Defense chief: We must fill Armed Forces' hands to defend Iran

🔹Acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Ibn al-Reza stressed the need for comprehensive readiness: "We must fill the Armed Forces' hands with full preparedness to defend Iran."

🔹Responding to US officials' remarks against Iranian civilization, he said they either don't know history or are "playing with fire." "Iran's civilization cannot be damaged by a few hateful remarks."

🔹"Those who ignite civilizational confrontation should not assume its flames will never reach them."

🔹"Iran has neither borrowed its identity nor needs permission to preserve it. We defend our history and national interests against any threat."

Nude Trump sculpture sparks political controversy at European Parliament

A gold-covered sculpture of Trump naked, sitting on a frail man's back, was displayed at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Titled "The Orange Plague," it drew criticism from lawmakers and Slovakia's PM, who demanded its removal. Others defended it as political satire. Artist Jens Galschiøt said he wanted to attack Trump personally over his climate and foreign policies.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530956/Nude-Trump-sculpture-sparks-political-controversy-at-European

Jajarm: A budget-friendly rural escape in North Khorasan

With its historic railway station, quiet villages, and proximity to Touran National Park, Jajarm offers an affordable alternative to Iran's busy tourist spots. Yet poor rail facilities, limited tickets, and weak visitor services remain major obstacles. Better transport and modest investment could turn this rural town into a gateway for North Khorasan tourism.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531003/Jajarm-offers-budget-friendly-rural-escape-but-rail-links-need

The weapon shifting Yemen's frontlines

Yemen's new Shawaz drone has shifted frontlines near Bab al-Mandab, targeting Saudi-backed forces in Lahij, Al-Wazi'iyah, and Kahbub. Low-cost and maneuverable, it provides live video for strikes and reconnaissance, minimizing Yemeni losses. Footage has countered Saudi claims of advancing toward Mokha, showing retreats and attrition instead—mirroring Hezbollah's psychological impact on Israeli forces.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531009/The-weapon-shifting-Yemen-s-frontlines

Yemen leaves Riyadh grounded

Riyadh's airport has been hit five times since October 6, with flights almost entirely cancelled and Western embassies warning citizens away. Saudi officials admit interceptor stocks are low. Sanaa's doctrine is "airport for airport, blockade for blockade." Washington is staying out, offering condolences but no strikes, as its own Iran war consumes munitions ahead of midterms.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531010/Yemen-Leaves-Riyadh-Grounded

The Persians return to Athens

Rubio's Acropolis speech revived the old trope of Greek freedom versus Persian slavery, casting Iran as an irrational "cult of death." But scholars note Athens was more disciplined than Persia, and participatory governance existed elsewhere—in the Prophet's and Imam Ali's rule. As Edward Said wrote, every European speaking of the Orient was "a racist, an imperialist, and almost totally ethnocentric."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531007/The-Persians-return-to-Athens

German silence on Gaza and the West Bank 'has been loud': Philippe Sands

Accepting Germany's Book Trade Peace Prize, human rights lawyer Philippe Sands criticized Berlin's "inappropriate silence" on Israeli crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. He said restricting those who speak out is "indecent," and that Germany—which has called out horrors from Ukraine to the Uighurs—"knows about ethnic cleansing" in Gaza yet stays silent. "Silence is not the way."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531011/German-silence-on-Gaza-and-the-West-Bank-has-been-loud-Philippe

Tehran Symphony Orchestra to perform "In Italian Style" at Vahdat Hall 🎻

🔹The Tehran Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Nasir Heydarian and featuring cellist Majid Esmaili, will perform "In Italian Style" on Tuesday, October 20, at Vahdat Hall. 📅

🔹The program opens with Schubert's "Overture in the Italian Style," followed by Khachaturian's "Rhapsody Concerto" with Esmaili on cello, and concludes with Schubert's Symphony No. 2. 🎼

Gen. Vahidi: No extra-regional power has the right to intervene in Hormuz

🔹IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi stated: "No extra-regional power has the right to threaten, maintain a domineering presence, or intervene in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf."

Gen. Javani: US miscalculation trapped it against Iran's Armed Forces

🔹IRGC Political Deputy Brigadier General Yadollah Javani said the US and Zionist regime believed Iran's system would collapse after the Leader's martyrdom or street unrest—a strategic miscalculation that failed.

🔹"From before Trump's presidency, Americans tried with all their might to corner Iran, but failed against the nation's steadfastness," he said in Babol.

🔹"Iran is the nation of Imam Hussein and martyrdom. As Soleimani predicted, the enemy starts the war, but its end leads to the enemies' surrender."

🔹He called the people's 226 consecutive nights of street presence "unparalleled in human history" and the foundation for final victory.

Gharibabadi thanks Putin for readiness to help end Iran-US conflict

🔹Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for expressing readiness to work toward ending the conflict between Tehran and Washington.

🔹"Russia has always clearly stated that this war, initiated by the US, must end and this aggression must stop. It has also consistently declared its readiness to contribute to peace efforts," he said.

🔹"We thank the Russian president for announcing the necessary readiness, given Russia's significant capacities in this regard."

Iran, Egypt FMs discuss Yemen, regional de-escalation in phone call

🔹Foreign Ministers Abbas Araghchi and Badr Abdelatty held a phone call on Tuesday morning to discuss the latest regional developments, including the situation in Yemen and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

North Khorasan, the province I almost missed

A three-day journey through North Khorasan reveals mountain refuges, 2,000-year-old juniper trees, Turkmen hospitality, and a dutar workshop where master Khosrow Haddad has spent five decades crafting instruments. A 90-year-old's private museum, traditional wrestling, an apple festival, and a hand-built valley house in Estarkhi round out a trip the writer nearly never took.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531040/North-Khorasan-the-province-I-almost-missed