Yemen downs advanced Saudi Wing Loong II drone over Marib

🔹Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that air defenses destroyed a Saudi reconnaissance and armed drone over Marib province.

🔹The unmanned aircraft, identified as Wing Loong II, was conducting hostile operations when it was targeted by Yemeni air defenses.

Baghaei: Germany can't back war and pose as moral teacher

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei dismissed German Chancellor Merz's remarks about an "Iran war" and "military nuclear program" as a "completely distorted narrative."

🔹"It was the US and the Zionist regime—not Iran—that started the war of aggression. Germany lacked even minimal moral courage to condemn it," he said.

🔹"Germany cannot openly support the 'dirty work' and then pose as a champion of peace and a moral teacher."

🔹The remarks come amid Germany's continued military support for Israel, including nearly €800 million in arms exports in early 2026.

Ghalibaf: US inflation expectations hinge on Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the Fed's ability to manage inflation through rate hikes, asking: "Can the Fed open the Strait of Hormuz or produce one more barrel of oil by raising rates?"

🔹He said US inflation expectations are driven by supply-side shocks from the closure of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, not interest rates: "It is the 'Hormuz risk' that determines the rate—and control of that risk is now in Iran's hands."

🔹He warned the era of managing inflation through demand-side tools alone is over.

Pezeshkian to Talabani: Iran ready to resolve issues with neighbors through dialogue

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian told PUK leader Bafel Talabani that Iran is ready to resolve issues with neighbors through dialogue, mutual respect, and good neighborliness.

🔹"We consider Muslims brothers. Regional issues can be solved through cooperation and justice," he said, warning the US and Israel seek to sow discord to exploit regional resources.

🔹He emphasized expanding ties with Iraq's Kurdistan Region in trade, investment, and culture.

🔹Talabani said Iran is a "friend and essential partner," adding: "We work to preserve Iran's security from Kurdistan's borders," and brought an economic team to boost trade cooperation.

Pezeshkian thanks nation for epic turnout on 200th night of resistance

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Iranians for their "heroic and responsible" presence on the 200th consecutive night of demonstrations, calling their patience a "valuable support."

🔹"This support places a heavy responsibility on the Government of National Accord," he said, stressing the government stands with the people and Armed Forces, prioritizing livelihoods, production, and employment.

🔹"Differences of opinion are natural, but we must not let them distract us from national interests. The enemies target our unity—our response must be solidarity."

🔹"Iran is home to all of us, and its pride is a shared responsibility."

Iran FM backs Xi's four-point proposals, calls for greater Chinese role in Middle East peace

Foreign Minister Araghchi, in Beijing, endorsed President Xi's initiatives for regional security and urged deeper strategic coordination with China. Wang Yi called for Iran-US dialogue and talks between Iran and Gulf states, warning against spillover into Yemen and the Red Sea. Araghchi's visit—his second since the war began—highlights China's growing role as a peace broker ahead of Xi's US trip.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530099/Iran-FM-backs-Xi-s-four-point-proposals-calls-for-greater-Chinese

Deputy youth minister remembers Minab schoolchildren at IYF in Russia

At the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg, Iran's Deputy Youth Minister Alireza Rahimi honored the schoolchildren killed in Minab, Lamerd, and Kuhestak, condemning US-Israeli attacks on civilians. He said Iran's message is not hatred, but a call for just peace and dialogue. He proposed a Joint Youth Action Network and offered to host its first meeting.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530086/Deputy-youth-minister-remembers-Minab-schoolchildren-at-IYF-in

Armed Forces chief: Your unity terrifies the enemy

🔹Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi praised the Iranian people's "epic presence" on the 200th night as "a new form of coordination between the battlefield and the streets."

🔹"This popular resurrection is the legacy of our martyred Leader," he said.

🔹Addressing the nation, he stated: "From the battlefield, I tell you that your sacred unity strengthens our fighters' morale, increases national power, and instills fear in the enemy's heart."

🔹He thanked the people, especially women leading this arena.

SNSC chief to PUK leader: We absolutely do not trust the US

🔹SNSC Secretary Major General Mohsen Rezaei, meeting PUK leader Bafel Talabani, emphasized addressing terrorist groups, securing borders, and expanding economic cooperation.

🔹He warned about Israeli movements in the Kurdistan Region and stressed: "We absolutely do not trust the US. They must take practical action and earn our confidence."

🔹Talabani welcomed enhanced economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation, stressing the need to resolve the issue of terrorist groups and establish border security.

200 nights, one flag

For 200 nights, Iranians have gathered in squares across the country—from Kharg Island to Sanandaj—defying heat, rain, and winter cold. In Arak, Zahra Fattahi brings her sewing machine nightly to repair torn flags. In Tonekabon, a 69-year-old disabled veteran keeps returning. These gatherings, born amid war and mourning, have become a vast archive of grief, resilience, and national solidarity.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530111/200-nights-one-flag

Trump's rejection of AI regulation echoes his catastrophic climate change remarks

Trump has dismissed AI safety fears as a "hoax," just as he called global warming a Chinese invention. His comments came after Anthropic's CEO urged frontier labs to slow down, with Altman and Musk agreeing. Gates and Obama have also backed regulation. The writer warns that unregulated AI, like climate denial, risks disastrous consequences—and Congress must impose oversight.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530106/Trump-s-rejection-of-AI-regulation-is-similar-to-his-catastrophic

Iran kicks off training for 1,000 'Janfada' resistance battalions

Iran's "Janfada" (self-sacrifice) headquarters has begun training and organizing 1,000 national resistance battalions, following overwhelming public registration. Launched on March 29 in response to US and Israeli threats, the campaign has evolved from a civic movement into a structured popular defense framework, reflecting Iran's tradition of national resilience and readiness to defend the country.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530069/Iran-kicks-off-training-for-1-000-Janfada-resistance-battalions