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’

Iran’s military leadership declares strategic victory over US-Israeli aggression

TEHRAN-In a coordinated series of public statements, Iran’s top military commanders have collectively asserted that the Islamic Republic emerged strategically strengthened from two recent wars of aggression waged by the United States and Israel, underscoring that enemy forces failed to attain any of their stated objectives and did not dare approach Iranian territorial waters.
Lebanon welcomes MoU and Hezbollah praises Tehran’s role

TEHRAN — Lebanon’s top political leaders have welcomed the recently concluded memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, while senior officials in Tehran and Beirut have called for the full implementation of provisions aimed at ending hostilities in Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.
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.
By Garsha Vazirian

Inside Washington’s meltdown over Iran and the rising chorus of imperial defeat

TEHRAN – When a sparse memorandum of understanding (MOU) is all that remains for Washington after months of imperial aggression, the political theater in the home capital becomes far more instructive than the ink on the paper.
By Wesam Bahrani

Families returning to southern Lebanon witness widespread destruction

TEHRAN – Some residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes following the announcement of an MOU between the U.S. and Iran, which includes ending the Zionist regime’s aggression in Lebanon.

Politics

US, Iran discuss unfreezing Iranian assets

TEHRAN- The United States and Iran discussed the unfreezing of approximately $24 billion in Iranian assets as part of negotiations surrounding a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, according to Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, adviser to the Qatari prime minister and spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
Qalibaf, Vance to represent Iran and US at Switzerland signing of MoU

TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and US Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to represent their respective countries at the signing ceremony of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding (MoU) scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 19, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi.
Judiciary chief: 'Diplomacy and battlefield' move in sync

TEHRAN – Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has highlighted the convergence between Iran’s political and military leadership, stressing that negotiations with the United States are aimed at securing the nation’s rights.

Sports

Iran volleyball team begin training camp in Serbia

TEHRAN - Iran’s national volleyball team have arrived in Belgrade to begin a six-day training camp as preparations intensify for the second week of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Iran face tough test after New Zealand’s draw

TEHRAN - Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign began with a dramatic 2-2 draw against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium, a result that highlighted both the resilience and the vulnerabilities of Team Melli. While Iran showed character by twice coming from behind, the match also exposed defensive weaknesses that could become a major concern as tougher challenges await in Group G.
Ehsan Hajisafi sets historic Iran record in World Cup

TEHRAN – Iran national football team captain captain Ehsan Hajisafi etched his name into the nation's football history books after making his 10th FIFA World Cup appearance during Team Melli’s 2026 World Cup opener against New Zealand.

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

Private sector proposals presented to parliament speaker on Iran-China economic ties

TEHRAN- The head and a group of members of the Board of Directors of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, along with a number of representatives from chambers of commerce, specialized committees, economic organizations, and joint chambers of commerce, met and held talks with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Wednesday, June 17.
Iran’s International Renewable Energy Conference, Exhibit to be held on July 20-21

TEHRAN- The 10th International Iran Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IRAN REC 2026) will be held concurrently with the 7th edition of the National Renewable Energy Award on July 20 and 21 at the Milad Tower International Conference Center.
Iran, Kazakhstan pledge to integrate logistics chains, boost bilateral trade to $3b

TEHRAN- Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Transport and Urban Development of Iran, traveled to Kazakhstan to follow up on the agreements made during the President's visit.

Society

Iran proposes BRICS+ develop reliable computing power networks

TEHRAN – Iran's representative at the BRICS Future Network Innovation Forum 2026, held in Shenzhen from June 16 to 17, proposed the establishment of a cooperation framework for the BRICS Plus partnership to develop future digital infrastructure, strengthen industrial cooperation, and promote cross-border interactions among member states.
Attacking universities is a “crossing of red lines": science minister

TEHRAN – Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, has said that attacking universities is a crossing of red lines, highlighting that many universities and educational centers in the country were targeted by the United States and Israel during the recent war.
IBTO serves as a role model in the region: WHO official

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Iran, John Jabbour, has described the Iran Blood Transfusion Organization as a successful role model in the region.

Tourism

Breathing life into a 6,000-year-old instrument: the Chogha Mish harp project

TEHRAN - For more than two decades, Iranian musician, instrument maker, and researcher Abdolali Bagherinejad has pursued an ambitious goal: reviving the sound of a harp that fell silent over 6,000 years ago. The celebrated curved harp has been reconstructed through meticulous study of ancient visual evidence from the archaeological site of Chogha Mish, near Dezful in southwestern Iran's Khuzestan province.
Isfahan to host world tourism film festival meeting

TEHRAN - The historic Iranian city of Isfahan will host the next meeting of the World Tourism Film Festival (CINETOUR) after member countries approved Iran's proposal during the organization's latest gathering in Istanbul, a provincial tourism official said on Wednesday.
Restoration work begins at Shah Abbasi caravanserai in Semnan

TEHRAN – Restoration and rehabilitation work has begun on a historic Shah Abbasi caravanserai in Semnan, northern Iran, focusing on the structure's northern and western sections, local cultural heritage officials said on Wednesday.

International

Inside Washington’s meltdown over Iran and the rising chorus of imperial defeat

TEHRAN – When a sparse memorandum of understanding (MOU) is all that remains for Washington after months of imperial aggression, the political theater in the home capital becomes far more instructive than the ink on the paper.
Families returning to southern Lebanon witness widespread destruction

TEHRAN – Some residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes following the announcement of an MOU between the U.S. and Iran, which includes ending the Zionist regime’s aggression in Lebanon.
Zionists may resort to aggressive policies to undercut the Iran-US MOU

BERLIN - After Israel’s last bloody attack on the Shiite-inhabited Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh on Sunday, with three killed and 16 injured, an Iranian answer was due. But U.S. President Donald Trump, with renewed vigor of the octogenarian, strengthened by congratulatory messages to his birthday on the very same Sunday, begged Iran not to respond as announced. And the Islamic Republic graciously agreed.

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