Tehran Times

2026-07-18 21:04
Leader of the Revolution:

US president’s signature is worthless and invalid

TEHRAN – New Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement on Saturday saying that the United States' violation of a bilateral understanding with Tehran has once again demonstrated that the U.S. president's signature is "worthless and unreliable," while urging Iranians to preserve national unity and maintain confidence in state institutions.

Iran hits US positions in response to raids on civilian facilities

TEHRAN — Iran on Saturday reported a series of missile and drone operations against US military facilities across the region, as the US military is targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran’s southern coastal provinces.
Pezeshkian calls for strengthening Iran's legal deterrence on global stage

TEHRAN - President Masoud Pezeshkian has described a systematic examination of the legal and judicial dimensions of the Israeli and US military aggression against Iran as an undeniable necessity to establish international deterrence.
Leader’s military advisor: Iran will shift to full-scale war if US strikes continue

TEHRAN – A senior military advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has declared that Washington’s duplicitous strategy of "both war and negotiation" has reached its final dead end, warning that Iran is fully prepared to transition into an aggressive and destructive phase if American aggression does not immediately cease.
Iran condemns US strike near children's cancer hospital, calls it a 'War Crime'

TEHRAN— Iran has accused the United States of committing a 'cowardly war crime' after a US strike near a children's cancer hospital in the southwestern city of Ahvaz forced the emergency evacuation of more than 200 pediatric patients, intensifying international concern over the humanitarian impact of the escalating conflict.
IRGC commander promises

Relentless strikes until peace returns to the southern coast

TEHRAN — As the United States continues to launch airstrikes inside Iran in direct violation of a recent interim agreement with Tehran, Iranian armed forces have delivered a strong military response, targeting American military bases and assets across the Persian Gulf region and wider West Asia.

Politics

Washington's moral credibility is crumbling, says Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has accused the United States of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure during its ongoing military campaign against Iran, saying Washington's actions have undermined its claims of defending international law and combating terrorism.
Iran condemns US, Israel, and Argentina over opposition to UN anti-terrorism resolutions

TEHRAN– Iran has sharply criticized the United States, Israel, and Argentina after the three countries voted against a series of United Nations General Assembly resolutions addressing terrorism, human rights, and transnational crime, arguing that the pattern of voting reflects their increasing isolation on key multilateral issues.
Hormuz Strait is Iran's 'most effective tool' for retaliation, cleric says

TEHRAN – Tehran's interim Friday prayer leader, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, said Iran views the Strait of Hormuz as its most effective strategic instrument for retaliating against the United States and Israel, while declaring that negotiations with Washington had effectively come to an end.

Sports

Iran crowned champions of 2026 AVC U18 Volleyball Championship

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Japan 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22) on Saturday to win the AVC Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship for the eighth time.
Roberto Piazza: we need to learn how to finish sets

TEHRAN - Iran national volleyball team head coach Roberto Piazza admitted his side paid the price for the energy spent in the previous match, following a straight-sets defeat to Slovenia.
Iran fall to Slovenia at 2026 VNL Week 3

TEHRAN - Iran lost to Slovenia 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 26-24) in Week 3 of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Friday night.

Culture

Iran, Kyrgyzstan keen on developing cultural, artistic cooperation

TEHRAN – The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi arrived at Bishkek Airport on Thursday, July 16, to attend the 23rd Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States.
Philosophy professor to lecture at Iranian House of Cinema Book Week

TEHRAN – Thomas E. Wartenberg, a professor emeritus of philosophy at Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, will be one of the speakers at the Iranian House of Cinema Book Week.
Arasbaran Cultural Center to screen “Sundays”

TEHRAN- “Sundays,” a 2025 drama film directed by Spanish filmmaker Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday.

Economy

Most complex overhaul of South Pars platforms underway

TEHRAN- As the annual overhaul season begins at the shared South Pars gas field, planning is underway to maintain stable gas production. Following damage to several domestic gas refineries during recent conflicts, ensuring maximum readiness of South Pars platforms for this winter has become more critical than ever.
Caspian port can offset pressures on southern Iranian ports: official

TEHRAN-The CEO of the Anzali Free Zone Organization has announced a significant 58% growth in loading and unloading operations at Iran's Caspian Port, emphasizing that the development of this northern port is crucial for securing essential commodities and enhancing the country's transit capacity.
‘TPO puts emphasis on development of regional trade, export’

TEHRAN- The Deputy of Commercial Services at the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) of Iran described the signing of the protocol for regional connectivity and transit facilitation between the Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan as an effective step in developing regional trade, increasing non-oil exports, and strengthening Iran's position in regional transit corridors.

Society

ANF Summit: Iran puts forward proposals to foster regional co-op

TEHRAN – Iran has offered three proposals to expand regional cooperation in advanced technologies, human capital development, and international standardization at the Asia Nano Forum (ANF) Summit, held in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on July 16 and 17.
Refugees benefiting from UNIDO solar projects in Torbat-e Jam

TEHRAN – Funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea and in partnership with the Center for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (CAFIA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) implemented a project in Torbat-e Jam settlement, expanding its solar energy capacity, creating economic, environmental and social benefits for both Afghan refugees and the surrounding host community.
IRCS urges intl. community to hold US accountable for targeting civilian facilities

TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pirhossein Kolivand, has condemned the recent US attacks on the country’s civilian facilities and infrastructure, urging the international community to conduct prompt, independent, impartial, and effective investigations to hold perpetrators accountable for their war crimes.

Tourism

Traditional clothing of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari: A rainbow of ethnic heritage

The traditional clothing of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari is among the most distinctive expressions of Iran's cultural heritage. Characterized by vibrant shades of pink, green, red, orange, purple, blue, yellow, and white, these garments form a living rainbow that reflects centuries of artistry, craftsmanship, and ethnic diversity.
Research suggests Alamut Castle's role extended beyond military functions

TEHRAN – The ancient Alamut Castle [and its satellite forts and defensive structures], long known primarily as a political and military stronghold of the Nizari Ismaili state, may also have served as a center for preserving and producing scientific knowledge, the head of the library at the Center for Documents of the Great Islamic Encyclopedia said.
Tourism delegation from Afghanistan visits Iran’s barberry capital to expand cooperation

TEHRAN — Tourism officials in Iran’s South Khorasan province introduced the village of Afin, known as the world’s capital of seedless barberry, to tourism industry representatives from Afghanistan’s Herat and Farah provinces during a two-day familiarization tour aimed at strengthening cross-border tourism cooperation, a provincial official said on Saturday.

International

Why do Lebanese authorities insist on the path of surrender?

TEHRAN – Following the sixth round of face-to-face talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments, critics continue to question the Lebanese authorities’ approach to issues of occupation and sovereignty.
Israel failing to repair brutal reputation among Americans

TEHRAN- Finally, the extremism and criminality exercised by Israel are backfiring and are causing concern among the regime’s officials.
The Strait of Hormuz: Iran's geographic destiny and strategic red line

HAFIZABAD, Pakistan - For centuries, the narrow blue artery that separates the Arabian Peninsula from the Iranian plateau has been more than a mere shipping lane. The Strait of Hormuz, at its slenderest point a mere 21 nautical miles across, has functioned as the world's petroleum lifeline, the chokepoint through which approximately a fifth of global oil consumption once flowed.