Tehran Times

2026-05-06 21:33
By staff writer

‘Project Freedom’ runs aground in Hormuz Strait

TEHRAN - President Donald Trump’s decision to pause the so-called “Project Freedom” lays bare his desperation to open the Strait of Hormuz through military force.
- Deterrence through punishing the aggressor
- US blockade dwarfed by Iranian naval power

Iranian president discusses regional peace with Iraqi, French leaders in calls

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held separate telephone conversations with Iraq's Prime Minister-designate and France's President emphasizing Tehran's readiness for dialogue to resolve regional disputes while expressing deep distrust toward the United States over its hostile actions during past negotiations.
By Garsha Vazirian

The death of Washington’s Dimona omertà and the return of JFK’s ghost

TEHRAN — For more than half a century, Washington played its part in a carefully staged omission: Israel's nuclear weapons were never to be officially named. On May 4, it became obvious that the script has been torn up.
By Wesam Bahrani

Why should Lebanon’s president avoid meeting Netanyahu?

TEHRAN – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said it is “not appropriate” to meet Israeli regime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at this time, amid mounting pressure from Washington to hold direct talks.
FM Araghchi in Beijing: China reaffirms support for Iran ahead of Trump trip

TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to China has underscored strategic relations between Tehran and Beijing amid the East Asian nation’s efforts to restore stability to the Middle East in the wake of US military adventurism in the region.
What I witnessed in Iran challenges dominant Western narratives: American journalist

Christopher Helali details destruction sites, civilian response, and military presence in sensitive regions

TEHRAN- In this exclusive interview with Tehran Times, Christopher Helali, an American journalist, political analyst, and activist known for his coverage of international conflicts and U.S. foreign policy, shares his observations following his recent visit to Iran as part of a delegation of international journalists.

Politics

$Qalibaf: US naval blockade aims to fracture Iran’s national unity$
Qalibaf: US naval blockade aims to fracture Iran’s national unity

TEHRAN - Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned that the United States is trying to drive a wedge within Iranian society through its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran accuses West of ‘economic terrorism’

TEHRAN—A senior Iranian human rights official has sharply criticized Western governments, accusing them of waging “economic terrorism” against Iran.
Iran-US confrontation: Illusions, threats, and a possible way out

TEHRAN- A new analysis by Mel Gurtov, professor emeritus at Portland State University, warns that Donald Trump’s assumptions about the war with Iran have all proven wrong. Despite a naval blockade, Iran’s economy has bent but not broken.

Sports

Iran’s U23 team in limbo as Asian Games approach

TEHRAN – Iran U23 football team—traditionally known as Team Omid—find themselves in a familiar state of uncertainty just months before the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. Despite official assurances that the team will represent the country, a lack of clarity over their technical staff, squad composition, and preparation plans has once again raised serious concerns about the federation’s long-term planning.
Asian Para Games: Nagoya team managers hold session

TEHRAN — Team managers participating in the 2026 Asian Para Games convened for a session at the Iranian Paralympic Committee (NPC) headquarters on Tuesday.
Iran seeks FIFA guarantees for World Cup participation

Iran’s football federation chief said Tuesday the national team is preparing to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but its presence depends on receiving firm guarantees from the governing body FIFA.

Culture

Minab school tragedy survivor's story chronicled in new doc “Hoda”

TEHRAN – Iranian director Hamed Saadat’s documentary “Hoda” on a survivor of Minab school’s tragedy, is currently in the final stages of editing, the Documentary and Animation Center (DEFC) has announced.
“Revolutionizing Motherhood” published in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “Revolutionizing Motherhood: The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo” written by Marguerite Guzman Bouvard has been released in the bookstores across Iran.
IAF’s “The American Lie” program screening anti-war films

TEHRAN – The Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) is showing selected anti-war films in a program titled “The American Lie”.

Economy

Global economy faces structural shock from Iran war: Finnish economist

TEHRAN- In this exclusive interview with Tehran Times, Tuomas Malinen, Finnish economist, CEO of GnS Economics, and associate professor of economics at the University of Helsinki, examines the global economic consequences of the recent Israel–U.S. attack on Iran. Known for his work on financial instability and macroeconomic cycles, Malinen argues that the escalation represents a systemic shock extending far beyond the West Asia. He highlights rising risks in energy markets, supply chains, inflation, and sovereign debt stability. According to him, prolonged instability in the Persian Gulf region, a key energy and geopolitical hub, could intensify global uncertainty and weaken already fragile economic growth prospects worldwide.
Fragile engines of growth: Why Iran war threatens both AI, US consumer

TEHRAN- The US economy is increasingly driven by two concentrated engines, soaring AI investment and resilient consumer spending, but Bank of America warns this dual-engine setup is uniquely vulnerable to the ongoing Iran war.
Ministers investigate ways to facilitate goods unloading, clearance from ports, borders

TEHRAN- The Ministers of Transport and Urban Development and of Economic Affairs and Finance, along with their deputies, held a joint meeting to discuss strategies for facilitating the unloading and clearance of goods from ports and borders, as well as utilizing alternative corridors to supply essential goods.

Society

Health ministry launches campaign to equip NICUs damaged in war

TEHRAN – The health ministry has launched a national campaign to help repair and equip the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of hospitals that were damaged during the US-Israeli war against the country.
Rainfall brings intl. Quri Gol wetland back to life

TEHRAN – After several months of water scarcity, spring rainfall has eased the drought in northwestern East Azarbaijan province, reviving the international Quri Gol wetland.
Precipitation forecast to be high in fall, winter

TEHRAN – With the El Niño phase developing across the Pacific Ocean, the country is forecast to receive considerable rain in the fall and winter.

Tourism

Beyond modern life: discovering Iran’s tribal worlds

TEHRAN - Under the vast Iranian sky, where mountains stretch into the horizon and rivers carve their way through ancient valleys, a different rhythm of life quietly endures. For travelers weary of crowded cities and hurried itineraries, tribal tourism in Iran offers something rare: a journey not only across landscapes, but into a living, breathing past.
17th Gol Ghaltan festival underway with new community-focused approach

TEHRAN - The city of Amirieh in Semnan province has launched its 17th edition of its nationally recognized Gol Ghaltan ritual, introducing a more traditional, community-based approach to the centuries-old ceremony, local officials said.
Sustainable desert tourism with educational campaign promoted in Mesr Village

TEHRAN – An educational campaign aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and protecting fragile desert ecosystems has been held in the scenic Mesr Village, which is situated in central Iran.

International

The death of Washington’s Dimona omertà and the return of JFK’s ghost

TEHRAN — For more than half a century, Washington played its part in a carefully staged omission: Israel's nuclear weapons were never to be officially named. On May 4, it became obvious that the script has been torn up.
Why should Lebanon’s president avoid meeting Netanyahu?

TEHRAN – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said it is “not appropriate” to meet Israeli regime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at this time, amid mounting pressure from Washington to hold direct talks.
American military hegemony begins to look increasingly hollow: analysis

TEHRAN – In a commentary published on May 3, Statecraft analyzed how Donald Trump’s war on Iran is exposing limits to American power.

Christopher Helali details destruction sites, civilian response, and military presence in sensitive regions