Tehran Times

2026-05-16 21:57
Iranian president writes to Pope Leo XIV

Pezeshkian thanks pope for his moral and fair stance on US-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN — President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for the pontiff’s strong moral stance condemning the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
- Courageous faith versus cowardly blasphemy

Iran warns UN that US-Israeli aggression threatens global energy security and supply chains

TEHRAN- Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations warned that ongoing military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic has severely disrupted regional stability, damaged critical energy infrastructure, and now endangers global supply chains and worldwide energy security.
By Branko Zujovic

Why does Iran’s resolute defense meet with sympathy in Serbia?

SUBOTICA - Fifty-five years ago, in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and then-Yugoslavia, a corrida was held. The “fight” with bulls was announced as the first classical Spanish corrida ever organized outside Spain, which attracted great attention from the Yugoslav and the world public of the time.
By Wesam Bahrani

Lebanon truce extension on fire

TEHRAN – The announcement of a 45-day extension to the so-called “ceasefire” in Lebanon has done little to stop the Israeli aggression. But it does raise questions about the Lebanese government.
European medicine supplies at risk due to Iran tensions

TEHRAN – European countries could face significant shortages of medicines and essential pharmaceutical components if tensions surrounding Iran escalate and lead to a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to a recent analysis.
Backpacks of martyred Minab children sent to UN as symbols of lost innocence

TEHRAN – In a symbolic gesture to globalize the voice of innocent victims, the backpacks of two Iranian students martyred in the tragic bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab have been dispatched to the United Nations headquarters in New York and its museum in Vienna.

Politics

The siege that turned Iran into a transit hub

TEHRAN - The US Navy blockaded Iranian ports, but Pakistan opened six land routes. A new 89‑km corridor has cut travel time to Iran from 18 hours to just a fraction of that. Iran, which once conducted 90% of its trade by sea, now moves 40% of it on rails — and China and Central Asia are now part of the equation.
Iran: Palestinian self-determination only solution on Nakba anniversary

TEHRAN- As the world marked the 78th anniversary of Nakba Day (May 15), Iran intensified its diplomatic condemnation of the Israeli regime, calling the event a source of permanent regional instability and reiterating that the future of Palestine must be determined solely by its people.
Busy day for Iran's top diplomat; Araghchi holds diplomatic blitz in New Delhi

TEHRAN- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in an intensive diplomatic round in New Delhi this week, holding separate meetings with his counterparts from South Africa, India, Russia, Malaysia, and Thailand, as well as India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Sports

Iran’s Yousefi wins silver at 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s Alireza Yousefi secured a silver medal in the +110kg category at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships on Sunday.
Foolad Sirjan finish as runners-up at 2026 AVC Volleyball Champions League

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foolad Sirjan claimed the silver medal at the 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Champions League after a 3-1 defeat to Indonesia’s Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi in Sunday’s final.
Afshardoust: Iran handball target 2028 Olympics berth

TEHRAN – Mahmoud Afshardoust, newly appointed Director of Iran’s Men’s National Handball Teams, has outlined an ambitious vision for the future: securing qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Culture

Backpacks of martyred Minab children sent to UN as symbols of lost innocence

TEHRAN – In a symbolic gesture to globalize the voice of innocent victims, the backpacks of two Iranian students martyred in the tragic bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab have been dispatched to the United Nations headquarters in New York and its museum in Vienna.
Iranian director restages “The Glass Menagerie” in Tehran

TEHRAN- Iranian director Ali Hazrati is restaging a loose adaptation of American playwright Tennessee Williams’ memory play “The Glass Menagerie” at Labkhand Theater Hall in Tehran.
Arabic translation of book on Martyr Leader’s father, upbringing unveiled

TEHRAN – The Arabic translation of the book “Agha's Narrative,” which explores the upbringing and formation of the personality of the martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was unveiled in Tehran on Thursday.

Economy

Poll shows 8 in 10 Americans blame Trump for high gasoline prices

TEHRAN- A recent Reuters poll reveals that nearly eight out of ten Americans hold Trump responsible for soaring gasoline prices, signaling a sharp decline in his political standing.
Trump's trip to China had no economic achievements: expert

TEHRAN- An economic analyst, referring to Trump's recent trip to China, said: This trip had no strategic achievements, especially in the economic sphere, for the United States, and contrary to what was imagined, it was not useful for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Agriculture ministry’s roadmap for price control; from supporting production to tackling overpricing

TEHRAN- Akbar Fathi, Deputy for Planning and Economy of the Ministry of Agriculture, wrote in a note about the ministry's roadmap for controlling prices, from supporting production to dealing with overpricing, which was published in IRNA and appears below.

Society

DOE, UNDP study impact of SDSs on biodiversity

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has conducted studies on the impact of sand and dust storms (SDSs) on the country’s biodiversity.
Health minister to attend 79th World Health Assembly

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation led by Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi will participate in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), which is scheduled for May 18 to June 23 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Iranian, Malaysian officials discuss ways to foster scientific ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s scientific counselor in East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, Alireza Tavakolpour, and scientific officials of the University of Malaya (UM) have explored the opportunities to expand scientific and academic ties between Iranian universities and UM.

Tourism

Iran president cites ancient Abarkuh cypress in message aimed at Trump

TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has invoked the 4,500-year-old Abarkuh cypress tree in central Iran in remarks directed at US President Donald Trump, using the ancient tree as a symbol of Iran’s historical continuity and civilization.
Echoes of the past: The Shahdad Standard

The Shahdad Standard consists of a square metal plate (made of arsenical copper) attached to a metal pole. At the top of the pole, above a conical stone base, sits a small metal bird of prey with its wings spread open. The plate bears a crowded scene of human, animal, plant, and geometric figures, first raised in relief through metal casting and then beautifully outlined and detailed with engraving. All the people in this gathering hold their hands in a similar way, conveying a sense of mutual respect.
Riab assessed against UN Tourism criteria for global recognition

TEHRAN - Officials in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province said the village of Riab in Gonabad County is being evaluated according to criteria set by the United Nations tourism body as part of its bid to be recognized among the world’s best tourism villages.

International

Lebanon truce extension on fire

TEHRAN – The announcement of a 45-day extension to the so-called “ceasefire” in Lebanon has done little to stop the Israeli aggression. But it does raise questions about the Lebanese government.
Gaza mourns resistance commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad

TEHRAN — The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, confirmed the martyrdom of its commander-in-chief, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, following a treacherous Israeli airstrike in Gaza City late Friday.
The UAE’s dangerous overreach

TEHRAN - The geopolitical landscape of the Persian Gulf has been radically redrawn following the intense 40-day military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. While the broader conflict reached a fragile, Pakistani-mediated ceasefire in April, the diplomatic and economic aftershocks are still reverberating across the region.