Iran National Orchestra opens Iran Cultural Week at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater

The National Orchestra of Iran, conducted by Homayoun Rahimian with vocalist Mojtaba Asgari, opened Iran's Cultural Week in Russia at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater. The program blended Iranian compositions—including works by Khalatbari and Behzad Abdi—with Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake." The cultural week spans four Russian cities and features 168 Iranian artists.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530558/Iran-National-Orchestra-opens-Iran-Cultural-Week-at-Moscow-s

📰 Pezeshkian: Strong maritime presence kept Iran's lifelines moving

🔹On World Maritime Day, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Strait of Hormuz holds a special place in regional and global security and economy, stressing Iran's approach is "responsible and based on preserving stability and the interests of regional countries."

🔹"Sustainable security in the Persian Gulf depends above all on cooperation and responsibility of regional states," he said.

🔹He praised Iran's strong maritime presence over the past year, crediting "men who did not allow the pulse of the country's vital arteries to stop," and highlighted coordination between government, private sector, and security forces.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that during today's cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the American side's proposal to President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Trump's surrender fantasy: The knot in talks

Iran has received Washington's response to its proposal to end the seven-month war, with President Pezeshkian insisting any deal be "win-win." The SNSC secretary says Trump is "trapped—he can neither negotiate nor fight." Meanwhile, fresh US sanctions under "Operation Economic Outcast" have boomeranged, costing American consumers over $120 billion in extra fuel expenses ahead of midterms.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530612/Trump-s-surrender-fantasy-The-knot-in-talks

Iran submits Babak Khajehpasha's 'Land of Angels' to 99th Academy Awards

Babak Khajehpasha's "Land of Angels," depicting children's suffering in Gaza, is Iran's submission to the 99th Oscars. It won the Grand Prix at Kazan and five Crystal Simorghs at Fajr. Filmed in Tehran over 18 months, it portrays war through civilians' eyes. Khajehpasha previously represented Iran in 2025 with "In the Arms of the Tree."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530607/Iran-submits-Babak-Khajehpasha-s-Land-of-Angels-to-99th-Academy

Japanese FM holds phone talks with Araghchi 📞

🔹Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments and diplomatic efforts 🌍.

🔹Motegi said Japan has consistently worked to reduce tensions early, stabilize the situation, and achieve a diplomatic solution, expressing willingness to accelerate diplomacy in cooperation with relevant countries 🕊️.

🔹Araghchi briefed his Japanese counterpart on the current state of negotiations with the US and Iran's positions 📝.

Leader: Prayer is backbone of jihad, victory in today's struggle

🔹In a message to the 33rd National Prayer Conference, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei said prayer is "the support for jihad, conquest, and triumph in the Iranian nation's struggle today."

🔹He called prayer "the pillar of religion and the connecting thread to the infinite divine source," citing the Quranic verse: "Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer."

🔹He urged all segments of society—parents, teachers, cultural institutions, and media—to promote prayer, calling it essential for reaching Islamic civilization.

IRGC: US expulsion from Iraq is dawn of West Asia's liberation

🔹The IRGC issued a statement marking the expulsion of US forces from Iraq, congratulating the Iraqi people and the Resistance Front on this "historic victory."

🔹"America left—not through negotiation, not through favor—but through the determination of a nation that stood firm and the blood of fighters who gave their lives."

🔹It called the expulsion "the first step in avenging the martyrs of Iraq, especially Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis."

🔹"Two decades of US occupation brought insecurity and instability, not security. This is the dawn of America's expulsion from all of West Asia."

‼️Iran captures second US underwater drone

The IRGC has captured a new high-tech US underwater drone in less than a month, as Washington continues its bid to open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed after the U.S. and Israel attacked the country in February.

Gen. Ibn al-Reza: US military fatigue has disrupted enemy calculations

🔹Acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Ibn al-Reza warned: "Don't hide the confusion in the White House with imaginary war dramas. Public pressure, troop fatigue, and rising war costs have disrupted your calculations."

🔹"Claims of destroying Iran's defense industry change nothing. You will see Iran's power and initiative on the battlefield—and taste its political impact."

Baghaei: Trump's worldview is a symbol of nihilism, tyranny, and a threat to global peace

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei responded to Trump's indifference to the consequences of military aggression against Iran, comparing his thinking to a "Caligula worldview"—a symbol of nihilism and tyranny—and calling it a threat to world peace.

🔹Baghaei stressed that today's world differs from ancient Rome in the tools of power: "The modern Caligula, unlike his ancient counterpart, is equipped with an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and this 'nihilism' has turned existential terror into a political weapon."

Iran summons UK ambassador over baseless accusations

🔹Iran summoned UK Ambassador Hugo Shorter to the Foreign Ministry in protest against the British prime minister's baseless accusations against the Islamic Republic.

🔹Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi conveyed Iran's strong protest over London's destructive approach, reminding the UK of its international responsibility for providing military bases for US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

🔹He rejected the "baseless and ridiculous" claim linking Iran to an alleged sabotage plot at RAF Fairford, demanding an official explanation and a correction of the UK's conduct.

🔹The ambassador said he would relay Iran's protest to London.

Gharibabadi: US must answer for its crimes instead of preaching to others

🔹Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the US's 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands and their human and environmental consequences over decades are "undeniable proof of nuclear powers' responsibility."

🔹"Instead of preaching to others, America must answer for its crimes, compensate the victims, and commit to transparency and nuclear disarmament."