TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United States cannot call for negotiations with Iran while maintaining a threatening posture, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, stressing that talks must be conducted on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Araqchi said there has been no contact in recent days between him and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, adding that Iran has not requested negotiations.
He noted that some countries are currently acting as intermediaries and holding consultations, and said Iran remains in contact with those parties.
Araqchi emphasized that negotiations have their own established principles and cannot take place under threats, reminding the US that any talks must be held from an equal position and with mutual respect.
Iran’s Judoka Elyas Parhizgar grabbed the gold medal in the 81kg weight category in Casablanca African Open 2026 held in Morocco.
Parhizgar overpowered Konin Junior Emmanuel Kossan from Côte d’Ivoire and then Ivan Ferreira from Argentina. He also defeated Siem Van Damme from the Netherlands to advance to the quarterfinals and then defeated Mustafa Habib from Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach the semifinals.In the semifinals, Parhizgar achieved a valuable victory over Olivier Gagnon from Canada to advance to the final. After defeating Antonio Candreio, he secured the gold medal.
Casablanca African Open 2026 was held in Morocco, with the participation of representatives from 42 countries, on Saturday. Iran’s national team, led by Rashad Mammadov, participated in the event with five judokas.
Amir Hossein Valizadeh in 73kg weight category was defeated by Felix from Canada.
Iranian experts have managed to make an anti-cancer drug with the least side-effects, using nono-technology.
There are only four companies worldwide that manufacture this drug.The main field of activity of the Iranian company is cancer medication using targeted methods to treat the illness as well as treating chronical diseases like addiction.Normal cancer treatment is accompanied by side effects like loss of hair and nausea, but using this drug reduces these side effects to zero.Navid Nateghin, a member of the firm’s board of trustees says in this method, the drug goes directly for the cancerous cells thus leaving aside the healthy tissues.He said the company has produced the drug, using nanotechnology.Ten years into the production of the drug, no other company has ever since been able to make it.The drug is used for treating pancreas cancer, breast cancer, uterus cancer, lung cancer, ovary cancer, and stomach cancer.Besides local consumption, the drug is exported to such countries as Turkey, Iraq, Russia, and Syria.
EHRAN (Tasnim) – Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed reports alleging that 30,000 people were killed in just two days during recent unrest in Iran, calling the claim a blatant act of disinformation.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, Baqaei described the circulating figure as a “Hitler-style BIG LIE,” accusing hostile actors of attempting to manufacture casualties in the media after failing to realize their plans on the ground.
“A Hitler-style BIG LIE: isn’t this the number they planned to kill in the streets of Iran?! They failed, though, and now they’re trying to FAKE it in the media. Truly vicious!” the spokesman said.
He also shared an image of the report spreading the allegation and condemned it as a vicious effort to deceive global public opinion.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran will play host to the next General Assembly of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), marking a new development in the country’s parliamentary diplomacy.
A deputy speaker of the Iranian Parliament, who has attended the 16th APA General Assembly in Bahrain, said the next APA General Assembly will be held in Tehran in the upcoming Persian year, which will begin on March 21.
Hamidreza Hajibabaee noted that Iran was also elected, by a vote of the members, as chair of the APA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development.
He was explaining the outcomes of the APA Executive Council meeting held on the sidelines of the assembly in Manama.
The Iranian MP described the decision to hold the next assembly in Tehran as an important development in the field of parliamentary diplomacy. He added that Tehran is expected to host parliamentary delegations from 44 Asian countries.
The Asian Parliamentary Assembly was founded in 2006 at the 7th session of the Association of Asian Parliamentary for Peace (AAPP) which was established in 1999.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the need to further develop renewable energy in Iran, calling for stronger financial support mechanisms to advance projects in the sector.
Addressing a cabinet session on Sunday, Pezeshkian said the expansion of renewable energy, particularly solar power, must be pursued more seriously.
He stressed that the Central Bank is obliged to cooperate with the Ministry of Energy to facilitate and allocate the financial resources required for renewable energy infrastructures.
Pezeshkian also emphasized the necessity of expanding the use of solar panels and other renewable energy sources.
He noted that the process of measures taken in this area has been satisfactory so far and said the country’s current status in developing these technologies was not comparable to the past.
However, the president emphasized that both the private sector and government institutions must independently and seriously follow up on their assigned responsibilities to complete and bring ongoing projects into operation.
Situated along Iran’s southern edge, Hormozgan province is known for its extraordinary natural diversity. Within a relatively compact area, it encompasses arid deserts, salt flats, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and vividly colored, mineral-rich soils.
This striking convergence of landscapes – rigid yet breathtaking – offers a rare insight into the resilience and variety of southern Iran’s environment and highlights the coastal region’s immense potential for sustainable and nature-based tourism.
Arid deserts
Large parts of Hormozgan’s interior areas, along with several of its stunning islands, are characterized by arid, low-rainfall deserts. Expansive sand dunes, rocky plains, and open horizons form a stark yet visually compelling landscape.
The profound silence, intense sunlight, and endless vistas make these deserts ideal for photography, stargazing, and adventure tourism.
Visitors often find the desert’s extremes both challenging and invigorating, offering experiences such as camel trekking, off-road exploration, and camping beneath star-filled skies.
The dramatic juxtaposition of desert landscapes alongside the sea creates an experience rarely seen elsewhere in such pristine glory.
These landscapes can be explored in the central and northern regions of Hormozgan province, as well as on Qeshm Island, particularly around Chahkooh Canyon and the island’s western plains, and on Hormuz Island, where arid hills descend directly into the waters of the Persian Gulf.
Salt flats
Salt flats, scattered throughout the province’s coastal and island regions, are another defining feature of its picturesque landscape.
Formed by the natural evaporation of seawater under arid climatic conditions, these luminous, reflective plains shift in color and texture over the course of the day.
Sunlight glinting off their pale surfaces produces surreal, almost otherworldly vistas.
These expansive salt fields provide ideal settings for photography, painting, and educational excursions, offering visitors insight into the geological processes that shape such distinctive and fragile environments.
A salt flat in Hormuz Island
Salt flats also appeal to adventurous travelers who enjoy walking or cycling across the stark white terrain, immersing themselves in the profound quiet and solitude that only such remote landscapes can provide.
Notable salt flats can be found on Qeshm Island, especially in its central regions, as well as in coastal areas near Bandar Abbas and parts of Minab County, where seasonal salt plains emerge following periods of intense evaporation.
Mangrove forests (Hara)
Hormozgan’s mangrove forests, locally known as Hara forests, are among the province’s most vital and fragile ecosystems.
Found primarily around Qeshm Island and nearby coastal areas, these forests flourish at the dynamic boundary between land and sea. Their intricate root systems create safe habitats for migratory birds, fish, and a wide array of other species.
Visitors can explore these remarkable environments through guided boat tours, getting first-hand insight into the mangroves’ unique adaptations to saline conditions.
Educational programs for students, researchers, and eco-tourists further promote conservation awareness, positioning the mangrove forests as a centerpiece of both sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship.
Hara forests in Qeshm island
The most famous Hara forests are located between Qeshm Island and the mainland, particularly near the coastal towns of Laft and Khamir.
These areas are easily accessible by boat and are among Hormozgan’s most popular eco-tourism destinations, thronged by both local and foreign visitors.
Coral reefs
Off the coasts of Hormozgan’s islands, particularly within the Persian Gulf, coral reefs support some of the region’s most diverse marine ecosystems.
These reefs are home to vibrant fish species, invertebrates, and marine flora, yet they remain highly sensitive and fragile. Responsible diving and snorkeling programs allow visitors to explore this underwater world while minimizing environmental impact.
Beyond their appeal to tourists, coral reefs hold significant scientific value, offering critical insights into marine biology, climate change, and the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems.
Coral reefs can be visited around islands such as Kish, Qeshm, Lavan, and Hengam, where regulated diving and snorkeling tours operate, especially in the clear, calm waters surrounding Kish and Hengam.
Colored soils and red earth
One of Hormozgan’s most captivating natural features, particularly prominent on Hormuz Island, is its vividly colored, mineral-rich soils, including the iconic red earth.
Formed over millennia, these soils have long served both traditional and industrial purposes while simultaneously shaping some of the region’s most striking visual landscapes.
As visitors walk or hike across the island’s multicolored hills, they encounter sweeping gradients of red, yellow, and orange set against the deep blue of the surrounding sea – an experience that seamlessly blends geological fascination with aesthetic delight.
Rainbow Valley in Hormuz Island
Local artists and photographers often draw inspiration from these breathtaking landscapes, further promoting the province’s cultural tourism alongside natural exploration.
These colored soils are most prominently found on Hormuz Island, particularly in areas such as the Rainbow Valley and the Red Beach, which are among the island’s top natural attractions and easily accessible to visitors.
Unlocking sustainable potential
The ecological diversity of Hormozgan positions the province as one of Iran’s premier destinations for nature-based tourism.
From desert adventures and landscape photography to marine exploration, mangrove excursions, and eco-education, each environment appeals to a distinct range of visitor interests.
Birdwatching in mangrove forests, geological tours across salt flats, scuba diving among coral reefs, and trekking over vividly colored hills together offer an unparalleled breadth of experiences within a single province.
Supported by eco-lodges, guided programs, and community-led initiatives, sustainable tourism in Hormozgan not only enriches visitors’ understanding of nature but also generates lasting economic opportunities for local communities while safeguarding the region’s fragile ecosystems.
Ardabil Airport, in northwestern Iran, recorded the lowest temperature in the country over the past night, with the mercury dropping to minus 27 degrees Celsius, according to the provincial meteorological authority.
Sadegh Kouhi, Director General of the Ardabil Meteorological Organization, said the extreme cold made Ardabil Airport the coldest point in the country during the reported period.
He noted that the severe cold wave continues to affect large parts of the province, accompanied by heavy snowfall in mountainous and rural areas.
Meteorological officials have warned residents to take necessary precautions due to persistently low temperatures, icy roads, and the risk of disruptions to transportation and daily activities.
Iran’s Security Council has released a report on the recent wave of foreign-backed riots across the country, announcing that 2,427 people, including civilians and security personnel, were martyred in a “full-scale atrocity” orchestrated by the US and Israel.
The statement said that 690 other individuals were killed during the riots, bringing the total death toll to 3,117.
According to the report, the height of the violence occurred on January 8 and 9, revealing an unprecedented level of brutality.
“According to the documentation in possession of the council, during these two days, a full-scale atrocity was carried out with the support of ill-wishers against the Iranian nation,” it said.
Terrorist elements engaged in “Daesh-style crimes,” including beheadings, stabbings, and burning individuals alive.
The attacks also caused widespread destruction with systematic assaults on bazaars, shops, banks, mosques, hospitals, ambulances, fire stations, clinics, and public infrastructure.
The council noted that the events began as peaceful protests by merchants and trade groups over economic difficulties, during which President Masoud Pezeshkian personally met with representatives to hear their concerns and instructed the police to exercise maximum restraint.
However, the report said that organized chaos cells intervened to prevent a peaceful resolution and shifted to targeted armed attacks intended to create mass casualties and destabilize urban centers.
“After this stage, on the 8th and 9th of January, various terrorist acts were carried out in parts of the country to push the situation out of control and destabilize the cities through maximum violence and coordinated armed attacks on public places and gatherings intended to cause casualties and destroy public and private property,” it added.
Intelligence findings suggest this campaign was a direct response to the failure of the “12-day war” waged by the US and Israel in June last year.
Having realized that military aggression alone could not break the Iranian will, the statement asserted that the US-Zionist axis shifted its focus to targeting Iran’s social cohesion.
“The enemy concluded that military tools could not make the Iranian nation surrender,” the statement read. “Therefore, they targeted the social integrity of the nation to break the collective national will.”
The council credited the failure of this “sinister plot” to the wise leadership of Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the sacrifices of security forces, and the historic “epic of January 12”, when millions of Iranians took to the streets to denounce the violence.
The report emphasized that normal life has returned to the country, and that the “national unity of the Iranian people has once again imposed defeat on the enemies of Iran.”
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps denounced the US as the world’s largest violator of the environment, saying Washington bears primary responsibility for deliberate, human-made environmental destruction.
Addressing a conference on “Environmental Threats and the National Security of Iran”, held in Tehran on Sunday, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi discussed the security implications of environmental degradation and the role of Western powers in creating such threats.
He said the most significant intentional factor behind the destruction of the environment is the weaponry produced by the United States, adding that America ranks first globally in environmental violations, followed by other Western countries.
The IRGC deputy commander also criticized the US’ so-called “Golden Dome” missile defense project, saying it effectively represents interference in outer space and the militarization of space.
Under existing international conventions, the militarization of space is prohibited, yet past initiatives such as the “Star Wars” program and current plans for the Golden Dome reflect continued disregard for international conventions and legal frameworks, the IRGC general noted, adding that such actions carry harmful environmental consequences.
Vahidi cited nuclear testing as another major example of deliberate, human-made environmental threats, noting that some large-scale nuclear tests have been conducted underwater, causing severe environmental damage. He added that nuclear tests carried out in the upper atmosphere as well as underground pose serious risks, describing them as among the most significant man-made hazards, the majority of which, he said, have been carried out by the US.
Referring to environmental and ecological threats in Gaza, the IRGC official described the territory as a clear example of the deliberate destruction of the environment by Zionist and American bombs. He said many people have been killed there and stressed that wars constitute a major factor in environmental destruction and environmental hazards, which he attributed to actions by Western countries.
