Tehran Times

2026-08-09 20:22
By Akram Hosseini Shabestari

16 Iranian fishermen missing for 3+ months, US helicopter last seen overhead

TEHRAN- A warm wind blows from the coast of Konarak toward the sea, but at the city's fishing port, the familiar excitement of returning fishing boats has disappeared. More than three months have passed since the day the fishing vessel Shahin 2, carrying 17 fishermen, disappeared in waters near Oman. The incident remains without a clear explanation, leaving dozens of women, men and children waiting for news of their loved ones.

Pezeshkian in a press conference:

We will stand firm behind Leader’s decision on war

TEHRAN - Regarding decision on war and peace, Iranian President Masoud says: “Whether we should fight or not, the military commanders know better than you or me. They know their own capabilities. The Leader will make the decision, and whatever decision he makes, we will stand firm to the end.”
Deputy health minister: Evidence points to phosphorus bombing in Lamerd

TEHRAN - Deputy Health Minister for Research and Technology Shahin Akhoundzadeh has said that there is evidence suggesting the use of phosphorus bombing of Lamerd in Fars province on the first day of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28.
Hormuz reopening depends on US, Iran says

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said negotiations between Iran and Oman on arrangements for managing the Strait of Hormuz are nearing an agreement, while stressing that reopening the strategic waterway remains contingent on the United States addressing its violations of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.
By staff writer

America’s ‘supercarrier’ is a floating nightmare as food and hope run out

TEHRAN — The facade of American military omnipotence is rotting from the inside out. In a tear-filled banquet room in San Diego on Thursday, the families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln shattered the silence surrounding Washington and Tel Aviv’s disastrous war against Iran.
By Garsha Vazirian

A beat written in blood across Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran

TEHRAN — 28 years ago today, Iranian reporter Mahmoud Saremi radioed his newsroom from the Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif as Taliban fighters came through the gate. He identified himself, reported that the city had fallen, and asked what he should do next. Hours later he was dead, along with eight Iranian diplomats.

Politics

Iran sets six conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN —Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr has set out six conditions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway will remain closed until the United States changes its hostile conduct toward Iran.
Trump’s top general seeks ‘off-ramp’ as Iran war exposes limits of US military power

TEHRAN - US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has privately warned senior White House officials that Washington needs to find an “off-ramp” from its war with Iran, acknowledging that further military escalation could backfire and that airpower alone is unlikely to achieve President Donald Trump’s stated objectives, according to a report by CNN.
Iran judiciary warns enemy crimes will be punished

TEHRAN — Iran’s Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir has warned that crimes committed against nations and Islamic movements will not go unanswered, saying those responsible will ultimately be held accountable.

Sports

Iran basketball team discover fate at 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN - Iran’s men’s national basketball team have discovered their opponents in the group stage of the basketball tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
Iran’s women’s football team remain in limbo

TEHRAN - Iran’s women’s national football team are facing an uncertain period ahead of the next FIFA international window, with the future of head coach Marzieh Jafari still unresolved.
Women’s para-taekwondo team prepare for 2026 Asian Para Games

TEHRAN - Iran’s women’s para-taekwondo team are stepping up their preparations for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, with officials closely monitoring the national squad’s training camp.

Culture

Babak Karimi’s Italian movie “Balcanica” to premiere at 83rd Venice International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian actor Babak Karimi’s new movie “Balcanica,” directed by Nicola Sorcinelli, will have its world premiere in competition at the 23rd Giornate degli Autori, also known as Venice Days, held alongside the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, set to be held from September 2 to 12 in Venice, Italy.
Iranian director to stage reading of “The Elephant Man” in Tehran

TEHRAN- A stage reading of American playwright Bernard Pomerance’s play “The Elephant Man” will be held at Sahne-ye Abi Cultural and Artistic Center in Tehran on Sunday.
Bita Fayyazi’s artworks on display at Plus 2 Gallery

TEHRAN – A solo exhibition of artworks by Bita Fayyazi is underway at the Plus 2 (Deh Vanak) Gallery in Tehran.

Economy

New roadmap developed for Iran-Pakistan logistics cooperation

TEHRAN- The Vice-Chairman of the Transportation, Transit, and Logistics Committee of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, while outlining the achievements of the Iranian economic delegation's trip to Pakistan, stated that a new roadmap for Iran-Pakistan logistics cooperation was developed during this visit, with the expansion of transit and trade placed at the center of negotiations.
Iran, Uzbekistan discuss removing barriers to bilateral trade

TEHRAN- Samad Hassanzadeh, the head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, spoke at a meeting with the Uzbek ambassador in Tehran about the importance of facilitating and expediting the transit of Iranian goods through Uzbekistan. He stated: "One of the serious requests from the Uzbek side is the visa waiver and facilitation of travel between the two countries, especially for Iranian traders."
South Pars to be prepared before cold season

TEHRAN- Simultaneously with the continued production on South Pars platforms, reconstruction operations at the damaged refineries are underway with accelerated speed, aimed at restoring lost capacity and preparing the country's gas network for the cold season.

Society

Wildfires across protected areas drop by 88% year on year

TEHRAN - A total of 1,645 hectares of land within the country’s protected environmental areas were affected by wildfires since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21) and July 6, marking an 88% decrease compared with the same period last year.
Welfare Organization, UNFPA underline shared commitment to strengthening local communities

TEHRAN – State Welfare Organization and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) have highlighted their shared commitment to strengthening local communities through participatory and community-driven models.
NamiRa: Iranian-developed manually curated microRNA database on cancers

TEHRAN – Iranian researchers at Royan Institute, in collaboration with researchers from Germany’s University of Duisburg-Essen, have developed namiRa (meaning “immortal” in Persian), a comprehensive and specialized database that serves as a valuable scientific infrastructure that facilitates the identification of novel cancer biomarkers, accelerates the discovery of therapeutic targets, and supports the design of future cancer research.

Tourism

Moj Bafi, an ancient weaving tradition in heart of Zagros mountain range

TEHRAN - Deeply rooted in the traditional life of nomadic and rural communities in western Iran, Moj Bafi is a distinctive hand-weaving tradition that reflects the region’s pastoral economy, indigenous textile knowledge and artistic heritage.
Isfahan-Istanbul flights resume as city seeks wider air connectivity

TEHRAN - The resumption of direct flights between Isfahan and Istanbul could pave the way for expanding the Iranian city’s international air corridors and boosting tourism, according to a provincial tourism official.
Sistan-Baluchestan advances UNESCO bid for historic Asbads

TEHRAN – Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan is stepping up efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic Asbads, with officials planning a dedicated task force to strengthen the nomination dossier and highlight the province’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

International

A beat written in blood across Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran

TEHRAN — 28 years ago today, Iranian reporter Mahmoud Saremi radioed his newsroom from the Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif as Taliban fighters came through the gate. He identified himself, reported that the city had fallen, and asked what he should do next. Hours later he was dead, along with eight Iranian diplomats.
America’s ‘supercarrier’ is a floating nightmare as food and hope run out

TEHRAN — The facade of American military omnipotence is rotting from the inside out. In a tear-filled banquet room in San Diego on Thursday, the families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln shattered the silence surrounding Washington and Tel Aviv’s disastrous war against Iran.
Why is Trump suddenly reviving his Gaza plan?

TEHRAN – Trump’s statement about an agreement to disarm Hamas raises questions about his real objectives and reflects the continuing U.S. bias toward Israel, casting doubt on the prospects of achieving lasting peace.