Tehran Times

2026-08-21 19:32
Trump’s ‘economic D-Day’ will turn into ‘dud day’

China rejects Trump’s economic pressure on Iran, while Russia warns the US has chosen the wrong way

TEHRAN — As the unprovoked war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran approaches its six-month mark, Washington is confronting diminishing weapon stockpiles, a stalled aggression campaign, and growing domestic political distress ahead of crucial US midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.
- Why Iran will never surrender the Strait of Hormuz

President Pezeshkian: Iran will never bow to bullying

TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Friday that the Islamic Republic will never capitulate to foreign coercion, vowing a decisive and crushing response against any aggression aimed at compromising the nation's sovereignty and dignity.
Iran’s top generals warn of ‘devastating’ response to any threat

TEHRAN —Iran’s top military commanders have warned that the country is prepared to respond with “crushing, deterrent and devastating” force to any threat or miscalculation by its adversaries, as Tehran continues to emphasize the growing self-reliance of its defense industry.
Qalibaf hails ‘unbreakable’ Iran-Iraq alliance

TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has hailed the “unbreakable” unity between Iran and Iraq, stating that the two neighboring nations will continue to stand firm together against the United States.
By Ali Minabi

Palestine and genocide: Redefining resilience

TEHRAN – Since Trump’s son-in-law and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner met fugitive war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv several days ago, the Israeli regime has killed more Palestinians.
Iran quagmire: Trump’s failed strategy and its heavy cost

TEHRAN- Six months into the war with Iran, the Trump administration finds itself trapped in a catastrophic quagmire of its own making. What began as a show of force has devolved into a textbook case of strategic failure, with Americans paying the price at the pump and on the world stage.

Politics

Iran condemns new US sanctions as ‘economic terrorism’

TEHRAN —Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the latest US sanctions against the country, accusing Washington of pursuing a decades-long campaign of economic pressure that Tehran described as “economic terrorism” and a “crime against humanity.”
Iran modernizing defense industry in response to US-Israeli aggression: Defense Ministry

TEHRAN — Iran's Defense Ministry has announced that the country is comprehensively modernizing its defense industry in the wake of the recent wars launched by the US and Israel. In an official statement issued on Thursday, the ministry declared that these conflict periods “were an opportunity to gain a more precise understanding of capabilities, reveal new needs, and chart the path for the future. We have learned never to stop.”
US senator denounces Trump’s 'disastrous' war on Iran

TEHRAN — Deepening political fracturing within the United States establishment has broken into the open, as senior American lawmakers increasingly characterize Washington’s ongoing hostilities against Iran as an unmitigated strategic catastrophe.

Sports

Iran down Pakistan at 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Pakistan in straight sets (25-23, 25-22, 25-18) at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship in Doha, Qatar on Friday.
Iran start 2026 AVC Women Asian Continental Championship in style

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 (16-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-14) in their opening match of the 2026 AVC Women Asian Continental Championship.
Bam Khatoon , Al Nassr share spoils at AFC Women’s Champions League

TEHRAN - Bam Khatoon FC scored in the dying seconds to earn a 1-1 stalemate with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 Preliminary Stage tie on Thursday.

Culture

Iranian photographers win awards at 2nd Zyne International Photography Awards

TEHRAN – Several Iranians are among the winners of various categories of the second Zyne International Photography Awards (ZIPA) in India.
Music piece unveiled in Tehran marking 40th day since burial of martyred Leader

TEHRAN- Iranian vocalist and composer Hesameddin Seraj has unveiled his new music piece “Brokenhearted Spring” at a memorial ceremony marking the 40th day since the burial of Iran’s martyred leader.
Asghar Farhadi receives Honorary Heart of Sarajevo

TEHRAN- Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi has received the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of cinema.

Economy

Iran quagmire: Trump’s failed strategy and its heavy cost

TEHRAN- Six months into the war with Iran, the Trump administration finds itself trapped in a catastrophic quagmire of its own making. What began as a show of force has devolved into a textbook case of strategic failure, with Americans paying the price at the pump and on the world stage.
Iran finalizes preferential trade agreement with Oman, sends to parliament for approval

TEHRAN- The Director-General of the West Asia Office of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) announced that the preferential trade agreement with Oman has been finalized after completing administrative procedures and has been submitted to the Parliament for final review.
Production of 10m tons of greenhouse products targeted

TEHRAN- The Deputy Agriculture Minister for Horticulture Affairs announced the targeting of 10 million tons of production in the country's greenhouse sector and emphasized the necessity of moving from traditional methods toward advanced agriculture, along with removing infrastructural obstacles and active trade diplomacy for sustainable foreign currency generation.

Society

Iran ranks first in key scientific output among Islamic countries

TEHRAN - Iran ranks first among Islamic nations in key fields of scientific output such as quantum science, cognitive sciences, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced materials, the head of the Presidential Affairs Office at the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) has announced.
Health ministry, WHO hold second workshop on applying PHC Operational Framework

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Iran have organized the second capacity-building workshop to strengthen the capacity of primary health care (PHC), targeting the health staff who had been unable to attend the first workshop on July 26.
Iranian, Iraqi universities sign MOU to foster scientific interactions

TEHRAN – Mazandaran University and Iraq’s Wasit University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand international scientific cooperation.

Tourism

Iran urges BRICS to build resilient and sustainable tourism sector

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has called for a new definition of resilience in tourism, saying the sector should help connect nations, revive hope, support communities and contribute to lasting peace.
Iranian, Turkish officials discuss ways to diversify tourism flows

TEHRAN – Officials from Iran and Turkey has recently discussed broaden tourism cooperation by moving beyond a focus on a handful of well-known destinations and promoting the diverse attractions of their provinces to each other’s markets.
Changiz Sheykhli, ‘father of Iranian caving,’ dies at 99

TEHRAN – Changiz Sheykhli, the pioneering figure who founded Iran’s modern caving and speleology movement, died on Wednesday, August 20, in Karaj at age 99, following a period of illness.

International

Palestine and genocide: Redefining resilience

TEHRAN – Since Trump’s son-in-law and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner met fugitive war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv several days ago, the Israeli regime has killed more Palestinians.
Yemeni drones strike Aramco oil facilities, Najran airport

TEHRAN — Yemeni Armed Forces launched back-to-back drone strikes on August 20, targeting a sensitive military installation at Najran Airport and a major Aramco oil facility in southern Saudi Arabia.
MAGA stands for “Make America Grotesque Again”

NORTH CAROLINA - A university town in central North Carolina not too far from Washington is a fair place to get a read on the U.S. zeitgeist, especially since Trump began a grotesque kinetic war on Iran on February 28th.

China rejects Trump’s economic pressure on Iran, while Russia warns the US has chosen the wrong way