Tehran Times

2026-07-13 21:04
By Mahoud M. Ravi-Nejad

"Hormuz belongs to us, not foreigners," Iran says

TEHRAN — Iran on Monday announced a significant expansion of its retaliatory military campaign against United States forces across the Persian Gulf region, saying coordinated missile, drone, and air-defense operations targeted American military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman in response to “continued US aggression against Iranian territory.”
- Hormuz locked: Iran crushes US military might
- Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz, suspending maritime traffic

Iran vows justice for martyred leader as it balances defense and diplomacy

Tehran — Iran has declared that it will pursue retribution for the martyrdom of its late Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, and other victims of US-Israeli aggression through every available legal, diplomatic, and judicial mechanism, while simultaneously reaffirming its readiness to defend its sovereignty and keep the door open to diplomacy.
The story behind Zilou coverings in the martyred Leader’s office

TEHRAN - For years, viewers of official meetings and public ceremonies questioned why the floors of the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya and the office of Iran’s late Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei were covered with blue-and-white Zilou floor coverings rather than precious Persian carpets.
By Asqarjon Ismoilov

The Terrible Tehran?

In my youth, I read “The Terrible Tehran” by Iranian author Morteza Moshfegh Kazemi. From that time on, an image of the city filled with fear and mystery had remained in my mind. When I set out for Tehran, I asked myself: how much does the Tehran described in that book resemble the Tehran of today?
Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz, suspending maritime traffic

TEHRAN- Iran has suspended maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and intensified its control over the world's most strategically important energy corridor, accusing the United States of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by attempting to impose unauthorized navigation routes and interfering in the waterway's administration.
Hormuz locked: Iran crushes US military might

TEHRAN - The continuous military strikes executed by the United States against Iran in blatant violation of the recent interim agreement mark yet another severe miscalculation in Washington’s historically hostile approach toward the Islamic Republic.

Politics

Commemoration ceremonies continue to honor martyred Leader

TEHRAN - People in Iran and several other countries continue to hold solemn mourning ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, marking a period of profound national grief and reflection.
The E3’s double standard: Condemning Iran, shielding the US

TEHRAN - The joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (the E3) regarding the escalation in the Strait of Hormuz exposes a glaring double standard in European foreign policy. By condemning what they termed Iran’s "reckless attacks" on commercial shipping and regional countries, the E3 has chosen to enforce international law selectively, completely ignoring the flagrant violations committed by the United States.
Iranians believe the martyrdom of Leader will awaken Islamic world

TEHRAN- Mourners in Iran have gathered in public places in cities, squares, and mosques to mourn the martyrdom of their leader and demand revenge against those responsible for his martyrdom. They also believe that the event will bring unity and awakening among Muslims.

Sports

Women lose to China at 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s women’s team lost to China 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-18) at the 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships on Monday.
Iran victorious over India at 2026 AVC U18 Volleyball Championship

TEHRAN – Iran defeated India 3-1 (29-27, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22) at the 2026 AVC Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship on Monday.
Iran defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina at 2026 Sitting Volleyball Worlds

TEHRAN - Iran’s men sitting volleyball team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 (24-26, 25-21 25-22, 25-21) at the 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships on Sunday.

Culture

Swedish Iranologist Bo Utas elected as honorary member of Academy of Persian Language and Literature

TEHRAN – The Academy of Persian Language and Literature in Iran has elected Bo Utas, a prominent Swedish Iranologist and Professor Emeritus of Iranian Languages at Uppsala University in Sweden, as an honorary member in recognition of his scholarly contributions.
Five Iranian films win awards at Russian festival

TEHRAN – Five films from Iran were among the award winners of the 21st In the Family Circle Film Festival, which was held in the Yaroslavl Region, Russia.
Cinema Museum to show restored version of Nasser Taghvai’s “Unruled Paper”

TEHRAN – The restored version of the film “Unruled Paper,” written and directed by the late Nasser Taghvai, will be screened for the first time at the Cinema Museum of Iran.

Economy

Martyr Leader’s economic thoughts in housing sector

TEHRAN- The head of the Think Tank of Intelligent Governance, referring to the importance of revisiting the economic thoughts of the Martyr Leader of the Revolution, said: Housing is one of the topics to which the Martyr Leader always paid special attention.
Tehran, Moscow agree to fast-track removal of energy co-op obstacles

Tehran, Moscow agree to fast-track removal of energy co-op obstacles
Tehran hosting intl. exhibit of detergent, cosmetic, cellulose products

TEHRAN- The 33rd International Exhibition of Detergent, Hygienic, Cellulose and Related Industries (Beauty & Clean) has commenced its work at the Tehran Permanent International Fairground with the participation of over 160 domestic and foreign companies.

Society

80 Iranian universities in U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings

TEHRAN – The 2026-2027 edition of the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings has included 80 Iranian universities among the world’s 2,250 top universities.
Iran studies applying WHO New Vaccine Introduction Prioritization and Sequencing Toolkit

TEHRAN – The health ministry and the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, have carried out a study applying WHO New Vaccine Introduction Prioritization and Sequencing Toolkit (NVI-PST) to help establish a transparent, evidence-based roadmap for introducing new vaccines over 2025–2030.
Tehran, Islamabad underline boosting ties on women

TEHRAN – The Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, and Pakistan’s Minister of Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, have highlighted the need to enhance collaborations between the two countries in areas related to women.

Tourism

The story behind Zilou coverings in the martyred Leader’s office

TEHRAN - For years, viewers of official meetings and public ceremonies questioned why the floors of the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya and the office of Iran’s late Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei were covered with blue-and-white Zilou floor coverings rather than precious Persian carpets.
The Terrible Tehran?

In my youth, I read “The Terrible Tehran” by Iranian author Morteza Moshfegh Kazemi. From that time on, an image of the city filled with fear and mystery had remained in my mind. When I set out for Tehran, I asked myself: how much does the Tehran described in that book resemble the Tehran of today?
Isfahan tourism specialist wins medal at Geneva innovation competition

TEHRAN - An Isfahan-based tourism specialist has won a silver medal at the 6th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in Switzerland for an artificial intelligence-based tourism platform, a provincial tourism official said on Sunday.

International

The West Bank: Between neglect and settlement expansion

TEHRAN – As the region is engulfed by wars and fast-moving developments that are difficult for observers to keep up with, attention to what is happening in the West Bank has steadily declined. Public interest has waned.
A chicken hawk named ‘Lady G’ and the innocent lives spent to feed his imperial sadism

TEHRAN — The announcement blamed sudden cardiac arrest on July 11, 2026, but the heart inside Lindsey Graham had withered into an instrument of imperial sadism decades ago. Returning to his Capitol Hill home from a weapons-peddling trip to Kyiv, the 71-year-old senator from South Carolina collapsed and “died suddenly” in his room.
Netanyahu’s remarks on settler violence ring hollow

TEHRAN - Israeli police admitted that four settlers were arrested after an attack on CNN and other journalists in the occupied West Bank on Saturday.