Peace with Israel: A Lebanese Illusion?

Israel's new security doctrine treats war as permanent and peace as temporary, undermining Lebanese assumptions that a deal would bring withdrawal. Unlike the Camp David and Wadi Araba treaties, when Israeli leaders saw peace as strategic, today's regime views conflict as a managed condition. Lebanese advocates of peace rely on outdated thinking. Before offering concessions, Lebanon must ask whether Israel still values peace at all. The framework agreement's logic is fundamentally flawed.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531160/Peace-with-Israel-A-Lebanese-illusion

'Either security together or insecurity together': Iran's FM tells OIC

In Baghdad, Foreign Minister Araghchi told the OIC that security in the region is indivisible. He accused the US of choosing "aggression, threats, assassination" over diplomacy, citing 5,000 Iranian martyrs and the Minab and Kuhestak attacks. He said the Hormuz Strait was open until February 28, and Iran's seven-day reopening plan now awaits Washington's choice.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531171/Either-Security-Together-or-Insecurity-Together

Trump's White House chaotically turns on itself as Republicans brace for defeat

A press secretary hired on Friday was gone within days; her only briefing announced an ambassador's ouster. Loyalists feud over money, the chief of staff's family faces scrutiny, and aides reportedly expect to lose the House. With approval at its lowest and the Iran war dragging, one ally described the mood as "the new Wild Wild West."

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531169/Trump-s-White-House-chaotically-turns-on-itself-as-Republicans

📰 Nationwide "No Kings" protests against Trump held across US cities

🔹Protesters gathered Saturday in cities across North Texas—including Dallas, Arlington, Frisco, Plano, Denton, and Southlake—while thousands marched in Los Angeles and Southern California, chanting against Donald Trump and his administration's policies.

🔹Demonstrators in Los Angeles and Boston protested immigration policies, federal enforcement actions, and threats to voting rights.

🔹The rallies were part of a nationwide "No Kings" day of action ahead of November's midterm elections, with organizers framing the events as a push for early voting and election protection.

Araghchi: Hormuz will reopen if US fulfills Iran's conditions

🔹Speaking on the sidelines of the OIC foreign ministers' meeting in Baghdad, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran's conditions are "completely clear" and were presented to the US in a seven-point plan.

🔹"If there is genuine sincerity on the American side—which currently doesn't exist—there is a clear path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. If our conditions are met, the Strait will reopen on the sixth day, and negotiations will begin on the seventh," he said.

🔹"These conditions are not extraordinary—they are commitments the US itself previously made in the MoU. If Washington has the will, it can implement them within days."

🔹On Yemen, Araghchi warned Iran may disassociate itself from the resolution if fairness and balance are not observed, saying discussions with Saudi Arabia and other states are ongoing.

🔹"We bow to no threats and are ready to defend ourselves, while remaining ready for honorable diplomacy," he concluded.

Rezaei: Iran's forces ready with plan more devastating than 12- and 40-day wars

🔹SNSC Secretary Mohsen Rezaei wrote on social media: "The delusional rhetoric and repeated threats by US and Zionist officials these days will not change the reality on the ground."

🔹"Iran's Armed Forces have prepared a plan more devastating than the 12-day and 40-day wars for any new adventure."

🔹"Iran's new operational plan will not proceed according to the rules they know," he added.

Palestinian flag raised atop Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

Iraqi FM: Met Araghchi, discussed bilateral ties and path to peace

🔹Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein wrote on X: "On the sidelines of the 52nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad, I met with Mr. Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we discussed bilateral relations, the latest regional developments, and ways to achieve peace."

🔹"I emphasized Iraq's firm position in supporting peaceful solutions to regional crises through dialogue and diplomatic tools."

🔹"We also discussed ways to activate the OIC's role and strengthen its capacity to address regional and international challenges, with the aim of consolidating cooperation and solidarity among member states, stressing the importance of supporting joint efforts to ensure regional security and stability."

Ghalibaf warns regional governments: Aiding AI firms complicit in killing our children will trigger our response

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X: "The Persian Gulf Data Management Authority is coming."

🔹"To regional governments, investment funds, and companies: We advise you not to provide any resources to AI or data companies that assist military aggression or are complicit in killing children. No financing, no shares, no land, no energy."

🔹"Anyone who aids them will face our coercive action."

Baghaei to Macron: Double standards are indefensible

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei reminded President Macron on X of his past praise for "peaceful assembly without fear of punishment" when Iran faced foreign-incited attacks—yet now Paris vows severe punishment for similar acts at home.

🔹He also recalled Macron's text to Trump promising "great things about Iran," which later meant complicity in aggression that engulfed the region.

🔹"History sometimes breaks the window and returns to its owners' house," Baghaei warned, citing La Fontaine: "Betrayal may return to its owner."

Russian FM Lavrov to visit Tehran on Monday

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will travel to Tehran on Monday.

🔹The visit is part of continuous Tehran-Moscow consultations, aimed at following up on the implementation of bilateral agreements and consulting on regional and international developments.

France in a web of problems partly fueled by the war on Iran

France saw its worst unrest in years: 550,000–800,000 demonstrators, ~1,800 arrested, and Limoges town hall burned. Student protests over teacher shortages merged with fuel-price anger after Hormuz's closure. With Macron's approval at 15%, a Le Figaro poll shows 62% back the students. Iran's FM noted the double standard in France's response.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531216/France-in-a-web-of-problems-partly-fueled-by-the-war-on-Iran

No Kings protests shift focus to early voting ahead of US midterms

The fourth nationwide "No Kings: Vote Early" protests focused on turning opposition to Trump into electoral participation, with thousands of events across all 50 states. Participants cited Gaza, Iran, gas prices, and grocery costs. The White House dismissed the movement's nonpartisan framing, framing the midterms as a clear partisan choice.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531211/No-Kings-protests-shift-focus-to-early-voting-ahead-of-US-midterms

National Museum of Iran highlights public role of archaeology on Intl. Archaeology Day 🏛️

On International Archaeology Day, the National Museum of Iran reaffirmed its commitment to making archaeological heritage accessible to the public. Director Jebrael Nokandeh honored Dr. Ezatollah Negahban, the father of modern Iranian archaeology, noting his work to bring archaeology closer to the public through exhibitions, lectures, and public visits to excavations.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/531155/National-Museum-of-Iran-highlights-public-role-of-archaeology