War as Trump's family business

This opinion piece argues that during Donald Trump's second term, the line between government decisions and his family's financial interests has blurred, with war and defense policy becoming "family business." Critics cite Washington Post reports on investments by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump in defense tech companies (SpaceX, Anduril, drone firms) that received billions in government contracts. The article highlights Trump sons' drone industry investments, Trump family crypto ventures (World Liberty Financial), and international business deals linked to Jared Kushner. Democratic Representative Johnny Olszewski raised conflict-of-interest concerns in Congress. While officials deny direct links, critics argue the overlap between political power, defense spending, and family investments creates systemic conflicts.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528658/War-as-Trump-s-family-business

Capture of any Iranian island will be extremely costly and fatal to US

This analysis argues that any US attempt to capture Iranian islands—Kharg, Larak, Abu Musa, or Greater/Lesser Tunb—would prove extremely costly and ultimately futile. While Kharg Island (handling 90% of Iran's oil exports) might be captured, holding it would expose US troops to thousands of inexpensive Iranian drones and missiles. Larak Island's mountainous terrain with hardened underground bunkers makes destruction prohibitively expensive. The Tunb islands would become vulnerable outposts requiring massive defensive systems. The piece emphasizes Iran's strategic depth, geographic advantage, and political will, citing Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's warning that Trump's signature is "worthless." It concludes that the US may win battles but cannot win the war.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528657/Capture-of-any-Iranian-island-will-be-extremely-costly-and-fatal

Kermanshah among West Asia’s oldest human settlement areas, researcher says

Kermanshah is one of the oldest known human settlement areas on the Iranian Plateau and West Asia, with evidence dating back one million years, researcher Mohsen Derekeh said. Abundant water, favorable climate, and the Zagros mountains made it an early habitat. Key sites include Bisotun Cave (excavated by Carlton Coon in the 1940s), Warwasi Rock Shelter (with Neanderthal and modern human tools), and Wezmeh Cave (yielding a Neanderthal child's tooth, 40,000–70,000 years old). Recent work continues to reveal early occupation evidence. Derekeh emphasized that studying Kermanshah's prehistoric sites is essential to understanding human settlement across the region.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528653/Kermanshah-among-West-Asia-s-oldest-human-settlement-areas-researcher

The South Caucasus: The Persian Gulf of Eurasia's future?

This analysis argues that recent events—Ukraine's attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, NATO's Ankara summit, and strikes on energy infrastructure—signal the emergence of a new security geography across Eurasia. The author contends that the Caspian Sea is becoming part of NATO's strategic reach through Ukraine, just as Russia extends influence to Bab al-Mandab via Iran. The South Caucasus is no longer merely a regional crossroads but a new fault line in great power competition. Regional states must recognize that they are choosing not just economic corridors but their future security geography—whether as bridges for cooperation or frontlines of geopolitical rivalry between major powers.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528650/The-South-Caucasus-The-Persian-Gulf-of-Eurasia-s-future

🔴 Iran condemns US-Saudi aggression against Iraq, Arbaeen pilgrims

🔹The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US and Saudi attacks on Iraqi territories, including facilities of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—an official Iraqi security institution—and stations serving Arbaeen pilgrims, as a "blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Article 2(4) of the UN Charter" .

🔹At least 20 PMF members were martyred and 32 wounded in the strikes across multiple Iraqi provinces, which were confirmed by CENTCOM as a joint operation against Iran-aligned targets following drone attacks on US forces and Saudi oil infrastructure .

🔹Tehran extended condolences to the Iraqi people and reaffirmed full solidarity with the government and nation, holding the US and its regional allies fully responsible for the consequences of these "criminal, inhumane, and provocative acts" .

🔴 Iraq's Islamic Resistance: Dozens martyred, wounded in attack on Imam Hussein (AS) pilgrims' servants

🔹The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that a US-Saudi attack targeted members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and a convoy serving pilgrims at the shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala, resulting in dozens of casualties .

🔹The PMF confirmed at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in strikes across multiple Iraqi provinces, including Karbala, Basra, and Nineveh .

🔹"We give the Iraqi government until Safar 23 to demonstrate its ability to defend the country," the Resistance stated, according to IRNA.

🔹"Even if we accept their claim that the attack originated from Iraq, is it logical to retaliate by killing and wounding innocent people?"

The time has come for Bahrain's liberation

This opinion piece argues that Bahrain's Al Khalifa monarchy is an "occupational tribal garrison" ruling over a Shia-majority population (up to 70%) through containment, with mass citizenship revocations (including 10 toddlers), torture in Jau Prison, and suppression of religious practices. It claims Bahrain serves as a US/Israeli military launchpad, hosting the Fifth Fleet and normalizing ties with Israel against popular will. The author proposes three post-monarchy scenarios: Saudi annexation (rejected), independent republic, or autonomous association with Iran. Justice for alleged crimes is demanded, with calls for military tribunals. The piece concludes that liberation would remove foreign military footholds and align Bahrain with the Resistance Front.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528699/The-time-has-come-for-Bahrain-s-liberation

🔴 Army Commander: We will defend Iran's soil to the last drop of blood

🔹In a message marking the martyrdom of Brigadier General Second Pilot Majid Kazemi, who was killed in action against US aggressors during an operation on Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base, Chief Commander Major General Amir Hatami declared :

🔹"Martyr Kazemi and his comrades are the true heroes of the Iranian nation. Iran's sky has always been the arena of men who shield the nation with their lives."

🔹He stressed: "The Army remains steadfast in its covenant with the nation and will defend the Islamic Republic, Iran's soil, and its independence against aggressors to its last breath."