Tehran Times

2026-02-20 22:45
By Soheila Zarfam

A war US could start—but not control

A look at military responses Tehran is likely to employ if US makes talks collapse again

TEHRAN – When, at 3:30 AM on Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel and the United States began a bombing campaign against Iran—just days ahead of a sixth round of nuclear negotiations—I had just fallen asleep in my Tehran apartment. A few hours earlier, I had been speaking with a colleague who told me she believed the U.S. was about to attack Iran.
- How many coffins will Trump send home for the sake of Israel?
- America broke its JCPOA promise

Iran exists today because of its missiles, says former UN weapons inspector

As Washington once again raises the prospect of confrontation with Tehran, questions about U.S. intentions—and the limits of American power—have returned to the center of debate in West Asia. In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Scott Ritter, a former UN weapons inspector and U.S. Marine intelligence officer, discussed how Washington views talks with Iran, what it hopes to achieve with the country, as well as the growing risk of military escalation.
By Ebrahim Fallahi

Tehran, Dushanbe set $1b trade target, deepen industrial, mining ties

TEHRAN – Iran and Tajikistan have set a target of raising bilateral trade to $1.0 billion in the near future and agreed to expand joint investments and establish shared industrial plants, as senior officials from both sides moved to deepen economic and mining cooperation.
Prince Andrew's Epstein arrest: A nightmare the British monarchy can't escape

TEHRAN – The recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the former Prince Andrew and younger brother of King Charles III, has plunged the British monarchy into an unprecedented crisis.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

West Asia on the brink: Lebanon caught between elections and regional escalation

SOUTH LEBANON — Lebanon’s unusual political stillness reflects more than routine paralysis; it mirrors a regional storm gathering beyond its borders.
By Wesam Bahrani

Military analysts: Palestinian resistance reposition forces in Gaza

TEHRAN - Reports suggest that the Palestinian resistance has begun quietly redeploying fighters closer to the frontline in Gaza.

Politics

Iran will answer respect with respect, and force with force, Araghchi tells US media

TEHRAN – In an interview with MS NOW, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described ongoing talks with the U.S. as productive and dismissed the threat of force as a viable option.
MPs voice support for Leader’s remarks

TEHRAN - Members of the Iranian Parliament have, in a statement, expressed their backing for recent comments by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by reaffirming their obedience to his instructions.
Pezeshkian sends congratulatory message to Japanese PM on National Day

TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sent a message to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, expressing congratulations to Japan on National Day.

Sports

Iran to compete at 2026 Muhamet Malo

TEHRAN – Iran will send a skilled, credentialed roster of 12 athletes—three in men’s freestyle, nine in Greco-Roman—to the 2026 Muhamet Malo tournament in Tirana, Albania.
Ricardo Sa Pinto to remain Esteghlal coach

TEHRAN - Esteghlal football club have decided to continue their cooperation with Portuguese head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto despite recent speculation about his future.
Manolopoulos extends deal with Iran basketball until 2028

TEHRAN - Sotiris Manolopoulos has officially extended his contract with the Iran Basketball Federation through 2028, reinforcing a partnership that has steadily grown stronger over the past two years.

Culture

Iranian photographers shortlisted for Sony World Photography Awards

TEHRAN – The Sony World Photography Awards, organized by the World Photography Organization, has revealed the shortlisted photographers in its Open competition 2026, with two Iranians in the list.
New mural in Tehran unveiled to mark holy month of Ramadan

TEHRAN- Tehran’s Valiasr Square mural was refreshed with a new design, as the holy month of Ramadan commenced across the country,
Ed Conway’s “Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future” published in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future” written by Ed Conway has been released in the bookstores across the country.

Economy

Tehran, Dushanbe set $1b trade target, deepen industrial, mining ties

TEHRAN – Iran and Tajikistan have set a target of raising bilateral trade to $1.0 billion in the near future and agreed to expand joint investments and establish shared industrial plants, as senior officials from both sides moved to deepen economic and mining cooperation.
Over 100m tons of petroleum products transported annually

TEHRAN – More than 100 million tons of petroleum products are transported across Iran each year, accounting for around 17 percent of total freight movement in the country, a senior road transport official said.
Iran, Russia customs officials meet in Tehran to streamline trade procedures

TEHRAN – Customs delegations from Iran and Russia met in Tehran to expand training cooperation and facilitate customs clearance and supervision procedures, officials said.

Society

‘Russia interested in boosting scientific co-op with Iran’

TEHRAN – A Russian official has voiced his country’s interest in expanding scientific and academic ties with Iran to further technological cooperation between the two countries.
Knowledge-based firms to attend NextTech Week Tokyo

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation of knowledge-based companies will participate in the NextTech Week exhibition, scheduled for April 15 to 17 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
Iran ready to beef up tech ties with India in key sectors

TEHRAN – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Sattar Hashemi, in a meeting with Indian Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, has voiced the country’s readiness for the expansion of scientific and technological ties with India in key sectors, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital economy.

Tourism

Khalid Nabi cemetery blends archaeology and pilgrimage

TEHRAN – Surrounded by vast skies, green hills in spring, and golden grasses in late summer, Khalid Nabi Cemetery stands as one of northern Iran’s most distinctive heritage destinations. It embodies a convergence of myth, memory, landscape, and identity—where pilgrimage, archaeology, and tourism meet on a remote mountain ridge overlooking Turkmen Sahra.
Iran plans maritime tourism line linking southern ports

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization is planning to launch a maritime tourism line connecting the country’s southern ports, an official said on Thursday.
Shiraz historical fabric plan registered in national archives

TEHRAN - A plan outlining integrated regulations for the protection, management and development of the historical fabric of Shiraz has been officially registered by the National Library and Archives of Iran, authorities said.

International

Prince Andrew's Epstein arrest: A nightmare the British monarchy can't escape

TEHRAN – The recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the former Prince Andrew and younger brother of King Charles III, has plunged the British monarchy into an unprecedented crisis.
West Asia on the brink: Lebanon caught between elections and regional escalation

SOUTH LEBANON — Lebanon’s unusual political stillness reflects more than routine paralysis; it mirrors a regional storm gathering beyond its borders.
Military analysts: Palestinian resistance reposition forces in Gaza

TEHRAN - Reports suggest that the Palestinian resistance has begun quietly redeploying fighters closer to the frontline in Gaza.

A look at military responses Tehran is likely to employ if US makes talks collapse again