Tehran Times

2026-06-16 21:18
Trump spins failure as victory

Having failed to achieve his goals in the joint US–Israel war on Iran, Trump is now attempting to disguise the setback as a victory

TEHRAN - The nearly four-month-old war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran has drastically exposed the limits of America’s military might and the futility of its long-standing regime-change doctrine. When joint American and Israeli airstrikes commenced on February 28, the core of the strategy relied on a rapid, top-down collapse.
- Trump, Netanyahu hoisted by their own petard
- ‘The bill comes due’

Iran’s military leadership declares strategic victory over US-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN-In a coordinated series of public statements, Iran’s top military commanders have collectively asserted that the Islamic Republic emerged strategically strengthened from two recent wars of aggression waged by the United States and Israel, underscoring that enemy forces failed to attain any of their stated objectives and did not dare approach Iranian territorial waters.
Lebanon welcomes MoU and Hezbollah praises Tehran’s role

TEHRAN — Lebanon’s top political leaders have welcomed the recently concluded memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, while senior officials in Tehran and Beirut have called for the full implementation of provisions aimed at ending hostilities in Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.
Tehran governor: Preparations underway for mass turnout at Ayatollah Khamenei funeral

TEHRAN - As Iran prepares to hold funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Tehran is putting in place the infrastructure and necessary mechanisms to accommodate the anticipated large crowds bidding farewell to the martyred Leader.
By Garsha Vazirian

Inside Washington’s meltdown over Iran and the rising chorus of imperial defeat

TEHRAN – When a sparse memorandum of understanding (MOU) is all that remains for Washington after months of imperial aggression, the political theater in the home capital becomes far more instructive than the ink on the paper.
By Wesam Bahrani

Families returning to southern Lebanon witness widespread destruction

TEHRAN – Some residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes following the announcement of an MOU between the U.S. and Iran, which includes ending the Zionist regime’s aggression in Lebanon.

Politics

US, Iran discuss unfreezing Iranian assets

TEHRAN- The United States and Iran discussed the unfreezing of approximately $24 billion in Iranian assets as part of negotiations surrounding a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, according to Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, adviser to the Qatari prime minister and spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
Qalibaf, Vance to represent Iran and US at Switzerland signing of MoU

TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and US Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to represent their respective countries at the signing ceremony of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding (MoU) scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 19, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi.
Judiciary chief: 'Diplomacy and battlefield' move in sync

TEHRAN – Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has highlighted the convergence between Iran’s political and military leadership, stressing that negotiations with the United States are aimed at securing the nation’s rights.

Sports

Iran volleyball team begin training camp in Serbia

TEHRAN - Iran’s national volleyball team have arrived in Belgrade to begin a six-day training camp as preparations intensify for the second week of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Iran face tough test after New Zealand’s draw

TEHRAN - Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign began with a dramatic 2-2 draw against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium, a result that highlighted both the resilience and the vulnerabilities of Team Melli. While Iran showed character by twice coming from behind, the match also exposed defensive weaknesses that could become a major concern as tougher challenges await in Group G.
Tubos Aranda Villa de Aranda sign Iranian international Rahnama

TEHRAN - Spanish handball club Tubos Aranda Villa de Aranda have announced the signing of Iranian left back Mehran Rahnama Falavarjani as their second addition ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Culture

New Valiasr Square mural honors Muharram, Martyred Leader

TEHRAN- A new mural was unveiled at Tehran's Valiasr Square on Monday to mark the arrival of Muharram, the month of mourning for Imam Hossein (AS), while also paying tribute to the Martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Iranian Documentary “Iran in the Hermitage” honored at Cal Film Festival

TEHRAN- The Iranian documentary “Iran in the Hermitage,” directed by Behrouz Sebt Rasoul, has been honored at the main section of the Cal Film Festival in California, the US.
Tehran cultural center to review “Hokum”

TEHRAN- “Hokum,” a 2026 supernatural horror film directed by Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday evening.

Economy

US strategic oil reserve falls to 4-decade low as war on Iran drains emergency stocks

TEHRAN- The economic consequences of Washington's military confrontation with Iran are becoming increasingly visible inside the United States itself, as the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen to its lowest level in more than four decades.
How domestic production prevents collapse of Iran’s economy during war

TEHRAN- The third imposed war and the U.S. military attack on Iran served as a serious test of the country's economic resilience. Despite damage to certain infrastructures, a maritime blockade, and the continuation of sanctions pressure, the wheels of production and the supply of essential goods did not stop turning. The experience once again demonstrated a crucial reality: in today's world, security is not built solely behind defense systems, it is also produced in factories.
Central Bank of Iran hosts ACU technical committee permanent meeting

TEHRAN- The permanent meeting of the Technical Committee of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) was hosted by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), focusing on the use of member countries’ national currencies within the ACU framework, upgrading the Union’s infrastructure for exchanging financial messages, and expanding the ACU’s capacity through enhanced knowledge-sharing.

Society

Iran proposes BRICS+ develop reliable computing power networks

TEHRAN – Iran's representative at the BRICS Future Network Innovation Forum 2026, held in Shenzhen from June 16 to 17, proposed the establishment of a cooperation framework for the BRICS Plus partnership to develop future digital infrastructure, strengthen industrial cooperation, and promote cross-border interactions among member states.
Attacking universities is a “crossing of red lines": science minister

TEHRAN – Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, has said that attacking universities is a crossing of red lines, highlighting that many universities and educational centers in the country were targeted by the United States and Israel during the recent war.
IBTO serves as a role model in the region: WHO official

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Iran, John Jabbour, has described the Iran Blood Transfusion Organization as a successful role model in the region.

Tourism

Tourism minister says Western perceptions of Iran are often inaccurate

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has criticized what he described as inaccurate and exaggerated portrayals of Iran in Western media, arguing that many Europeans have a distorted understanding of the country’s realities.
Photo exhibit on Minab’s handicrafts and cultural heritage opens in Tehran

TEHRAN - A photo exhibition highlighting the handicrafts, cultural heritage and social resilience of the southern Iranian city of Minab opened at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts this week as part of National Handicrafts Week celebrations.
Iran plans heritage education program in schools

TEHRAN - Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts is planning to introduce a nationwide “Heritage and Museum Bell” program in schools as part of efforts to strengthen students’ awareness of the country’s cultural heritage.

International

Inside Washington’s meltdown over Iran and the rising chorus of imperial defeat

TEHRAN – When a sparse memorandum of understanding (MOU) is all that remains for Washington after months of imperial aggression, the political theater in the home capital becomes far more instructive than the ink on the paper.
Families returning to southern Lebanon witness widespread destruction

TEHRAN – Some residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes following the announcement of an MOU between the U.S. and Iran, which includes ending the Zionist regime’s aggression in Lebanon.
Zionists may resort to aggressive policies to undercut the Iran-US MOU

BERLIN - After Israel’s last bloody attack on the Shiite-inhabited Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh on Sunday, with three killed and 16 injured, an Iranian answer was due. But U.S. President Donald Trump, with renewed vigor of the octogenarian, strengthened by congratulatory messages to his birthday on the very same Sunday, begged Iran not to respond as announced. And the Islamic Republic graciously agreed.

Having failed to achieve his goals in the joint US–Israel war on Iran, Trump is now attempting to disguise the setback as a victory