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’

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.
FM Araghchi intensifies diplomatic outreach as int'l support grows for Iran-US MoU

TEHRAN- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has intensified diplomatic consultations with regional and international counterparts following the announcement of the Iran–US peace agreement known as the Islamabad Understanding, stressing that Washington bears primary responsibility for implementing the accord.
MoU reached. Peace? Not sure

10 questions and answers you need to know about the results and future of Iran–US talks

TEHRAN - Iran and the United States have agreed on a memorandum of understanding after Washington made further concessions following Israel’s attacks on Sunday in the Lebanese capital, which could have derailed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington.
Iran-US reach MoU to end war across all fronts

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced by Tehran and Washington on Monday morning will end war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
By Garsha Vazirian

Iran, Hezbollah dictate a new reality as southern Lebanese begin returning home

The new equation proves that the resistance cannot be broken by mass destruction

TEHRAN — The stunning performance of Iran and its allies and marathon diplomatic sessions that produced the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding have forced a realignment of the Middle Eastern security architecture. For months, Washington and Tel Aviv operated under the delusion that Lebanon could be carved out and battered into submission without triggering a broader systemic collapse.

Politics

Beyond the West: The rise of a multipolar order

TEHRAN- A recent discussion hosted jointly by Tehran Times and Sputnik featured retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski, who shared her views on U.S. foreign policy, the conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine, and the changing balance of power in the international system.
Four terror suspects arrested as security forces dismantle cell in southeast Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian intelligence authorities announced the dismantling of an organized terrorist cell in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, arresting four suspected members before they could carry out planned attacks.
Judiciary chief: Zionists’ plot to break Iran’s unity will fail

TEHRAN - Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei says Israel’s attempts to undermine Iran’s national unity will ultimately fail.

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

Iran, Hezbollah dictate a new reality as southern Lebanese begin returning home

TEHRAN — The stunning performance of Iran and its allies and marathon diplomatic sessions that produced the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding have forced a realignment of the Middle Eastern security architecture. For months, Washington and Tel Aviv operated under the delusion that Lebanon could be carved out and battered into submission without triggering a broader systemic collapse.
Has the Gaza resistance agreed to hand over its weapons?

TEHRAN – Over the past few days in late spring, reports have circulated about what took place in Cairo on disarming the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, a demand made by the occupying regime and included in parts of President Trump’s so-called “peace plan”.
The ‘roaring lion’ proved to be a whimpering mouse

TEHRAN — The dust has partly settled on the highly touted campaign of aggression against Iran, leaving the Israeli establishment to grapple with an undeniable reality. Across political divides and media outlets, a profound consensus has emerged within Israel. The multi-front war designed to dismantle Iranian regional integration has failed.