Tehran Times

2025-02-26 22:30
By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Will Europe trigger snapback?

Dependence on US means tensions could further escalate with Iran, even if Europe doesn’t want that

TEHRAN – The 2015 Iran nuclear deal (officially the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) contains a "snapback" mechanism, which allows any signatory to reinstate pre-existing UN sanctions against Iran if they determine that the country is not staying true to the agreement.
- Iran-Europe talks continue as 'snapback' threat hangs over JCPOA
- West's nuclear blackmail

By Mohammad Javad Zarif, Vice President for Strategic Affairs

'Tehran Times a counterweight to corrosive trends'

TEHRAN – In today’s fast-paced media landscape, credible journalism plays a vital role not only in fostering informed societies but also in holding power accountable. Politicians, policymakers, and leaders must “deeply listen” to the voices of their people - voices that are too often drowned out by sensationalism, partisan rhetoric, and orchestrated misinformation.
By Mohammad Sarfi, Editor-in-Chief

15000 days with you

Our readers today hold the 15,000th edition of the Tehran Times. Reaching this milestone is no small feat, especially for a newspaper whose language is not the mother tongue of its country. The lifespan of the Tehran Times is nearly as old as the Islamic Republic.
Iran condemns new US sanctions as 'hostile' and calls for international accountability

TEHRAN – Iran has strongly criticized the latest round of US sanctions targeting figures and companies allegedly involved in the country’s oil trade, calling the move a violation of international law and an attack on the well-being of the Iranian people.
Iran-Malaysia joint commission meeting marks new phase in bilateral relations

TEHRAN – Tehran hosted a significant diplomatic meeting between Iran and Malaysia, as Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Mohammad Hasan, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, met for discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments.
By Najah Mohammed Ali

Hezbollah leaders’ funeral: a message of unyielding determination and resistance

TEHRAN – On February 23, 2025, Lebanon's capital, Beirut, witnessed a historic event—the funeral procession of two great martyrs, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safi al-Din. Hundreds of thousands of people from various parts of Lebanon and neighboring countries gathered to express their grief and loyalty to the path of Resistance.

Politics

Israeli FM repeats alarmist war threats in interview with Politico

TEHRAN – In a provocative interview with Politico on Wednesday, the Israeli regime’s Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar accused Iran of advancing its nuclear program to a “dangerous” threshold, hinting that “military action” might be required.
Araghchi urges stronger bilateral ties in meeting with new ambassador to Germany

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has underscored the significance of strengthening diplomatic relations between Iran and Germany, highlighting the historical ties and potential for expanded cooperation between the two nations.
IRGC chief says Iran’s enemies have yet to receive ‘serious blow’

TEHRAN – The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) praised the defense and military capabilities of Iran, emphasizing that the country's enemies have yet to face "serious" blows despite a series of retaliatory strikes and operations over the past year.

Sports

Miodrag Bozovic named Esteghlal coach

TEHRAN – Montenegrin coach Miodrag Bozovic has been named as new head coach of Esteghlal football team.
Tehran derby set to ignite: Persepolis vs. Esteghlal showdown

TEHRAN - The 105th Tehran Derby is set to electrify Azadi Stadium as Persepolis and Esteghlal football teams face off in what’s shaping up to be an exhilarating showdown. The match will be held on Thursday, with referee Payam Heydari officiating the match. This highly anticipated showdown between Iran’s football giants will be a spectacle for fans across the nation and beyond.
Iran down Uzbekistan at 2025 Asian Water Polo Championship

TEHRAN – Iran beat Uzbekistan 33-9 in the 2025 Asian Water Polo Championship on Wednesday.

Culture

Iran’s Book of the Year Awards reveals winners

TEHRAN-At a special ceremony held at Tehran's Vahdat Hall on Tuesday, the leading publications in various categories of the 42nd Iran’s Book of the Year Awards and 32nd Iran’s World Book Awards were recognized.
Hollywood’s selective memory: how “Golda” silences a critical narrative

TEHRAN-Hollywood’s relationship with Zionism has long been a delicate balancing act. While rarely explicit, the industry’s storytelling often mirrors broader American political alignments, emphasizing themes of Jewish resilience, historical trauma, and Israel’s right to exist. However, this approach frequently sidesteps critical engagement with Zionism’s modern political implications or Palestinian narratives. The 2023 biopic “Golda” epitomizes this trend, offering a case study of Hollywood’s selective framing of Zionism and its consequences.
Sahne-ye Abi to host reading performance of “The House of Bernarda Alba”

TEHRAN-Sahne-ye Abi Cultural and Artistic Center in Tehran will be playing host to a reading performance of Federico Garcia Lorca’s famous play “The House of Bernarda Alba”.

Economy

Iran, Azerbaijan to establish joint agricultural cooperation committee

TEHRAN - Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to establish a joint agricultural cooperation committee within the next month, the agriculture ministers of the two countries announced.
TRACECA Secretary-General: Iran serves as a key link connecting member states

TEHRAN – Iran acts as a key intermediary and connecting link for TRACECA member states, facilitating their access to the Persian Gulf, the organization’s Secretary-General said.
Iran bans exports of some crops amid soaring domestic prices

TEHRAN - The Iranian Agriculture Ministry has banned exports of more crops from the country as part of efforts to control soaring food prices in the domestic market in the days remaining until the holy month of Ramadan and the new Iranian year.

Society

Top Iranian universities in THE WUR by international outlook

TEHRAN –The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) by international outlook 2025 has ranked 85 Iranian universities among the top universities in the world.
Iran, Russia, China hold nano-micro symposium

TEHRAN –Iran in cooperation with China and Russia held an international symposium on nanotechnology and microtechnology science, known as ‘Nano-Micro ICR 2025’, virtually on February 25.
Bushehr playing host to winter school for foreign students, professors

TEHRAN –The Persian Gulf University in Bushehr province is holding a winter school program offering scientific, industrial, cultural, technological, and environmental tours to interested foreign students and professors.

Tourism

Iranian tourism minister, German ambassador discuss cultural ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has met with the German ambassador to Iran to explore avenues for strengthening cultural relations between the two nations.
Global tour operators explore Isfahan Healthcare City

ISFAHAN - On the second day of their visit to Isfahan, a group of 100 tour operators from 25 countries explored various sections of the Isfahan Healthcare City, including its state-of-the-art dental facilities and advanced nuclear medicine department.
Persian glassmaking art to be examined in scholarly meeting

TEHRAN – The University of Art, in collaboration with the Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran, is set to hold a scientific session titled “Examining the Art of Glassmaking in Iran.”

International

Mossad chief reveals new details on evil Pager Massacre and Nasrallah assassination

BEIRUT – In a speech during the annual conference of the Institute for National Security Studies at the Hebrew University of Reichman, Mossad chief David Barnea revealed that “the walkie-talkie operation was developed about a decade ago, during the era of Tamir Pardo, and continued during the era of Yossi Cohen.”
Gaza has survived for thousands of years. It cannot be erased by Trump and Israel

US President Donald Trump, never one for historical nuance, says the best plan for Gaza is to “level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings”, paving the way for an American takeover and redevelopment project.
Not yet taking the helm, Merz seeks to serve as subservient to Netanyahu

TEHRAN - Friedrich Merz, who is expected to be Germany’s next chancellor, told reporters on Monday that he would make sure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can visit Germany despite an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Dependence on US means tensions could further escalate with Iran, even if Europe doesn’t want that