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

UKMTO reports security incident in Strait of Hormuz, two killed

🔹A tanker was struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, with UK Maritime Trade Operations confirming two crew members have died .

Netanyahu and the approaching election

With elections under two months away, Netanyahu is fighting for survival—seeking to keep his coalition united and avoid war crimes prosecution. Polls show a new right-wing party could split his base. To distract from the October 7 failure and the inconclusive Iran war, he may escalate in the West Bank, Gaza, or Lebanon. Analysts note his challenger Eisenkot is equally hawkish—regime policy may not change.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529636/Netanyahu-and-the-approaching-election

They came for a wedding dance, Trump gave them the dance of death

US strikes on a wedding ceremony in Kouhestak, southern Iran, killed at least five civilians—including a four-year-old—and wounded 68. The attack followed similar massacres at a Minab school and Lamerd sports hall. Washington claimed it targeted IRGC sites, but witnesses and officials say it was a clearly identifiable civilian gathering. Iran condemned the act as a war crime.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529642/They-came-for-a-wedding-dance-Trump-gave-them-the-dance-of-death

Camp Titin: Iran's strike on a US Marine facility signals a wider strategic challenge

Iran's missile strike on Camp Titin in Jordan—near the Gulf of Aqaba—demonstrates a geographic expansion of its reach beyond the Persian Gulf. Combined with attacks on US positions in Kuwait, Iraq, UAE, and Bahrain, Tehran is exploiting Washington's regional base network. Analysts say protecting this dispersed footprint is costly. Despite US superiority, Iran retains strategic leverage through Hormuz and multi-front pressure.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529643/Camp-Titin-Iran-s-strike-on-a-US-Marine-facility-signals-a-wider

Iran war fractures US administration: Driscoll quits amid Pentagon chaos

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned, citing a rift with War Secretary Hegseth over purges of senior generals during the Iran war. Hegseth has dismissed top commanders while blocking modernization programs. Six months into the conflict, the US campaign has yielded no breakthrough, drained resources, and triggered bipartisan backlash. Driscoll's departure exposes deep divisions and operational chaos at the Pentagon.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529601/Iran-war-fractures-US-administration-Driscoll-quits-amid-Pentagon

Iran files war crimes complaint to UN after US kills civilians at wedding

🔹Iran's UN envoy formally called on the Security Council to condemn the US attack on a wedding in Kouhestak, Hormozgan, which killed four civilians—including a four-year-old child—and wounded over 70 others.

🔹In a letter to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, the envoy said the attack constitutes a "grave violation of international humanitarian law" and amounts to a "war crime."

🔹Iran also documented the broader pattern of US-Israeli attacks on civilians since February 28, including the Minab school massacre, and stated its retaliatory strikes were carried out in self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.