Tehran Times

2026-07-13 21:04
By Mahoud M. Ravi-Nejad

"Hormuz belongs to us, not foreigners," Iran says

TEHRAN — Iran on Monday announced a significant expansion of its retaliatory military campaign against United States forces across the Persian Gulf region, saying coordinated missile, drone, and air-defense operations targeted American military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman in response to “continued US aggression against Iranian territory.”
- Hormuz locked: Iran crushes US military might
- Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz, suspending maritime traffic

Iran vows justice for martyred leader as it balances defense and diplomacy

Tehran — Iran has declared that it will pursue retribution for the martyrdom of its late Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, and other victims of US-Israeli aggression through every available legal, diplomatic, and judicial mechanism, while simultaneously reaffirming its readiness to defend its sovereignty and keep the door open to diplomacy.
By Garsha Vazirian

Yemen's air siege is bravely broken despite Saudi bombardment

Hostile Saudi warplanes fail to stop a historic civilian lifeline

TEHRAN — The brutal aerial embargo that has suffocated the Yemeni people for over a decade has finally collapsed.
The story behind Zilou coverings in the martyred Leader’s office

TEHRAN - For years, viewers of official meetings and public ceremonies questioned why the floors of the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya and the office of Iran’s late Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei were covered with blue-and-white Zilou floor coverings rather than precious Persian carpets.
By Asqarjon Ismoilov

The Terrible Tehran?

In my youth, I read “The Terrible Tehran” by Iranian author Morteza Moshfegh Kazemi. From that time on, an image of the city filled with fear and mystery had remained in my mind. When I set out for Tehran, I asked myself: how much does the Tehran described in that book resemble the Tehran of today?
Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz, suspending maritime traffic

TEHRAN- Iran has suspended maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and intensified its control over the world's most strategically important energy corridor, accusing the United States of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by attempting to impose unauthorized navigation routes and interfering in the waterway's administration.

Politics

Commemoration ceremonies continue to honor martyred Leader

TEHRAN - People in Iran and several other countries continue to hold solemn mourning ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, marking a period of profound national grief and reflection.
The E3’s double standard: Condemning Iran, shielding the US

TEHRAN - The joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (the E3) regarding the escalation in the Strait of Hormuz exposes a glaring double standard in European foreign policy. By condemning what they termed Iran’s "reckless attacks" on commercial shipping and regional countries, the E3 has chosen to enforce international law selectively, completely ignoring the flagrant violations committed by the United States.
Iranians believe the martyrdom of Leader will awaken Islamic world

TEHRAN- Mourners in Iran have gathered in public places in cities, squares, and mosques to mourn the martyrdom of their leader and demand revenge against those responsible for his martyrdom. They also believe that the event will bring unity and awakening among Muslims.

Sports

Iran face tough Week in 2026 Volleyball Nations League

TEHRAN - Iran are set for a decisive week in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) as Team Melli begin Week 3 with a match against Ukraine before taking on Germany, Slovenia, and Turkey in the final round of the preliminary stage.
Iran rout Bahrain at 2026 AVC U18 Volleyball Championship

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Bahrain in straight sets (25-12, 25-18, 25-14) at the 2026 AVC Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship on Tuesday.
Women’s and men’s victorious at 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s women’s and men’s teams emerged victorious over their rivals on Tuesday at the 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships.

Culture

Swedish Iranologist Bo Utas elected as honorary member of Academy of Persian Language and Literature

TEHRAN – The Academy of Persian Language and Literature in Iran has elected Bo Utas, a prominent Swedish Iranologist and Professor Emeritus of Iranian Languages at Uppsala University in Sweden, as an honorary member in recognition of his scholarly contributions.
Five Iranian films win awards at Russian festival

TEHRAN – Five films from Iran were among the award winners of the 21st In the Family Circle Film Festival, which was held in the Yaroslavl Region, Russia.
Cinema Museum to show restored version of Nasser Taghvai’s “Unruled Paper”

TEHRAN – The restored version of the film “Unruled Paper,” written and directed by the late Nasser Taghvai, will be screened for the first time at the Cinema Museum of Iran.

Economy

Why does Washington target a railway bridge 700 miles from battlefield?

TEHRAN- On the night of July 9, 2026, American cruise missiles struck the Aq-Tekeh Khan railway bridge near Aq-Qala in Iran’s northern Golestan province. The target was not a military base, not an air defense battery, not a missile silo—it was a civilian infrastructure node more than 700 miles from the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict’s primary theater of operations. Seven projectiles hit the bridge, damaging the Gorgan–Incheh Borun railway line. No casualties were reported. Yet the symbolism and strategic implications of this strike demand urgent scrutiny.
Iran, China agree to strengthen economic ties with joint committee roadmap

TEHRAN- Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, in a meeting with Cong Peiwu, Chinese Ambassador to Iran, emphasized the determination of his country to develop sustainable and strategic relations between the two countries.
Iran, Tajikistan emphasize transport, transit, logistics co-op expansion

TEHRAN- The Minister of Transport and Urban Development of Iran and the Deputy Minister of Transport of Tajikistan, in a meeting in Tehran, emphasized the development of transportation, transit, and logistics cooperation, leveraging mutual capacities, and expanding cooperation in road, rail, air, and port sectors.

Society

VP suggests initiatives at OIC meeting to foster ties on women

TEHRAN – The Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, has put forward two initiatives to boost collaborations among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for empowering women.
Youth: driving force for progress in martyred Leader’s thought

TEHRAN - In the thought of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, young people are not merely a demographic group; they are regarded as the country's greatest national asset and the primary driving force behind Iran's progress.
Iran offers proposals at Global Dialogue on AI Governance

TEHRAN – The head of the Secretariat of the Headquarters for AI Technology Development and Applications has delivered a lecture at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and put forward five proposals, and announced the country’s readiness for the expansion of international cooperation.

Tourism

Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley and Iran’s deep past on UNESCO World Heritage List

This week marks the first anniversary of a milestone that reshaped how the world sees Iran’s ancient past. On July 11, 2025, during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, the Paleolithic Sites of the Khorramabad Valley were inscribed on the World Heritage List—Iran’s 29th such site, and its first ever dedicated to the Paleolithic period.
Restoration work resumes at Persepolis after funding allocated

TEHRAN - Restoration workshops have resumed operations at the UNESCO-listed Persepolis complex after funds were allocated for conservation work, the site’s director said.
Iranian cultural institutions partner on art economy and innovation projects

TEHRAN - Dafineh Museums Institute and the Institute for Culture and Art Development signed a memorandum of understanding in Tehran aimed at expanding cooperation in scientific, cultural, artistic and social projects and strengthening museum-related activities, the Dafineh Museums public relations office said on Tuesdays.

International

The West Bank: Between neglect and settlement expansion

TEHRAN – As the region is engulfed by wars and fast-moving developments that are difficult for observers to keep up with, attention to what is happening in the West Bank has steadily declined. Public interest has waned.
A chicken hawk named ‘Lady G’ and the innocent lives spent to feed his imperial sadism

TEHRAN — The announcement blamed sudden cardiac arrest on July 11, 2026, but the heart inside Lindsey Graham had withered into an instrument of imperial sadism decades ago. Returning to his Capitol Hill home from a weapons-peddling trip to Kyiv, the 71-year-old senator from South Carolina collapsed and “died suddenly” in his room.
Netanyahu’s remarks on settler violence ring hollow

TEHRAN - Israeli police admitted that four settlers were arrested after an attack on CNN and other journalists in the occupied West Bank on Saturday.

Hostile Saudi warplanes fail to stop a historic civilian lifeline