Tehran Times

2026-08-18 20:36
New US bone spur

Claiming ownership of the Strait of Hormuz for Trump, who hides in a food truck out of fear, is a desperate bluff

TEHRAN — In a glaring display of imperial bluster detached from geopolitical reality, US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his reckless ambition to declare the strategic Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States.
- US blockade dwarfed by Iranian naval power

By Fardin Molaei

A few fistfuls of dollars for GIs

TEHRAN- Iran has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who captures or kills a US military servicemember and hands the individual over to the Iranian armed forces, in a move that has drawn widespread international attention and added a new dimension to the escalating confrontation between Tehran and Washington.
Erbil false-flag attack: Foreign sabotage against Iran-Iraq unity

TEHRAN — The recent drone incident targeting the private office of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the Security Directorate in Erbil represents a suspicious escalation designed to undermine fragile regional diplomacy. Occurring at a moment when Tehran and Iraqi authorities have made tangible progress on border security agreements, the timing and execution of these strikes point toward a calculated attempt by external actors to derail neighborly ties.
Hamas official: Disarming Resistance cannot be a precondition for any agreement

TEHRAN- Khaled Qaddoumi, Hamas’s representative in Tehran, said disarming Palestinian resistance groups could not be a precondition for any agreement, arguing that strategic issues, including weapons, must ultimately be decided through a collective Palestinian process rather than imposed from outside.
Iran rules out talks on extension of Islamabad MoU

TEHRAN – In a weekly press briefing on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei addressed multiple critical issues, firmly ruling out any negotiations on extending the 60 days stipulated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) while emphasizing that the United States has violated the agreement from its inception.
60 days after the MoU: Why has peace remained elusive, and what comes next?

TEHRAN — A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States sixty days ago expired on Monday amid Washington’s repeated and systematic violations.

Politics

Qalibaf: Hormuz to remain closed until US fulfills MoU commitments

TEHRAN- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfills its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, including lifting the blockade and removing sanctions on Iran’s oil exports.
Iran will stand firm on its rights in managing Strait of Hormuz: VP

TEHRAN- Iran has entered a new phase and will stand firm on its rights in managing the Strait of Hormuz, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Tuesday.
Trump’s collapsing popularity exposes strategic failure in the war against Iran

TEHRAN — President Donald Trump’s sinking popularity has driven his job approval rating to a historic low of 33 percent, offering a direct political measure of the failure of the joint US-Israeli military strategy against Iran.

Sports

Iran to face Algeria at 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship opener

TEHRAN - The second edition of the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship is set to get underway in Doha, Qatar, with 24 of the world’s best young volleyball teams competing for the global title from Aug. 19 to 29. The tournament represents an important opportunity for the next generation of players to gain experience on the international stage and establish themselves as future stars of the sport.
Gol Gohar discover rivals at AFC Champions League Two 2026/27

TEHRAN - The 32-strong cast for the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 discovered their opponents following the Group Stage Draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday.
Bam Khatoon start AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 on high

TEHRAN - Bam Khatoon put on a commanding performance to beat Tajikistan’s FC CSKA Dushanbe 3-0 in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 Preliminary Stage clash on Monday.

Culture

Iran, Uzbekistan discuss expanding joint artistic cooperation

TEHRAN – In a meeting between the cultural attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Uzbekistan, Hassan Safarkhani, and the president of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, professor Akmal Nuriddinov, the two sides discussed expanding joint cooperation between the artistic institutions of the two countries.
Genevieve Mackenzie’s storybook about children with ADHD available in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “The Mystery Behind the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid” by Genevieve Mackenzie has been released in the Iranian book market.
“The Murder of Mr. Haversham” to return to stage for fourth run

TEHRAN — “The Murder of Mr. Haversham,” a mystery comedy produced by Sajjad Afsharian and directed by Faraz Gholami, will return to the Tehran stage for its fourth run at the Shahrzad Theater Hall on August 26.

Economy

From south to north: How Iran is redefining trade routes in crisis times

TEHRAN- As geopolitical tensions continue to strain maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has demonstrated that its foreign trade is far from vulnerable. By rapidly developing northern ports and expanding railway infrastructure, the country is successfully diversifying its trade routes and ensuring the continued flow of essential goods.
Iran, Belarus to expand agricultural cooperation

TEHRAN- Iran’s Deputy Agriculture Minister for planning and Economy Affairs met with the Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus, emphasizing the development of bilateral cooperation in the fields of agricultural fertilizers, machinery, and joint investment.
South Pars first refinery ready for sustainable gas production

TEHRAN- The acting manager of South Pars First Refinery announced the successful completion of the refinery's major overhaul within one week and said: The refinery is now ready for sustainable production during the cold season.

Society

Iran wins medal, honorable mentions at Intl. Geography Olympiad

TEHRAN – Iranian students succeeded to win a bronze medal and three honorable mentions at the 22nd International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) held from August 11 to 17 in Istanbul, Turkey.
DOE proposes BRICS environmental network to address ecological damage

TEHRAN - Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, has called for closer environmental cooperation among BRICS member states, describing their combined capacities in natural resources, biodiversity, coastal and marine ecosystems, and other environmentally valuable areas as a “historic opportunity” to address the growing global environmental crisis.
Iranian, Indonesian universities ink MOU to boost scientific ties

TEHRAN – Sharif University of Technology and Institut Teknologi Bandung of Indonesia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen scientific, research, and educational cooperation, exchange professors, researchers, and students, and implement collaborative research projects.

Tourism

Cultural heritage is Iran’s strategic asset, official says

TEHRAN – Iran should regard its cultural heritage as a strategic national asset that can strengthen historical identity, foster national pride and cohesion, and help unlock the country’s tourism and economic potential, Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs and Strategic Affairs Mohsen Esmaeili said on Monday.
Ardabil ranks first in Iran for foreign tourism development for second consecutive year

TEHRAN – Ardabil has ranked first among Iran’s provincial cultural heritage departments in the 2025 assessment of foreign tourism marketing and development, retaining the top position for the second consecutive year, a provincial official said.
Archaeologists resume excavations at Qal-e Kord Cave, a key Paleolithic site

TEHRAN - The seventh season of archaeological excavations at Qal-e Kord Cave in Avaj County, Qazvin province, has begun, as researchers seek to reconstruct more precisely the sequence of human occupation and the formation of cultural layers at the prehistoric site.

International

Iraqi resistance group sets conditions over weapons

TEHRAN – An official from the Iraqi resistance group Kataeb Hezbollah has issued a sharply worded statement setting out conditions for any future cooperation with the Iraqi government over the question of weapons held by the resistance forces.
Trump’s threat to bomb Oman triggers backlash across Arab world and US

TEHRAN — Donald Trump triggered international backlash after threatening military strikes against Oman, reportedly punishing the Persian Gulf nation for negotiating a maritime traffic arrangement with Iran.
Israel expands assaults across Lebanon’s Jabal Amel despite US mediation claims

TEHRAN — The Israeli military unleashed a large wave of violence across southern Lebanon on Monday. According to reports from local media, drones dropped explosives on the Ali al-Taher heights. Artillery batteries pounded Mansouri, Shihin, and Wadi al-Salouqi. Two artillery shells struck the terrain between Zebqin and Yater. A reconnaissance drone dropped a sound bomb on Haddatha, followed by intense machine gun fire directed at local residents.

Claiming ownership of the Strait of Hormuz for Trump, who hides in a food truck out of fear, is a desperate bluff