Schools reopen amid hope, resilience and a determination to rebuild

Schools across Iran reopened on Monday after the US-Israeli war damaged 1,288 schools—1,272 have been restored. President Pezeshkian rang the bell at a Tehran girls' school. In Minab, where Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary was struck on February 28, killing over 150 including 120 children, the new year carries heavier meaning. "The bells have to ring," the article says, "to have a vibrant, informed society."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530250/Schools-reopen-amid-hope-resilience-and-a-determination-to-rebuild

Pezeshkian: Iran, Pakistan can meet needs through regional capacities

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian, meeting Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, expressed satisfaction with the growing trajectory of Tehran-Islamabad relations.

🔹He stressed the need to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation across various fields, including trade, energy, tourism, investment, and cultural and scientific exchanges.

🔹"Iran and Pakistan can meet their needs by relying on regional capacities," he said.

Bells return tomorrow, 277 desks won't

Schools across Iran reopened Monday, with 1,272 of 1,288 war-damaged schools restored. But 277 students and 67 education staff were killed in the two wars—including 120 children at Minab's Shajareh Tayyebeh School. President Pezeshkian rang the opening bell in Tehran. "The school bell has to ring," the article says, "to have a dynamic, vibrant, informed society."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530250/Schools-reopen-amid-hope-resilience-and-a-determination-to-rebuild

IIRGC: Ready for decisive, devastating responses to worn-out aggressor

🔹In a statement marking Sacred Defence Week, the IRGC described the era as a "strategic school for producing national power and unity."

🔹"The US and Zionist regime must understand that sooner or later they must accept a region free of their filthy, criminal presence—and by God's grace, they will have no escape from this fate," the statement read.

🔹The IRGC stressed that Iran's Armed Forces, with full readiness and strategic intelligence, stand "with fingers on the trigger, ready for decisive and devastating responses to the worn-out aggressor."

🔹It cited the "True Promise" operations during the second and third US-Israeli imposed wars as manifestations of Iran's power, and the strategic management of the Strait of Hormuz as exposing the inability of hegemonic and terrorist regimes.

🔹"The world after these battles is a different world," the statement concluded.

Impulsive German leader left in a quandary

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under mounting pressure after the CDU was shut out of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's parliament for the first time in post-war history, and lost Berlin to the far-left. The AfD surged to 38% in the northeast. With approval at just 13%, calls for Merz to step down are growing. The AfD predicts he won't last the year.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530264/Impulsive-German-leader-left-in-a-quandary

Ground incursions, incendiary strikes mark dangerous Israeli escalation in south Lebanon

Israeli forces launched heavy artillery, air raids, and ground incursions across southern Lebanon, setting homes ablaze in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and firing white phosphorus over Tyre's olive groves. Tanks advanced into Deir Mimas, and troops searched homes in Bint Jbeil. A child was wounded by unexploded ordnance in Debaal. The escalation underscores the failure of the US-sponsored framework agreement.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530262/Ground-incursions-incendiary-strikes-mark-dangerous-Israeli

Iran's FM Araghchi arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday afternoon at the head of a diplomatic delegation to participate in the 81st annual UN General Assembly session.

🔹Araghchi will take part in various agenda discussions, outline Iran's positions, and hold talks with numerous officials and foreign ministers attending the summit.

Iranian woman Saeidabadi bags silver in Nagoya

Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi from Iran snatched a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday.

She lost to Adeola Fay Robert from Malaysia 6-4 in the Women’s Kumite -55kg final.

Cok Istri Agung Sanistyarani from Indonesia and Kazakhstan’s Bella Samasheva won bronze medals in the weight class.

Karate at the 2026 Asian Games is being held from Sept. 20 to 30 at the Toyohashi City General Gymnasium in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan.

Karate athlete Namati wins Iran’s first gold in Nagoya

Morteza Namati of Iran claimed a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday.

The Iranian athlete defeated Uzbekistan’s Davut Nazymradov 4-3 in the final match of the Men’s Kumite -75kg.

Nemati's gold is Iran's first gold medal in the Games.

Kazakhstan’s Nurkanat Azhikanov and Syrian Fawaz Bani Al-Marjeh won bronze medals.

Iran’s Asiabari claims silver at 2026 Asian Games Karate

Aliasghar Asiabari from Iran seized a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games Karate on Tuesday.

Asiabari lost to Jordan’s Mohammad Al’jafari 9-1 in the final match of the Men's Kumite 84 kg.

The bronze medals went to Chung Meng-yu from Chinese Taipei and Qatar’s Abdulla Babikr.

Iran’s women’s kata secure silver at 2026 Asian games

In the women’s team kata final held at the Toyohashi Gymnasium, Iran, represented by Fatemeh Sadeghi, Sepideh Amini and Zeinab Hosseini, faced Vietnam and suffered a 5–0 defeat, settling for the silver medal.

Iran’s silver at the 2026 Asian Games marks the first-ever Asian Games medal for the country in women’s kata.

On their way to the final, the Iranian women’s kata team defeated Thailand and the Philippines earlier in the day.

The team is coached by Fatemeh Baghlanipour.

Foreign diplomats visit historic, natural sites in Urmia

Ambassadors and diplomats from nine countries, plus ECO and Asian Mayors Forum representatives, visited Urmia's historic bazaar, Jameh Mosque, and Lake Urmia during the 9th Urmia Grape Festival. The event showcased the region's cultural, tourism, and economic potential. Mayor Rahmani-Rezaeieh said the festival, rooted in a harvest tradition, featured innovation, investment, and historical sections.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530251/Foreign-diplomats-visit-historic-natural-sites-in-Urmia

Araghchi: Defending Iranian nation's rights is main task of UN visit

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran's foremost goal at the 81st UN General Assembly is to "take the world stage and defend the righteousness, rights, and interests of the Iranian nation" after the US-Israeli war of aggression.

🔹Speaking in New York, he noted the trip comes "in a situation that, in truth, continues as a state of war."

🔹He said Iran would use the platform to present "the oppression suffered by the Iranian people" and honor its martyrs, "including the martyrs of the Minab school and, above all, our martyred Leader."

🔹President Pezeshkian will address the General Assembly and hold meetings with intellectuals, media figures, and heads of state. Araghchi will meet foreign ministers on the sidelines, with a "four-to-five-day intensive program."

Araghchi holds phone call with UN chief Guterres upon arrival in New York

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after arriving in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly session.

🔹The two sides exchanged views on the UNGA agenda and the UN chief's efforts to advance international peace and security.

Ghalibaf: Today we fire our missiles at any target, without limits

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaking at a ceremony honoring Sacred Defence veterans, said: "This is the first year our commander is not beside us. Had it not been for the martyred Leader's foresight, the culture of Sacred Defence might not be helping the country today."

🔹He recalled that during the Sacred Defence, Iran was denied even barbed wire, and its artillery range was limited. "But this culture brought us to where today we can target any point we wish with our missiles, without limits."

🔹"In this hybrid war—economic, military, diplomatic—we will never surrender, we will not shut down the country, and we will respond with power, as we have until now, defeating the enemy in all arenas."

Iran UN envoy: World must hold perpetrators of attacks on schools, infrastructure accountable

🔹Iran's representative to the UN at the Human Rights Council session said Iran stood resilient against the assassination of officials and targeting of civilians through domestic capability and national resilience.

🔹"It is now the international community's urgent duty to hold the perpetrators of these aggressive acts accountable," he stated.

🔹He noted that the Iranian people resisted both foreign aggression and pressure from US unilateral sanctions, describing it as a "different kind of resilience" that does not negate international responsibility to condemn the criminal nature of these sanctions.

🔹He added that initial peaceful protests turned violent due to foreign intervention and US officials' open admission of arms smuggling and distribution.

Baghaei: Blaming Iran for US fuel prices is evasion of responsibility

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei dismissed US officials' claims that Iran is responsible for record US fuel prices, saying Washington assumes the public has forgotten who started the war.

🔹"Which side initiated the military aggression and caused the crisis that disrupted shipping and closed the Strait of Hormuz?" he asked on X.

🔹He noted the tactic is not new: "In 1939, Hitler used the same method to justify invading Poland as a 'defensive act.'"

🔹"When the aggressors blame the victim for the war they started, is this strategic genius or another clear example of the 'march of folly'?"

In Urmia, the grape is more than a fruit

The 9th Urmia Grape Festival drew thousands to Chi Chest Coastal Village, showcasing dozens of varieties, traditional drying methods like "Milakh," and products like Doushab syrup. Urmia produces 240,000 tons annually, with 30,000 growers. Mayor Rahmani-Rezaeieh said ambassadors from 15 countries attended. But for many families, the festival is also a reunion—"the grapes are only part of the reason to come."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530202/In-Urmia-the-grape-is-more-than-a-fruit