New scholarly work sheds light on Achaemenid monetary systems

A major new book, Coinages in the Achaemenid Empire, offers the first comprehensive account of the empire's diverse coinages. Published by Edinburgh University Press, it is the final work of the late Prof. Keith Rutter. The study examines royal, satrapal, and local issues, treating coins as vital evidence for understanding imperial administration and exchange systems across the vast Achaemenid realm.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529241/Persian-Empire-New-scholarly-work-sheds-light-on-Achaemenid

Seven Western states condemn new Israeli settlement plan in West Bank

🔹The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway jointly condemned the Zionist regime's decision to publish tender documents for the "E1" settlement project in the West Bank.

🔹In a joint statement on Thursday, they stressed that Israeli settlements in occupied territories constitute a violation of international law and called on Tel Aviv to immediately withdraw the plan.

US announces new sanctions on Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, Cuba

🔹The US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and Cuba, continuing its hostile policies against the Islamic Republic.

🔹Three individuals on the list—all Turkish nationals—are associated with Iran, while seven individuals linked to Hezbollah, including one Iranian national, were also targeted.

🎨 New cartoon by Yemeni artist Kamal Sharaf on recent Syria developments

US Treasury chief claims Iran facing 'biggest economic isolation in history'

🔹US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed in his latest anti-Iran rhetoric that Washington's hostile policies would force Iran into the "biggest economic isolation in history."

🔹He also called on Iran's allies and other nations to cease engagement with the Islamic Republic's ruling system.

Ghalibaf: Iran and Iraq refused to let Western powers determine their fate

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaking at the 40-day memorial ceremony for the martyred Leader in Karbala, said history will record that the Iranian and Iraqi nations refused to be footnotes to others' narratives and rejected having their fate decided in Western capitals.

🔹"Every step enemies took to distance us, we took two steps closer," he said, adding that the depth of the two nations' ties is rooted in history, geography, and faith.

🔹Ghalibaf stressed that both countries are now committed to economic development and prosperity, with a clear agenda to enhance security, stability, and remove foreign interference. "Our strength lies in our brotherhood," he concluded.

Iran envoy warns US space ambitions fuel arms race risk

🔹Iran's UN ambassador in Geneva, Ali Bahraini, told the Conference on Disarmament that Washington's push for military dominance in outer space undermines efforts to keep it a peaceful domain and heightens the risk of militarization and weaponization.

🔹The development of US offensive space capabilities—including dedicated space forces and designating outer space as a new warfare domain—could push other nations to develop countervailing capabilities and intensify a dangerous arms race.

🔹Bahraini warned that satellite constellations, commercial satellites, and other space systems must not become tools for hostile actions against other countries or violations of their sovereignty.

🔹He also stressed that voluntary approaches cannot replace a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in space, and urged the international community to condemn deliberate US and Israeli attacks on Iran's civilian space infrastructure.

Gen. Ibn al-Reza: We will not allow aggression on Iran's land, security

🔹Acting Defense Minister stated that Iran's defense power is "not for warmongering but for preventing war and aggression."

🔹"We have never been and will never be the initiator of aggression against any country," he emphasized.

🔹"We are not military aggressors, but we will not allow any military aggression on our land, independence, and security."

Iran's defense industry revolution; any threat will face devastating response

🔹Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Ali Abdollahi, in a message to the Acting Defense Minister on Defense Industry Day, stated that what has been achieved in the defense industry is "more than the production of military equipment—it is a deterrence-oriented industrial revolution."

🔹He stressed that Iran's armed forces, with comprehensive, intelligent, and up-to-date readiness across all domains—land, sea, air, defense, space, and cyber—will meet any miscalculation or conventional and modern threats with "revolutionary, crushing, remorseful, and devastating responses."

Ghalibaf: Iran-Iraq economic ties need a roadmap

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, addressing Iranian and Iraqi business leaders in Baghdad, stressed that developing bilateral economic relations requires a "precise roadmap" that can influence the region and the Islamic world.

🔹He called for using national currencies in trade exchanges to "strike the US dollar's dominance," noting that the era of US hegemony has passed.

🔹Qalibaf emphasized that security and the economy are "two wings of the same bird," and that a resilient economy is essential for enduring sovereignty.

🔹"We are not warmongers, but we will not allow anyone to trample our dignity," he added.

Iran's defense power changed enemy calculations: Army chief

🔹Major General Amir Hatami stated that the Ministry of Defense has played a key role in strengthening deterrence and enhancing Iran's defense capabilities.

🔹He emphasized that what Iran's armed forces now possess is "more than just equipment—it is a manifestation of trust in Iranian capability, self-sufficiency, indigenous knowledge, and the will of a nation that has decided to secure its security and authority through domestic strength."

🔹He stressed: "In recent challenges, the bond between combat power and defense industry displayed a clear manifestation of Iran's national power and changed enemy calculations, ultimately leading them to accept dialogue and a political solution."

Iranian admiral's blunt response to claims of Iran's navy destruction: It's a lie

🔹Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran's Strategic Navy, dismissed enemy claims that the Iranian navy has been destroyed, asking: "If such claims are true, why doesn't the enemy dare to enter the 'Strait of Ahd-e Velayat' even one millimeter?"

🔹He described the "Strait of Ahd-e Velayat"—a line stretching from Pakistan's border to Oman's Ras Al-Had—as a symbol of Iran's maritime authority, where Iranian forces have been stationed for over 175 days, preventing any enemy advance.

🔹"Perhaps we haven't acted as we should in media and propaganda, but the people should know their soldiers are deployed in the 'Strait of Ahd-e Velayat' and have not allowed the enemy to take a single step," he said.

🔹The admiral stressed that Iran's naval power is not just a claim but is demonstrated in the field and on the seas.

Trump's economic 'D-Day' will turn into 'Dud-Day'

The US Treasury chief announced "D-Day" for Iran's economy—unfreezing $100bn in seized assets and enforcing a secondary embargo to cripple Iran's oil exports, threatening billions in fines for violators. Europe is ready to join. But Iran has dismissed the threats, stating the move "will not go down in history". Experts predict it will fail—Iran's economy has shown resilience, and global demand keeps it afloat.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529270/Trump-s-economic-D-Day-will-turn-into-dud-day

Iran quagmire: Trump’s failed strategy and its heavy cost

Six months into the war, Trump's Iran strategy lies in ruins. Regime change and nuclear denial have been quietly shelved—Vance now admits the goal is simply “low-cost oil”. With no exit strategy, depleted stockpiles, and approval below 35%, Washington is trapped. Tehran holds the stronger hand, leveraging Hormuz. This is not leadership—it is grand incompetence.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529263/Iran-quagmire-Trump-s-failed-strategy-and-its-heavy-cost

Araghchi: US 'crippling economic operation' claim is a failed film we've seen before

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to US claims of launching the "most crippling economic operation in history" against Iran, stating:

🔹"14 years ago: 'Most crippling sanctions in history' – failed. 8 years ago: 'Maximum pressure' – failed. 5 months ago: 'Unconditional surrender' – failed. Today: 'Most crippling economic operation in history' – this too is doomed to fail."

🔹"We've seen this film before. Same old story, just with different bullies," he added.

Iran ranks first in key scientific output among Islamic countries

Iran tops Islamic nations in scientific output across quantum science, AI, biotechnology, cognitive sciences, and advanced materials, ISC official Saeed Bakhtiari announced. According to Web of Science data (2021–2025), Iran ranks first in cognitive sciences with 32 documents, ahead of Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The country also ranks second globally in cognitive neuroscience (15th worldwide) and holds top positions across multiple subfields despite sanctions.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529255/Iran-ranks-first-in-key-scientific-output-among-Islamic-countries

Palestine and genocide: Redefining resilience

As Israel intensifies its Gaza assault, Palestinian resilience must be redefined—beyond bravado, mythmaking, and glorifying death. True resilience means staying, as poet Tawfiq Ziad wrote: “Here we remain.” It is the ability to turn blows into energy for building, as Ghassan Kanafani put it. Resilience is demographic, social, and national—preserving Palestinian presence from the river to the sea.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529278/Palestine-and-genocide-Redefining-resilience

Iran, Oman FMs hold phone call on regional developments, Hormuz shipping

🔹Foreign Ministers Abbas Araghchi and Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi held a phone conversation on Friday to discuss the latest regional developments and conditions for resuming dialogue, as well as developments related to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.