Latest news with #Persian
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First Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Iran must tread carefully in framing post-ceasefire strategy
As a Persian proverb warns, 'Bravado without power is like a lion's roar from a sheep's throat,' Iran's defiance may echo loudly, but it risks being drowned out by the consequences of its own overreach read more The ceasefire notwithstanding, Iran has a brand new strategic mix for the near future. The first part of Iran's war strategy includes threatening traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a fifth of the world's oil flows. This is a high-stakes gamble rooted in the sea denial principles of the British naval theorist Julian Corbett. Yet, despite its calculated bravado, Iran's approach is likely to lead to a protracted conflict it cannot win, exposing its strategic vulnerabilities and risking regional escalation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Corbett's sea denial theory, which emphasises disrupting an adversary's control of maritime routes without seeking outright naval dominance, is evident in three facets of Iran's strategy. First, Iran deploys fast-attack boats armed with anti-ship missiles, designed to harass and deter larger naval forces through asymmetric hit-and-run tactics. Second, its naval assets, including submarines and mine-laying vessels, aim to create uncertainty and raise the costs of operating in the Strait. Third, Iran leverages its coastal geography, studded with missile batteries and radar stations, to project power over the narrow waterway, threatening commercial and military shipping alike. These tactics align with Corbett's vision of a weaker navy frustrating a stronger opponent's freedom of movement. Yet Iran's strategy extends beyond the Strait. It is likely to be flanked by the continued threat of missile strikes on American air bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and Iraq, targeting the US military presence that underpins regional security. These attacks, however, are unlikely to yield decisive results. US bases are fortified, with advanced missile defence systems like Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) capable of intercepting most threats. Moreover, such strikes risk galvanising American resolve and international condemnation without significantly degrading US operational capacity. A critical flaw in Iran's plan lies in the geography of the strait itself. Iran controls only the northern half; the southern half is Oman's jurisdiction. This bilateral control severely limits Iran's ability to enforce a complete blockade without provoking Oman or other Gulf states, which would escalate the conflict into a broader regional war. The US Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, further tilts the balance. With its carrier strike groups, destroyers, and air superiority, the fleet possesses overwhelming firepower to counter Iran's naval and missile threats. While Iran's asymmetric tactics may cause temporary disruptions, they cannot match the sustained power projection of the US Navy. The Fifth Fleet's ability to secure the Strait, supported by allies like Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, ensures that any Iranian blockade would be short-lived. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's strategy also risks self-inflicted wounds. By threatening to close the Strait, Iran endangers its own energy exports, which account for a significant portion of its revenue. China, Iran's largest oil buyer, would view such disruptions with alarm, as Beijing relies on stable Gulf energy supplies. Unlike Saddam Hussein, who recklessly attacked oil infrastructure during the Iran-Iraq War, Iran is unlikely to repeat this mistake, aware that alienating China and other trading partners would compound its economic woes. Compounding Iran's challenges is its weakened regional position. Its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, are diminished, with the former reeling from Israel's campaigns and the latter constrained by Lebanon's internal chaos. Iran's influence in Syria and Iraq has waned, eroded by local resistance and external pressures. Domestically, Iran's military is hamstrung by sanctions, outdated equipment, and a lack of air superiority—a critical disadvantage against the US and its allies. Yet this weakness makes Iran dangerous. With its prestige at stake, Tehran may feel compelled to double down and break the ceasefire at the earliest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's gambit in the Strait of Hormuz is thus a paradox: a bold strategy born of vulnerability. As a Persian proverb warns, 'Bravado without power is like a lion's roar from a sheep's throat.' Iran's defiance may echo loudly, but it risks being drowned out by the consequences of its own overreach. The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
The scenic root: A look at the ancient and modern history of the garden
Heaven is a well-laid garden. Or at least, the Ancient Persians thought so. A 17th-century tile panel from Isfahan, Iran, representing the Persian chahar-bagh. (Grant Anderson) The word paradise is derived from the Persian paradaijah, literally, 'walled enclosure'. As far back as 6th century BCE, the paradaijah was organised as a chahar-bagh, a set of its four swathes of green, each meant to embody one of the vital elements of the universe: earth, fire, water and air. Long, long before this, c. 1000 BCE, royal gardens in China featured intricately designed landscapes that often sought to marry myth with idealised forms of nature. How did such ideas evolve over time, to yield the neighbourhood parks of today? An intriguing exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee (the first V&A outside London) traces the history of these miniature worlds. Garden Futures: Designing with Nature is on view until January. Through exhibits that range from ancient and contemporary paintings to photographs, tools, plant specimens, and interactive multimedia installations, the show traces how the idea of the garden goes all the way back to, well, one idea of the start of it all. In the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the Garden of Eden represents the beginning of life itself. Exhibits at the show explore how these spaces have always served as sanctuaries; attempts, in increasingly dense, urban built environments, to let a bit of nature back in. In this role, they have acquired social, political and environmental connotations. Even today, or perhaps more so today, they are a statement of access, luxury, power, wealth. So how have our gardens grown, around the world? * China, c. 1000 BCE A 16th-century painting of scholars in a Chinese garden. (Getty Images) Myth and nature merge in the earliest signs of royal gardens here, dating to 1000 BCE. By the 3rd century BCE, there are records of the Qin emperor Shi Huang building a park with a lake and an island at the centre, inspired by legends of an island of immortals. In the Han dynasty that succeeded the Qin, rare plants and animals were housed in royal parks, in a template that spread as noblemen began to design their grounds on similar lines. Through the centuries, scaled-down waterways, rockeries, dwellings, bridges and plants sought to represent the whole of creation, in miniature scale. Over time, the precursor to the zen garden took shape, built around gongshi or scholar's rocks (essentially, boulders shaped by nature in such intriguing ways that one could spend hours in their contemplation). At V&A Dundee, a watercolour titled A Painting of a Chinese Garden, Guangzhou (c. 1820-1840) bears testament to this past. * France, in the 1500s A view of a parterre at the Palace of Versailles. (Adobe Stock) By the 1500s (civilisation dawning considerably later in the West), the French were designing intricate parterre (literally, 'on the ground') flowerbeds meant to be viewed from a height — essentially, from the terrace or higher floors of a chateau. Surviving parterres such as those at the Palace of Versailles reflect Renaissance ideals of beauty, symmetry and order. Also, luxury, via precise ornamentation. Some of the designs were so intricate, they were referred to as broderie sur la terre or 'embroidery on the ground'. At the V&A exhibit, this style is showcased via a fine-art reproduction of a sketch by the renowned 17th-century landscape architect Claude Mollet. His best-known work is still painstakingly maintained, at the Palace of Versailles. * England, in the 1700s John Gendall's depiction of a hermitage at the British royal family's Frogmore Estate in Windsor. (Getty) By the 18th century, pioneers such as Lancelot 'Capability' Brown were looking to contemporary art for inspiration. Inspired by the Picturesque Movement (a mid-18th-century style that sought to 'represent the ideal'), gardens designed by Brown and others sought to mimic idealised natural landscapes using cedar, beech and linden trees and sweeping lawns. These parks were marked by a near-total absence of flowers. Some of these gardens featured 'hermitages', whimsical retreats meant for rest and contemplation. In some cases, eccentric lords of the manor even hired a 'hermit' to play out the life of a romantic recluse and complete the picture. Engraved prints by artists of the time such as John Gendall and JP Neale offer intricate views of such gardens, complete with hermitages (but not hermits) * USA, in the 20th century Artist J Howard Miller's poster for the Victory Gardens initiative. (V&A Dundee) In the early 1940s, Victory Gardens produced up to 40% of America's fruits and vegetables, according to data from the US National WWII Museum. A government campaign that urged residents to grow their own food amid critical shortages, trade disruptions and broken supply chains was so successful that 20 million such gardens grew up across America, the museum data states. A poster that reads Plant a Garden for Victory!, by the artist J Howard Miller, is part of the V&A Dundee exhibit, inviting the viewer to reconsider a proven model in our current times of need. * India: Then and now While India does not form part of the V&A exhibit, it is interesting to note that the entire arc represented in the four-room display at the museum is visible in a number of our cities today. In northern India, parks and monuments still bear the mark of the ornate Mughal-era designs that were influenced by the Persian chahar-bagh — think rectilinear walled sections, large pools, canals, fountains and flowers. Alongside, we have the colonial-era import of the botanical gardens, in which the British originally attempted to recreate English shrubbery, and then began to preserve and showcase specimens of local varieties too. . Artistic and cultural movements continue to influence the way gardens look. These spaces can also be agents of change, says exhibition co-curator James Wylie. One actionable way to redraw the norm would be 'to look into our immediate environments and ask: Are there ways to encourage pollinators, or different modes of wildlife? To reach beyond manicured lawns and hedges, to create a wild, rich environment that encourages diversity of life?' Wylie adds. 'Because the ideal garden, in our times, is one in which our influence is negligible.'
Libyan Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Iran sends warning to Trump and Israel over threats and insults
BY Libyan Express Jun 28, 2025 - 05:11 Araghchi warns Trump and Israel: Iran will not tolerate threats Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that Israel has 'no refuge but the United States' in the face of Iranian military power, and warned that Tehran would not tolerate insults or threats directed at its leadership or sovereignty. In a statement posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi praised what he described as the resilience and national dignity of the Iranian people, drawing a comparison to the craftsmanship of Persian carpets. 'The complexity and resilience of the Iranian people are clearly reflected in our exquisite carpets—woven with infinite patience and countless hours of dedicated work,' he wrote. 'But in terms of national principles, we are a straightforward and rational people: we know what we possess, we value our independence, and we will not allow anyone to determine our fate.' Turning to former US President Donald Trump, Araghchi urged him to adopt a more respectful tone if any future agreement with Iran is to be taken seriously. 'If Mr Trump is genuinely seeking an agreement, he must abandon the disrespectful and unacceptable language he has used towards the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and avoid offending the millions of his loyal followers.' He continued by asserting that Israel had sought protection from Washington in the face of Iranian missile capabilities. 'The great Iranian people have shown the world that the Zionist regime had no other means of survival than seeking shelter with its 'spoilt father'—the United States. Iran does not tolerate threats or insults. And if delusions escalate into greater mistakes, we will not hesitate to reveal our real capabilities. At that moment, all illusions about Iran's strength will vanish.' Araghchi concluded with a message emphasising reciprocal diplomacy: 'Goodwill is met with goodwill, and respect is met with respect.' His remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and renewed scrutiny over Iran's relationship with both Israel and the United States. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
The Star
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
IAMM preps 'More Than A Day As A Tiger' exhibition on Tipu Sultan's legacy
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia's 'More Than A Day As A Tiger' exhibition, opening Aug 6, will showcase nearly 100 rare artefacts from its collection spotlighting the legacy of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore, India. Photo: The Star/Izzrafiq Alias This August, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur unveils More Than A Day As A Tiger: The Legacy Of Haider Ali And Tipu Sultan Of Mysore — a major exhibition honouring two of 18th-century South Asia's most formidable figures. Running from Aug 6 to Jan 15, 2026, at IAMM's Special Gallery 2, the show features exhibits drawn entirely from IAMM's extensive collection. More Than A Day As A Tiger casts the spotlight on Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, legendary rulers of Mysore whose defiance against British colonial power continues to echo through time. Through a display of nearly 100 artefacts and rare historical records, the exhibition will highlight their lasting legacy, remarkable military leadership, and cultural influence during a transformative era marked by resistance, resilience, and reform. Among the highlights: a gold tiger-head finial from Tipu Sultan's 18th-century throne, set with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Photo: IAMM 'Even though the reigns of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan lasted for less than 40 years, they made an indelible mark on the history of Britain and the Indian Subcontinent," outlines the exhibition notes. Tipu Sultan, famously dubbed the "Tiger of Mysore" by the British, became a powerful symbol of resistance when he fell defending his capital, Srirangapatna, in 1799. His death marked the collapse of Mysore and the triumph of the British East India Company, which looted his palace, weapons, court paintings and treasures. A priceless tiger-head finial, believed to be part of Tipu Sultan's legendary gold throne, is one of the exhibition's main highlights, alongside a flintlock blunderbuss (acquired by IAMM in 2005), which is lavishly decorated with bubri (tiger stripe) motifs and gold inlay. The historic weapon, manufactured at one of Tipu Sultan's armouries located in Patan (Srirangapatna), India by a local gunsmith around 1797, also bears a Persian inscription – a poem that extols its formidable power. The exhibits include an embroidered quiver and arm guards, a matching belt, and seven decorated arrows from 18th-century Mysore. Photo: IAMM IAMM's Tipu Sultan collection also includes an array of other weapons, including sporting guns, pistols and cannons. The exhibition also explores the symbolic use of the tiger across Tipu Sultan's military and personal belongings – from bubri-patterned swords and hilts to embroidered archery gear and quilted helmets. 'These artefacts will appear alongside archival documents, paintings, engravings, coins and much more. This collection testifies to the bravery of Tipu Sultan, who was famously associated with the quote, 'It is better to live like a tiger for a day, than to live like a jackal for 100 years,'' highlights the curatorial text. For history enthusiasts and curious minds, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a chapter that connects the Islamic world with South-East Asia's colonial past. More Than A Day As A Tiger marks IAMM's second major exhibition of the year, following the recently concluded Oceans That Speak: Islam And The Emergence Of The Malay World, which examined the historical and cultural impact of maritime trade on the spread of Islam and the shaping of the Malay world. A series of public programmes and activities will accompany IAMM's upcoming exhibition, offering visitors deeper insight into the legacy of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Iran a big draw for MBBS students from J&K
SRINAGAR: Iran has emerged as an increasingly popular destination for students from Jammu and Kashmir aspiring to pursue MBBS degrees since 2016. Each year, over 300 students get admitted to different medical universities in Iran. 'Iran has left behind Bangladesh, which was once the favoured destination of Kashmiri for medical education. In Bangladesh, living expenses are much higher compared to Iran,' said Wajid Rizvi of Rizvi Educational Consultancy. The seven-year MBBS degree costs between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 35 lakh in Iran. However, with an emphasis on quality intake, the country offers scholarships to students with a minimum of 95 per cent marks. The admission process for MBBS starts in Iran from June to mid-August, and according to Wajid, they are receiving queries from people in J&K despite Iran's war with Israel. Persian (Farsi) is the primary language of Iran, but many Iranian universities offer MBBS programs in English, with basic Farsi taught in the foundation year. Students from J&K find it easier to pick up Farsi because it's similar to Urdu, which is widely spoken in Kashmir, Wajid said. He said students also prefer Iran due to its cultural affinity, quality of education, and safe environment. He pointed out that even when Iran was at war with Israel, the country ensured the safe evacuation of Indian students by opening its airspace for Indian flights.
