Tehran Times

2026-09-25 20:45
By staff writer

A War Criminal’s Fiction to Empty Seats

From 77 delegations walking out inside to a mass protest outside, Netanyahu faces overwhelming rejection

TEHRAN — On September 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood at the United Nations General Assembly rostrum facing hundreds of vacant seats. As his name was announced, 77 diplomatic delegations stood up and walked out of the hall in a coordinated repudiation of Israel’s genocidal campaign against Gaza and the war against Iran, as well as other regional campaigns of aggression.
- Mamdani exploring whether he can arrest 'war criminal' Netanyahu if he visits New York
- Netanyahu’s remarks on settler violence ring hollow

Pezeshkian uses UNGA meetings to press for diplomacy, and regional stability

TEHRAN– Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a series of meetings with senior foreign officials on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, engaging the leaders of Pakistan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Armenia and Bangladesh, as well as the presidents of Switzerland and the European Council, on regional security, diplomacy, bilateral relations and the consequences of the recent conflict involving Iran.
Araghchi holds a series of talks in NY on regional security, Hormuz and Iran-EU ties

TEHRAN– Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a series of meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, engaging Russian, British, Portuguese, Bruneian, Kyrgyz, Polish, Spanish, Egyptian, Jordanian, Cypriot, Pakistani and Austrian officials on regional security, the Strait of Hormuz, the war in West Asia, Palestine, Iran-Europe relations and bilateral cooperation.
By Shahrokh Saei

Xi’s landmark US visit advances China’s vision for Tehran-Washington dialogue and global stability

TEHRAN — President Xi Jinping’s milestone visit to the United States has unequivocally reaffirmed China’s pivotal status as a bedrock of global peace, stability, and consensus.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Lebanon’s silenced voice

Diplomacy in Lebanon is growing quieter in the face of relentless Israeli aggression

BEIRUT—On September 23, President Masoud Pezeshkian seized the 81st session of the UN General Assembly not as a ceremonial platform, but as a political battlefield, directly confronting the narrative presented by Washington and Israel.
By Silvina Pachelo

NAZA, off screen

BUENOS AIRES — For months, we have been living with harrowing images from Gaza, amid allegations and accusations of genocide. Images, testimonies, and an incessant flow of information—and yet nothing stops. Gaza has also become this: the repetition of unbearable scenes that we see again and again, without their accumulation seeming sufficient to interrupt the machinery that produces them.

Politics

Colombia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran under ‘influence of US and Zionist regime’

TEHRAN — In a move that underscores a dramatic retreat from independent diplomacy toward subservience to the US regional agenda, Colombia’s newly inaugurated right-wing administration has unilaterally severed diplomatic ties with Iran.
Deputy FM: Europe served as ‘infrastructure’ for US aggression against Iran

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated on Thursday that recent acknowledgments by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirm European territory and military facilities served as integral infrastructure for the illegal acts of aggression launched by the United States against the Islamic Republic.
Leader’s advisor: Iran fully prepared for defense; US aggression will bring heavy casualties

TEHRAN – A senior military advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, says Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country in every field, warning the United States would face heavy casualties in the event of any aggression.

Sports

Iran female athlete Zarei bags silver in 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN – Iranian female athlete Zahra Zarei claimed a silver medal at the women's 400 meters of the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday.
Shot putter Tayebi collects Iran’s seventh gold in Nagoya

TEHRAN – Iranian shot putter Mohammadreza Tayebi claimed a gold medal on Saturday at the 2026 Asian Games.
Iran’s men’s kabaddi snatch silver at 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s national kabaddi team secured the silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya after suffering a 40–34 defeat to India in the final at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium.

Culture

Culture Minister goes to Russia to advance joint cultural programs

TEHRAN – The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi has traveled to Russia to attend the 12th International Forum of United Cultures and advance joint cultural programs between Iran and Russia.
Arasbaran Cultural Center screens “Wait Until Dark”

TEHRAN- “Wait Until Dark,” a 1967 American psychological thriller by Terence Young, went on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday.
What’s in Tehran art galleries

An exhibition of paintings by Saeid Khaksar is currently underway at Atbin Gallery. The exhibit named “Luminacy” will continue until October 6 at the gallery that can be found at 42 Khakzad Alley, Vali-e Asr Ave. near the Parkway Intersection.

Economy

South Pars ready for sustainable gas production in winter

TEHRAN- An official said: The South Pars Gas Complex, with the successful completion of overhaul operations at its refineries, has become ready for maximum and sustainable gas processing to meet the country’s needs during the cold months of the year.
Central Bank takes 6 key measures to facilitate foreign trade

TEHRAN- The assistant to the Governor of the Central Bank in forex affairs announced an improvement in the process of returning export earnings and said: With the reforms carried out, more than $1.5 billion in export foreign currency has returned to the country.
TCCIMA hosts specialized meeting with Iran’s commercial attachés in 5 countries

TEHRAN- Six commercial attachés, before departing for their countries of assignment, attended the 18th meeting of the Trade Facilitation and Development Committee of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) to explain their plans and become aware of the concerns and demands of those active in the economy sector.

Society

UNDP-backed assessment prioritizes 30 sand and dust storm hotspots in Iran

TEHRAN – A national assessment supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has identified and prioritized 30 critical domestic source areas for sand and dust storms (SDS) in Iran, providing an evidence base for targeted measures to reduce risks to communities, infrastructure and vulnerable ecosystems.
National Elderly Week highlights healthy, active aging

TEHRAN – The health ministry is commemorating National Elderly Week from September 26 to October 2 to raise awareness among policymakers and the public about aging, focusing on healthy, active, and empowered aging.
IRCS calls for stronger regional cooperation among Red Cross, Red Crescent societies

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has called for stronger regional cooperation among Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, stressing the need to expand joint training and exercises, share knowledge and experience, and build common operational capacities.

Tourism

Iran, India have huge potential for cooperation in health and tourism: Ambassador

TEHRAN – New Delhi’s Ambassador to Tehran Vishwesh Negi has highlighted the significant potential for Iran-India cooperation in traditional and modern medicine, pharmaceuticals and tourism, as well as in strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties.
Shams Tabrizi mausoleum project seen as boost for cultural tourism

TEHRAN - The completion and opening of the mausoleum of Shams Tabrizi in Khoy will mark a major milestone for cultural diplomacy and tourism in West Azarbaijan, the provincial governor said.
Zoroastrian funerary inscription from late Sasanian era discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN - A newly discovered funerary inscription dating to the late Sasanian period and associated with a Zoroastrian burial has been found in a carved frame north of the ancient city of Estakhr in Marvdasht plain of Fars province, southern Iran.

International

A War Criminal’s Fiction to Empty Seats

TEHRAN — On September 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood at the United Nations General Assembly rostrum facing hundreds of vacant seats. As his name was announced, 77 diplomatic delegations stood up and walked out of the hall in a coordinated repudiation of Israel’s genocidal campaign against Gaza and the war against Iran, as well as other regional campaigns of aggression.
Lebanon’s silenced voice

BEIRUT—On September 23, President Masoud Pezeshkian seized the 81st session of the UN General Assembly not as a ceremonial platform, but as a political battlefield, directly confronting the narrative presented by Washington and Israel.
NAZA, off screen

BUENOS AIRES — For months, we have been living with harrowing images from Gaza, amid allegations and accusations of genocide. Images, testimonies, and an incessant flow of information—and yet nothing stops. Gaza has also become this: the repetition of unbearable scenes that we see again and again, without their accumulation seeming sufficient to interrupt the machinery that produces them.

From 77 delegations walking out inside to a mass protest outside, Netanyahu faces overwhelming rejection

Diplomacy in Lebanon is growing quieter in the face of relentless Israeli aggression