Tehran Times

2026-05-04 21:15
Trump opens Hormuz Strait in his dreams

IRGC confirmed on Monday that no commercial vessels or oil had transited the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing US claims as 'baseless and outright false'

TEHRAN - Iran has firmly asserted its military authority over the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump launched “Project Freedom,” a campaign aimed at escorting merchant vessels through the strategic waterway. The move underscores Iran’s determination to maintain full control over one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints and to respond decisively to foreign encroachment in the wake of the joint US-Israeli war that initially began in late February.
- US 'piracy': Iran locks the sea gates of Hormuz
- Iran has plans for other global corridors

UAE claims Iran behind attack as US steps up regional tensions

TEHRAN - The US military approach toward Iran is once again escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf region, as the United Arab Emirates reports attacks on its territory.
By Garsha Vazirian

Iran’s geography strikes back in the corridor war

The strategic collapse of Washington’s attempt to bypass the heart of Eurasia

TEHRAN – The global maritime order fractured in early 2026, not through a single explosion, but through a methodical reassertion of geological reality. When the U.S.-Israeli axis launched its kinetic campaign of aggression against Iran on February 28, the strategic assumption in Washington was that the world’s most critical energy artery would remain a mostly passive, obedient channel for Western commerce.
By Wesam Bahrani

Israel lacks troops and ammo for a prolonged war

TEHRAN – The Israeli military is depleted and overstretched, unable to sustain multi-front warfare without American support.
By Adil Farooqui

UAE acting as Israel’s shadow enforcer

The UAE is betraying Pakistan, fracturing the Ummah, and selling out Muslim solidarity for Zionist gold

ISLAMABAD – The United Arab Emirates once posed as Pakistan’s “brotherly” partner in the Persian Gulf – pouring in investments, hosting millions of Pakistani workers, and talking up Islamic brotherhood. That facade has shattered.
Sharp talks between senior diplomats from Iran and counterparts

TEHRAN — Iran’s top diplomat has been engaged in a flurry of telephone diplomacy with counterparts in Spain, Brazil, and Pakistan, reiterating Tehran’s commitment to regional stability while pursuing a diplomatic end to the two-month war imposed by the United States and Israel.

Politics

Iran criticizes UAE’s ‘inappropriate behavior’ for backing US during war

TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman sharply criticized the United Arab Emirates on Monday for “inappropriate behavior” during the recent war with the United States and Israel, accusing the Persian Gulf Arab state of siding with the aggressors against the Islamic Republic.
Hawkish think tank insider joins Trump's Iran team as blockade backfires

TEHRAN — The Trump administration has added Nick Stewart, a lobbyist from the hawkish Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), to the U.S. Iran negotiating team led by envoy Steve Witkoff. The appointment comes as peace talks remain stalled and a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports continues.
Pakistan evacuates crew from seized Iranian ship

TEHRAN- Pakistan announced on Monday that it had facilitated the transfer of 22 crew members from an Iranian commercial vessel seized last month by the United States Navy, describing the move as a "confidence-building measure" coordinated with both Washington and Tehran.

Sports

Iran’s junior weightlifting team depart for Egypt

TEHRAN - Iran’s junior weightlifting squad departed for Egypt to compete in the 2026 World Junior Weightlifting Championships — marking the second time the team is led by Olympic and World Champion Sohrab Moradi.
Cheshmi eyes something special in 2026 World Cup

TEHRAN - Iran national team midfielder Rouzbeh Cheshmi, one of the most experienced players in Team Melli, has opened up about the team's preparation for the 2026 World Cup. He believes that Iran can achieve something special in this edition.
Potential Yazdani–Sadulaev showdown planned in Russia

TEHRAN — Russian wrestling media are reporting that the country's federation is looking to stage a series of high-profile exhibition bouts between Iranian and Russian stars on Russian soil.

Culture

Tehran’s largest mural unveiled to honor Martyred Leader, national solidarity

TEHRAN- A new massive mural was unveiled on Sunday at the intersection of Jomhouri and Valiasr avenues, featuring a depiction of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art to hold “Art & War” event series

TEHRAN – The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) will launch a special exhibition titled “Art & War”.
Iranian Artists Forum screens award-winning documentary “Microcosmos”

TEHRAN – The Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran screened the award-winning documentary “Microcosmos” on Sunday.

Economy

US economy feels heat as war on Iran backfires

TEHRAN– Official reports from the United States indicate that the economic consequences of the American-Israeli war on Iran are becoming painfully visible on domestic soil, turning into a major nightmare for Trump and his allies.
‘Oil supply shock with Iran's control of Strait of Hormuz, depletion of US reserves’

TEHRAN- In one of the most tense periods in the history of the energy market, Iran's authority in the Strait of Hormuz and the unprecedented crisis in US oil reserves have plunged the world into a new era of supply shock.
Facilitating business processes necessary to support production: IRICA head

TEHRAN- The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), emphasizing the vital role of customs in supporting production, trade, and people's livelihoods, stressed the continuation of structural reforms, process digitalization (intelligentization), and facilitating the clearance of essential goods.

Society

SIR 2026 includes 166 Iranian universities

TEHRAN – The SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) 2026 has ranked 166 Iranian universities among the top institutions in the world, up from 164 in 2025.
IBTO aims to foster blood donation culture among new generation

TEHRAN – Iran Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) has launched a campaign to help children get familiar with the altruistic act of donating blood and promote the culture of blood donation.
‘Providing access to vaccines, medicines a universal responsibility’

TEHRAN – The head of the communicable diseases department of the ministry of health has highlighted that providing access to vaccines and medicines during crises is a universal responsibility.

Tourism

Rethinking the Persian Gulf’s role in deep time human history

In contemporary political rhetoric, “returning to the Stone Age” is often invoked as a metaphor for collapse and backwardness—a phrase occasionally directed at Iran. Yet, from an archaeological perspective, this term carries a fundamentally different meaning.
Imam Khomeini Airport handles over 21,000 passengers as flights resume

TEHRAN – More than 21,000 passengers traveled through Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport in the week from April 25 to May 1, signaling a steady recovery in air traffic following the reopening of Iran’s airspace after weeks of disruption, airport authorities said.
Agha Bozorg Mosque: The soul of Kashan’s architectural heritage

TEHRAN - Rising from the historic fabric of Kashan, the Agha Bozorg Mosque stands as one of the most remarkable architectural ensembles of late Persian design. It is a place where spirituality, scholarship, and artistry converge.

International

Iran’s geography strikes back in the corridor war

TEHRAN – The global maritime order fractured in early 2026, not through a single explosion, but through a methodical reassertion of geological reality. When the U.S.-Israeli axis launched its kinetic campaign of aggression against Iran on February 28, the strategic assumption in Washington was that the world’s most critical energy artery would remain a mostly passive, obedient channel for Western commerce.
Israel lacks troops and ammo for a prolonged war

TEHRAN – The Israeli military is depleted and overstretched, unable to sustain multi-front warfare without American support.
UAE acting as Israel’s shadow enforcer

ISLAMABAD – The United Arab Emirates once posed as Pakistan’s “brotherly” partner in the Persian Gulf – pouring in investments, hosting millions of Pakistani workers, and talking up Islamic brotherhood. That facade has shattered.