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

Rediscovering Dr. Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub: A scholar who shaped Persian cultural studies

Dr. Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub (1923–1999), author of over 50 books, bridged classical Eastern heritage with modern humanities. His landmark works include "Two Centuries of Silence," "The Record of Islam," and a Rumi trilogy. He taught at Princeton and UCLA and contributed to The Cambridge History of Iran. His motto: "Neither Eastern, Nor Western—Human."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530079/Rediscovering-Dr-Abdolhossein-Zarrinkoub-A-Scholar-Who-Shaped

8 most attractive deserts in Iran for travelers

From Shahdad's towering Kaluts to Darak's dunes beside the sea, Iran's deserts offer far more than sand. Highlights include Maranjab's Safavid caravanserai, wildlife-rich Kavir National Park, oasis village Zardgah, and the family-friendly Matinabad camp. Winter is the best season to explore. Each destination offers stargazing, photography, and unique landscapes.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530075/8-most-attractive-deserts-in-Iran-for-travelers

Filmmakers, human rights NGOs back 'NAZA' directors amid Israeli threats

Over 1,500 film figures and 40+ rights groups have backed Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, whose documentary "NAZA" features anonymous Israeli military testimonies on Gaza. Israeli ministers accused them of treason and threatened to revoke citizenship. The film, which won Venice's Special Jury Prize, reveals approval to kill 500 civilians to target one Hamas member.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530090/Filmmakers-human-rights-NGOs-back-NAZA-directors-amid-threats

Zolghadr: Hormuz will not reopen until Trump and Netanyahu are brought down

🔹Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr, political advisor to the Supreme Leader, declared that the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until "criminal Trump and bloodthirsty Netanyahu are brought down from power—this is the first stage of the Iranian nation's revenge."

🔹Marking 200 nights of resistance, he said the nation has decided to "break the aggressor's horns, grind the arrogant into dust, and cut the hands of world-devourers from our soil forever."

🔹He listed those to be avenged: the martyred Leader, the children of Minab, the youths of Lamerd, the soldiers of Bampur, and the sailors of the Dena vessel.

The 53rd MQ-9 drone of the US terrorist army was intercepted and destroyed by the IRGC Aerospace Force's advanced air defense system at 10:12 AM today over Qeshm Island, under the control of Iran's integrated air defense network.

Baghaei warns against false flags after claims of drone interception near Mecca

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei condemned any aggression against Islamic holy sites, including Mecca, Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and threats to pilgrims.

🔹"However, a mere claim of intercepting a drone en route to Mecca cannot be a basis for accusing a specific party—especially since Yemen's government has explicitly denied it," he said.

🔹Baghaei stressed the need to prevent politicization and securitization of Islamic sanctities, warning against their instrumental use to fuel discord and regional tensions.

🔹"Our region has witnessed numerous false-flag operations, especially in recent months, aimed at diverting attention from US-Israeli crimes and sowing division among Islamic countries."