Tehran Times

2026-10-23 20:39
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

The US naval blockade of Iran: an illegal act of coercion

TEHRAN - An examination of the legal grounds for the US blockade of Iranian ports, what the UN Charter says, and how international law experts assess the action.
- Russia denounces US naval blockade of Iran as ‘completely unacceptable and illegal’
- Iran's naval blockade has no legal logic, main goal is pressure on China: economic expert

Iran will not resume talks until its conditions are met: top security official

TEHRAN — Major General Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has stressed that Iran will neither resume negotiations nor reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its seven conditions are met, warning that communications cables, regional data centers and artificial intelligence facilities could be targeted if hostilities resume.
IRGC Navy chief: US forces have moved 700 kilometers away from Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN— The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy says US forces have moved 600 to 700 kilometers away from the Strait of Hormuz, attributing a retreat from the strategic waterway to the 'sacrifices of Iranian personnel killed in the line of duty.'
Iran urges end to double standards in IAEA’s implementation of its statute

TEHRAN — Iran has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to end the selective and politically motivated implementation of its founding statute, urging the organization to uphold its legal obligations impartially and ensure equal treatment of all member states.
By staff writer

Kushner’s hacked iPhone exposed billions in secret Saudi and Emirati money

TEHRAN — Dutch military hackers sat inside Jared Kushner’s iPhone in 2018 and watched him log in to a Dubai bank account that had taken in hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a new book by journalist Matthew Cole.
Palestinian fighters kill 2 Israeli soldiers in fierce Al-Khalil confrontation

TEHRAN — Two Palestinian fighters from Al-Khalil (Hebron) held off Israeli troops for more than 20 minutes on Friday morning, killing two occupying soldiers before they were martyred at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on the city’s northern edge.

Politics

IRGC Spokesman: US has suffered strategic defeats in war with Iran

TEHRAN— Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi, spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), says the United States has suffered a series of strategic defeats in its war with Iran, including setbacks to its claims of safeguarding regional security and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of energy.
Russia is ready to help resolve Iran-US dispute, Putin says

TEHRAN— Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is ready to help resolve the dispute between Iran and the United States, citing Russia’s longstanding relationship with Tehran and expressing interest in Washington’s assessment of the situation in West Asia.
Iran condemns US measures against Cuba as ‘criminal and illegal’

TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned US sanctions and pressure against Cuba, describing Washington’s measures against the Caribbean nation as violations of international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Sports

Iran drops four places to sixth at Nagoya Asian Para Games

TEHRAN - Iran concluded its campaign at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya in sixth place, suffering a four-position decline from its runner-up finish at the previous edition in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
Iran sports minister Donyamali hails Iranian participants at 2026 Nagoya

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, issued a message praising the Iranian delegation’s participation and efforts at the fifth edition of the Asian Para Games in Nagoya and congratulating the medal winners.
Snyder hopes to finally face Yazdani in Astana

TEHRAN - Kyle Snyder has never faced Hassan Yazdani in an official match, given that the two superstars have built their individual legends in disparate weight classes.

Culture

‘Psalms of Sorrow’ wins Grand Prix at Tehran Short Film Festival

TEHRAN- Iranian filmmaker Yousef Kargar’s “Psalms of Sorrow” won the Grand Prix of the 43rd Tehran International Short Film Festival, receiving the Golden Leaf and a $3,000 cash prize at the closing ceremony in Tehran on Thursday.
“Land of Angels” competing in 14th Asian Film Festival Barcelona

TEHRAN – Babak Khajehpasha’s “Land of Angels” has been selected for the official section of the 14th Asian Film Festival Barcelona (AFFBCN), which was launched in Barcelona, Spain, on October 22 and will run until November 1.
Mobarak puppet festival closes with tributes to Minab children, veteran artists

TEHRAN- The 21st Tehran-Mobarak International Puppet Theater Festival concluded in Tehran with a tribute to the children martyred in Minab and honors for two veteran figures in Iranian puppetry, Adel Bezdoudeh and Homa Jeddikar.

Economy

Iran’s largest oil processing plant reaches 320,000 bpd capacity at South Azadegan field

TEHRAN (IRNA) — Iran’s South Azadegan oil processing center has reached its nominal capacity of 320,000 barrels per day following the completion and commissioning of all four processing trains, state-owned Petropars Group said.
Iran needs predictable rules, less red tape to strengthen foreign trade, industry group says

TEHRAN — Iran needs predictable economic policies, less bureaucracy, greater private-sector participation and the smarter use of technology to strengthen its foreign trade, the head of the Iranian Association of Digital Technology and Smart Systems Employers said.
Iran has sufficient forex reserves to fund imports through end of Trump term, CBI chief says

TEHRAN — Iran has sufficient foreign exchange reserves to cover the country’s imports through the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s term and beyond, Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Society

WFP showcases refugee children’s art to support humanitarian work in Iran

TEHRAN – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has held an art exhibition featuring paintings by refugee children living in 20 settlements across Iran to raise support for its humanitarian operations in the country. The exhibition concluded on Friday.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan seek to expand science and technology cooperation

TEHRAN – Iranian and Kyrgyz officials have called for expanded cooperation in science and technology during a meeting on the sidelines of the 5th World Creative Economy Conference in Jakarta.
DOE, IUCN discuss joint programs to protect endangered species

TEHRAN – Hamid Zohrabi, deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE), and Vivek Menon, chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC), have discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in developing management and conservation programs for endangered species.

Tourism

Spouses of six countries’ ambassadors named honorary tourism envoys of Hamadan

TEHRAN - The spouses of ambassadors from Denmark, Romania, Mexico, Uruguay, Nicaragua and Armenia, along with Romania’s ambassador to Iran, have been named honorary ambassadors for cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts in Iran’s western province of Hamadan.
Experts highlight Lut Desert geopark bid, Kerman’s geological and natural attractions

TEHRAN - Experts have highlighted the potential benefits of establishing a UNESCO Global Geopark in Iran’s Lut Desert, saying the initiative could promote sustainable tourism, create local jobs and strengthen protection of the region’s unique geological heritage.
Iran calls for nationwide oral history program across all 31 provinces

TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts has called for a national program to record and document oral history across all 31 provinces, saying the initiative is essential to preserving the country’s historical and cultural memory.

International

Kushner’s hacked iPhone exposed billions in secret Saudi and Emirati money

TEHRAN — Dutch military hackers sat inside Jared Kushner’s iPhone in 2018 and watched him log in to a Dubai bank account that had taken in hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a new book by journalist Matthew Cole.
Palestinian fighters kill 2 Israeli soldiers in fierce Al-Khalil confrontation

TEHRAN — Two Palestinian fighters from Al-Khalil (Hebron) held off Israeli troops for more than 20 minutes on Friday morning, killing two occupying soldiers before they were martyred at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on the city’s northern edge.
King Fahd Airport, Defense Ministry attacked as US tells diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN - At least two people were killed in a strike on a major airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening, as Washington ordered some U.S. diplomatic staff to leave the kingdom following weeks of deadly attacks by the Nasrallah military forces.