Pezeshkian and Aliyev meet in Turkmenistan

🔹Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Ilham Aliyev met on the sidelines of the CIS summit and Caspian environmental summit in Turkmenistan.

🔹The two leaders reviewed the latest state of bilateral relations and joint cooperation, emphasizing good neighborly ties and the importance of using existing capacities to develop relations in various fields.

🔹They stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of agreements, complete ongoing projects, and strengthen mutual cooperation in economic, trade, transit, and regional areas.

IRGC Navy strikes giant LPG tanker attempting illegal Hormuz transit 🚢

🔹The IRGC Navy announced it struck the giant LPG carrier "NV Sunshine," owned by Natweet Company, as it attempted to transit the illegal southern route of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel suffered extensive fire in its engine room and propulsion system. 🔥

🔹"We control the Strait and will not allow aggressor armies in this region. We will firmly confront enemy mischief," the statement said. ⚓

🔹The IRGC credited the Iranian people's 220 nights of epic presence as the greatest support for Islam's warriors.

🔹"Responsibility for escalating maritime tensions lies with the aggressor US army." 🌊

Pezeshkian, Turkmen president meet on CIS summit sidelines

🔹Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Serdar Berdimuhamedov held talks on the sidelines of the CIS summit and Caspian environmental summit in Turkmenistan.

🔹The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to deepen Tehran-Ashgabat ties across political, economic, and trade fields, emphasizing the need to accelerate agreed projects.

🔹Regional cooperation and Caspian Sea issues were also discussed, with both sides stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation among littoral states and protecting the sea's environment.

Baghaei: France wants a monopoly on being feared

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei exposed France's nuclear double standard, noting Macron said during a nuclear-capable missile test: "To be free, one must be feared; to be feared, one must be powerful."

🔹"But the same Macron says Iran—which has never sought nuclear weapons—must never have them, 'not today, not in 5 years, never.'"

🔹"The issue isn't why France has deterrence. It's why that logic becomes a 'threat' only for Iran, even for a peaceful, supervised program."

🔹"They don't want peace for everyone—they want a monopoly on being feared."

Student protests spread to Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪📢

🔹 Student protests that began in France have now spread to Belgium, with Brussels witnessing demonstrations by young people.

🔹 The protests reflect growing public anger across Europe over government policies, including support for the US-Israeli war and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

EU 'deeply regrets' US sanctions on International Criminal Court

🔹The European Union expressed deep regret over the Trump administration's decision to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the move "deeply regrettable."

🔹The EU reaffirmed its readiness to take necessary measures to preserve the ICC's independence and ensure its continued operation.

🔹The US sanctions target ICC officials, including President Tomoko Akane, over the court's investigations into Israeli war crimes in Gaza and US conduct in Afghanistan. Washington has also pressured ICC member states to withdraw.

UN chief congratulates Navi Pillay on Nobel Peace Prize

🔹UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Navanethem "Navi" Pillay on winning the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising her as a "decades-long defender of international law and human rights."

🔹Guterres noted her career defending Nelson Mandela against apartheid, her service as an international judge, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Palestine .

🔹The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law, citing her work ensuring war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted .

Pezeshkian calls for regional integration, multipolar cooperation at Turkmenistan summits

President Pezeshkian proposed a "CIS+1" framework to expand Iran's ties with Commonwealth states, stressing that "our shared interests lie not in competition between routes, but in connecting routes." He highlighted Chabahar's potential and urged joint Caspian environmental action. Meeting Putin, he reaffirmed Iran won't leave the negotiating table despite repeated US attacks.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530897/Pezeshkian-Calls-for-Regional-Integration-Multipolar-Cooperation

New horizons open for Iran-Afghanistan economic co-op

An Iranian trade delegation to Kabul explored cooperation in mining, agriculture, technology transfer, and processing chains. Iran's chamber vice president stressed that Afghanistan shouldn't be seen merely as a market, but as a partner for joint investment. Both sides called for banking links and turning "neighborliness into economic partnership."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530890/New-horizons-open-for-Iran-Afghanistan-economic-co-op-during

'Cult of Death'? Check your calling card, Mr. Rubio

Responding to Rubio calling Iran a "cult of death," the writer asks who bombed a school in Minab, killed 300 schoolchildren, sank the unarmed Dena, and threatened Iran's annihilation at the UN. He notes the US Secretary of War said "Lethality is our calling card"—and asks who truly deserves the label, given America's record and complicity in Gaza.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530898/Cult-of-Death-Check-your-calling-card-Mr-Rubio

Trump loses Nobel again as jurist behind Gaza genocide findings takes prize

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize went to Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, whose UN commission found Israel committed four acts of genocide in Gaza. The decision rebukes Trump, who claimed passing him over would discredit the committee. The writer notes the prize's contradictory history—honoring Kissinger and Obama—while praising Pillay's work challenging impunity.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530894/Trump-loses-Nobel-again-as-jurist-behind-Gaza-genocide-findings

Araghchi: Even US senators want a way out of catastrophic defeats

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Netanyahu is "a wanted war criminal whose hands are stained with Arab, American, and Iranian blood," adding that "to escape justice, he values nothing—not even his own people."

🔹"Like a bankrupt gambler, he desperately tries to save himself by sacrificing more and more American lives and wealth. Even US senators now want to find a way out."

Velayati to Rubio: Your problem is Iran's strong, independent civilization

🔹Ali Akbar Velayati, the Leader's international affairs advisor, responded to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "Your problem isn't with the Islamic Revolution—it's with Iran's strong and independent civilization."

🔹"Rubio praises standing 'to the last man' in ancient Greece, but belittles the Iranian nation's resistance as a 'death cult.' Praising resistance for one's own while mocking it for others isn't civilization—it's philosophy in service of domination."

🔹"Those who created the catastrophes of Hiroshima, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan have no right to give moral lessons."

Iranian researchers win gold at INOVA International Invention Show

A team of five Iranian researchers won gold at the 50th INOVA in Zagreb for an explainable AI cryptocurrency investment system using deep learning and blockchain intelligence. Meanwhile, Iranian researchers in the world's top 2% of scientists nearly doubled from 1,154 in 2020 to 2,678 in 2026, with the University of Tehran leading.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530917/Iranian-researchers-win-gold-at-INOVA-International-Invention

Iran to raise US attacks' environmental toll on Kharg Island at international forums

Iran is preparing a report on environmental damage from US attacks on Kharg Island, where at least 25 deer have died—with officials warning the real toll is higher. The DOE chief said "the environment is the first silent victim of war," urging accountability and compensation. The case will be pursued through the UN and legal channels.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530919/Iran-to-raise-US-attacks-environmental-toll-on-Kharg-Island

Palestinian flag raised in front of Israeli embassy in Athens

Pezeshkian visits Tehran exhibition showcasing rural and nomadic achievements

President Pezeshkian toured the sixth rural and nomadic exhibition in Tehran, praising these communities as "invaluable assets." He said their presence "sends a clear message to enemies that they are not afraid of threats." The four-day event features over 400 booths, traditional black tents, local foods, and handicrafts from all 31 provinces.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530925/Pezeshkian-visits-Tehran-exhibition-showcasing-rural-and-nomadic

Turkish cyclists ride to honor Minab school martyrs

🔹A caravan of Turkish cyclists, aiming to ride to the Shajareh Tayyibeh school in Minab, entered East Azerbaijan province on Saturday.