Iran National Orchestra opens Iran Cultural Week at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater

The National Orchestra of Iran, conducted by Homayoun Rahimian with vocalist Mojtaba Asgari, opened Iran's Cultural Week in Russia at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater. The program blended Iranian compositions—including works by Khalatbari and Behzad Abdi—with Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake." The cultural week spans four Russian cities and features 168 Iranian artists.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530558/Iran-National-Orchestra-opens-Iran-Cultural-Week-at-Moscow-s

📰 Pezeshkian: Strong maritime presence kept Iran's lifelines moving

🔹On World Maritime Day, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Strait of Hormuz holds a special place in regional and global security and economy, stressing Iran's approach is "responsible and based on preserving stability and the interests of regional countries."

🔹"Sustainable security in the Persian Gulf depends above all on cooperation and responsibility of regional states," he said.

🔹He praised Iran's strong maritime presence over the past year, crediting "men who did not allow the pulse of the country's vital arteries to stop," and highlighted coordination between government, private sector, and security forces.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that during today's cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the American side's proposal to President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Trump's surrender fantasy: The knot in talks

Iran has received Washington's response to its proposal to end the seven-month war, with President Pezeshkian insisting any deal be "win-win." The SNSC secretary says Trump is "trapped—he can neither negotiate nor fight." Meanwhile, fresh US sanctions under "Operation Economic Outcast" have boomeranged, costing American consumers over $120 billion in extra fuel expenses ahead of midterms.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530612/Trump-s-surrender-fantasy-The-knot-in-talks

Iran submits Babak Khajehpasha's 'Land of Angels' to 99th Academy Awards

Babak Khajehpasha's "Land of Angels," depicting children's suffering in Gaza, is Iran's submission to the 99th Oscars. It won the Grand Prix at Kazan and five Crystal Simorghs at Fajr. Filmed in Tehran over 18 months, it portrays war through civilians' eyes. Khajehpasha previously represented Iran in 2025 with "In the Arms of the Tree."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530607/Iran-submits-Babak-Khajehpasha-s-Land-of-Angels-to-99th-Academy

Japanese FM holds phone talks with Araghchi 📞

🔹Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments and diplomatic efforts 🌍.

🔹Motegi said Japan has consistently worked to reduce tensions early, stabilize the situation, and achieve a diplomatic solution, expressing willingness to accelerate diplomacy in cooperation with relevant countries 🕊️.

🔹Araghchi briefed his Japanese counterpart on the current state of negotiations with the US and Iran's positions 📝.

Leader: Prayer is backbone of jihad, victory in today's struggle

🔹In a message to the 33rd National Prayer Conference, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei said prayer is "the support for jihad, conquest, and triumph in the Iranian nation's struggle today."

🔹He called prayer "the pillar of religion and the connecting thread to the infinite divine source," citing the Quranic verse: "Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer."

🔹He urged all segments of society—parents, teachers, cultural institutions, and media—to promote prayer, calling it essential for reaching Islamic civilization.