Tehran Times

2026-03-18 22:28
Ali Larijani: A life dedicated to Iran’s security, stability, and progress

TEHRAN - Dr. Ali Larijani was a distinguished philosopher–statesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran whose intellectual depth, political experience, and strategic vision shaped the country’s policies over his decades of public service.
- Iran's security chief Ali Larijani assassinated in US-Israeli bombardment

Condolences and condemnations pour in after Larijani's martyrdom

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei calls Larijani a leading scholar and insightful figure

TEHRAN — Responding to the assassination of Ali Larijani, a towering figure in Iranian politics and the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Iranian officials, statesmen, politicians and regional allies have expressed profound grief, condemned the attack as an act of terrorism, and reaffirmed their resolve to continue the path of resistance against Israel and the U.S. as the aggressors.
Iran defies enemy’s ‘decapitation’ strategy

TEHRAN – Despite a relentless, campaign of targeted assassinations conducted by the United States and Israel, Iran has successfully resisted what strategists in Washington and Tel Aviv believe would led to a swift collapse of the government.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

The politics of martyrdom and the failure of 'decapitation'

South Lebanon—Within the Islamic Revolution, the culture of martyrdom is not merely a theological motif but a living political, philosophical, and literary force—one embodied in figures such as Ali Larijani, whose trajectory reflects the paradox of power and sacrifice.
By Xavier Villar

The US-Israeli assassination of Iran’s leaders and the erosion of international law

MADRID – The confirmed assassination of Ali Larijani on March 17, 2026, following the extrajudicial assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei eighteen days earlier, represents more than a military escalation. It highlights the selective fragility of the post-1945 international legal order.
Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmaeel Khatib martyred in US-Israeli strike

TEHRAN – Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed his sympathy to the public following the U.S.-Israeli assassination of Intelligence Minister Esmaeel Khatib on Tuesday.

Politics

Bushehr nuclear facility targeted: IAEA chief

TEHRAN - Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Wednesday that the Agency has received information from Iran and Russia that the Bushehr nuclear power plant had been hit by a drone.
French ambassador: US war on Iran was ‘pushed by Israel’

TEHRAN - France believes the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is unjustified and unlawful, the French ambassador to Oman has told Middle East Eye in an exclusive interview.
Russia's president condoles with Iran's Leader over Larijani's martyrdom

TEHRAN- Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter of condolence to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei over the martyrdom of Iran's top security official during unprovoked American-Israeli aggression.

Sports

Mexico ready to host Iran’s matches in 2026 FIFA World Cup

TEHRAN – Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum has said they are ready to host Iran’s matches in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iran decide to participate at 2026 FIFA World Cup: official

TEHRAN – Mehdi Taj, head of Iran football federation, says that Iran will participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Homecoming: Iranian women players opt for return amidst speculation

TEHRAN - The saga surrounding the Iran's women football team took a significant turn as five players, who had initially opted not to return to Tehran from Australia, have now decided to come back. This decision follows an earlier announcement that seven players had chosen to remain in Australia, where Team Melli played three matches in Group A of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Culture

104 public libraries to remain open during Nowruz holidays amid Zionist-U.S. aggression

TEHRAN- Iran Public Libraries Foundation has announced that 104 public libraries across the country will remain operational throughout the Nowruz holidays amid the ongoing conflict and recent U.S.-Zionist strikes against Iranian soil.
Flying Turtle Award jury condemns Zionist-U.S. missile strike

TEHRAN- The jury committee of the Flying Turtle Award, Iran's distinguished children's literature prize, has issued a statement condemning the Zionist-U.S. military strikes against Iran that devastated a school in Minab, Hormozgan province, and a sports facility in Lamerd, Fars province, while urging international organizations to intervene and prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Culture minister expresses condolences for Ali Larijani’s martyrdom

TEHRAN – Following the martyrdom of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's National Security Council, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance expressed condolences in a message.

Economy

US opinions to confront closing of Hormuz Strait not operational: economic analyst

TEHRAN- Ali Ashraf Afkhami, an economic analyst, believes that the US opinions to confront closing of the Strait of Hormuz are not operational, and the outlook for oil price reduction is weak.
Transport minister orders acceleration of commodities transfer from ports

TEHRAN- Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadeq ordered the acceleration of transfer of goods from the ports and more use of transport networks capacity, IRNA reported.
Foreign investment in free zones rises 268% in 11 months on year

TEHRAN- As announced by Iran’s Secretariat of the High Council and the Free Zones Organizations, foreign investment in the country’s free zones reached $1.025 billion during the first 11 months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2025-February 20, 2026), with an increase of 268 percent compared to the same period of time in the previous year.

Society

Life goes on, civic services underway despite attacks

TEHRAN – Despite the ongoing attacks by the U.S. and the Zionist regime against the country, people in Tehran, as in other cities, have no problem benefiting from civic services to meet their daily needs thanks to the efforts of responsible organizations.
Iran Digital empowering 200,000 students in AI sector

TEHRAN – Following the development of Iran Digital, a national program which aims to teach artificial intelligence (AI) to four million students free of charge, the ministry of education started teaching AI to 200,000 students on Monday.
With women of such bravery, Iran will always be victorious

TEHRAN - Amidst the ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes, a powerful wave of national unity is sweeping across Iran; people gather in public spaces to express resilience and defiance.

Tourism

Protecting cultural heritage under fire: The fragile role of international law

The deliberate targeting of cultural heritage during armed conflict remains a grave concern. International law provides crucial instruments for protection, anchored by agreements such as the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. These conventions represent a foundational effort to safeguard sites of historical and artistic significance, recognizing their intrinsic value beyond purely monetary terms.
How are Isfahan’s UNESCO and national heritage sites faring after airstrikes?

ISFAHAN - Airstrikes on the Iranian city of Isfahan have severely damaged two of its most iconic heritage sites: the UNESCO-listed Chehel Sotoun Palace and the National Heritage Site Ashraf Hall, alongside damage to over 12 other cultural landmarks.
Airstrike shockwaves put Iran’s ancient landmarks at risk

TEHRAN - Although Iran’s enemies have repeatedly claimed that their strikes target nuclear and missile infrastructure, their massive airstrikes have also damaged historic districts and monuments that represent centuries of Persian civilization.

International

Joe Kent’s resignation is telling that speaks volumes

TEHRAN – In a social media post on Tuesday, Joe Kent announced that he was resigning as Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center in protest to the Trump administration’s decision in joining Israel in the war against Iran.
The roar against dangerous war against Iran

TEHRAN - After the United States and Israel started a surprise and unlawful war on Iran on Feb. 28, waves of protests have gripped the United States. The protests have spread to more than 50 cities across the country. The huge protests in Washington, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles have been of particular importance.
Iran's strategic and operational mastery over US-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN – To assess the current trajectory of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran as of March 2026, it is essential to analyze how the involved parties have arrived at their present positions.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei calls Larijani a leading scholar and insightful figure