Tehran Times

2026-08-14 20:55
By Hossein Amiri

US Claims, Iran Controls Hormuz

While Trump claims almost weekly that American forces have full control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran says it 'calls the shots'

TEHRAN - A widening dispute between Tehran and Washington over control of the Strait of Hormuz has turned the strategic waterway into a battleground not only at sea, but also in the war of narratives surrounding the conflict.
- Iran rejects IMO draft, defends legal position on Strait of Hormuz
- "Hormuz belongs to us, not foreigners," Iran says

US military loses 25% of its MQ-9 drones as stocks dwindle in Iran war

TEHRAN — The US military has suffered a 25% reduction in its MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet during the conflict with Iran, losing at least 45 aircraft valued at over $1.3 billion combined.
Araghchi accuses EU of ‘double standards’ on human rights

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the European Union and several of its member states of applying double standards to human rights and international law, arguing that their support for Israel amid the war in Gaza and their backing of military action against Iran have undermined their credibility to criticize Tehran.
By Garsha Vazirian

‘Food Truck One,’ expandable decoys, and the propaganda ruin

TEHRAN — The official narrative survived for a month. It portrayed an American president boarding Air Force One on July 8 following a NATO summit in Ankara, waving to the cameras, and flying west. The reality was far more humiliating.
By staff writer

From Trump to Lebanon: Delusion of decision-making

TEHRAN – When politics loses touch with reality, facts can quickly give way to fiction. The Trump model offers one example; its echoes in Lebanon offer another.
Mohsen Sharifian echoes Iranians’ message of peace, friendship in Hiroshima

TEHRAN – Mohsen Sharifian, the musician and researcher of regional Iranian music, echoed the message of peace and friendship of Iranians with a musical performance in Hiroshima, coinciding with the anniversary of the atomic bombing.

Politics

Schumer urges Hegseth ouster over deteriorating USS Lincoln conditions amid Iran war

TEHRAN — Floating in the sweltering expanse of the North Arabian Sea, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has spent more than 250 days deployed and over 200 consecutive days at sea without a port call.
Iran rejects US allegations of destabilizing Yemen at UNSC

TEHRAN— Iran has rejected as “baseless and unsubstantiated” allegations by the United States that Tehran is destabilizing Yemen or has used commercial flights to Sana’a to transfer military personnel or equipment in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.
The world after the US defeat

MADRID – The reverberations of the Forty-Day War have not ceased, and it can already be said that they have affected not only Western Asia but the entire world. The story is well known: Donald Trump launched a war expecting that American and Israeli strikes would finally do away with the Islamic Republic. Instead, he has witnessed a historic defeat for his country.

Sports

Octavio: I would love to face Iran with Morocco

TEHRAN - The newly appointed head coach of Morocco’s national beach soccer team, Marco Octavio, has expressed his desire to face Iran in a friendly international match, saying such a game would be a valuable experience for his players.
Iran volleyball set for four-team tournament in Russia

TEHRAN - Iran’s national volleyball team will take part in a four-team preparatory tournament in Russia as part of their final preparations for the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship.
Iran to face Russia in friendly match in Kazan

TEHRAN – The national football teams of Iran and Russia are set to meet in a friendly match on Sept. 29 in Kazan, according to the press service of the Russian Football Union (RFU).

Culture

Mohsen Sharifian echoes Iranians’ message of peace, friendship in Hiroshima

TEHRAN – Mohsen Sharifian, the musician and researcher of regional Iranian music, echoed the message of peace and friendship of Iranians with a musical performance in Hiroshima, coinciding with the anniversary of the atomic bombing.
Music fans bid farewell to traditional singer Iraj

TEHRAN - The funeral ceremony for Hossein Khajeh-Amiri, the renowned singer of Iranian music known as Iraj, was held on Friday morning in front of Vahdat Hall in Tehran, attended by a large crowd of his fans and members of the music community.
ECI to host international conference on media literacy in Tehran

TEHRAN- The ECO Cultural Institute (ECI), in cooperation with Türkiye’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), is scheduled to host an international conference on media literacy in Tehran on August 18.

Economy

BRICS must move from dialogue to practical action: CBI governor

TEHRAN- The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) on the first day of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in India, while thanking the host country's government and central bank for hosting the summit, emphasized the need to strengthen practical cooperation among BRICS members in monetary and financial areas.
Tehran, Islamabad emphasize development of economic, energy cooperation

TEHRAN- Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad met with Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Pakistan's Minister of the Interior, at the headquarters of the Oil Ministry to discuss the development of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and the expansion of commercial and economic relations, Shana reported.
Iranian, South African central bankers review capacities for expanding monetary, banking co-op

TEHRAN- The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) met and held talks with the Governor of the South African Central Bank on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

Society

DOE ready to put Caspian Sea water-level decline at center of regional talks

TEHRAN - The head of the Department of Environment has said Iran is prepared to place the issue of the declining water level of the Caspian Sea at the center of regional discussions ahead of the Caspian Sea Summit.
Ministries join hands to rebuild war-damaged healthcare infrastructure

TEHRAN - A cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening health diplomacy and rebuilding healthcare infrastructure damaged during the US-Israeli imposed war was signed on Tuesday by the ministries of health and foreign affairs.
Iranian Red Crescent Society offers health services in Ghana

TEHRAN - A one-day medical camp has been organized by the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s health center in Ghana aimed to provide free medical services to flood victims and the needy, benefiting 547 individuals.

Tourism

Mashhad to get handicrafts township as Iran seeks to expand sector’s export potential

TEHRAN — Iran plans to establish a dedicated handicrafts township in Mashhad as a pilot project that could eventually be replicated across the country, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Friday.
Mulla Sadra house in Qom to become hub for astronomy and philosophy tourism

TEHRAN – Local officials plan to turn the historic house of philosopher Mulla Sadra in Kahak, Qom province, into a hub for astronomy and philosophy tourism, under a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting the city’s cultural attractions and strengthening its tourism economy.
$168,000 worth of handicrafts sold along Arbaeen pilgrimage routes

TEHRAN - Handicrafts worth 31 billion tomans, equivalent to about $168,000 at the prevailing open-market exchange rate, were sold at stalls set up along the Arbaeen pilgrimage routes in six Iranian provinces, an official said.

International

From Trump to Lebanon: Delusion of decision-making

TEHRAN – When politics loses touch with reality, facts can quickly give way to fiction. The Trump model offers one example; its echoes in Lebanon offer another.
‘Food Truck One,’ expandable decoys, and the propaganda ruin

TEHRAN — The official narrative survived for a month. It portrayed an American president boarding Air Force One on July 8 following a NATO summit in Ankara, waving to the cameras, and flying west. The reality was far more humiliating.
A food truck, a failed war, and the humiliation of a superpower

TEHRAN - Never has a president subjected the United States to such global humiliation. It is a bitter pill to swallow for a nation accustomed to projecting strength, but the facts on the ground paint a picture of a strategic disaster of historic proportions.

While Trump claims almost weekly that American forces have full control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran says it 'calls the shots'