Tehran Times

2026-01-27 21:16
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

America’s ‘big armada’ won’t change the equation — at least not in Trump’s favor

Rather than forcing capitulation, escalating US pressure is driving Iran to prepare for worst-case scenarios

TEHRAN – Since 2018, Tehran has been the primary actor exercising strategic patience to prevent tensions with Washington from spiralling into an all-out regional conflagration. This restraint has sprung from a recognition of the catastrophic costs of conflict—not only for Iran but for the Arab neighbors it has sought to court against Israeli expansionism, and for extra-regional allies like China that depend on West Asian energy.
- Araghchi says Iran ‘ready for war’ as US keeps threatening military action
- Troubling tune: Trump dancing to Zionist drumbeat

Open Israeli role in Iran unrest marks new escalation: Canadian historian

Samir Saul says Mossad activity is increasingly visible following the June 2025 failure

TEHRAN — In an interview with the Tehran Times, Canadian historian and political economist Samir Saul offers a critical assessment of U.S. and Israeli involvement in the protests that unfolded in Iran in January, with a particular attention to U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.
By staff writer

A truce in words only: Israel keeps bombing Gaza

TEHRAN – Israel’s killing of two Palestinians in Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood on Tuesday reflects a familiar pattern. Israel is once again violating the October truce it claims to uphold. On paper, the ceasefire exists. On the ground, Israeli gunfire, airstrikes, and shelling continue.
Iranian diplomats renew vow to Ayatollah Khamenei, demand tribunal for Trump

TEHRAN- Diplomats and ambassadors from the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a joint statement on Tuesday renewing their allegiance to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Tehran denounces US threats of force, state-sponsored unrest

TEHRAN — Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has delivered an indictment of United States foreign policy, characterizing Washington’s recent actions and threats as a “deliberate and systematic assault” on international law.
By Wesam Bahrani

U.S. interference in Iraqi politics

TEHRAN – Iraq stands at a critical point as parliament prepares to elect a new president and form the next government.

Politics

Saudi Arabia considers any threat, escalation against Iran ‘unacceptable:’ MBS

TEHRAN — Reflecting the increasingly coordinated stance of the region’s two major powers, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has declared his kingdom’s opposition to external threats against the Islamic Republic.
‘Any limited strike will trigger an immediate all-out war’

TEHRAN — A senior military official from the Khatam-al-Anbia Central Headquarters has delivered a stark ultimatum to non-regional military actors, declaring that Iran’s defense apparatus has transitioned into a state of total vigilance where the distinction between a “limited” engagement and an all-out war has effectively vanished.
Aggression against Iran would entail ‘serious destabilization’: Kremlin

TEHRAN — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a sharp warning on Monday, stating that any military strike against the Islamic Republic would result in a “serious destabilization” of the Middle East.

Sports

Tractor, Esteghlal claim victories in 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Tractor and Esteghlal football teams secured important victories in Matchweek 18 of the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL).
Iran has potential to compete at 16 sports at 2026 Asian Para Games

TEHRAN – Iran has the potential to participate in 16 of the 18 sports featured at the 2026 Asian Para Games, officials confirmed during the first expert meeting of the fifth edition of the Games.
Iran aim to continue dominating in Asia futsal

TEHRAN - Iran are counting on their revamped squad to take them all the way at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 when they take on Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in Group D.

Culture

Resistance Ummah intl. conference held in Tehran

TEHRAN- On Monday, the Resistance Ummah International Conference, as part of the international section of the 16th edition of Ammar Popular Film Festival, was held at Cinema Bahman in Tehran.
76th Berlin International Film Festival to show documentary by Iranian filmmaker

TEHRAN – The Berlin International Film Festival will screen a film by an Iranian filmmaker in its upcoming 76th edition, slated to be held from February 12 to 22.
200 artists with disabilities participate in 44th Fajr Theater Festival

TEHRAN- A total of 200 artists with disabilities are participating in the 44th Fajr Theater Festival, which is currently underway in Tehran.

Economy

Renewables capacity set to top 5,200 MW by late March

TEHRAN – Iran plans to raise its renewable power generation capacity to more than 5,200 megawatts by the end of the current Iranian year (late March), a deputy energy minister said, citing faster permitting and improved financing as key to meeting the target.
Over 21m tons of imported essential goods distributed across country in 10 months

TEHRAN – Iran moved 21 million tons of imported essential goods from its ports in the first 10 months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2025-January 20, 2026), a deputy minister said, highlighting the role of truck drivers in supplying basic commodities.
Industry Ministry approves $11b of foreign investment

TEHRAN – Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Ministry has issued licenses for more than $11 billion in foreign investment projects so far, though actual capital inflows remain far lower, an official at the country’s investment authority said.

Society

Over 3 million students attend oral, dental health program

TEHRAN – A week-long national oral and dental health program in elementary schools provided services to more than three million students across the country.
Lake Urmia's level increases by 56cm

TEHRAN - The water level of Lake Urmia in the central area is 1,270.06 meters above sea level, an increase of 56 centimeters compared to the beginning of the current water year (September 23, 2025).
Family Physician Program to include more cities

TEHRAN - Family Physician Program - an initiative started in 2005 to improve the health sector’s efficiency - will add 59 cities to its network of services in the next Iranian year, which starts on March 21.

Tourism

Government backs tourism operators, prioritizes pilgrimage, medical tourism: deputy minister

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has put support for tourism operators through facilitation measures at the center of its agenda and sees pilgrimage and medical tourism as sustainable drivers of the sector’s development, a senior tourism official said.
Jashn-e Sadeh: Khur residents prepare for ancient fire festival

TEHRAN – Residents of Khur, a city in Isfahan province, are preparing to observe Jashn-e Sadeh, an ancient Persian festival marked by a communal fire ritual, local cultural heritage officials said.
Rab’-e Rashidi: archaeologists to return to 14th-century educational ruins in northwest Iran

TEHRAN--Plans are on the agenda to continue excavations in Rab’-e Rashidi area, an educational complex dating back to the 14th century, in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan province.

International

A truce in words only: Israel keeps bombing Gaza

TEHRAN – Israel’s killing of two Palestinians in Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood on Tuesday reflects a familiar pattern. Israel is once again violating the October truce it claims to uphold. On paper, the ceasefire exists. On the ground, Israeli gunfire, airstrikes, and shelling continue.
U.S. interference in Iraqi politics

TEHRAN – Iraq stands at a critical point as parliament prepares to elect a new president and form the next government.
The ceasefire illusion: Israel’s cover for calculated aggression in Lebanon

TEHRAN — Despite the ceasefire agreement signed with Israel in November 2024, the promised peace remains a distant hope for the people of Lebanon. Israel’s military has effectively transformed a signed truce into a period of controlled aggression, conducting near-daily strikes that have claimed hundreds of innocent lives.

Rather than forcing capitulation, escalating US pressure is driving Iran to prepare for worst-case scenarios

Samir Saul says Mossad activity is increasingly visible following the June 2025 failure