Iran's Leader: Vigilance and national steadfastness are the key to overcoming aggressors

🔹 Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, in a message marking the anniversary of Operation Zolfaqari and the expulsion of Ba'athist forces from Abadan Island, described the people's vigilance, divine faith and motivation, the sacrifice of popular forces, and their valiant steadfastness alongside the Army and IRGC as the secret to overcoming an aggressor and armed enemy.

🔹 He said the epic, the Iranian nation's first victory in the eight-year Sacred Defense, holds many lessons for confronting enemies at all times, and that the same vigilance, faith, sacrifice, and steadfastness today aid Iran against the "Great Satan."

Washington's Shrinking Room for Maneuver in West Asia

Analyst Batool Subeiti argues the Axis of Resistance is winning on points, not through decisive blows. Each new US-Israeli pressure front lets the axis activate untapped leverage—Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, energy flows, and geopolitical positioning—shifting confrontation into domains more sensitive to its adversaries. The enemy no longer faces fixed, understood capabilities but a flexible range deployed gradually. Power isn't only missiles but geography, maritime corridors, and endurance. Latent axis power remains greater than many realize, with 40% of global energy potentially under its scrutiny.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531683/Washington-s-Shrinking-Room-for-Maneuver-in-West-Asia

Immediate, Effective, with No Geographical Limitation

Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei told senior commanders that any threat must meet an immediate, impactful response with no geographic limits, and that Iran will decide when attacks end. He ordered the target database updated to cover all US-Zionist physical and non-physical assets. Citing NATO's admitted role—Rutte said up to 5,000 US sorties flew from Europe—Tehran insists states providing bases, airspace, or cover are not immune. Araghchi warned: "Red lines are a thing of the past."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531691/Immediate-effective-with-no-geographical-limitation

America's Next Battlefield Innovation: Preparing the Graves Before the War

The US Army's Operation Dragon Covenant tested digging temporary mass burial trenches—engineers can excavate plots for 2,400 bodies in 24 hours. This grim planning reveals the gap between Washington's rhetoric of supremacy and reality: a peer conflict could mean contested airspace and disrupted evacuation. Columnist Ehsan Etesam notes the Army is refining burial geometry and speed while politicians still sell wars as swift and costless. The real question: if the military is calculating how to bury thousands, what are leaders calculating about the war's cost?

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531692/America-s-next-battlefield-innovation-Preparing-the-graves-before

International Artists and Intellectuals Call for Protection of Iranian Civilians

In a Le Monde opinion article, prominent artists and intellectuals—including Nobel laureates Annie Ernaux and J.M. Coetzee, filmmakers Fatih Akin, writers Jonathan Franzen and Jhumpa Lahiri, artist Anish Kapoor, and historians Ervand Abrahamian and Arshin Adib-Moghaddam—urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure civilians have access to food, medicine, fuel, and aid. The appeal explicitly rejects endorsement of any government or military force, stressing that ordinary Iranians must not pay the price for political and military objectives.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531693/International-artists-and-intellectuals-call-for-protection-of

IRGC spokesman: Armed forces ready for decisive response as Leader opens "new chapter of war"

🔹 IRGC spokesman Sardar Hossein Mohebbi said the Leader's recent guidelines to senior commanders, including the removal of geographic limits, opened "a new chapter of war," and that the armed forces are readier than ever to give the enemy a decisive response.

🔹 He said removing geographic limits provides a vast field for designing operations, harming the enemy, and achieving "maximum deterrence," meaning no country could even take a political stance against Iran.

🔹 Mohebbi also claimed five strategic defeats for America, including downing an F-35, striking US intelligence bases, and the collapse of US economic and military superiority.

Iran's Navy chief: Armed forces upgrading readiness to confront complex threats

🔹 Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, Commander of the Army Navy, said the 86th flotilla's naval mission was the result of months of planning and specialized effort and, despite difficult oceanic conditions, was carried out proudly, recording Iran's name in the country's naval history.

🔹 He described the flotilla's presence in foreign ports as an opportunity to showcase Iranian-Islamic culture and identity, praising personnel's professional conduct and adherence to religious and moral values as a display of Iran's authority.

🔹 Irani stressed that will, perseverance, faith, and hope are essential to success, and that the armed forces are upgrading their knowledge and readiness more than ever to confront complex threats and hybrid wars.

Iran's Army spokesman: We are ready to respond to America even outside West Asia

🔹 Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, spokesman for the Iranian Army, said the armed forces are 100% ready to confront any renewed US aggression and are better prepared than at the start of the 40-day war.

🔹 Citing the Commander-in-Chief's emphasis on responding without geographic limits, he warned that a future war could spread beyond West Asia, with US facilities, equipment, forces, and interests anywhere within reach becoming targets.

🔹 He said the enemy was forced into a ceasefire after nearly 40 days, and that any new aggression would last far longer, with Washington unable to determine its end alone.

Tehran, New Delhi Hold Talks to Deepen Ties in Technology Sector

Iran and India discussed expanding ICT cooperation, specialized exchanges, and coordination in international forums during a meeting between ICT Minister Sattar Hashemi and Ambassador Vishwesh Negi. Both sides emphasized using their scientific and technological capacities and harmonizing views. Earlier, Hashemi proposed cooperation in AI, cybersecurity, and the digital economy, including joint LLM development, an agricultural AI platform, startup funding, tech parks, and "tech visas." India's minister welcomed sharing expertise and establishing joint innovation centers to accelerate technological development and data security.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531700/Tehran-New-Delhi-hold-talks-to-deepen-ties-in-technology-sector

Araghchi: Iran is simultaneously ready for defense and diplomacy; the choice of path is up to America

🔹 Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said the Iranian delegation's trip to Qatar aimed to continue consultations with Qatari mediators, not to negotiate with the US, and that talks on a two-day plan are ongoing but have yet to reach a definitive result.

🔹 He said reaching a result depends on the answers Washington gives to Iran's questions, expressing hope that rationality prevails on the American side so it prefers diplomacy over other paths.

🔹 Citing the Commander-in-Chief's orders, Araghchi said Iran's armed forces are far stronger than before, drawing on the experiences of the past two wars, and that Iran remains ready for both defense and diplomacy.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will travel to Ashgabat on Monday leading a diplomatic and economic delegation to hold talks with Turkmen officials on bilateral relations in various fields of mutual interest.

Qeshm Launches Multimedia Documentation Project to Preserve Island's Intangible Heritage

Qeshm Island has launched a multimedia project to record indigenous knowledge, oral history, and intangible heritage through interviews with local tradition bearers. The initiative covers maritime knowledge, local stories, and water heritage, aiming to prevent the permanent loss of valuable knowledge and pass it to younger generations. It also seeks to promote community-based cultural tourism rooted in local identity. Qeshm, Iran's largest island, is known for Lenj boatbuilding, Bandari embroidery, mat weaving, mangrove forests, and its UNESCO Global Geopark.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531713/Qeshm-launches-multimedia-documentation-project-to-preserve-island-s

Iran Inflicted at Least $5 Billion in Damage on US Military Bases: WSJ

A Wall Street Journal investigation found Iranian strikes damaged 274 structures at 24 US installations during the war's first six months, with costs estimated between $5 billion and $15 billion. Iran increasingly targeted troop housing and showed improved precision and attack sequencing. The AP reported strikes focused on early-warning systems before hitting aircraft and buildings. More than 20 US service members have died and 400 were wounded before the July ceasefire collapsed, after which casualty figures stopped being published.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531719/Iran-inflicted-at-least-5-billion-in-damage-on-US-military-bases

Midterms Reopen Debate Over Dominance of Wealth in US Politics

The 2026 midterms, projected at $11.6 billion, have reignited debate over money's dominance in US politics. The 50 largest donors gave $2.77 billion, with Musk alone contributing $446 million. Over $1 billion from undisclosed sources flowed into races, and Michigan advertising exceeded $850 million. The Brennan Center warns the FEC lacks quorum to oversee spending. Critics, citing Stiglitz, say American democracy is drifting from "one person, one vote" to "one dollar, one vote," with Citizens United dismantling restrictions.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531716/Midterms-reopen-debate-over-dominance-of-wealth-in-US-politics

Good Nuclear, Bad Nuclear: Europe's Nuclear Hypocrisy

Europe lectures Iran on non-proliferation while joining NATO's Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise, participating in France's Operation Poker, and debating a German or European arsenal. Finland and Lithuania are removing legal bans on hosting nuclear weapons, and Poland may station US arms. Columnist Ehsan Etesam asks: if deterrence is essential for Germany's security, why must Iran—facing sanctions, assassinations, and direct US-Israeli attacks—surrender every defensive option? Security cannot be an exclusive privilege for powerful nations while others are told to depend on goodwill.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531722/Good-Nuclear-Bad-Nuclear

Iran Designates MI6, Royal Navy and RAF Under Reciprocal Measures Against UK

Iran's Foreign Ministry designated MI6 as a hostile group and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations, citing Britain's role in the US-Israeli war through military bases, facilities, and logistical support, and its July 13 decision to bring the IRGC under the State Threats Act 2026. The measures, based on a Supreme National Security Council resolution, took effect November 1 and invoke laws on espionage and reciprocal action. Tehran holds London responsible for any consequences, citing international law and the principle of reciprocity.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531732/Iran-designates-MI6-Royal-Navy-and-RAF-under-reciprocal-measures

Sasanian-Era Rock Carvings of Human Hands Discovered in Marvdasht

Archaeologists have identified previously undocumented Sasanian-era rock carvings depicting human hands without accompanying figures in Marvdasht Plain, Fars province. Found alongside a Middle Persian prayer inscription, the engravings likely served devotional purposes—symbolizing prayer, oaths, or appeals for divine assistance. Similar independent hand motifs appear on Sasanian seals, including one reading "seeking the assistance of the deities." Researchers say further study is needed to establish the motifs' precise meaning and function .

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531712/Sasanian-era-rock-carvings-of-human-hands-discovered-in-Marvdasht