Tehran Times

2026-06-16 21:18
Trump spins failure as victory

Having failed to achieve his goals in the joint US–Israel war on Iran, Trump is now attempting to disguise the setback as a victory

TEHRAN - The nearly four-month-old war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran has drastically exposed the limits of America’s military might and the futility of its long-standing regime-change doctrine. When joint American and Israeli airstrikes commenced on February 28, the core of the strategy relied on a rapid, top-down collapse.
- Trump, Netanyahu hoisted by their own petard
- ‘The bill comes due’

Iran’s military leadership declares strategic victory over US-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN-In a coordinated series of public statements, Iran’s top military commanders have collectively asserted that the Islamic Republic emerged strategically strengthened from two recent wars of aggression waged by the United States and Israel, underscoring that enemy forces failed to attain any of their stated objectives and did not dare approach Iranian territorial waters.
Lebanon welcomes MoU and Hezbollah praises Tehran’s role

TEHRAN — Lebanon’s top political leaders have welcomed the recently concluded memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, while senior officials in Tehran and Beirut have called for the full implementation of provisions aimed at ending hostilities in Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.
Tehran governor: Preparations underway for mass turnout at Ayatollah Khamenei funeral

TEHRAN - As Iran prepares to hold funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Tehran is putting in place the infrastructure and necessary mechanisms to accommodate the anticipated large crowds bidding farewell to the martyred Leader.
By Garsha Vazirian

Inside Washington’s meltdown over Iran and the rising chorus of imperial defeat

TEHRAN – When a sparse memorandum of understanding (MOU) is all that remains for Washington after months of imperial aggression, the political theater in the home capital becomes far more instructive than the ink on the paper.
By Wesam Bahrani

Families returning to southern Lebanon witness widespread destruction

TEHRAN – Some residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes following the announcement of an MOU between the U.S. and Iran, which includes ending the Zionist regime’s aggression in Lebanon.

Politics

US, Iran discuss unfreezing Iranian assets

TEHRAN- The United States and Iran discussed the unfreezing of approximately $24 billion in Iranian assets as part of negotiations surrounding a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, according to Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, adviser to the Qatari prime minister and spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
Qalibaf, Vance to represent Iran and US at Switzerland signing of MoU

TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and US Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to represent their respective countries at the signing ceremony of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding (MoU) scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 19, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi.
Judiciary chief: 'Diplomacy and battlefield' move in sync

TEHRAN – Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has highlighted the convergence between Iran’s political and military leadership, stressing that negotiations with the United States are aimed at securing the nation’s rights.

Sports

Battling beyond the pitch: Iran show character in difficult conditions

TEHRAN - Iran’s 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match leaves Team Melli with mixed emotions.
Iran coach Ghalenoei hits out at travel restrictions

TEHRAN - Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei criticized FIFA the U.S. government after being told they needed to leave Los Angeles immediately after 2-2 draw against New Zealand in the World Cup.
Iran held by New Zealand in 2026 FIFA World Cup opener

TEHRAN - Iran national football team and New Zealand shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener early Tuesday.

Culture

New Valiasr Square mural honors Muharram, Martyred Leader

TEHRAN- A new mural was unveiled at Tehran's Valiasr Square on Monday to mark the arrival of Muharram, the month of mourning for Imam Hossein (AS), while also paying tribute to the Martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Iranian Documentary “Iran in the Hermitage” honored at Cal Film Festival

TEHRAN- The Iranian documentary “Iran in the Hermitage,” directed by Behrouz Sebt Rasoul, has been honored at the main section of the Cal Film Festival in California, the US.
Tehran cultural center to review “Hokum”

TEHRAN- “Hokum,” a 2026 supernatural horror film directed by Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday evening.

Economy

US strategic oil reserve falls to 4-decade low as war on Iran drains emergency stocks

TEHRAN- The economic consequences of Washington's military confrontation with Iran are becoming increasingly visible inside the United States itself, as the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen to its lowest level in more than four decades.
How domestic production prevents collapse of Iran’s economy during war

TEHRAN- The third imposed war and the U.S. military attack on Iran served as a serious test of the country's economic resilience. Despite damage to certain infrastructures, a maritime blockade, and the continuation of sanctions pressure, the wheels of production and the supply of essential goods did not stop turning. The experience once again demonstrated a crucial reality: in today's world, security is not built solely behind defense systems, it is also produced in factories.
Central Bank of Iran hosts ACU technical committee permanent meeting

TEHRAN- The permanent meeting of the Technical Committee of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) was hosted by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), focusing on the use of member countries’ national currencies within the ACU framework, upgrading the Union’s infrastructure for exchanging financial messages, and expanding the ACU’s capacity through enhanced knowledge-sharing.

Society

WHO oversees national vaccination coverage among mothers, children in 2 provinces

TEHRAN – To assess the implementation of the national Maternal and Child Immunization Coverage Survey, the World Health Organization office in the country, in cooperation with the Center for Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, has conducted field visits to Fars and Zanjan provinces.
Iran leads regional countries in Scopus-indexed journals 2026

TEHRAN – With 464 journals indexed by the Scopus database from 2011 to 2026, Iran ranks first among regional countries.
ICRC, German Red Cross deliver second batch of emergency relief to Iran

TEHRAN – The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (ICRC), in cooperation with the German Red Cross, has dispatched the second humanitarian shipment to the country.

Tourism

Tourism minister says Western perceptions of Iran are often inaccurate

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has criticized what he described as inaccurate and exaggerated portrayals of Iran in Western media, arguing that many Europeans have a distorted understanding of the country’s realities.
Photo exhibit on Minab’s handicrafts and cultural heritage opens in Tehran

TEHRAN - A photo exhibition highlighting the handicrafts, cultural heritage and social resilience of the southern Iranian city of Minab opened at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts this week as part of National Handicrafts Week celebrations.
Iran plans heritage education program in schools

TEHRAN - Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts is planning to introduce a nationwide “Heritage and Museum Bell” program in schools as part of efforts to strengthen students’ awareness of the country’s cultural heritage.

International

Inside Washington’s meltdown over Iran and the rising chorus of imperial defeat

TEHRAN – When a sparse memorandum of understanding (MOU) is all that remains for Washington after months of imperial aggression, the political theater in the home capital becomes far more instructive than the ink on the paper.
Families returning to southern Lebanon witness widespread destruction

TEHRAN – Some residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes following the announcement of an MOU between the U.S. and Iran, which includes ending the Zionist regime’s aggression in Lebanon.
Zionists may resort to aggressive policies to undercut the Iran-US MOU

BERLIN - After Israel’s last bloody attack on the Shiite-inhabited Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh on Sunday, with three killed and 16 injured, an Iranian answer was due. But U.S. President Donald Trump, with renewed vigor of the octogenarian, strengthened by congratulatory messages to his birthday on the very same Sunday, begged Iran not to respond as announced. And the Islamic Republic graciously agreed.

Having failed to achieve his goals in the joint US–Israel war on Iran, Trump is now attempting to disguise the setback as a victory