Tehran Times

2026-08-02 20:50
By Garsha Vazirian

For Many Arbaeen Pilgrims, Every Step Honors Martyred Ayatollah Khamenei

He described the ‘magnetic attraction’ that drew the first pilgrim to visit Karbala on Arbaeen; now his own martyrdom has fused with that gravity

TEHRAN — The architects of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran expected paralysis. They calculated that assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution would fracture the Resistance. They were fluent in the sterile language of decapitation. They were blind to the mechanics of martyrdom. Look at the road from Najaf to Karbala. This is the first Arbaeen since American and Israeli warplanes ignited the current war. The pilgrims did not scatter.
- A historic reversal of the Ba'athist legacy unfolds under the Mesopotamian sun
- Leader thanks Iraqis for 'historic epic'

Iran warns of decisive response to any new attack

TEHRAN — Iran has issued one of its strongest warnings in recent weeks, declaring that any new military action by the United States or Israel would trigger a "decisive and proportionate" response from its Armed Forces, while insisting it will continue ‘legitimate defensive operations’ against ongoing American aggression.
Judiciary and MFA are pursuing assassination case of martyred leader

TEHRAN — Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Judiciary have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation on international legal proceedings and expanding joint legal, technical and educational initiatives.
Iran warns of escalation in Hormuz standoff, vows retaliation against any new US-led attack

TEHRAN — Senior Iranian political, military and security officials have issued a series of warnings that any renewed US military action or continued interference in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger broader retaliation, signaling that Tehran is prepared to escalate its response if tensions deepen.
By Garsha Vazirian

Another coalition meets its grave in the Red Sea

Saudi Arabia’s new coalition against Yemen is doomed to failure because Riyadh does not learn from past experiences

TEHRAN — On a stifling afternoon, the Saudi defense ministry rolled out the red carpet for delegates from 43 nations, eager to announce a grand diplomatic and military recovery. Merely 13 governments and the Saudi-backed regime in Aden signed on the dotted line to back the newly minted “multinational maritime defense coalition.”
Qalibaf calls for converting military gains into political success

TEHRAN— Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran emerged victorious from the recent war and called for transforming its military achievements into lasting political and legal gains, stressing that national unity is essential to strengthening the country.

Politics

President Pezeshkian hails Iranians as ‘true heroes’ shaping the nation’s future

TEHRAN — President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the Iranian people as "true heroes," insisting that the country's future belongs to its citizens despite "imposed wars" and pressure from the United States and Israel.
US lawmakers demand exit from Iran war as strategic costs mount

TEHRAN — Cracks inside the American political establishment continue to widen as US lawmakers openly criticize Washington’s unauthorized military campaign against Iran, pointing to rising casualties, soaring domestic energy prices, and rapidly depleting reserves. The mounting pressures have prompted both Democratic and Republican figures to demand an immediate end to Washington’s hostile operations.
Senior cleric: Consolidating military gains at negotiating table favors Iran

TEHRAN — A senior Iranian cleric has stated that diplomatic success against the US and Israel is inseparable from battlefield strength, praising Iran's recent retaliatory strikes against American military bases in the region.

Sports

Iran U23 learn 2026 Asian Games group stage schedule

TEHRAN - Iran's U23 national football team have officially learned their schedule for the group stage of the Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
Iran to hold camp in Russia ahead of 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship

TEHRAN - Iran's national men's volleyball team will depart for a 10-day training camp in Russia on Aug. 20 as part of their final preparations for the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, which will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from Sept. 4 to 13.
Wheelchair basketball set for international tournament in Turkey

TEHRAN - Iran's national wheelchair basketball team will compete in an international tournament in Turkey as part of their preparations for the upcoming Wheelchair Basketball World Championship.

Culture

Mural honoring Ismail Haniyeh unveiled in Tehran

TEHRAN- On the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, the former chief of the political bureau of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas, a new mural was unveiled at the intersection of Jomhouri and Valiasr avenues in Tehran on Friday with the support of the Art Bureau.
12 nominations for Iran at 2026 Love International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian films participating in the 2026 Love International Film Festival (LIFF) have received several nominations.
Ben Macintyre’s “The Spy and the Traitor” available in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “The Spy and the Traitor” written by Ben Macintyre, about the most significant British agent of the Cold War, has been released in bookstores across the country.

Economy

Small-scale power plant generation capacity increased by 260MW

TEHRAN- The Deputy for Planning and Economic Affairs of TAVANIR Company (Iran's Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Management Company) stated that despite the damages inflicted on a portion of the electricity industry's facilities during the recent imposed war, the generation capacity of small-scale power plants has increased from 1,430 MW at last year's peak load to over 1,692 MW this year.
TCCIMA proposes private sector role in Hormuz governance model

TEHRAN- At the 12th meeting of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (TCCIMA) held with the presence of a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament, developments related to the governance of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, proposals put forward in policy-making bodies, as well as their effects on the private sector and the country's trade were examined.
‘US has taken global food security hostage by naval blockade of Iran’

TEHRAN- A member of the Iran Cooperative Chamber, regarding the potential impacts of the American naval blockade against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, said: "It's not that we say this regime has blockaded Iran—no, it has practically taken the world hostage."

Society

Iran Health Expo to kick off on August 8

TEHRAN - The 27th Iran Health International Exhibition, the country's largest specialized event for the health industry, will be held from August 8 to 11 at the Tehran Permanent International Fairground.
ISC to foster ties with Malaysian, Turkish universities

TEHRAN – The Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) has highlighted the need to expand scientific research, exchange knowledge, and establish long-term strategic partnerships with Malaysian and Turkish universities.
Iran’s population exceeds 87 million, report shows

TEHRAN – According to the Statistical Center of Iran, the current population of the country has surpassed 87 million, and the number is expected to rise to 87.134 million by the end of the current Iranian year, March 2027.

Tourism

Seven fortresses, one strategy: How the Alamut defensive network worked

TEHRAN - When the name Alamut is mentioned, many people picture a castle standing atop a towering cliff. However, what has now been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as “Alamut Castle and Related Fortifications” is far more than a single fortress. It is a complex network of seven mountain strongholds that, between the 11th and 13th centuries CE, formed one of the most advanced defensive systems of medieval Iran through the combined use of geography, architecture, water management and spatial organization.
'Shiraz historical district restoration should rely on AI, future studies'

TEHRAN – The director-general of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Fars province has called for the use of artificial intelligence, advanced technologies and future-oriented approaches in the preservation and revitalization of Shiraz’s historic urban fabric.
Iran plans fifth gastronomy festival in Armenia to promote cultural ties

TEHRAN – Iran is planning to hold the fifth edition of a gastronomy festival in Armenia, with a focus on promoting the country’s culinary heritage, national tourism brand, and handicrafts, the deputy tourism minister said.

International

Five Lebanese soldiers wounded in southern town blast amid ongoing Israeli aggression

TEHRAN — Five Lebanese army soldiers were injured on Sunday when a suspicious explosive device detonated in the southern town of Kafra as their military vehicle escorted local residents through the volatile Bint Jbeil district, according to a statement by the Lebanese army.
Another coalition meets its grave in the Red Sea

TEHRAN — On a stifling afternoon, the Saudi defense ministry rolled out the red carpet for delegates from 43 nations, eager to announce a grand diplomatic and military recovery. Merely 13 governments and the Saudi-backed regime in Aden signed on the dotted line to back the newly minted “multinational maritime defense coalition.”
The grave Saudi-US mistake in attacking PMF positions in Iraq

TEHRAN -The joint US-Saudi aerial aggression against Iraqi territory, launched in the early hours of Wednesday, marks not a display of strength but a profound strategic miscalculation. It underscores the unraveling of American military credibility and the steady ascent of Iranian power across the region.