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

Ansarallah consolidates Red Sea control as Trump rejects MBS' desperate appeals

Yemeni forces have captured Mokha, Mayyun Island, and strategic heights overlooking Bab al-Mandab, collapsing Saudi proxy lines. Riyadh launched 760+ airstrikes in response, but Yemen struck Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Trump reportedly ordered then reversed a strike plan, leaving Saudi Arabia to fight alone. Yemen warns its missiles can reach "anywhere Saudi officials might be sheltering."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530263/Ansarallah-consolidates-Red-Sea-control-as-Trump-rejects-MBS

IRGC spox: If US attacks Kuh-e Kolang or anywhere, we will confront it

🔹IRGC Spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohabi advised US officials not to repeat experiences in which they have already failed: "Testing the tested is a mistake."

🔹"Trump habitually threatens, forgetting that he has made threats before and failed to carry them out. Now he is making new threats again," he said.

🔹"If the US wants to attack any point in Iran—not just Kuh-e Kolang—we are fully prepared to confront it, and the experiences the US gained from our response, which prevented it from achieving its goals, will be repeated."

🔹"We are ready for every enemy scenario, and we will give a crushing response in any arena the enemy chooses."

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The Bell That Never Rang

Iran’s women’s kabaddi beat Bangladesh in Nagoya

Iran’s women’s kabaddi team continued their winning start at the Nagoya Asian Games with a commanding 54–19 victory over Bangladesh in their second match on Tuesday.

Team Melli delivered a dominant performance throughout the contest to secure their second consecutive win of the tournament.

Iran had opened their Asian Games campaign with a victory over hosts Japan, making it two wins from two matches.

Iran’s men’s kabaddi overpower Nepal in Nagoya

Iran’s men’s kabaddi team got off to a winning start at the Nagoya Asian Games, defeating Nepal 76–23 in their opening match.

Iran produced a dominant performance to secure a convincing victory and make a strong start to their campaign.

The Iranian side are drawn in Group A alongside Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia and Thailand.

Iran will play their second group-stage match against Malaysia on Wednesday, as they look to maintain their winning momentum.

Kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games is being held from Sept. 21 to 26 at Tōkai Citizens Gymnasium.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York.

Iranian, Pakistani officials explore potential to develop science diplomacy

University of Tehran and Pakistan's ambassador discussed strengthening academic ties, including a joint conference on Allama Iqbal, an "Iqbal Lahori room," and collaboration in AI and engineering. They agreed on online courses, student exchanges, and scholarships. Pakistan proposed a joint scientific working group, and Iran offered Sistan-Baluchestan University as a hub for Pakistani students.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530281/Iranian-Pakistani-officials-explore-potential-to-develop-science

Leader's message on school, university reopening: Be guardians of national identity, mother tongue, and the flag

🔹Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei issued a message marking the new academic year, calling it a herald of "vitality, hope, and the nation's movement toward a bright future."

🔹Honoring students martyred in the recent imposed war, he urged students to equip themselves with "knowledge and piety, hope and ethics," and to "always be guardians of national identity, cultural independence, the mother tongue, and the sacred flag."

🔹He stressed that "knowledge coupled with piety is a steel shield against aggressors."

🔹On teachers, he said their livelihood must be improved through "wise planning and effective efforts."

Iran, Qatar FMs hold talks on UNGA sidelines

Cuban delegation walks out of UN General Assembly during Trump's speech