Tehran Times

2026-02-07 20:37
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Missiles and enrichment ban stay off the table

Araghchi says Iran may show flexibility outside its red lines as second round of US talks looms

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated his country’s redlines regarding talks with the United States in an interview with Al Jazeera, making it clear that while Iran remains adamant about its established boundaries, it may be willing to make concessions in other areas, such as the scale and level of uranium enrichment.
- US pursuit of ‘zero enrichment’ derailed nuclear diplomacy: Araghchi
- Europe’s ‘reckless course’ will only sideline it from future diplomacy: Araghchi

Why Iran still haunts Western strategy

By Xavier Villar

MADRID – Ghosts are terrifying not simply because they are powerful, but because they endure. They unsettle precisely because they refuse resolution. A ghost is defined by contradiction, a presence that signifies an absence, something that should no longer be there yet persists all the same.
By Fatemeh Kavand

IRGC: From the frontline of the fight against ISIS to Europe’s political labeling

TEHRAN - The European Union has placed Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on its list of “terrorist organizations,” a move driven not by objective realities on the ground but by Western political tendencies. This comes despite the IRGC’s central role in defeating ISIS and confronting terrorist groups in the region—a reality that exposes the West’s double standards in defining terrorism.
By staff writer

The Epstein scandal: Netanyahu-Barak feud exposes Israel’s murky elite ties

TEHRAN – The recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on former premier Ehud Barak’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein highlight not only a personal and political rift but also illustrate the complex and sometimes murky connections between prominent Israeli figures and the disgraced financier.
By Shahab Sarmadi

Israel’s uncounted massacre in Gaza: The 200,000 death estimate and the silence on genocide

TEHRAN – The scale of death in Gaza has reached a level that is almost impossible to comprehend, yet the world continues to treat it as an abstraction. In comments reported by Anadolu, Stuart Casey Maslen, head of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, warned that Gaza’s population has declined by more than 10 percent since Israel launched war on the enclave on October 7, 2023.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Syria in the balance: Managed fragmentation, external leverage, and the reordering of power

BEIRUT—Syria is entering a new and delicate phase in which the language of “stability” increasingly masks a reality of managed fragmentation and intensified foreign influence.

Politics

Several countries and UN chief back Iran-US talks

TEHRAN - So far, some regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, the UAE, Turkey, China, Italy, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the United Nations, have expressed strong support for the resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.
Foes doomed to suffer defeat in the face of Iranians: general

TEHRAN - A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the enemies are doomed to sustain defeat in the face of the Iranian nation’s willpower despite all the plots they have hatched over the past 47 years.
‘Criminal Trump and Netanyahu seeking to drag Iran into chaos,’ says sociologist

TEHRAN - A senior sociologist and political analyst says U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seek to foment turmoil in Iran.

Sports

Iran crowned champions of AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026

TEHRAN - Iran emerged champions of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 with a 5-4 penalty shootout win after the thrilling final ended 5-5 after extra-time on Saturday.
2025/26 PGPL: Aluminum edge Zob Ahan

TEHRAN – Struggling Zob Ahan suffered a 1-0 loss against Aluminum in Matchweek 20 of the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Saturday.
Nahid Kiani: I want 2028 Olympic Games gold

TEHRAN – Iranian female taekwondo athlete Nahid Kiani says she is determined to turn her Olympic silver medal into gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Culture

Ammar festival launches nationwide public screening to mark Islamic Revolution anniversary

TEHRAN-In conjunction with the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, a special initiative titled "Public Screenings of the Ammar Festival" has been launched, featuring a diverse cultural package, extensive discounts, and special gifts for cultural activists, grassroots organizations, and exhibitors across the country.
Prominent poet, researcher Abdolhossein Jalalian passes away

TEHRAN- Abdolhossein Jalalian, a celebrated poet and expert on the works of legendary Persian poet Hafez, passed away on Friday. He was 97.
“Iran Field” event to open in Tehran’s Azadi Tower

TEHRAN- The “Iran Field” event, centered around a visual re-examination of the days of the 1979 Revolution, will be inaugurated at the cultural and artistic complex of Azadi Tower on Sunday.

Economy

Iran pivots free trade zones toward export-led growth

TEHRAN – In a decisive shift toward economic diversification and resilience, the Iranian government is fundamentally restructuring its network of free trade zones (FTZs) to function as powerful engines for export-led growth.
Iran oil industry posts fresh records in output, exports, capacity building

TEHRAN – Iran’s oil industry has set new records in production, exports and capacity development over the past 18 months, despite continued sanctions and external constraints.
Sustainable development should be focus of national projects: president

TEHRAN- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the country's development path must be designed based on quality, competitive pricing, environmental preservation, and maximum utilization of clean energy.

Society

Science ministry plans to establish 15 AI labs at universities

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology plans to launch 15 artificial intelligence (AI) laboratories at universities across the country to develop and test fundamental AI models.
Health ministry to launch "Nowruz healthcare plan"

TEHRAN - To provide continuous and optimal health and medical services during the Nowruz holidays, the ministry of health will implement a special "Nowruz healthcare plan" with the help of the Emergency Medical Services Organization and medical universities across the country.
Intl. congress on vaccine, vaccination slated for April

TEHRAN – Razi Vaccine and Serum Production Research Institute will hold the first international congress on vaccine and vaccination (ICVV) from April 22 to 23 in Tehran.

Tourism

Minister backs global registration push for Anbaran kilim craft

TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday that the city of Anbaran in Ardabil province should pursue global registration for its kilim weaving tradition, citing the role of local women artisans and the sector’s economic potential.
National framework set for integrated handicrafts value chain

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has approved a comprehensive national document to manage the production, distribution, marketing and export value chain of handicrafts, aiming to coordinate executive bodies and strengthen the sector’s role in the economy.
Northwest Iran popular destination for Turkish tourists, consul general says

TEHRAN - Turkey’s consul general in Iran’s northwestern city of Urmia has said that tourist attractions in West Azarbaijan province, including UNESCO-listed sites, are popular among Turkish visitors and called for a direct flight between Ankara and Urmia.

International

The Epstein scandal: Netanyahu-Barak feud exposes Israel’s murky elite ties

TEHRAN – The recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on former premier Ehud Barak’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein highlight not only a personal and political rift but also illustrate the complex and sometimes murky connections between prominent Israeli figures and the disgraced financier.
Israel’s uncounted massacre in Gaza: The 200,000 death estimate and the silence on genocide

TEHRAN – The scale of death in Gaza has reached a level that is almost impossible to comprehend, yet the world continues to treat it as an abstraction. In comments reported by Anadolu, Stuart Casey Maslen, head of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, warned that Gaza’s population has declined by more than 10 percent since Israel launched war on the enclave on October 7, 2023.
Syria in the balance: Managed fragmentation, external leverage, and the reordering of power

BEIRUT—Syria is entering a new and delicate phase in which the language of “stability” increasingly masks a reality of managed fragmentation and intensified foreign influence.

Araghchi says Iran may show flexibility outside its red lines as second round of US talks looms

By Xavier Villar