Karaftou Cave: A timeless sanctuary of history, art, and faith in western Iran

Karaftou Cave in Kordestan province is a remarkable complex of natural and hand‑cut chambers, blending prehistoric, Hellenistic, and Islamic layers. Its famous Greek inscription—"Herakles resides here"—and Parthian‑era rock art, including "Parthian shot" motifs, make it unique. The site has been added to UNESCO's tentative list, though preservation remains urgent.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529597/Karaftou-Cave-A-timeless-sanctuary-of-history-art-and-faith

Iran war becomes Trump's biggest political liability heading into midterms

Six months into the Iran war, Trump's approval has sunk below 40%, with 68% disapproving of his war handling. Polls show 55% now view the campaign as a mistake, and 71% blame it for rising living costs. Even 16% of his own 2024 voters say they'd change their vote. As one analyst put it: "The war in Iran is a political disaster for Trump."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529606/Iran-war-becomes-Trump-s-biggest-political-liability-heading

New LEGO animations show the US strikes on a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak, Sirik, south of Iran.

Baghaei: US attack on Sirik wedding shows America's moral collapse

🔹 Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei condemned the US attack on a wedding ceremony in Sirik, describing it as "another sign of America's moral collapse."

🔹 "The reality of the illegal US war against Iran was on display last night in Sirik—where a wedding was bombed in a desperate attempt to hide America's defeat," he said.

🔹 Baghaei added: "The reality is the crimes America commits, not the AI-generated videos that falsely portray US officials as ethical heroes and victors."

SNSC chief warns enemy: 'Your foundation will be shattered'

🔹Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran's new strategy—spanning the battlefield, diplomacy, and economic resistance—will soon "shatter" the enemy's foundations.

🔹He dismissed recent US military and economic moves as "flailing," stating: "With these struggles, not only will you not escape the hell you've built for yourselves, but you will soon see how Iran's approach will break your foundation."

‼️ Exclusive:

Spectrum: Trump’s So-Called ‘Economic D-Day’ Fizzles

Iran, Kyrgyzstan review proposal for joint oil refinery construction

Iran and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to jointly study building an oil refinery in Kyrgyzstan, with Iran supplying crude and sharing the output. The proposal was reviewed positively on the SCO summit sidelines. The partnership could expand into joint investment, technical services, and marketing. Kyrgyzstan also invited Iranian companies to explore its oil fields.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529577/Iran-Kyrgyzstan-review-proposal-for-joint-oil-refinery-construction

Ghalibaf: Iran, Resistance on same path against US-Israeli aggression

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told a Hamas official that Iran and the Axis of Resistance share a unified path against the US and the Zionist regime.

🔹"We don't reject negotiation—it's a tool for struggle. The day we stop fighting is defeat," he said, noting the MoU focused on ending the war against Iran and its allies.

🔹He added that even US-aligned governments now admit America causes regional insecurity, and that the Strait will reopen only when the US fulfills its commitments.

🔹Hamas's official said: "Many countries were surprised, but we knew the enemy would face defeat against Iran."

4,600-year-old board game, decorated bone comb unearthed at Burnt City

Archaeologists at Iran's UNESCO-listed Burnt City have discovered a 4,600-year-old board game, an engraved bone comb, and well-preserved organic remains including eggshell, textiles, and leather. The finds offer new insights into social life, entertainment, and craftsmanship during the third millennium BC. The comb has no known counterpart in the region, suggesting ties with Central Asia.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529622/4-600-year-old-board-game-decorated-bone-comb-unearthed-at-Burnt

Trump's 'help is on the way': the TOEFL ban edition

The US has suspended General License G, halting TOEFL and GRE testing in Iran—and Duolingo tests are also blocked. IELTS was already cancelled in January. Iranian students now face travel abroad just for language exams. The science minister called it "Stone Age behavior," noting such sanctions target ordinary citizens, not officials. As one user put it: "This only affects the common Iranian person."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529630/Trump-s-help-is-on-the-way-the-TOEFL-ban-edition