Tehran Times

2026-04-15 21:49
US naval blockade risks wider conflict at sea

Iran threatens to halt trade in three seas

TEHRAN - Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States over the imposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports, cautioning that continued pressure could endanger regional maritime security and undermine the fragile post-war ceasefire environment.
- Trump’s blockade forged in the ashes of strategic failure

By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

Spain’s break with the West: How Sánchez turned Madrid into a voice against the war on Iran

TEHRAN - The joint war the United States and Israel launched against Iran can be seen as one of the most complex and consequential geopolitical crises of the past decade. It not only reshaped the security landscape of the Middle East but also strained divisions within the Western bloc, challenged the future of the transatlantic alliance, and even placed the concept of the international order under significant pressure.
Trump’s blockade forged in the ashes of strategic failure

The US military blockade on Iranian ports follows Washington's military and political failures to force Iran to succumb to its demands

TEHRAN - President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to force Tehran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz has drawn fierce criticism at home and abroad, with many warning it risks igniting a broader regional crisis and destabilizing the global economy.
By Garsha Vazirian

Trump’s brazen 'Antichrist' complex meets torrent of condemnation and Pope’s defiance

Inside the Faustian bargain of an elite trading away their moral heritage for the gospel of force

TEHRAN — In the quiet, heavy hours following Orthodox Easter Sunday, the world glimpsed something far more unsettling than mere political theater. U.S. President Donald Trump, fresh from waging a campaign of aggression against Iran and issuing apocalyptic ultimatums against the Iranian people, turned his digital fury toward Pope Leo XIV.
From Tehran to the Vatican: Iran stands tall with Pope Leo in face of US pressure

TEHRAN- Iran’s president and senior political figures have voiced strong support for Pope Leo XIV following sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, framing the dispute as a broader issue of respect for religious authority and the pursuit of peace.
Iran's position in New York; Condemnation of US naval blockade and demand for compensation

TEHRAN- Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has lodged two separate but related diplomatic positions, condemning a US-imposed maritime blockade as a “grave violation” of Iran’s sovereignty while simultaneously demanding full compensation from five regional countries for their role in the ongoing war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Politics

Iran estimates US‑Israeli war damages at $270 billion: Spox

TEHRAN- The spokeswoman for the Iranian administration has estimated that the damages caused by the recent US‑Israeli war of aggression against Iran amount to approximately $270 billion.
Aref to Vance: US has suffered 'structural humiliation' over Israel briefings

TEHRAN - Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref took a jab at US Vice President JD Vance, accusing Washington of “structural humiliation” following Pakistani‑mediated negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad over the weekend.
President Xi presents four-point Middle East peace plan amid US escalation against Iran

China has actively called for dialogue and de-escalation of the situation in the Middle East, seeking to play a constructive role. In particular, President Xi Jinping has set out a four-point proposal on maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the region, underscoring what Beijing presents as its objective and impartial stance, as well as its image as a responsible major power.

Sports

2025/26 PGPL likely to be cancelled

TEHRAN – After several intensive meetings in recent days aimed at determining the fate of the 2025/26 Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) season, new reports indicate a significant development: the competition is now considered unlikely to resume.
Rabiei: Tractor were not prepared for match against Shabab Al Ahli

TEHRAN — Tractor head coach Mohammad Ali Rabiei admitted his side’s lack of preparation made it harder to manage the game against UAE club Shabab Al Ahli.
Tractor out of 2025/26 ACL Elite

TEHRAN – Iran’s Tractor were knocked out of the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 after a 3-0 defeat to UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli on Tuesday.

Culture

Iran condemns YouTube’s removal of AI-driven Lego-style channel over anti-US narratives

TEHRAN- A YouTube channel producing artificial intelligence-generated animations in a Lego-inspired format focusing on recent US-Israeli aggression on Iran has been taken down, drawing criticism over what some describe as selective enforcement of content policies.
Iranian short animation to compete in 4th Voronezh International Animation Film Festival

TEHRAN – The Iranian short animation “The Last Deer” by Mehdi Barghzadegan will compete in the fourth Voronezh International Animation Film Festival “AniMakers,” which will be held in Voronezh, Russia, from May 22 to 24.
Nationwide street performances honor Dena martyrs during Islamic Revolution Art Week

TEHRAN – The sixth day of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Art Week was marked by a series of street theater performances across the country, with 57 productions staged in Tehran and other cities in tribute to the martyrs of the IRIS Dena.

Economy

Far-reaching economic fallout of striking Iran’s energy infrastructure

TEHRAN- Any military action targeting Iran’s economic infrastructure, especially its energy heartlands, would not be a localized event; the disruption would extend far beyond Iran’s borders, shaking the economic security of major powers, destabilizing financial markets, and harming ordinary citizens worldwide.
Iran's oil production reaches 3.06m bpd in March: OPEC

TEHRAN- The OPEC Secretariat announced that Saudi Arabia, with a daily production of 7,799,000 barrels, and Iran, with 3,060,000 barrels, were the top producers among major OPEC members in March.
‘Naval blockade neither feasible nor sustainable, Iran has sufficient alternative routes’

TEHRAN- An economic analyst, emphasizing the technical and deterrent limitations of enforcing a naval blockade against Iran, warned that such threats would immediately cause price shocks in energy markets and put European and East Asian economies under stagflation pressure.

Society

Pezeshkian praises services of rescue and relief organizations during war

TEHRAN - President Masoud Pezeshkian paid a visit to the Iranian Red Crescent Society and Tehran’s Emergency Medical Services Organization on Wednesday, honoring their dedicated staff for offering ceaseless services during the US-Israeli aggression.
Attracting 320,000 intl. students by 2028 on agenda

TEHRAN – According to the Seventh National Development Plan (2023-2028), the country is projected to increase the number of international students to 320,000 from currently around 60,000.
Some 1,000 people rescued from under rubble in Tehran during war

TEHRAN - The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has said it successfully rescued 960 people alive from under the rubble in Tehran during the 40-day US-Israeli airstrikes.

Tourism

Damage to Chehel Sotoun Palace worsens as shockwave impact persists

TEHRAN – Damage to the historic Chehel Sotoun Palace has continued to worsen in the weeks following nearby airstrikes, with falling decorative elements and expanding structural concerns raising alarm among heritage officials and conservation experts.
Discover 40,000 years of human history at Tamtaman Cave

TEHRAN - Nestled in the rugged landscapes of northwestern Iran, near the historic city of Urmia, the Tamtaman Cave stands as one of the most evocative windows into humanity’s distant past.
Iran, Afghanistan advance joint UNESCO dossier for Asbads

TEHRAN – Iran is moving closer to finalizing a “complex” UNESCO World Heritage nomination for its ancient wind-powered structures, known as Asbads, with officials confirming that the dossier will be submitted jointly with Afghanistan.

International

Trump’s brazen 'Antichrist' complex meets torrent of condemnation and Pope’s defiance

TEHRAN — In the quiet, heavy hours following Orthodox Easter Sunday, the world glimpsed something far more unsettling than mere political theater. U.S. President Donald Trump, fresh from waging a campaign of aggression against Iran and issuing apocalyptic ultimatums against the Iranian people, turned his digital fury toward Pope Leo XIV.
Hezbollah’s fierce resistance as Lebanese authorities entering talks with Israel

TEHRAN – Hezbollah puts up heavy resistance against invading Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, while authorities enter direct talks with the occupation regime.
Naval blockade: A desperate, erratic and hasty decision

TEHRAN - Just hours after the talks between Iran and the U.S. in Islamabad ended on Sunday morning with a breakthrough, President Donald Trump declared a naval blockade of Iran.