Tehran Times

2026-05-05 21:07
Israel could drag UAE back into war quagmire

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates has intensified rhetoric against Iran as the United States attempts to project military strength in the Persian Gulf region amid rising tensions.
- UAE acting as Israel’s shadow enforcer

New equation in Strait of Hormuz taking shape: Qalibaf

TEHRAN- Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said a “new equation” is emerging in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the US and its allies themselves have endangered maritime security and energy transit through their actions.
By Garsha Vazirian

A federation of frayed shards insists on becoming the ‘United Hebrew Emirates’

The Israeli albatross clamped tight around Abu Dhabi’s glass neck equals strategic suicide

TEHRAN — There’s a special breed of fool who picks fights with giants while sheltered in a glass palace. Abu Dhabi’s adventurers, Mohammed and Tahnoon bin Zayed, along with their clique, embody that folly.
UAE policies are premised on realpolitik at the cost of morality

TEHRAN — It was a source of pride that the United Arab Emirates succeeded in becoming a highly wealthy state in just a few decades.
Araghchi labels Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ a ‘project deadlock’

TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has taken a jab at US President Donald Trump over his so-called “Project Freedom” campaign, which aims to open the Strait of Hormuz.
By Shahrokh Saei

The Tehran Times: A newspaper, a frontline, a global voice

TEHRAN - On May 5, 1979, the first edition of the Tehran Times was born into a world of transformation. As we celebrate our 47th anniversary, we aren't just looking back at nearly half a century of archives—we are celebrating a living, breathing mission.

Politics

Iran criticizes UAE’s ‘inappropriate behavior’ for backing US during war

TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman sharply criticized the United Arab Emirates on Monday for “inappropriate behavior” during the recent war with the United States and Israel, accusing the Persian Gulf Arab state of siding with the aggressors against the Islamic Republic.
Hawkish think tank insider joins Trump's Iran team as blockade backfires

TEHRAN — The Trump administration has added Nick Stewart, a lobbyist from the hawkish Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), to the U.S. Iran negotiating team led by envoy Steve Witkoff. The appointment comes as peace talks remain stalled and a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports continues.
Pakistan evacuates crew from seized Iranian ship

TEHRAN- Pakistan announced on Monday that it had facilitated the transfer of 22 crew members from an Iranian commercial vessel seized last month by the United States Navy, describing the move as a "confidence-building measure" coordinated with both Washington and Tehran.

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

“Iran” section added to Resistance Theater Festival to honor Ramadan War heroes

TEHRAN- The 20th edition of the International Resistance Theater Festival has introduced a new specialized category titled “Iran” to its playwriting competition to highlight the nation's recent era of national defense, the festival's secretariat has announced.
Tehran’s largest mural unveiled to honor Martyred Leader, national solidarity

TEHRAN- A new massive mural was unveiled on Sunday at the intersection of Jomhouri and Valiasr avenues, featuring a depiction of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Iranian film critic to serve on FIPRESCI jury at 79th Cannes Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian screenwriter, editor, and film critic Pouya Aghelizadeh will serve as a juror in the FIPRESCI jury at the upcoming 79th Cannes Film Festival.

Economy

War on Iran triggers geopolitical earthquake; hitting neighbors, poor nations hardest

TEHRAN – The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has not only targeted Tehran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's main energy artery, is now putting immense pressure on numerous countries, with Iran's neighbors and poor Asian nations emerging as the biggest victims.
Global oil stocks approaching 8-year low, depletion speed a concern: Goldman Sachs

TEHRAN – Global oil stocks are approaching their lowest level in eight years, Goldman Sachs said, warning that the speed of depletion was becoming a concern as supplies through the Strait of Hormuz remained restricted.
Beijing defies Washington, blocks Iran oil sanctions in landmark move

TEHRAN – In a stunning diplomatic escalation days before a planned visit by Donald Trump, China has officially nullified American sanctions against buyers of Iranian crude oil, declaring that Washington's unilateral measures hold "no enforcement value" on Chinese soil.

Society

Tehran, Ankara highlight utilizing global capacities to support civilians in wars

TEHRAN – Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, and Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, have discussed ways to utilize regional and global capacities to support civilians, particularly women and children, during wars, especially the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Life-giving rains recover Shadegan wetland

TEHRAN – The recent increase in precipitation in southwestern Khuzestan province has restored 92 percent of the Shadegan wetland, which is thriving as an ecosystem benefiting flora and fauna, as well as local communities.
Upper age limit for blood donation lifted

TEHRAN - The upper age limit for blood donation in the country has been lifted; therefore, there is no longer a limit for people over 65 years of age to donate blood, an official with the Iran Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) has said.

Tourism

Iran registers 400 cultural elements linked to Persian Gulf

TEHRAN - Iran has recently registered more than 400 cultural and heritage elements that are connected to the Persian Gulf, a senior official said, underscoring efforts to preserve the historical and cultural significance of one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
A living museum: The cultural and natural wonders of West Azarbaijan province

Situated in the northwest of Iran, West Azarbaijan province is a region where history, culture, and nature converge to create one of the country’s most compelling tourist destinations. Bordering several countries and shaped by centuries of interaction among civilizations, the province has long served as a crossroads of cultural exchange and human settlement.
Warnings raised over threats to UNESCO-listed Sassanid landscape in southern Iran

TEHRAN - Iranian cultural heritage authorities have issued a warning over a series of escalating threats facing the UNESCO-listed Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region, citing structural decay, incomplete excavations, and ongoing legal and management challenges that risk undermining one of the country’s most significant historical ensembles.

International

A federation of frayed shards insists on becoming the ‘United Hebrew Emirates’

TEHRAN — There’s a special breed of fool who picks fights with giants while sheltered in a glass palace. Abu Dhabi’s adventurers, Mohammed and Tahnoon bin Zayed, along with their clique, embody that folly.
UAE policies are premised on realpolitik at the cost of morality

TEHRAN — It was a source of pride that the United Arab Emirates succeeded in becoming a highly wealthy state in just a few decades.
Hezbollah ambushes more Israeli infantry

TEHRAN – Hezbollah is putting more emphasis on surveillance before taking direct military action against Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

The Israeli albatross clamped tight around Abu Dhabi’s glass neck equals strategic suicide