Tehran Times

2026-02-16 22:41
By Mona Hojat Ansari

Iran's mission: Diplomats in Geneva, generals in the Strait of Hormuz

IRGC Navy commander tells Tehran Times that some tactics and equipment used in new drill are classified and reserved for critical moments

TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has launched the first phase of a large-scale live-fire drill across Iran’s islands in the Persian Gulf as its diplomats prepare for a second round of nuclear negotiations with Washington, while the prospect of a new war with the U.S. requires preparations for a potential closure of the Hormuz Strait.
- Top commander highlights naval advances, says IRGC builds missile boat with speed of 116 knots
- IRGC Navy holds extensive drills simulating defense of Persian Gulf islands

Defensive deterrence is non-negotiable: Iran’s Larijani

Iran’s security chief says Israel seeking to sabotage nuclear talks with US

TEHRAN - A top Iranian security official has said Tehran won’t negotiate over its ballistic missile program as a deterrence capability.
By Shadi Afzoonmanesh

Toronto's 'bomb Iran' rally sparks shock, fear, and outrage

TEHRAN - “I can't believe this is real,” wrote one Canadian citizen reacting to protests that took place in Toronto on Saturday. The demonstrations were not those of the famous truckers who flocked to the streets in 2022 protesting COVID mandate measures, nor were they the popular protests that have occurred several times since 2023, demanding Israel cease its killing of Palestinians in Gaza. Instead, it was a gathering organized by Iranian-born individuals, or second-generation Iranian immigrants, who held placards and chanted slogans calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to bomb their home country and make it "free" and “prosperous.”
By Garsha Vazirian

The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ and the architecture of engineered darkness

Washington’s energy siege transforms Cuba into a laboratory of calculated humanitarian collapse

TEHRAN – In the obsidian silence of a Havana night, the only light comes from the cold, calculating eyes of Washington’s imperial architects.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Israel’s renewed anxiety over Egypt’s strategic weight

BEIRUT — Since the early confrontations of 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 to the uneasy decades that followed the Camp David Accords, Egypt and its army have remained central to the anti-Israel conflict equation.
By staff writer

Greenland’s icequake: The rift that rocks U.S.–Europe relations

TEHRAN – Tensions over Greenland were already high in the weeks before the 2026 Munich Security Conference. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements about acquiring the Arctic island had triggered strong reactions in Denmark and Greenland, raising concerns about sovereignty and trust within the alliance.

Politics

Big threats and empty hands

Renewed moves by the United States and Israel against Iran have once again inflamed the regional media landscape. From the repositioning of military equipment to the escalation of threatening rhetoric, everything points to mounting psychological pressure. But behind the noise, what reality lies hidden, and which way has the balance of power tilted?
Constraint, recognition and the endgame of coercion in Iran–US negotiations

MADRID – Oedipus, the Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, does not fall because he is weak. He falls because he cannot accept that some truths exist only at the cost of the order that sustains him. He demands transparency where the structure requires discretion. He moves through every warning, convinced that inquiry and will can bend fate. In the end, what he uncovers is not liberation but the shape of inevitability. The ground beneath him was set long before he began to question it.
Iranian negotiator says US can have a nuclear deal with Tehran if it lifts sanctions

TEHRAN - Iran is ready to consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal with the U.S. if the Americans are willing to discuss lifting sanctions, a senior Iranian diplomat has told the BBC.

Sports

We are not waiting for a miracle: Marzieh Jafari

TEHRAN – Iran women’s national football team head coach Marzieh Jafari says her side face a tough challenge at the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup, but insists they are determined to give their best and will not rely on miracles.
Tractor, Dragan Skocic likely to part ways: report

TEHRAN - Reports in Iran suggest that Tractor football club and head coach Dragan Skocic are likely to part ways, despite a historic and highly successful campaign last season.
Iran’s potential March friendly opponents: Costa Rica and Nigeria

TEHRAN – The Football Federation of Iran is expected to officially announce Team Melli’s friendly match schedule as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Culture

41st Fajr International Music Festival concludes with tribute to veterans, unveiling of AI singer

TEHRAN- The closing ceremony of the 41st Fajr International Music Festival was held at Vahdat Hall on Saturday evening, bringing the six-day event to an end with tributes to veteran artists and the presentation of the prestigious Barbad Awards.
Veteran actor Enayatollah Bakhshi passes away at 80

TEHRAN- Veteran Iranian stage and screen actor Enayatollah Bakhshi passed away on Sunday after a period of illness. He was 80.
Simorgh Theater Hall to stage play by Martin McDonagh

TEHRAN – Simorgh Theater Hall in Tehran will stage the 2018 play “A Very Very Very Dark Matter” written by Martin McDonagh in March.

Economy

Iran, Russia stress deeper strategic ties as joint economic committee meeting opens

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia opened the 19th session of their Joint Economic Committee on Monday, underscoring efforts to convert bilateral understandings into executable projects and results-driven cooperation.
Water, power projects to be launched in Khuzestan during energy minister visit

TEHRAN – Several water supply and electricity infrastructure projects will be inaugurated or launched in Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan during a two-day visit by the energy minister, the Energy Ministry said.
Capital market needs expansion, fair risk distribution, says SEO head

TEHRAN – Iran’s capital market requires further development and investment, with greater focus on managing and fairly distributing risk alongside returns, the head of the Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO) said on Monday.

Society

Malaysian, Chinese scientists grab Khwarizmi International Award

TEHRAN – Two foreign plans from Malaysian and Chinese scholars have been selected as winners of the 39th Khwarizmi International Award.
ISO accepts Iran's proposal on developing standards for AI, LLMs

TEHRAN – Iran's proposal to develop standards for artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) has been received, accepted, and will be implemented within a roadmap by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Discover Iran: the network of rivers, lakes, and wetlands of Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN - In Iran’s southeastern corner, where desert landscapes dominate both maps and headlines, water has long been a constant and indispensable force in social and economic life.

Tourism

Desert village Qaleh Bala moves closer to possible UN label

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities in Shahroud have finalized a dossier to nominate the village of Qaleh Bala in Semnan province for inscription by the UN Tourism, a local official said on Saturday.
National wrestling hall of fame opens to public in Tehran

TEHRAN – Iran’s National wrestling hall of fame (aka national wrestling honors museum) opened to the public in Tehran on Saturday.
Tabas Salt Lake added to national natural heritage list

TEHRAN – The Tabas Salt Lake in South Khorasan province has currently been registered on Iran’s national natural heritage list following approval by the National Council for Registration of Natural Heritage, a provincial official said.

International

The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ and the architecture of engineered darkness

TEHRAN – In the obsidian silence of a Havana night, the only light comes from the cold, calculating eyes of Washington’s imperial architects.
Israel’s renewed anxiety over Egypt’s strategic weight

BEIRUT — Since the early confrontations of 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 to the uneasy decades that followed the Camp David Accords, Egypt and its army have remained central to the anti-Israel conflict equation.
Greenland’s icequake: The rift that rocks U.S.–Europe relations

TEHRAN – Tensions over Greenland were already high in the weeks before the 2026 Munich Security Conference. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements about acquiring the Arctic island had triggered strong reactions in Denmark and Greenland, raising concerns about sovereignty and trust within the alliance.