Tehran Times

2026-06-29 21:19
By Hossein Amiri

Eliminated on Paper. Victorious in Character.

How did the US lay landmines for Iran's football team inside the 2026 World Cup?

TEHRAN – The scoreboard says Iran's journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in the group stage. History will record three draws against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt before Team Melli narrowly missed a place in the knockout rounds. Yet numbers alone cannot tell the story of Iran's campaign in North America.
- Iran's World Cup dream ends in heartbreak
- Taj: Iran fought until the very end

Pezeshkian meets Grand Ayatollahs in Qom

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to the holy city of Qom for a series of meetings with the leading Shiite clerics, during which he discussed the government's domestic agenda, regional developments, and the latest diplomatic achievements, including the planned release of $6 billion of Iran's frozen assets held in Qatar.
Iran and Oman hold first Hormuz committee talks as sovereignty push intensifies

TEHRAN - Iran and Oman convened for the inaugural session of their newly formed joint committee on the Strait of Hormuz, with talks centering on the strategic waterway’s long-term administration.
Iran calls for 'Indigenous Persian Gulf Security Framework' during Iraq visit

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the Persian Gulf littoral states to establish a collective regional security mechanism, stressing that any future security architecture should be inclusive, indigenous, and free from the involvement of extra-regional military powers.
By Garsha Vazirian

Israel maliciously turns Armenian grief into diplomatic grenade masking Gaza atrocities

TEHRAN — On June 28, the Israeli cabinet executed a maneuver it had fiercely resisted for decades. In a unanimous vote, ministers approved Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s proposal to formally recognize the mass killings of Ottoman Armenians during World War I as a “genocide.”
By Wesam Bahrani

More Lebanese figures reject the “framework agreement”

TEHRAN – Opposition to the Lebanese government’s “framework agreement” with the Zionist regime continues to grow, as the country’s political parties and public figures condemn it for legitimizing occupation and lacking legal or national legitimacy.

Politics

Tehran demands US adherence to MoU before any technical discussions begin

TEHRAN - Iran's deputy foreign minister on Monday dismissed reports that technical working groups with Washington would convene this week in Doha, accusing the United States of violating key articles of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding during two days of skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz—violations that were met with a decisive Iranian response.
Iran honors ‘pioneer of public diplomacy’ assassinated in US-Israeli strike

TEHRAN – Iran’s political and cultural elite gathered Sunday to unveil a commemorative volume honoring Martyr Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, the former foreign minister assassinated on April 9 in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike on his Tehran residence.
Iran pledges to pursue accountability for Sardasht chemical attack

TEHRAN– Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal accountability for those responsible for the 1987 chemical bombardment of the northwestern city of Sardasht, with senior officials describing the attack as one of the gravest war crimes of the Iran-Iraq War and a lasting reminder of 'international double standards' over the use of weapons of mass destruction.

Sports

Nenad Kljaić arrives in Tehran to begin Iran handball mission

TEHRAN – Newly appointed Iran men's national handball team head coach Nenad Kljaić arrived in Tehran on Tuesday afternoon to officially begin his tenure with the national team.
Results don’t tell the whole story of Iran’s VNL campaign

TEHRAN - Iran’s second week in the 2026 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League produced only one victory, but the overall performances suggested a team moving in the right direction under Roberto Piazza.
Iran beat Syria at FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian qualifier

TEHRAN - Iran opened the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' third window at the Prince Hamza Hall in Jordan with 72-68 win over Syria on Monday.

Culture

“Tent of Art” Ashura gathering opens in Tehran

TEHRAN- The second edition of the "Kheimeh Honar" ("Tent of Art") Ashura gathering commenced at the City Theater complex in Tehran on Sunday.
Tahereh Mafi’s bestselling novel “Shatter Me” to be adapted into film by Warner Bros.

TEHRAN – Iranian-American author Tahereh Mafi has revealed that Warner Bros. has secured the film rights to her bestselling young-adult dystopian “Shatter Me” series, marking a major milestone as the franchise approaches its 15th anniversary.
20th Cinema Verite unveils call for entries

TEHRAN- The Documentary & Experimental Film Center (DEFC) has officially unveiled the call for entries for the 20th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite”.

Economy

Iran, Turkey eye deeper economic cooperation as ICCIMA pushes economic diplomacy

TEHRAN- During a meeting with the Head of the Turkey–Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said that expanding economic, social, and cultural cooperation among nations can help prevent conflicts and wars. He stated that economic diplomacy should be employed as an instrument for promoting peace.
Developing exploration standards, expanding private sector participation, top priorities of IMIDRO

TEHRAN – The head of the executive board of the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) emphasized the need to transform the country's mineral exploration policies, saying that developing national exploration standards, expanding private sector participation, attracting foreign investors, and training specialized human resources will be the main pillars of Iran's mineral exploration development program.
Aras Free Zone, Railways sign agreement to turn Jolfa into a transit hub

TEHRAN- The Aras Free Zone Organization and the Railways of the Islamic Republic of Iran (RAI) have signed an agreement to transform Jolfa into a major transit and logistics hub, IRIB reported.

Society

Iran marks World Drug Day

TEHRAN – A special ceremony was held in Tehran on Tuesday to mark World Drug Day with President Masoud Pezeshkian and representatives of some foreign countries in attendance.
ISC IWUR 2025 includes more Iranian universities

TEHRAN – The 2025 World University Rankings (WUR) report by the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) has included 76 Iranian universities, an increase from 72 in 2024.
Iran National Science Foundation, BRICS to cooperate in flagship projects

TEHRAN – The Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) and BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Framework will support the implementation of strategic collaborative research projects through joint flagship calls.

Tourism

Experts discuss strategies to protect cultural heritage and historic cities during wartime

TEHRAN – Iranian experts on Tuesday examined international approaches to safeguarding cultural heritage and the historical identity of cities during armed conflict, calling for stronger documentation, digital preservation, legal protection, and broader international cooperation while emphasizing the role of cultural resilience in the aftermath of war.
Martyred leader's funeral ceremonies to be nominated for national heritage status

TEHRAN – Iran's minister of cultural heritage said on Monday that the government plans to seek national heritage registration for the planned funeral ceremonies of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Mehr news agency reported.
Isfahan unveils tourism roadmap, plans heritage restoration after recent damage

TEHRAN – Isfahan province has prepared a new tourism development roadmap, launched plans to revive historical corridors and begun restoring heritage sites damaged during recent US-Israeli airstrikes, Governor-general Mehdi Jamalinejad said on Monday.

International

Israel maliciously turns Armenian grief into diplomatic grenade masking Gaza atrocities

TEHRAN — On June 28, the Israeli cabinet executed a maneuver it had fiercely resisted for decades. In a unanimous vote, ministers approved Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s proposal to formally recognize the mass killings of Ottoman Armenians during World War I as a “genocide.”
How the Lebanese government advances Israel’s interests!

TEHRAN – The signing of the Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Iran and the U.S. dealt a great blow to the Israeli regime’s expectations from the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations.
More Lebanese figures reject the “framework agreement”

TEHRAN – Opposition to the Lebanese government’s “framework agreement” with the Zionist regime continues to grow, as the country’s political parties and public figures condemn it for legitimizing occupation and lacking legal or national legitimacy.

How did the US lay landmines for Iran's football team inside the 2026 World Cup?