Wednesday marked the 58th anniversary of the death of legendary wrestler Gholamreza Takhti, a national icon whose legacy extends far beyond sport.
Tough task awaits Iran at 2026 Asian Handball Championship: Guijosa

TEHRAN – Iran handball head coach Rafael Guijosa said Team Melli face a difficult challenge at the 2026 Asian Men’s Handball Championship.

Culture

First International Cartoon and Poster Contest “Terror Online” concludes in Tehran

TEHRAN – The closing ceremony of the first International Cartoon and Poster Contest “Terror Online” was held on the evening of January 5 at the Art Bureau in Tehran.
Veteran actor Saeed Pirdoost passes away at 85

TEHRAN — Renowned cinema and television actor Saeed Pirdoost passed away on Tuesday morning at his home in Tehran, on his 85th birthday, after a battle with cancer.
Braille toys to be unveiled in National Toy Festival

TEHRAN- Iran Association of Toys is set to unveil the country's first Braille toys in the framework of the 10th National Toys Festival, which is currently underway in Tehran.

Economy

Road transit through Iran’s land borders reaches 12.5m tons in 9 months

TEHRAN – Road transit of goods through Iran’s land borders reached about 12.5 million tons in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-Decemebr 21, 2025), reflecting continued growth in overland trade flows across the country, a senior transport official said.
Iran petrochemicals exhibit opens in Kish with exports topping $10b

TEHRAN – Iran’s third petrochemical industry exhibition opened on Kish Island on Tuesday, bringing together more than 200 domestic companies amid renewed focus on technology, investment and export growth in one of the country’s main hard-currency earning sectors.
NIDC completes drilling of 101 oil, gas wells since late Mar. 2025

TEHRAN –National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) has completed 101 oil and gas wells so far this year (started in late March 2025), with total drilling footage reaching 103,456 meters, the company’s head said.

Society

DOE approves seven community conserved areas

TEHRAN – In an effort to strengthen the participation of local communities in conserving nature, the Department of Environment (DOE) has approved seven natural areas to be protected by the public.
Workshop held to enhance national capacity for drug use disorder treatment

TEHRAN – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in close collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), has held a training workshop aimed at enhancing the competencies of drug use disorder treatment professionals through the systematic application of the UNODC TreatNet Training Package.
Health ministry, UNICEF join hands to activate Child Protection Committees in hospitals

TEHRAN – To ensure that medical settings serve as a strong shield for children at risk, the United Nations Children’s Fund, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, has organized an event to strengthen integrated child protection services as the first step toward activating Child Protection Committees within hospitals.

Tourism

Sarakhieh, Iran’s little Venice

At first, it is hard to believe such a place exists in Iran. But deep inside the vast Shadegan wetland in Khuzestan province, there is a village where water is the main road and boats replace cars. This village is Sarakhieh, often called Iran’s “Little Venice.”
Sa’dabad Complex’s historical documents rescanned and recatalogued

TEHRAN - Historical documents held at Tehran’s Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex have been recatalogued and rescanned in recent months following a years-long pause, a museum official said.
Iran to participate in FITUR, EMITT 2026

TEHRAN--Iran is to participate in FITUR (the International Tourism Trade Fair) in Spain and EMITT 2026 in Turkey during current year.

International

Lebanon’s governance in crisis

BEIRUT—Imagine a country where a fictitious foreign prince, armed only with a phone and a fabricated authority, can dictate political appointments, unlock frozen bank accounts, and influence judicial decisions—all without leaving his home.
Israel’s expansionist agenda: Aggression in Syria amid Paris talks

TEHRAN – The persistence of Israeli military aggression in southern Syria, reported on Tuesday even as negotiations were underway in Paris, illustrates the contradiction between declared diplomatic efforts and the reality of the regime’s expansionist policies.
Catastrophic year for Palestinians in 2025

TEHRAN – An official Palestinian report has documented the catastrophic suffering of Palestinians in 2025 at the hands of the Israeli occupation regime.