Tehran Times

2025-11-09 20:28
By staff writer

War or peace: What Hegseth and Trump signal

TEHRAN – U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a speech on Friday that left no ambiguity: the United States is not seeking to avoid war — it is actively preparing for a global confrontation. Speaking at the National War College, Hegseth compared today’s world to 1939, the year World War II began, and 1981, when Cold War tensions surged. These weren’t just historical references — they were warnings. And more than that, they were a roadmap.
- U.S. strike kills three in the Caribbean, no proof of drug activity
- U.S. Navy's deadly Pacific blitz: 14 slain in 'narco' strikes, total tops 57

By Shahab Sarmadi

Ceasefire as camouflage: Israel’s continued assault on Gaza

TEHRAN – The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States and officially put into effect on October 10, was intended to pause the violence in Gaza. However, recent developments suggest the truce may have served as a strategic cover for Israel to continue its military operations with reduced international scrutiny.
By Wesam Bahrani

Iraqis to vote amid tension with Washington

TEHRAN – Iraq’s November 11 election will test whether a new government will challenge U.S. control over oil revenues and sovereignty.
Qalibaf’s Pakistan visit seals push for stronger economic, security cooperation

TEHRAN – The three days Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf spent in Pakistan this week appear to be the latest step in the two countries’ push for closer and stronger bilateral ties.
A stone of pride: The story behind Tehran's new statue of a Roman emperor's surrender

By Soheila Zarfam

TEHRAN – Hundreds of people spent their Friday evening at Tehran’s Enghelab Square, awaiting the unveiling of a statue depicting an event from nearly 2000 years ago.
By Shahab Sarmadi

Haaretz details Israel’s costly campaign to reverse declining U.S. public support

TEHRAN – U.S. public support for Israel has been declining in recent years, a trend highlighted by a recent Haaretz report. Surveys show that negative views of Israel among Americans rose from 42 percent in 2022 to 53 percent by 2025. This decline spans political lines: even among young Republicans—traditionally reliable supporters—criticism of Israel is growing. Younger Evangelical Christians, who were once among Israel’s most steadfast allies, are increasingly skeptical, no longer offering automatic support.

Politics

Araghchi says Israel ‘source of instability’ in West Asia region

TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign minister has lambasted recent comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Tel Aviv as “the source of instability in the region.”
Grossi is at it again: IAEA chief repeats incendiary claims on Iran’s nuclear program

TEHRAN – The latest remarks by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have reignited controversy over the agency’s neutrality of its reports on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, as well as the role the UN body plays in helping Western states justify pressure and aggression against the country.
Tehran seeks compensation as Trump admits he was ‘very much in charge’ of Israel’s raid on Iran

TEHRN – Iran has stated that a public "criminal confession" from U.S. President Donald Trump confirms Washington's direct role in Israel's aggression against the country in June, holding both parties fully responsible for civilian deaths, widespread destruction, and attacks on safeguarded nuclear sites.

Sports

My long-term goal is 2028 Paralympics: Nasrin Shahi

TEHRAN – Iranian para shooter Nasrin Shahi says her main focus is on winning a medal at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Iran beat Uzbekistan to advance to 2025 Riyadh final

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s futsal team beat Uzbekistan 4-2 on Sunday and advanced to the final of the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG).
Riyadh 2025: Maryam Barbat takes Iran’s first medal

TEHRAN – Judo athlete Maryam Barbat won Iran’s first medal at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG), known as Riyadh 2025, on Sunday.

Culture

Poetry night honors Iqbal Lahori in Tehran

TEHRAN- The memorial ceremony dedicated to the renowned poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal Lahori was held at the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization on Sunday, bringing together distinguished poets and literary figures from Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Iranian films line up for Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

TEHRAN- Four films by Iranian directors are competing in different sections of the 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, which is currently underway at the Estonian capital.
Three awards for Iran at Kirkuk International Street Theater Festival

TEHRAN – Several Iranian artists were recognized and awarded for their artistic excellence at the ninth edition of the Kirkuk International Street Theater Festival, which was held in Kirkuk, Iraq.

Economy

Iran-Pakistan business forum held in Karachi

TEHRAN- During a visit to Pakistan, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament (Majlis), and Mohammad-Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, the Iranian deputy minister of industry, mining and trade and the head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), met with some traders and businessmen and emphasized issues such as the development of commercial cooperation and accelerating the free trade process between the two countries.
Iran to establish foreign investment promotion agencies

TEHRAN – The acting head of the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI) said the country will soon launch foreign investment promotion agencies to streamline licensing, residency, and currency-related procedures for international investors.
Chinese firms propose creation of smart industrial parks in Iran

TEHRAN – The Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Union of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of Shanghai to expand bilateral industrial and economic cooperation, including a proposal by Chinese companies to help establish a smart industrial park in Iran.

Society

Tehran, Moscow highlight strengthening scientific relations

TEHRAN – During a meeting held between Iranian and Russian officials, the two sides explored avenues to expand scientific and technological collaborations between the universities of the two countries.
Iran, Kenya to foster environmental ties

TEHRAN – Iranian and Kenyan officials have announced their readiness to enhance cooperation in different environmental fields.
National diabetes week being marked

TEHRAN – The health ministry is observing the national diabetes week from November 8 to 14 to raise public awareness of the dangers of diabetes on health, improve the lives of people with diabetes, and highlight the urgent need for prevention, early detection, and treatment of the disease.

Tourism

UNESCO recognition of Cyrus Cylinder highlights Iran’s role in human rights, museum director says

TEHRAN – The recent UNESCO recognition of the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the earliest documents on human rights is a source of national pride and a reaffirmation of Iran’s contribution to universal human values, the director of the National Museum of Iran said on Sunday.
Iran to submit independent UNESCO nomination for traditional rosewater distillation

TEHRAN - Iran plans to submit its own nomination file to UNESCO to register the country’s centuries-old tradition of rosewater distillation, known as Golab-Giri, as an element of intangible cultural heritage, an Iranian official said.
Pottery research center opens in Hamedan

TEHRAN – A specialized pottery research center has recently been inaugurated within the Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan to strengthen links between academia and the pottery industry, a provincial official said on Saturday.

International

Ceasefire as camouflage: Israel’s continued assault on Gaza

TEHRAN – The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States and officially put into effect on October 10, was intended to pause the violence in Gaza. However, recent developments suggest the truce may have served as a strategic cover for Israel to continue its military operations with reduced international scrutiny.
Haaretz details Israel’s costly campaign to reverse declining U.S. public support

TEHRAN – U.S. public support for Israel has been declining in recent years, a trend highlighted by a recent Haaretz report. Surveys show that negative views of Israel among Americans rose from 42 percent in 2022 to 53 percent by 2025. This decline spans political lines: even among young Republicans—traditionally reliable supporters—criticism of Israel is growing. Younger Evangelical Christians, who were once among Israel’s most steadfast allies, are increasingly skeptical, no longer offering automatic support.
How Washington and its allies are rewriting Lebanon’s future

BEIRUT — Lebanon stands at a decisive juncture. External powers, led by the United States and supported by Israel, are accelerating efforts to reshape the country’s political and military landscape.

By Soheila Zarfam