Tehran Times

2026-02-22 21:54
By Saleh Abidi Maleki

Eight presidents, one failed playbook

A history lesson for Trump on why Iranians have not 'capitulated'

TEHRAN – In a recent interview with American media, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered President Trump some straightforward advice. He noted that previous American administrations have tried everything against Iran—sanctions, assassinations, and pressure—and that none of it worked. If Trump wants a deal, Araghchi said, he needs to engage with Iran differently.
- Lot of contradiction within Trump administration on Iran: Western diplomat

Words vs. action: The Arab-Islamic response to Huckabee's provocation

TEHRAN – Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, ignited a storm of criticism across the Middle East when he suggested it would be “fine” if Israel expanded to control the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. The swift and unified backlash from Arab and Islamic governments underscores not only regional anxieties but also growing suspicion of Washington’s support for Israel’s maximalist ambitions.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Hamat Air Base: A critical test of Lebanese sovereignty

SOUTH LEBANON — The growing controversy surrounding Hamat Air Base has ignited urgent questions about sovereignty, transparency, and Lebanon’s potential entanglement in a broader regional war.
By Wesam Bahrani

Israeli leadership: The cycle of corruption that drives aggression

TEHRAN – Power under pressure often reveals its survival instincts. In the Israeli regime’s case, political crisis and regional violence have become increasingly intertwined.
Tehran warns a new US war against Iran would ‘disintegrate global order’

TEHRAN — Any American military confrontation with Iran would not remain confined to its borders but would trigger "an inevitable path toward the disintegration of the global order," Al Mayadeen reported on Saturday, citing an alleged Iranian source close to decision-making circles in Tehran.
By Maryam Tavassoli

Ramadan unites Muslims worldwide with unique traditions

TEHRAN – Ramadan is a month that unites Muslims from all over the world by observing religious rituals with unique traditions that may be different but have the same purposes.

Politics

Araghchi reaffirms Iran’s inalienable nuclear rights in call with IAEA chief

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has once again asserted Iran’s unwavering commitment to its sovereign nuclear rights, making it clear that Tehran will not be intimidated by U.S. bullying.
Redefining the Persian Gulf: Iran and the shift toward multipolar security

MADRID – The security order of the Persian Gulf is undergoing a gradual but unmistakable transformation. For much of the post-Cold War period, regional stability rested on a relatively clear hierarchy. The United States provided overwhelming military predominance, Persian Gulf monarchies aligned within that framework, and Iran occupied a position defined largely through containment.
French government issued fake passports to leaders of Iranian terror cult

TEHRAN – The French government has issued fake passports for two top members of the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) terrorist organization so they can travel between countries more freely—a move that blatantly violates not only international law but also France's own domestic laws.

Sports

Iran ready for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Jafari

TEHRAN – Marzieh Jafari, head coach of Iran’s women’s national football team, says Team Melli Banovan are well prepared for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia.
Persepolis extend Osmar Vieira deal

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club have extended the contract of head coach Osmar Loss despite criticism of the team’s recent performances.
Esteghlal beat Mes to move top of 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN - Esteghlal football team edged past rock-bottom Mes 1-0 in Rafsanjan Sunday night to move top of the 2025/26 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL).

Culture

Artists invited to contribute to intl. cartoon festival highlighting World Quds Day

TEHRAN- The call for the fourth edition of the International Cartoon Festival of Al-Quds Day has been announced.
Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba” on stage at Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater

TEHRAN – An adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s 1936 play “The House of Bernarda Alba” is on stage at the Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater in Tehran.
Persian translation of John Grisham’s “Camino Ghosts” hits bookstores

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the novel “Camino Ghosts” written by John Grisham has been released in the Iranian bookstores.

Economy

Iran–Azerbaijan joint Economic Committee meeting opens in Baku

TEHRAN – The seventeenth meeting of the Iran–Azerbaijan Joint Economic Committee opened in Baku on Monday, focusing on transport links, border infrastructure and broader economic and cultural ties.
CBI board approves draft bylaw for redenomination plan

TEHRAN – The High Council of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has approved a draft executive bylaw for implementing the law to remove four zeros from the national currency, the bank said.
Major dams 41% full as Iran enters final month of winter

TEHRAN – Iran’s major dams have entered the final month of winter at just 41 percent of capacity, with 59 percent of their storage remaining empty amid a prolonged five-year drought.

Society

Ramadan: A time for health. A time for giving

TEHRAN - During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and vaping. It is also a time of communal prayers, family gatherings, and the sharing of meals, which brings spiritual and social benefits but can also present unique health considerations.
Iran to host Ramsar Convention Regional Center for three more years

TEHRAN – The Ramsar Convention Secretariat has extended Iran’s certificate to host its regional center for the next three years, an official with the DOE has said.
Iranian delegation to attend Saudi Arabia’s Leap Exhibit 2026

TEHRAN – Knowledge-based companies will participate in the fifth edition of LEAP Exhibit, scheduled for April 13 to 16 at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, Saudi Arabia.

Tourism

Iran tourism minister says tour guides shape country’s global image

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, said on Saturday that tour guides play a central role in presenting the country’s culture and civilization to the world, marking International Tourist Guide Day on Feb. 21.
Iran is not like any other West Asian country, Turkish researcher says

TEHRAN -- Iran is not at all like any other country in the West Asia. People are very civil, calm, kind, and cultured. Even in the smallest villages, when they realize you are a foreigner, they treat you with complete respect.
Nowruz a great opportunity to deepen Iranian-Islamic identity: minister

TEHRAN -- Nowruz 1405 (March 2026), which focuses on harmony and empathy and aims to rebuild social spirit, provides the ground for strengthening social capital and Iranian-Islamic identity. Nowruz is an opportunity to create solidarity and public joy.

International

Words vs. action: The Arab-Islamic response to Huckabee's provocation

TEHRAN – Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, ignited a storm of criticism across the Middle East when he suggested it would be “fine” if Israel expanded to control the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. The swift and unified backlash from Arab and Islamic governments underscores not only regional anxieties but also growing suspicion of Washington’s support for Israel’s maximalist ambitions.
Hamat Air Base: A critical test of Lebanese sovereignty

SOUTH LEBANON — The growing controversy surrounding Hamat Air Base has ignited urgent questions about sovereignty, transparency, and Lebanon’s potential entanglement in a broader regional war.
Israeli leadership: The cycle of corruption that drives aggression

TEHRAN – Power under pressure often reveals its survival instincts. In the Israeli regime’s case, political crisis and regional violence have become increasingly intertwined.

A history lesson for Trump on why Iranians have not 'capitulated'