Gen. Javani: Iran will emerge victorious; power equations favor us

🔹IRGC Political Deputy Brigadier General Yadollah Javani said the recent war will reshape the global power order: "Iran, the Resistance Front, and regional Muslim nations will emerge victorious."

🔹Speaking in Gorgan, he said the US thought it could achieve its goals in 48-72 hours, but "the enemy miscalculated."

🔹Javani said Iran has passed the stage of a surprise attack capable of causing collapse: "We have proper readiness to respond to the enemy."

🔹He noted US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have been damaged, with US warships pushed farther away.

Bushehr: Where Iran's history meets the Persian Gulf

Bushehr blends maritime heritage with coastal landscapes—historic merchant mansions, the ancient port of Siraf, and the dramatic Jashak Salt Dome. Its old city, shaped by heat and humidity, features narrow lanes and shaded courtyards. Local cuisine centers on Gulf seafood and dates, while neyanban music and palm-leaf handicrafts reflect a distinctive coastal identity.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531081/Bushehr-Where-Iran-s-history-meets-the-Persian-Gulf

IRGC Navy commander: US carriers dare not approach Hormuz, we are waiting to sink them

Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei says US warships have withdrawn to about 700 km from the Strait, calling the US fleet "useless" and vulnerable. "We are counting down moment by moment" for them to enter range, he said. His remarks coincided with two incidents: a container ship striking a mine and an oil tanker damaged east of the Strait.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531090/US-carriers-dare-not-approach-Hormuz-we-are-waiting-to-sink

Ghalibaf mocks Bessent: Give him a Nobel Prize in Physics!

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's repeated and failed deadlines, writing: "All the deadlines they set for Iran's economic collapse in two weeks, the explosion of Iran's oil wells within three days, and imminent economic collapse from the 'economic isolation operation' have passed—and nothing happened."

🔹"Doesn't the US Treasury Secretary deserve a Nobel Prize in Physics for proving the meaninglessness of the concept of time?"

Gen. Qaani: Al-Aqsa Mosque is always Iran's top priority

🔹IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmaeil Qaani, in a message to the International Quds Institution, said: "Supporting the oppressed Palestinian nation and its resistance is an obligation we have been committed to since 1979—and remain committed to today."

🔹"The issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque and confronting enemy threats is, as a definitive covenant, always at the highest level of Iran's calculations and priorities."

🔹"We sincerely thank you for your supportive positions in defending Iran against the American and Zionist enemy, and for your condolences on the martyrdom of the Leader of the Revolution."

Saudi Arabia's billions in arms fail to buy security

Despite spending $83bn on defense last year, Saudi Arabia has failed to protect Riyadh's airport from Yemeni missile and drone strikes. Ansarallah combines ballistic, cruise, and drone attacks to overwhelm Patriot and THAAD systems. Analysts say Riyadh should "swallow its pride" and negotiate—security cannot be bought through Western weapons or alliances.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531085/Saudi-Arabia-s-billions-in-arms-fail-to-buy-security

Ghalibaf: We both fight and negotiate

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reaffirmed Iran's dual approach of combat readiness and diplomacy, stating: "We both fight and negotiate—from a position of strength."

🔹He stressed that Iran will not negotiate under pressure or threats, and that talks are only meaningful when the other side respects its commitments.

🔹His remarks align with his earlier statements that the era of "proportionate responses" is over and that Iran acts on the enemy's real behavior, not media rhetoric.

Republicans face expanding midterm backlash over Iran war, living costs

Three weeks before the midterms, 65% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the Iran war—including 37% of Republicans. Consumer sentiment has fallen, and 73% worry about fuel prices. Republican candidates are now distancing themselves: Iowa's nominee calls for an "immediate end" to the war. GOP money is shifting to defend seats in Kansas and Texas.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531084/Republicans-face-expanding-midterm-backlash-over-Iran-war-living

Tehran puppet theater festival to open with public ceremony

The 21st Tehran-Mobarak International Puppet Theater Festival opens Saturday at the City Theater Complex, with organizers inviting the public to attend carrying their own puppets. Running October 17–22, the six-day event features Iranian and international artists showcasing traditional and contemporary puppetry, named after Mobarak, Iran's classic humorous glove-puppet character.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531063/Tehran-puppet-theater-festival-to-open-with-public-ceremony

Iran, Pakistan deepen economic ties with focus on mining sector cooperation

Senior Iranian and Pakistani officials met to expand mining cooperation, building on an August MoU from the Joint Trade Committee. Both sides reaffirmed their $10 billion trade target by 2030, up from $3bn in 2025. Talks covered removing transport, customs, and banking barriers, plus joint free zones and barter mechanisms.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531064/Iran-Pakistan-deepen-economic-ties-with-focus-on-mining-sector

Iran, 12 other delegations walk out of CICA summit over Israeli president's speech

🔹Iran's delegation to the 7th CICA Summit, led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, walked out of the hall along with 12 other delegations (out of 28) in protest during the Israeli president's speech.

🔹The move had widespread impact at the summit, with nearly half of the delegations expressing opposition to the Zionist regime—another scene reflecting its isolation.

🔹Delegations from Iran, Palestine, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh were among those that left the hall.

Iran Army deputy: Hormuz is closed; transit must be coordinated

🔹Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari reaffirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is closed: "Any transit must be coordinated—otherwise, you'll see in the news what happens."

🔹"If the Strait weren't closed and oil were flowing, US gasoline prices wouldn't have risen. This is completely clear."

🔹He said the IRGC Navy controls the western Strait, while the Army maintains full surveillance from the eastern Strait to the northern Sea of Oman.

🔹"As long as these countries are scrambling for gasoline and diesel, it means the Strait is closed."

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Baghdad to attend the annual meeting of OIC foreign ministers on Saturday and Sunday (October 17-18).

President Masoud Pezeshkian will make a short visit to Yerevan on Friday, October 24, to attend the 17th Summit of Heads of State of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

On the sidelines of the summit, he is scheduled to hold talks and exchange views with several participating leaders.

Tehran Auto Plaza seeks to turn the automotive world into a destination

Tehran Auto Plaza, planned on an eight-hectare site along the Lashgari Expressway, aims to be more than a showroom hub. It envisions 90 showrooms, workshops, tuning facilities, a spare-parts hypermarket, plus cafés, restaurants, and event spaces. Organizers project over 2,000 direct jobs. The goal: a destination where car culture, technology, and leisure meet.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531089/Tehran-Auto-Plaza-seeks-to-turn-the-automotive-world-into-a-destination

Araghchi: Iran-Yemen historical ties must be strengthened

🔹In a message to Yemen's Deputy Foreign Minister Abdulwahid Abu Ras, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized strengthening bilateral relations and condemned the blockade imposed on Yemen.

🔹"The historical ties between the brotherly Iranian and Yemeni nations must be further strengthened and developed in line with shared interests," he said.

🔹"The unjust and illegal blockade imposed on Yemen has caused severe suffering for its people."

🔹The message also discussed the latest regional developments and ways to address common challenges.

Gen. Jahanshahi: Army Ground Force present from northwest to Makran coast

🔹Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi stated that the Ground Force maintains a powerful presence from the northwest to the Makran coast.

🔹"Even the most advanced equipment lacks effectiveness without specialized, trained personnel. Therefore, training quality directly impacts combat units' success," he said.

🔹"The extensive deployment of units along border areas, massive logistical movements, implementation of passive defense principles, and the Army's operational readiness have turned any enemy thought of ground aggression into an unattainable dream."