Tehran Times

2026-05-20 20:17
The next round, beyond West Asia

The IRGC warned that any renewed US or Israeli aggression would push the conflict beyond West Asia

TEHRAN - Iran has warned the United States of far-reaching consequences in the event of any renewed act of aggression, amid President Donald Trump’s repeated military threats and deadlines.
- Trump’s Iran brinkmanship: The secret behind six retreats
- A shaky step forward

By Garsha Vazirian

Inside the obsessive-compulsive loop of Trump’s digital noise machine

Ghostwritten tirades, em-dashed bluster, and cartoonish AI fantasies reveal Trump’s pathetic unraveling

TEHRAN — Donald Trump’s Truth Social feed is a daily ledger of strategic exhaustion that mistakes noise for authority. The feed functions as a round-the-clock psychological stage where the American presidency is performed in public view.
Persian Gulf war raises risk of environmental disaster

TEHRAN – The dangerous war that the U.S. and Israel jointly started against Iran at the end of February has incredibly increased the risks of an environmental disaster, a Princeton University researcher warns.
By Wesam Bahrani

Life in Gaza after the “Yellow Line”

TEHRAN – Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued to maintain a high level of activity, primarily in eastern Gaza City and Khan Younis, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to critical facilities.
US Senate advances resolution to curb Trump’s authority over Iran conflict

TEHRAN - The United States Senate has moved forward with a War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to use military force against Iran without congressional approval, amid growing political and legal controversy over the conflict.
Qalibaf warns US of 'another hillbilly' and vows enemy will regret renewed aggression

TEHRAN – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has issued two stark warnings: the United States is heading toward "another hillbilly" era of unwinnable wars, while any renewed aggression against Iran will be met with bitter regret.

Politics

Putin and Xi denounce US-Israeli war on Iran as breach of ‘international law’

TEHRAN - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have condemned the US-Israeli war on Iran, which initially began more than 80 days ago.
Pezeshkian: Old methods cannot solve Iran's current challenges

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran's current complex problems cannot be resolved only through old methods, emphasizing the need for new methods and a shift in managerial thinking amid escalating pressures.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry holds ceremony to honor martyred senior diplomats

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry held a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the 40th day after the martyrdom of Kamal Kharazi, a Leader’s advisor, and the second anniversary of the martyrdom of former Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The event brought together former and current foreign ministers as well as senior diplomats, all paying tribute to the legacy of the two martyred leaders.

Sports

Iranian duo secure gold at 2026 Asian Taekwondo Championships

TEHRAN – Iranian taekwondo athletes achieved significant success on Friday at the 27th Asian Taekwondo Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, clinching two gold medals.
Iran NPC chief delivers speech at Russian Paralympic Committee's anniversary

TEHRAN - Ghafour Kargari, President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Iran, delivered a keynote address at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Russian Paralympic Committee during his official visit to Russia.
Iran’s Para powerlifter Izadi snatches gold at Oran 2026

TEHRAN – Alireza Izadi of Iran claimed a gold medal at the Oran 2026 Para Powerlifting African Open Championships on Thursday.

Culture

Two Iranian short films to compete in 54th Huesca International Film Festival in Spain

TEHRAN – Two Iranian short films will take part in the 54th Huesca International Film Festival, which will be held from June 5 to 13 in Huesca, Spain.
“For Iran” exhibition, workshop support artists amidst war's impact

TEHRAN- "For Iran" group exhibition is currently hosting art enthusiasts at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF), serving as a vital platform to support visual artists whose livelihoods have been strained by the recent Ramadan War.
Afshin Hashemi to stage “Female Monologues Based on the Alphabet” in California

TEHRAN- Renowned Iranian director and actor Afshin Hashemi is set to stage his acclaimed production, "Female Monologues Based on the Alphabet," in Oakland, California, featuring a cast of Iranian actors residing in the United States.

Economy

Strait of Hormuz closure shakes Europe: Oil price forecast soars 46%

TEHRAN – The European Commission has issued a stark warning that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz – triggered by the ongoing war in West Asia – will drive Brent crude prices to an average of $91.2 per barrel in 2026, a staggering 46% jump from previous estimates. The revised forecast, published Thursday in the EU’s Spring 2026 Economic Outlook, signals what officials call the most severe energy shock to hit Europe since the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Strategic view of Iran-China rail corridor, a prerequisite for preserving Iran’s position in Silk Ro

TEHRAN- The head of the China Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said: “A strategic view of the Iran-China rail corridor is a prerequisite for preserving our country's position in the Silk Road.”
Nearly $6.4m in facilities paid to implement industrial support package

TEHRAN- The Director General of Monetary and Credit Operations of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) stated: From January 8 to May 4, selected banks disbursed 1,076 trillion rials (about $6,329,411) in facilities across 25,548 cases to support producers affected by the government's new foreign currency policy.

Society

Health minister meets WHO officials in Geneva

TEHRAN – Iranian Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi has held meetings with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and WHO director for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), Hannan Balkhi, discussing ways to enhance health cooperation.
Working together to preserve Iran’s precious biodiversity

TEHRAN - Iran ranks among the top 20 countries in the world for biodiversity and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. However, in recent years, certain actions have destroyed habitats and pushed many species to the brink of extinction.
Infertility treatment offered to couples from Australia, England, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan

TEHRAN – Couples from Australia, England, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have received infertility treatment at Royan Institute in the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 21.

Tourism

Iran government pledges support for rural eco-lodges, village revival

TEHRAN - Iran’s government will continue efforts to remove barriers to rural development and support operators of eco-lodges as part of a broader strategy to revive villages and strengthen local economies and cultural identity, senior officials said on Tuesday at a national conference marking eco-lodge day.
Zagros Paleolithic Museum damaged by blast wave from recent US strikes

TEHRAN – The Zagros Paleolithic Museum in Kermanshah, the first specialized museum of its kind in the region, has sustained damage from a blast wave generated by recent US airstrikes on the city’s historical center. The museum is housed within the historic Biglar Beigi Tekyeh (also known as Biglarbaigi), a Qajar-era Hosseinieh that is a recognized national heritage site.
National, regional railway museums planned to preserve industrial heritage

TEHRAN - Iran’s railway authority plans to establish five national and regional railway museums and expand rail tourism projects as part of efforts to preserve the country’s industrial heritage, officials said on Tuesday.

International

Inside the obsessive-compulsive loop of Trump’s digital noise machine

TEHRAN — Donald Trump’s Truth Social feed is a daily ledger of strategic exhaustion that mistakes noise for authority. The feed functions as a round-the-clock psychological stage where the American presidency is performed in public view.
Persian Gulf war raises risk of environmental disaster

TEHRAN – The dangerous war that the U.S. and Israel jointly started against Iran at the end of February has incredibly increased the risks of an environmental disaster, a Princeton University researcher warns.
Life in Gaza after the “Yellow Line”

TEHRAN – Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued to maintain a high level of activity, primarily in eastern Gaza City and Khan Younis, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to critical facilities.