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

Persepolis suffer third successive defeat at 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Persepolis football team suffered their third successive defeat in the 2025/26 Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) after a 2-1 loss to Kheybar Khorramabad on Friday in Tehran.
Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh shortlisted to lead Esteghlal

TEHRAN - Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Ricardo Sá Pinto at Esteghlal, as the club weighs their options for the future.
Shock exit: Esteghlal part ways with Sa Pinto

TEHRAN - Esteghlal have parted company with Portuguese coach Ricardo Sa Pinto in a surprise move, despite previously announcing plans to continue their cooperation.

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

Sanctions forge new path: Iran, Russia pivot to strategic energy alliance

TEHRAN- The Vice Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Energy Committee, pointing to the development of oil fields and technology transfer between Iran and Russia, stated: "Investment by Russian companies in Iran's upstream projects, especially in gas and oil fields, in addition to providing financing, makes it possible to benefit from technical experience under sanctions."
South Pars to begin new year overhauls early, aiming for record efficiency

TEHRAN- The managing director of the South Pars Gas Complex announced that the major overhauls in the South Pars for the Iranian year 1405 (starts on March 21) will commence in the early days of the new year, stating that these operations will be carried out with an innovative approach, leveraging successful past experiences, and operational cohesion to increase equipment readiness and achieve record performance in the field of overhauls.
Maritime container production line to be launched soon with private sector co-op

TEHRAN- According to the head of the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO), a production line for maritime containers is set to be launched soon with the cooperation of private sector.

Society

Ramadan offers great opportunity to raise awareness on environmental protection

TEHRAN – Highlighting the need to strengthen self-improvement, increase social responsibility and contentment, the fasting month of Ramadan provides a great opportunity to raise public awareness, build a more sustainable culture, and take effective steps towards environmental protection.
Education ministry launches national program for energy management

TEHRAN – The ministry of education has launched a national program aimed at preparing the next generation for improving water and energy consumption management and protecting national resources toward the country’s sustainable development goals.
Participants in scientific Olympiads up 40% year/year

TEHRAN – The number of students participating in Olympiad competitions has increased from 87,000 in the past Iranian year 1403 (March 2024- March 2025) to 121,000 this year, indicating an increase of 40 percent, the head of Young Scholars Club has said.

Tourism

Excavation begins to identify cause of drying at Cheshmeh-Ali in Rey

TEHRAN – Excavation operations have begun at the historical Cheshmeh-Ali spring in Rey, southern Tehran, to identify the source of its water and examine the condition of its water bed in a bid to determine the causes of its drying and propose revival measures, a local cultural heritage official said.
Mazandaran exports 4,500 handicraft items to Uzbekistan and Germany

TEHRAN – Mazandaran province exported 4,500 handicraft items to Uzbekistan and Germany, a provincial official said on Saturday.
South Khorasan embroidery, a story from tree of life to auspicious knots

TEHRAN—A kind of traditional embroidery known as Chekan-duzi in the city of Seh Qaleh in South Khorasan province, has been telling the story of life, beliefs, and tastes of the desert people for more than 150 years with symbolic patterns such as the ‘tree of life’ and auspicious knots.

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