Tehran Times

2026-06-20 21:12
Iran re-closes Strait of Hormuz over Israeli crimes in Lebanon

Iran’s military announced the closure in response to US-Israeli violations of the first clause of the MoU signed between Tehran and Washington

TEHRAN – Israel is pressing ahead with its military operations against Lebanon, in clear disregard for a central provision of the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
- Israel renews strikes on Beirut with US green light
- Trump, Netanyahu hoisted by their own petard

Iran, US set for technical talks in Switzerland

TEHRAN— Iran dispatched a delegation to Switzerland to press for the implementation of commitments made by the United States under a recently signed interim agreement, as preparations continue for a new round of technical-level talks between the two sides scheduled for Sunday.
Lawsuit filed on behalf of families of Minab victims against US

TEHRAN- A lawsuit has been formally lodged on behalf of the families of the victims of the Minab incident against the Government of the United States, according to Hassan Abdolianpour, Head of Iran’s Center for Lawyers, Official Experts, and Family Advisors of the Judiciary.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

Seven reasons behind Iran’s mistrust of the United States

TEHRAN - “There is no trust in the words and promises of the enemy, and what matters to us are concrete achievements that must be obtained.” This statement by Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, head of the Iranian negotiating team in the Islamabad talks with the US for ending the war in the region, reflects a broader and long-standing approach in Iran’s foreign policy toward Washington.
Tehran–Washington MoU: A clear admission of Iran’s military and political upper hand

TEHRAN – The memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday between Tehran and Washington marks the clearest political acknowledgment yet of Iran’s victory in the joint US‑Israeli aggression that began on February 28. What started as a massive military campaign aimed at destroying Iran’s military capabilities and collapsing the Islamic Republic has ended with Washington accepting terms shaped by Iran’s resilience and military achievements.
Leader: US president used all available leverage out of desperation to reach MoU

TEHRAN - The latest message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has received strong backing from Iranian political and military officials, underscoring national unity following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States.

Politics

US-Israeli coalition reached strategic deadlock, Iranian commanders say

TEHRAN – Senior Iranian military officials have emphasized that the recent confrontation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel ended in a strategic impasse for Washington and Tel Aviv, warning that resistance movements across the region retain significant retaliatory capabilities despite ongoing efforts to reshape the security landscape in West Asia.
War with Iran ended in a major failure, Bennett says

TEHRAN- Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has sharply criticized the government's handling of the post-war arrangements with Iran, arguing that Israel could have rejected the understandings reached between Washington and Tehran. He also acknowledged that the recent war with Iran ended without achieving Israel's strategic objectives.
IRGC Navy official: Strength remains the only real guarantee against adversaries

TEHRAN- A senior official of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has stated that national strength remains the only reliable guarantee in dealing with adversaries, arguing that power—not goodwill—compels opponents to alter their policies.

Sports

Roberto Piazza targets 2028 Olympics quota

TEHRAN - Iran men's national volleyball coach Roberto Piazza has reaffirmed that securing a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics remains the team's ultimate objective, expressing full confidence in his players and the team's setter despite recent criticism.
Iran, Belgium chase first Group G victory: 2026 World Cup

TEHRAN – Iran national football team will face in a pivotal Group G clash at Los Angeles Stadium Sunday night, with all four teams in the group deadlocked on one point apiece.
Ahmad Kohani claims Asian Championships bronze on rings

TEHRAN - Iranian artistic gymnast Mehdi Ahmad Kohani secured a bronze medal in the men's rings final at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, marking a successful return to international competition after a two-year absence.

Culture

Iranian photographer wins top honor at Golden Shot Photography Awards 2026

TEHRAN- Morteza Akhondi, a distinguished photographer from Iran’s Hormozgan province, has secured the first-place prize in the Editorial/Press category at the prestigious Golden Shot Photography Awards 2026.
Cinema Museum to screen documentary about Iran by Albert Lamorisse

TEHRAN – The Cinema Museum of Iran in Tehran will show the restored version of “The Lovers’ Wind,” a documentary directed and produced by the late French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse about Iran, on Monday.
Families of Minab’s martyred students honored at Imam Ali (AS) Shrine

TEHRAN- A special ceremony was held at the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf on Wednesday to honor the families of the martyred students of Minab, marking a profound gesture of solidarity and spiritual kinship.

Economy

Iran, Russia discuss expansion of energy cooperation

TEHRAN- Iran’s Deputy Energy Minister Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi announced a bilateral meeting with the Russian Energy Minister on the sidelines of the 6th Meeting of Energy Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Iran submits proposals for expanding energy co-op among SCO member states

TEHRAN- Iranian deputy energy minister, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Energy Ministers' meeting, emphasizing the necessity of expanding regional cooperation in the energy sector, presented five operational proposals of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the development of energy cooperation among the member countries of this organization.
Combined rail transit from Iraq to Afghanistan begins from Kermanshah railway station

TEHRAN- The Director General of the Arak and Kermanshah Railway Region said: In an important step in the development of international transport corridors and increasing the railway's share in regional transit, the first combined rail transit shipment from Iraq to Afghanistan was operationalized through the western axis of the country and Kermanshah freight station.

Society

Knowledge-based company develops nano kit for early detection of gastric cancer

TEHRAN – An Iranian knowledge-based company has managed to develop a nano diagnostic kit for early detection of antigens associated with helicobacter pylori, which is the most frequent cause of chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and stomach cancer.
DOE, UNEP to boost co-op on documenting war damage

TEHRAN— The head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, and the under-secretary-general of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Inger Andersen, have discussed ways to expand cooperation on documenting war environmental impacts in the country.
CPDI depicts ways to improve Iran’s sci-tech co-op with BRICS

TEHRAN – The Center for Progress and Development of Iran (CPDI) has prepared a report illustrating Iran’s participation in scientific, technological, and innovation cooperation within BRICS, as well as strategic opportunities and required measures to enhance the country's role in this sector.

Tourism

Ancient DNA reveals Zagros foothills as Bronze Age crossroads of peoples and cultures

TEHRAN - The Zagros mountain range and its foothills have long served as a crossroads for the movement of peoples, cultures, and languages. A question that has occupied scholars for decades is whether these cultural influences and population movements were accompanied by significant genetic changes. New research published in Genome Biology, which analyzed the ancient DNA of 17 individuals from the archaeological site of Bakr Awa in Iraqi Kurdistan, located in the western foothills of the Zagros, offers important insights into this question.
Iran showcases culture and handicrafts in Mexico City

TEHRAN – Iran's pavilion at the Chapultepec village cultural exhibition in Mexico City has drown large numbers of visitors, media representatives and cultural figures, showcasing the country's handicrafts, cultural heritage, traditional arts and cuisine, organizers said on Saturday.
Malileh Kari of Zanjan: a legacy of Persian silver filigree

TEHRAN – Malileh Kari, the traditional Persian art of silver filigree, is one of Iran’s most distinguished handicrafts and a defining symbol of the northwestern city of Zanjan. Renowned for its delicate craftsmanship and intricate designs, the art has earned the city international recognition and helped secure its place on the global map of traditional arts.

International

The war on Muharram epitomizes the Bahraini monarchy’s terminal terror

TEHRAN — The sulfurous sting of tear gas has become the Al Khalifa regime’s preferred incense for the month of Muharram. In the early hours of June 17, the village of Abu Saiba, a quiet Shia enclave on the outskirts of Manama, was turned into a battlefield.
Civilian deaths mount in southern Lebanon as Israeli aggression escalates despite ceasefire

TEHRAN – Despite the so-called ceasefire agreement, the Israeli regime has intensified its attacks on southern Lebanon, killing at least 30 people, including women and children.
In a city of rubble and martyrs’ posters, Ashura becomes the war’s requiem

TEHRAN — The procession moved with solemn purpose through streets that barely resembled a city. Flanked by mounds of pulverized concrete and snarled metal, the crowd chanted and beat their chests.

Iran’s military announced the closure in response to US-Israeli violations of the first clause of the MoU signed between Tehran and Washington