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 football: dark days

TEHRAN – Iran’s football team have once again failed to beat Uzbekistan, suffering a 3-1 defeat to the White Wolves in Tashkent.
Iranian duo win silvers in gymnastic: 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN – Iranian gymnasts Mahdi Olfati and Arman Khodaei won two silver medals in gymnastics at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Iran 3x3 basketball win bronze in Nagoya

TEHRAN - Iran’s men’s 3x3 basketball team won the bronze medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya after defeating the Philippines 21–10 in the third-place match.

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

Transport minister inaugurates 281km of highways, main roads in Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN- With the presence of the Minister of Transport and Urban Development, 281 kilometers of highways and main roads in Sistan-Baluchestan province were put into operation. Of the inaugurated projects, 134 kilometers are in the south of the province, 89 kilometers in the north, and 58 kilometers on the North-South Corridor and coastal routes of the province.
New rigs added to drilling fleet as South Pars output rises

TEHRAN- The CEO of Pars Oil and Gas Company said: Three new rigs have been added to the country’s drilling fleet, an action that is an important investment for developing drilling capacity and accelerating the implementation of development projects.
Iran’s horticulture development adopts ‘Technology-Driven Development’ scenario

TEHRAN- According to the findings of the report "Future Studies of the Role of Research, Education, and Extension in the Development of Iran's Horticulture," the "technology-driven development" scenario was introduced as the proposed path for the development of Iran's horticulture in the horizon of Iranian calendar year 1420 (begins on March 2037).

Society

IRCS holds advanced life support course for Ghanaian health staff

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society’s health center in Ghana has held the first advanced life support course for nurses in the African country, aimed at strengthening their capacity to respond effectively to medical emergencies.
Iranian, Iraqi officials underline enhancing tech ties

TEHRAN – Ehsan Qaboul, head of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology’s Center for International Scientific Cooperation, and Safaa Taqi Abd Nour Al-Issawi, president of Mustansiriya University, have highlighted the need to boost technological cooperation and implement previously reached agreements.
UN coordinator calls for joint action to protect Caspian Sea

TEHRAN – Protecting the Caspian Sea is not only an environmental priority but also a priority for sustainable development, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran Christine Weigand has said, noting that the environmental challenges facing the transboundary body of water require joint and collaborative solutions.

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