Tehran Times

2026-04-12 00:53
By Shahrokh Saei

Tehran enters Islamabad talks with deep distrust of Washington

TEHRAN - High-profile Iranian and American officials held their first round of talks in Pakistan on Saturday in the wake of a two-week ceasefire, following a 40-day US–Israeli war against Iran that began on February 28.
- ‘Minab 168’ flight: Iran carries the weight of US aggression into Islamabad talks

By Mir Mohammad Alikhan

Betrayed at the table, unbroken in spirit: Iran’s path to dignified peace with US

ISLAMABAD- As a Wall Street banker with more than thirty years observing the turbulent waters of Iran-U.S. relations—from the transformative 1979 Islamic Revolution that reshaped the Middle East to the high-stakes Islamabad talks unfolding even as I write these words in April 2026—I have witnessed cycles of hope and betrayal that few other relationships can match.
‘Minab 168’ flight: Iran carries the weight of US aggression into Islamabad talks

TEHRAN – As Iran’s delegation departed for negotiations with the United States in Pakistan, the journey itself became an act of remembrance — and a quiet indictment.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

20 million Iranians, one voice: The story of the grassroots ‘JANFADA’ campaign

TEHRAN - At a time when the world is more divided than ever grappling with crises, polarization, and social fractures, the emergence of large-scale grassroots movements takes on a meaning far beyond ordinary collective action. The “Janfada” campaign is one such phenomenon: an initiative that began on March 29 and, in a remarkably short time, has reached a staggering figure, over 21 million participants at the time of writing.
Ashish Prashar says Washington and Tel Aviv underestimated Iran’s preparedness

U.S.-Israeli pressure on Iran risks strategic failure: Political strategist

TEHRAN — Ashish Prashar, an award-winning political strategist and human rights advocate who has advised senior political figures in the United States and Europe, spoke with Tehran Times about the implications of the U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28.
By Garsha Vazirian

Do not believe Tucker Carlson; Trump owns this war

From My Lai to Minab, America has never needed Israeli blackmail to slaughter innocents, and we should not fall for its latest escape hatch

TEHRAN — The latest split inside the American right has produced a familiar and dishonest story. Donald Trump’s current and former defenders now want the world to believe he is not truly responsible for what he says, orders, or destroys.

Politics

Iran’s strong diplomacy aims to secure regional stability: Velayati

TEHRAN- Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on international affairs, says Iran’s robust diplomatic approach is focused on safeguarding national sovereignty and promoting regional peace and stability.
A leaky umbrella: The fraying myth of US security pacts

TEHRAN – For a long time, Washington has peddled the same story to the world: hand your security over to us, and all you need to do is obey and pay. Once, there were those who believed it. Now, even the storyteller can no longer keep the tale straight.
Iran to UN: Assassination of Kharrazi is an attack on diplomacy itself

TEHRAN- Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has said that Israel’s assassination of the senior Iranian official, Kamal Kharrazi, reflects a deliberate pattern of criminal conduct aimed at silencing advocates of peaceful engagement and systematically undermining diplomatic pathways.

Sports

Team Iran arrive in Sanya for Asian Beach Games

TEHRAN - After a lengthy journey, Iran’s athletic delegation has officially landed in Sanya, China, the host city for the upcoming Asian Beach Games.
Iran’s Benyamin Faraji secures spot in 2026 Youth Olympic Games

TEHRAN - The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has officially announced that Iran’s rising star, Benyamin Faraji, has earned qualification for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
FIFA confirms Iran’s 2026 World Cup matches will go ahead in the U.S.

TEHRAN - FIFA has put an end to speculation surrounding Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming that Team Melli’s matches will take place in the United States as originally scheduled. The proposal to relocate Iran’s fixtures to Mexico has been rejected.

Culture

12th Islamic Revolution Art Week kicks off with nationwide street performances

TEHRAN- The 12th edition of the Islamic Revolution Art Week officially commenced nationwide on Thursday, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Seyyed Morteza Avini.
Artists, cultural figures to honor Martyr Leader at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall

TEHRAN – The 40th-day mourning ceremony for the Martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei by the American-Zionist enemy will be held with the presence of cultural, artistic, and media figures at Vahdat Hall in Tehran on Sunday.
“Iran Symphony” unveiled in Italy

TEHRAN – At a ceremony in Italy, the musical work “Iran Symphony,” composed by the renowned Italian musician Antonio Pappalardo was unveiled.

Economy

Asian Development Bank warns war in West Asia will slow Asia's growth

TEHRAN- A new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicates that the economies of Asian countries will face a slowdown in growth even if oil prices remain relatively stable — a development that highlights the far reaching effects of the war in the West Asia on the region.
Iran war making life more expensive for Americans

TEHRAN- The war with Iran has roiled Wall Street, driving up the cost of a mortgage along with auto and credit card loans, making everyday life more expensive for Americans, according to a recent CNN report.
Iran’s petrochemical sector hits 100m-ton capacity under 14th government

TEHRAN – Iran’s petrochemical industry has recorded remarkable growth under the 14th government, reaching a nominal production capacity of 100 million tons.

Society

‘Damage to Pasteur Institute of Iran threatens regional health security’

TEHRAN – Mario Moreira, President of the Pasteur Network, has expressed concern over the destruction of Pasteur Institute of Iran, targeted by the US-Israeli airstrikes on April 2, and warned of the potential regional impacts as it disrupts the major role of this century-old pillar of global health in prevention and control of existing and rising health threats in the region.
Blood donation among women, first-time donors on rise during war

TEHRAN – Since the beginning of the US-Israeli imposed war on February 28, there has been a notable growth in the number of women and first-time donors referring to blood donation centers across the country, an official with the Blood Transfusion Organization has said.
Drying intl. wetlands in Golestan province coming back to life

TEHRAN – Three international wetlands of northern Golestan province, which were drying due to drought in previous years, are being restored thanks to recent rainfall, the head of the provincial Department of Environment has said.

Tourism

New study highlights cultural, social keys to longer-lasting housing in Iran

TEHRAN - A new academic study in Iran is challenging conventional assumptions about what makes residential buildings durable, concluding that cultural and social factors, rather than just construction materials, play a decisive role in how long people choose to live in their homes.
Se-Kuh-e fortress offers window into Iran’s Sistan heritage

TEHRAN - Se-Kuh-e fortress, whose name means “three mountains” in Persian, is one of the most remarkable historical landmarks in southeastern Iran and the largest mud-brick structure of its kind in Sistan-Baluchestan province.
Archaeological excavations resume at Sassanid palace in Firuzabad

TEHRAN - Archaeological excavations at the historic Palace of Ardeshir Babakan have officially resumed following a temporary suspension, according to provincial cultural heritage authorities.

International

Do not believe Tucker Carlson; Trump owns this war

TEHRAN — The latest split inside the American right has produced a familiar and dishonest story. Donald Trump’s current and former defenders now want the world to believe he is not truly responsible for what he says, orders, or destroys.
Hezbollah pounds Israeli settlements and military

TEHRAN – Hezbollah has launched attacks on Israeli settlements, targeting military infrastructure and assembly points of the regime’s military.
Israel assassinated Kamal Kharrazi to kill diplomacy, but Iranian society is dynamic

TEHRAN - The Israeli assassination of Kamal Kharrazi, chairperson of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, came as a blow to wisdom and diplomacy.

From My Lai to Minab, America has never needed Israeli blackmail to slaughter innocents, and we should not fall for its latest escape hatch