Tehran Times

2026-04-18 21:10
US 'piracy': Iran locks the sea gates of Hormuz

TEHRAN – Iran has reasserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz following US breaches of commitments related to a fragile two-week ceasefire.
- Foreign Ministry spokesman: Vessels can transit the Strait of Hormuz through coordination with Iran
- Iran threatens to halt trade in three seas

Leader: Islamic Revolution ended a period of “imposed weakness” on military

TEHRAN – Iran’s Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, in his message on the occasion of Army Day, described the 1979 Islamic Revolution as a historic turning point that ended an era of "imposed weakness" on the military.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

From Congress to think tanks: A rare consensus against Trump’s policies

TEHRAN - In recent years, and especially with the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, the political and social landscape of the United States has entered a new phase of deepening tension and polarization. This phase is characterized not only by opposition from traditional Democratic critics, but also by growing concern among some Republicans, conservative analysts, mainstream think tanks, and even former allies of Trump regarding the direction of his governance.
Committing war crimes under the name of religion

Hegseth glorifies war and violence

TEHRAN – Donald Trump and his War Secretary Pete Hegseth are portraying themselves as Messiah in the war against Iran.
By Wesam Bahrani

Lebanon ceasefire: A new impasse or a lifeline?

TEHRAN – The Zionist regime’s prime minister is not expected to easily surrender his plans and aspirations in Lebanon.
Lebanon ceasefire: Iran puts the US and Israel in check

Hezbollah keeps ‘finger on the trigger’ as it warns Israel against ceasefire breaches

TEHRAN - A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon after weeks of intense fighting has drawn widespread reactions across the West Asia region and globally. Tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese began returning home to Beirut’s southern suburbs, as well as towns and villages in southern Lebanon, at dawn on Friday after the truce took effect at midnight on Thursday (2100 GMT). According to UN figures, more than 1.2 million people across Lebanon had been displaced, the majority from the south.

Politics

SNSC: No reopening of Hormuz Strait amid US ceasefire violations

TEHRAN - Iran’s top security body said on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as Washington continues to violate the two-week ceasefire with Tehran.
Heads of Iran’s religious, scientific bodies laud Pope’s stance on US-Israeli war

TEHRAN- The chairmen of Iran’s religious and scientific institutions have praised Pope Leo XIV for his "courageous stance" on the ongoing US-Israeli conflict, expressing hope that his position will help bring an end to hostilities.
Iran's judiciary chief says aggressors must pay war reparations

TEHRAN- Iran's Judiciary Chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje'i, has stated that the United States and the Israeli regime must be held legally accountable by competent international bodies for war crimes and must pay full war reparations to Iran.

Sports

Iran come second at 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships

TEHRAN – Iran finished in second place at the Tashkent 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships.
Iran’s PGPL faces a risky plan to resume after 2026 World Cup

TEHRAN - Uncertainty around the future of the Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) has turned into a serious challenge for Iranian football. With the season left unfinished due to exceptional conditions of the country and the 2026 World Cup approaching, the idea of resuming the league after the tournament raises more questions than answers.
Iran U18 girls’ volleyball team launch training camps

TEHRAN – The Iran women’s U18 national volleyball team have kicked off their training and selection process in Sari, Mazandaran Province, under the guidance of head coach Fariba Sadeghi, as part of preparations for the 2026 Asian U18 Girls’ Volleyball Championship set to be held from June 30 to July 6 in Thailand.

Culture

Singer Mohsen Chavoshi emerges as Islamic Revolution Artist of the Year

TEHRAN – Renowned Iranian pop singer and composer Mohsen Chavoshi was named the Islamic Revolution Artist of the Year for 1404 (2025-2026) during the closing ceremony of the 12th edition of the Islamic Revolution Art Week held on Thursday evening.
Sylvie Servoise’s “Committed Literature” published in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “La littérature engage” (“Committed Literature” in English), written by Sylvie Servoise has been released in the bookstores across Iran.
Iranian calligrapher restores Holy Qurans burned in recent unrests

TEHRAN – Iranian calligrapher Mojtaba Sadeqi has dedicated himself to restoring copies of the Holy Quran that were burned during the early January riots.

Economy

High-stakes gamble of a Persian Gulf blockade

TEHRAN- Regarding the recent move by the U.S. President to enforce a naval siege of the Persian Gulf aimed at political and economic strain on the Iranian people, analysts warn that if such a measure is implemented, it will have a direct and severe impact on the global energy sector.
‘Global energy markets future: Capital flight from Persian Gulf energy industries’

TEHRAN- An international expert on oil and energy, emphasizing that due to domestic conditions in the U.S., Trump wants nothing more than to end the Strait of Hormuz issue as quickly as possible with a triumphant display, said: "Beyond current prices, capital flight from the oil and gas industries of Persian Gulf countries is now a larger problem, fueling uncertainty about the future of the energy market."
Wheat production, harvest increase

TEHRAN- A member of the Pricing Council for Basic Agricultural Products has announced an increase in wheat production for the 2025–2026 crop year, predicting that approximately 14 million tons of wheat will be harvested in the country this year.

Society

Ecocide in an unjust war

TEHRAN - The US-Israeli attacks, with the widespread explosion of oil storage facilities in Tehran and Alborz provinces, the release of large amounts of air pollutants, and the encirclement of Tehran with a layer of smoke, are a clear example of "ecocide" or "environmental crime."
IFRC supports relief operations in Iran with emergency funding

TEHRAN - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has announced its support for relief operations of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) by approving a disaster response emergency fund (DREF) and issuing an international appeal in this regard.
‘JANFADA’ girls demonstrate readiness to defend country

TEHRAN – Thousands of girls from different age groups and from all walks of life participated in a rally in Tehran on Friday to show their preparedness to defend homeland against any aggression by enemies.

Tourism

Intl. academics warn of deliberate destruction of Iran’s cultural sites

TEHRAN – A group of 218 international academics and researchers has warned of what it described as the deliberate destruction of Iran’s cultural heritage and scientific centers following recent US-Israeli attacks, calling the actions illegal and a threat to human history.
Minister calls for accelerated restoration of war-damaged heritage sites

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, on Saturday called for accelerated restoration of cultural heritage sites damaged during recent was with the US and Israel and the expansion of restoration workshops across the country.
Iran, Russia urge UNESCO action over damage to Tehran heritage site

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia have sent a joint letter to the UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany protesting damage to civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage in Tehran following airstrikes.

International

Committing war crimes under the name of religion

TEHRAN – Donald Trump and his War Secretary Pete Hegseth are portraying themselves as Messiah in the war against Iran.
Lebanon ceasefire: A new impasse or a lifeline?

TEHRAN – The Zionist regime’s prime minister is not expected to easily surrender his plans and aspirations in Lebanon.
Cuba on the brink of Washington’s predatory play

TEHRAN — Cuba is living through a nightmare of its own making, if you ignore America’s fingerprints. Blackouts that stretch sixteen to twenty hours a day have become ordinary.

Hegseth glorifies war and violence

Hezbollah keeps ‘finger on the trigger’ as it warns Israel against ceasefire breaches