Saturday, April 18, 2026
Home Blog Page 120

Iran wins Greco-Roman wrestling title at Serbia tournament with 8 medals

Wrestlers from several countries including Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Sweden, Romania, Croatia, and Belarus took part in the event.

Iran topped the team standings following a string of impressive performances.

Mohammad Pouya Asadi won gold in the 55 kg category after defeating opponents from Serbia and Bulgaria with decisive scores.

Reza Gheytasi dominated the 63 kg division, securing the title with a 10-0 victory over Serbia’s Aleksić in the final.

In the 87 kg class, Mohammad Hossein Ostadmohammad Memar earned another gold, while teammate Yasin Yazdi claimed bronze.

In the 72 kg weight category, Iman Mohammadi reached the final but lost narrowly to a Belarusian wrestler, taking silver. Amir Mehdi Saeedi Nava (77 kg), Alireza Mohammadhosseini (82 kg), and Ayyub Hosseinvand (130 kg) each earned bronze medals.

The results ensured Iran’s team finish first overall, continuing the country’s strong record in Greco-Roman wrestling on the international stage.

Iran says foreign intervention in the Caucasus its red line

Esmail Baghaei

Esmail Baqaei said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the presence of foreign forces in the South Caucasus makes the situation more complex.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also referred to Article 12 of the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that under this article, no foreign military forces will be stationed along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border.

He added: “We are highly sensitive to this issue, and Armenia itself is aware of the consequences of allowing foreign forces into the region.”

He further stressed: “The matter of foreign intervention is Iran’s red line.”

Referring to the Islamic Republic’s sensitivity toward developments in the Caucasus, he added: “We are closely monitoring the developments with open eyes, and we neither oversimplify nor underestimate any issue.”

Baqaei stated that the South Caucasus holds political, economic, and geopolitical importance for Iran and the regional countries, particularly Russia.

He underlined the need to avoid misinterpretations and the spread of false information, noting that some interpretations are based on incorrect data and may be aimed at disrupting the Islamic Republic’s relations with the countries of the South Caucasus.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added: “We enjoy good relations with the countries of the South Caucasus and believe that the stability and security of this region are of great importance to us.”

Iran’s Ettelaat daily criticizes internet filtering, warns of greater risks

Iran Mobile Internet

In an editorial on Sunday, the country’s oldest-running newspaper argued that blocking access to popular online platforms pushes users toward illegal tools such as VPNs and proxy servers, which often serve as gateways to unsafe corners of the internet.

The paper cautioned that such environments expose citizens, particularly young people, to fraudsters, traffickers, spies, cybercriminals, and other illicit actors.

“Instead of ensuring safety, filtering has opened the doors to fake news, online scams, and the ‘dark web,’ where criminal networks prey on the vulnerable,” the editorial said.
It described this as a “hell without end” fueled by censorship.

The newspaper stressed that freedom requires patience, investment, and education, but argued its long-term benefits are “fruitful and bright.”

It urged authorities to embrace professional training and allow citizens to experience an open digital space, which it said would strengthen Iran’s cyber capabilities rather than weaken them.

The editorial concluded that the internet is now an integral part of social and economic life worldwide, and that attempts to suppress it only harm innovation, business, and cultural progress.

Iran’s FM expresses confidence in bright future for Iran-Armenia ties

Abbas Araghchi

His remarks came in a statement ahead of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to Yerevan.

Araghchi further spoke about the deep historical and cultural bonds between Iran and Armenia, noting that centuries of cultural exchange and shared traditions have strengthened bilateral ties.

Touching on economic ties, the foreign minister underlined that Tehran remains one of Yerevan’s key trade partners and that Iran views its border with Armenia as a “bridge” for energy, transport, and security cooperation.

Elsewhere, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s commitment to peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

“The road ahead is clear,” he noted. “Iran and Armenia are ready to write a new chapter of friendship that will bring greater prosperity to both nations and the broader region.”

Iran’s armed forces warn the US and Israel against schemes and hostility

Iran Armed Forces

In a statement, the General Staff  said any miscalculation or hostile act against “powerful and invincible” Iran will not be tolerated.

The statement called on Washington and Tel Aviv to abandon their plots and malice against Iran.

It referred to the proud history of the Islamic Revolution, saying the Iranian people, guided by their wise and courageous leader, have consistently proven they will not give in to threats or coercion.

The statement underlined that the global arrogance has learned little from its failures over the past 46 years and that in coordination with the “fake, and child-killing” Zionist regime, it attempted yet another act of aggression against Iran.

The General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces however said experts and politicians alike admit that this plot ended in humiliation, failure, and disgrace for its perpetrators.

Unlike the restraint shown during the 12-day imposed war, any repeated provocation will be met with far stronger, unprecedented, and crushing responses, the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces cautioned.

It added that Iran’s message is clear: threats will be met with decisive action, and those who dare challenge the nation’s sovereignty will face the full might of Iran’s defense forces.

Envoy: Tehran-Riyadh committed to end regional polarization

Iran and Saudi Arabia Flags

Enayati said continuous contacts are taking place between the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces and the Saudi defense minister, which shows a strategic perspective in Riyadh toward relations with Tehran.

He stressed that a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction presents a promising avenue for cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

“The region is moving away from geopolitically-centered security toward development-focused security”, said Enayati.

He added that decades of polarization can now give way to collective, long-term, and regional cooperation, provided that both sides have the required political will.

According to the Iranian ambassador to Riyadh, the resumption of commercial and scheduled flights between Iran and Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, although trade volumes remain limited at this stage and that the Saudi side has opened scholarship opportunities for Iranian students.

Notorious terrorist group claims deadly attack in southeast Iran  

Iran Police

The group issued a statement on social media claiming the terrorist attack on law enforcement officers. The fallen officer has been identified as Sergeant Ramin Sadeghi.

A number of the assailants were wounded in the fighting and security forces forced them to flee the scene.

Jaish al-Adl is responsible for a series of terror attacks in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province in recent years that have killed a number of ordinary citizens and security forces.

Iranian president to visit Belarus and Armenia

Masoud Pezeshkian

He said the visits aim to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in trade, and include the signing of agreements.

Originally scheduled for early July, the trips were postponed.

In addition, Pezeshkian has been invited to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China in September.

Iran to miss 2025 Sitting Volleyball World Cup in US

The event, the sport’s second-largest after the World Championships, is scheduled for October 12–18.

Iran’s absence from the games has been confirmed by the official team list released by World ParaVolley.

A total of 14 men’s teams, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Poland, Thailand, and host nation USA, are confirmed, with Algeria’s participation still uncertain.

Notably, Iran and Germany, who finished first and third in the 2023 edition in Egypt, are absent.

In the women’s competition, six teams, that is, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the USA, will take part.

US pushes peace over ceasefire after Alaska summit

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said his almost three-hour talks with Putin in Anchorage “went very well,” adding that it was “a great and very successful day.”

He confirmed that he had discussed the summit with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, several EU leaders, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up,” Trump said.

The US president also confirmed that he and Zelensky would hold talks on Monday, adding that “if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.”

Ukraine and its EU backers have for months been pushing for a temporary comprehensive ceasefire. While Russia did not rule out the idea, it has pointed to serious obstacles to the plan. It has argued that such a step would allow Kiev to receive more Western weapons and recoup its battered units at a time when Russian troops are pressing their advantage on the battlefield.

Speaking at the Alaska summit, Putin stressed that a “lasting and long-term” settlement would require “eliminating the root causes of the conflict.” Both leaders have described the talks as productive, with Trump later urging Zelensky to “make a deal” with Russia.