Tehran Times

2026-04-25 21:22
By staff writer

Iran’s military strength shatters Washington’s narrative

TEHRAN - The administration of President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States has destroyed Iran’s military capabilities during the nearly 40-day war that began on February 28. Trump and his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, have argued that the joint US–Israeli strikes have effectively crippled Iran’s military capacity.
- Trump and his advisors misjudged Iran’s retaliation to war: NY Times
- Committing war crimes under the name of religion

By Shahrokh Saei

From Madrid to Tehran: Spain’s flag emerges as a symbol of principle in Iran’s wartime rallies

TEHRAN - Since the joint US–Israel war on Iran began on February 28, Iranians have gathered nightly across the country to denounce the aggression. These demonstrations, marked by chants, speeches, and the waving of flags, have become a vivid expression of defiance. Iran’s national flag and religious banners dominate the rallies, but the unexpected sight of a European flag has captured wide attention.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

Amal Khalil wrote the final report with her own blood

TEHRAN – The martyrdom of Amal Khalil once again draws the attention of regional and global public opinion to one of the most significant dimensions of the recent wars in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories: the systematic targeting of journalists on the battlefield.
Araghchi starts tour of Pakistan, Oman, and Russia

Iranian delegation heading to Islamabad will not meet US representatives

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi embarked on a multi-leg tour to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow starting on Friday evening.
'One God, one nation, one leader, one path'

Top Iranian military and political officials deliver a firm response to Trump’s fantasies of internal division in Iran

TEHRAN - President Donald Trump has resorted to psychological warfare, seeking to mask the growing strategic and political costs of the US-Israel war against Iran that began on February 28.
FM spox rejects AL’s claims against Iran

TEHRAN- Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has dismissed a recent statement by Arab League foreign ministers on Iran, urging the bloc to refrain from adopting positions shaped by the unilateral and unconstructive perspectives of certain member states.

Politics

Trump and the trap of the ‘necessary evil’: How a 40-year trajectory was reversed

For nearly half a century, from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, American presidents shared a common conviction: that their job was to manage Israel. They pressured, pleaded, and clashed with Jerusalem (al-Quds), but never surrendered the premise that America was the senior partner. George H.W. Bush was so infuriated by settlements that he banned a young Benjamin Netanyahu from the State Department.
Iran eases Strait of Hormuz transit rules for friendly countries

TEHRAN- Iran has granted exemptions to certain friendly countries, including Russia, from transit tolls imposed on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian ambassador to Moscow said.
National Interest: Persian Gulf Arab states will be clear losers in the war

TEHRAN – In a comprehensive analysis published by The National Interest, Dr. Marwa Maziad – an assistant professor of Israel Studies at the University of Maryland – argues that the ongoing war between Iran and the US-Israeli axis is fundamentally reordering West Asia. Most strikingly, she concludes that regardless of the war's outcome, the Arab Persian Gulf states will be the clear losers.

Sports

Iran gear up for World Cup with friendly against North Macedonia

TEHRAN – As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, the Iranian national team are sharpening their tools for the global stage. Amirmehdi Alavi, the official spokesman for the Football Federation of Iran, confirmed on Saturday that Team Melli will face a formidable test in Turkey, squaring off against the resilient North Macedonia in a high-profile friendly.
Iran’s participation in Asian Beach Games highlights commitment to peace: Alinejad

TEHRAN - Mahdi Alinejad, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Iran, said that they have participated in the 2026 Asian Beach Games to send a message that the Iranian people support peace and unity in the continent.
Iran beach soccer team thrash Thailand: Sanya 2026

TEHRAN - The Iranian national beach soccer team put on an absolute clinic this Saturday, demolishing Thailand with a dominant 13-1 victory in their second group stage encounter at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games.

Culture

Art Bureau connecting artists, raising global awareness through universal language of art

After Iran was attacked by the United States and Israel on February 28, a committee was established at the Art Bureau in Tehran, focusing on the production and collection of artworks related to the war, which lasted for 40 days.
Labkhand Theater reviews Royal National Theatre's “Fleabag”

TEHRAN – Labkhand Theater Complex in Tehran screened a stage recording of the 2019 Royal National Theater's production of “Fleabag” on Saturday evening.
The limits of power: why American materialism falters against the Iranian spirit

MOSCOW – In my view, this situation is less diplomatic, military, or political in nature than it is deeply rooted in the realm of mentality. The entire episode brings to mind a bodybuilder, artificially enhanced by steroids, his physique swollen with muscle, who—fully confident of victory—approaches a frail and unassuming Shaolin monk, one who has attained mastery in the martial arts. From the outside, the outcome of such a confrontation appears entirely predictable; in reality, however, everything unfolds quite differently.

Economy

Billion-dollar quake: How an invasion is reshaping global order

TEHRAN- What begins as a military confrontation in the Persian Gulf never stays there. Two months into the second joint American and Israeli campaign against Iran, the world is waking up to a harsh reality: the shockwaves have escaped the energy markets and are now tearing through global supply chains, food security, and the economic stability of nations.
Facilitating processes, designing alternative corridors to manage trade in wartime

TEHRAN- Since the beginning of the third war of aggression, the government has placed the facilitation and acceleration of the country's trade on its agenda, so that while removing obstacles related to import facilities for essential goods, it has also replaced traditional methods with new trade corridors.
Over 8m tons of goods loaded, unloaded in Hormozgan ports during war

TEHRAN- The Governor of Hormozgan has reported over eight million tons of cargo loading and unloading operations in 12 ports of the province during the third war of aggression.

Society

International Sociological Association strongly condemns US-Israeli attack on Iran

TEHRAN - The International Sociological Association (ISA) has issued a statement, strongly condemning military actions carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Iran will rise stronger to serve global health: minister

TEHRAN – Despite the destruction of scientific centers in Iran by the US-Israeli aggression, the country will turn into a more influential player in the global arena, Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi has said.
Water management needed to secure water rights for wetlands: DOE chief

TEHRAN – Although the increase in precipitation has increased hope to secure water rights for wetlands, it does not obviate the need for water management, the head of the Department of Environment has said.

Tourism

Ilam province draws visitors with lush spring landscapes

TEHRAN - In western Iran, along a 425-kilometer border with Iraq, Ilam province emerges each spring as one of the country’s most compelling seasonal destinations.
Minimal intervention key to preserving authenticity of historical sites, expert says

TEHRAN – An Iranian conservation expert has called for a shift toward minimal intervention in the restoration of historical structures, warning that recent war-related damage to heritage sites requires urgent and carefully planned responses.
Classic car rally in Tehran condemns damage to cultural heritage

TEHRAN – A rally and gathering of historical vehicles was held in Tehran on Friday to condemn damage to Iran’s cultural and historical sites caused by airstrikes by the United States and Israeli regime, organizers said.

International

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is proving to be a “cartoonish version” of Robert S. McNamara

TEHRAN - Michael Hirsh, a columnist for Foreign Policy, says Iran “is following Ho Chi Minh’s playbook in Vietnam” in the face of the U.S.-Israeli war against the country.
The catfights Trump can’t hide

TEHRAN — When President Trump sneered that Iran’s leaders “are fighting like cats and dogs” because the U.S. has “created a real mess for them,” it was meant as a gotcha line, proof of American triumph. Instead, it hangs in the air like an unwitting self-portrait.
Amal Khalil wrote the final report with her own blood

TEHRAN – The martyrdom of Amal Khalil once again draws the attention of regional and global public opinion to one of the most significant dimensions of the recent wars in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories: the systematic targeting of journalists on the battlefield.

Iranian delegation heading to Islamabad will not meet US representatives

Top Iranian military and political officials deliver a firm response to Trump’s fantasies of internal division in Iran