Iranian culinary team wins multiple medals at Armenian festival

Iranian chefs won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals at the fifth Navasard festival in Sisian, Armenia. Zahra Rostami topped the competition with 98 points, while Mehran Ferdousian and Marzieh Rahbar also claimed gold. Deputy tourism minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpei praised the achievement, highlighting food tourism’s role in introducing Iran’s culture and identity internationally.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529148/Iranian-culinary-team-wins-multiple-medals-at-Armenian-festival

Israel expands assaults across Lebanon’s Jabal Amel despite US mediation claims

Israeli forces unleashed a large wave of violence across southern Lebanon on Monday—artillery, drones, and ground incursions targeting multiple towns. Saturday's strikes on Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani killed 11, including women and children. Over 4,300 killed since March 2. The US-mediated framework has proven hollow; talks collapsed. Analysts say Netanyahu needs prolonged war to appease far-right allies ahead of October elections.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529155/Israel-expands-assaults-across-Lebanon-s-Jabal-Amel-despite-US

Ghalibaf: Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until Islamabad MoU conditions met

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until all conditions of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding are fully met—including the lifting of the naval blockade, release of frozen assets, removal of oil sanctions, and an end to threats and military operations on all fronts.

🔹Ghalibaf stated that the US, which accepted the ceasefire out of desperation, soon "betrayed its commitments." He emphasized that the opportunity provided by the MoU has helped boost economic resilience and rebuild Iran's defense capabilities.

🔹"Iran is ready to impose an even heavier defeat on the enemy in proportion to its actions," he warned.

Iran, Armenia explore livestock imports, border investment in agricultural talks

Iran and Armenia discussed expanding agricultural cooperation during the EAEU meeting in Almaty. Talks covered light livestock imports, joint border investments, greenhouse development, and utilizing Armenia’s pasture capacities. Both sides stressed private sector involvement and follow-up mechanisms to strengthen bilateral agricultural ties.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529136/Iran-Armenia-explore-livestock-imports-border-investment-in

Iran, Kazakhstan advance agricultural ties with focus on extraterritorial cultivation

Iran and Kazakhstan have deepened agricultural cooperation, focusing on extraterritorial cultivation in Kazakhstan's fertile lands. Kazakh agrifood trade with Iran surged 55.8% in 2025, with exports rising 97%. Both sides discussed joint investments, expanding Iranian fruit exports, and boosting bilateral trade to $3 billion under a roadmap from President Pezeshkian's December visit.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529135/Iran-Kazakhstan-advance-agricultural-ties-with-focus-on-extraterritorial

Bulk carrier struck by projectile in Strait of Hormuz, chief engineer killed

🔹A Greek-owned bulk carrier, the Minoan Dignity, was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Qatar renews call for diplomatic solution, de-escalation in region

🔹Qatar's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari emphasized Doha's ongoing efforts to reduce regional tensions, stating that the primary goal is to "contain the crisis and bring Iran and the US back to the MoU and the negotiating table."

🔹He stressed that the only way forward is a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a return to dialogue.

Hamas condemns Israeli strike on Syria's Abu al-Zuhour airport

🔹Hamas condemned this morning's Zionist regime attack on Abu al-Zuhour airport in the Idlib countryside, describing it as a "criminal act" and "state-organized terrorism."

Ben-Gvir unveils execution facility for Palestinian prisoners

🔹Israeli media have published images of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visiting a project to build a dedicated execution complex for Palestinian prisoners.

🔹The facility, located within a death row wing in central Israel, includes a hanging chamber and viewing booths for "terror victims" and their families.

The 40th-day commemoration of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution is currently underway at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, led by Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

The children of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution were present at the 40-day commemoration ceremony currently underway at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, alongside Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Hassan Khomeini.

Judiciary Chief attends 40-day memorial ceremony for martyred Leader

Six Iranian universities in Shanghai ranking 2026

Six Iranian universities have made it into the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities 2026 among the top 1,000, unchanged from last year. Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the University of Tehran are jointly ranked first in the country (501-600), followed by Amirkabir, Shahid Beheshti Medical, Sharif, and Tarbiat Modares. The ranking evaluates Nobel laureates, highly cited researchers, and major-indexed papers.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529171/Six-Iranian-universities-in-Shanghai-ranking-2026

President Pezeshkian attends 40-day memorial ceremony for martyred Leader

Iranian, Indonesian universities ink MOU to boost scientific ties

Sharif University of Technology and Indonesia's Institut Teknologi Bandung have signed an MOU to deepen scientific, research, and educational cooperation. The agreement covers professor and student exchanges, joint research projects, conferences, and joint curricula. It was signed on the sidelines of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting in India. Both sides also discussed emerging technologies and expanding scholarship exchanges.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529179/Iranian-Indonesian-universities-ink-MOU-to-boost-scientific

From south to north: How Iran is redefining trade routes in crisis

As Hormuz traffic strains under geopolitical tensions, Iran is rapidly shifting trade northward. Northern ports' loading operations have jumped from 18% to 30%, while railway capacity has doubled. Officials have introduced support packages, extended import deadlines, and reformed currency transactions to protect the private sector. Despite border congestion, Iran is building a more resilient trade infrastructure.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529190/From-south-to-north-How-Iran-is-redefining-trade-routes-in-crisis

New US bone spur

Trump posted a map of the Strait of Hormuz as “New US Territory” on Truth Social, but Iran firmly rejected the claim. Officials warned they will correct his delusion if needed. The MoU requires the US to lift its naval blockade and sanctions—conditions Trump has yet to meet.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529186/New-US-bone-spur

Ghalibaf to US officials: Don't expect miracles from clowns like Hegseth and Bessent

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a post on X, warned US officials that intensified pressure on Iran will neither help Washington escape the crisis nor force Tehran to make concessions.

🔹"Americans think by applying more pressure they can get concessions that were never part of the MoU," Ghalibaf wrote, addressing US officials directly in English.

🔹"Bessent and Hegseth are not up to the job. Don't expect this clown team to perform miracles and pull a rabbit out of a hat to save you from the crisis you created with your own hands."

Rezaei: Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf

🔹SNSC Secretary Major General Mohsen Rezaei stated that the gap between America's inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim of ownership is even greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the strait itself.

🔹"Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf," he declared.