Iran wins three bronzes at 2026 AKF Senior Championships 🥉🥋

Iranian karate athletes delivered a strong performance at the Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Senior Championships in Bali, Indonesia 🇮🇩, securing three bronze medals. Aliasghar Asiabari earned his medal by defeating his Indian rival in the Male Kumite -84kg category 🥊. In the Female Kumite -61kg, Mehrnegar Ahmadi also claimed bronze after overcoming her Vietnamese opponent. Additionally, Iran’s Female Kata team captured the country's third bronze. 🇮🇷

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527458/Iran-wins-three-bronzes-at-2026-AKF-Senior-Championships

4 mediating countries to hold meeting on Iran-US understanding 🌍🤝

🔹 CBS News reports that the four mediating countries on the Iran-US understanding will meet in Egypt on Sunday.

🔹 Pakistan's Foreign Ministry announced the quadrilateral meeting will bring together the foreign ministers of Pakistan 🇵🇰, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Turkey 🇹🇷, and Egypt 🇪🇬 to discuss the latest regional developments and exchange views on matters related to peace 🕊️, security , and stability ⚖️.

Iran, Pakistan FMs discuss implementation, US responsibility for peace deal 🇮🇷🇵🇰

🔹Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

🔹Araghchi expressed gratitude for Pakistan's efforts, initiatives, and constructive role in the diplomatic process leading to the memorandum of understanding.

🔹He emphasized US responsibility for ending war on all fronts—including Lebanon—and warned that any violation of the memorandum's commitments would be America's responsibility, with consequences to follow.

🔹Dar welcomed the diplomatic process, reaffirming Pakistan's support for continued negotiations and efforts toward positive and sustainable outcomes.

Dario Herrera to officiate Iran vs. Belgium

Argentine referee Dario Herrera has been appointed by FIFA to take charge of the crucial Group Stage match between Belgium and Iran at the 2026 World Cup. The game, scheduled for next Sunday, follows both teams' opening draws; Belgium tied Egypt 1-1, while Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand, making this a pivotal contest for qualification. Herrera will be supported by assistant referees Christian Navarro and Gabriel Chad, also from Argentina. Japanese officials Yusuke Araki and Jun Mihara will serve as the fourth official and reserve referee, respectively.


https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527452/Dario-Herrera-to-officiate-Iran-vs-Belgium

Washington MoU: A clear admission of Iran’s military and political upper hand

Iranian officials and analysts frame the recent Tehran-Washington memorandum as a decisive political acknowledgment of Iran's victory following the US-Israeli aggression that began in February. The agreement, signed after a ceasefire on April 8, reportedly mandates an end to military operations, lifts the US naval blockade, and initiates a 60-day negotiation period covering sanctions relief and reconstruction. The document is portrayed not as a concession but as recognition of Iran's military resilience, demonstrated through its retaliatory strikes and control over the Strait of Hormuz. President Pezeshkian hailed it as a "historic document" signaling Iran's strength.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527480/Tehran-Washington-MoU-A-clear-admission-of-Iran-s-military-and

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

Bahrain's Al Khalifa regime is intensifying repression against the Shia majority during Muharram, with security forces tear-gassing mourners, banning public grief for martyred Iranian Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, and restricting religious ceremonies. The monarchy is also financially strangling Shia institutions by reclassifying religious funds as money laundering and absorbing independent endowments into state control. Despite these crackdowns, the community's resilience and connection to Ashura's message of justice remain unbroken. The author warns that the regime's fear-driven tactics ultimately expose its weakness rather than suppress the opposition, as the spirit of resistance endures.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527485/The-war-on-Muharram-epitomizes-the-Bahraini-monarchy-s-terminal

Tehran, Minsk ink MOU on academic, scientific ties

Iran and Belarus have formalized their commitment to deeper scientific collaboration. During the 8th joint commission meeting in Minsk, ministers signed an MOU to expand educational and technological partnerships. Priority areas through 2028 include AI, digital economy, biotech, and agro-industry, alongside cultural and linguistic exchanges. Both nations also agreed to host a joint competition for joint sci-tech projects. The agreement builds on recent diplomatic talks, with Iranian officials emphasizing the strategic role of the SCO and condemning attacks on educational institutions. This MOU marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral academic and research ties.


https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527473/Tehran-Minsk-ink-MOU-on-academic-scientific-ties

Why does Netanyahu fear a US-Iran agreement? 🇮🇱

Netanyahu fears a US-Iran agreement because it would undermine his decades-long political narrative and strategic objectives 📉. The emerging memorandum would collapse key Israeli goals like regime change, instead securing Lebanon's security and requiring Israeli withdrawal 🇱🇧🤝. Netanyahu built his career portraying Iran as an existential threat and himself as the leader capable of pushing the US toward war . Any deal would expose his failures, leaving him politically vulnerable ahead of October elections . Unable to attack Iran alone or confront Trump directly, Netanyahu risks being seen as the primary obstacle to regional stability, with his war-mongering strategy backfiring domestically .

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527437/Why-does-Netanyahu-fear-a-US-Iran-agreement

Civilian deaths mount in southern Lebanon as Israeli aggression escalates despite ceasefire

Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces have intensified attacks on southern Lebanon, killing at least 30 civilians, including women and children, in strikes across multiple towns. The escalation coincides with a new round of US-Iran talks aimed at ending hostilities, leading Iran to postpone negotiations. Hezbollah has repelled Israeli advances near Nabatieh, inflicting significant losses, including four troops and a battalion commander. Experts suggest Netanyahu seeks to obstruct diplomatic initiatives, as the clashes mark one of the most intense phases since March, with the resistance vowing to defend Lebanese territory.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527484/Civilian-deaths-mount-in-southern-Lebanon-as-Israeli-aggression

Pakistan's interior minister heads to Tehran to advance mediation

🔹Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Pakistan's Interior Minister, has left Lahore for Tehran moments ago to meet with high-ranking Iranian officials and follow up on the Iran-US negotiations .

Families of Minab's martyred students honored at Imam Ali (AS) Shrine

A ceremony at Imam Ali's shrine in Najaf honored the families of Minab students martyred in a US-Israeli strike on February 28. The attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school killed 168 children and wounded 95 others. Custodian Sayyid Isa Al-Kharsan expressed condolences, praising the families' sacrifice. The visit, arranged by shrine custodians, coincides with Muharram and follows Grand Ayatollah Sistani's call for support. The families will also visit Imam Hossein's shrine in Karbala. Investigations by major media outlets confirmed the US was responsible for the deliberate triple strike on the civilian facility.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527464/Families-of-Minab-s-martyred-students-honored-at-Imam-Ali-AS

Famous photo of the Minab martyrs' funeral wins best news photo of the year award

Morteza Akhondi, a photographer from Hormozgan province, succeeded in winning first place in the "News Photography" category of the prestigious Golden Shot Photography Awards 2026 international competition.

This success was achieved by submitting an aerial image taken during the funeral and burial of 168 martyred students in Minab—a photo with a powerful visual narrative and creative composition that has been highly impactful worldwide and captured the attention of the international jury panel of this event.

‼️ Breaking:

🚨 Strait of Hormuz closed: Iran responds to US, Israeli ceasefire violations

🔹Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessel traffic, citing "America's clear breach of commitment under the first provision of the peace memorandum" and "the Zionist regime's continuous and uninterrupted ceasefire violations in southern Lebanon."

🔹The statement declared: "This is the first step in responding to the enemy's broken promises. If aggression continues, further steps will be taken to hold the enemy accountable to its commitments."

🔹The closure comes shortly after Pakistan's Interior Minister arrived in Tehran to advance mediation efforts. Iran's action underscores its firm stance: any violation of the peace memorandum will be met with immediate countermeasures.

🔹The strategic waterway, through which approximately 20% of global oil passes, had been reopened under the June 18 peace agreement.

Iran FM spox. : Zionist envoy's hostility toward UN children envoy is result of absolute impunity

🔹Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei condemned the Israeli envoy's verbal attack on the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier, calling it a "shameful exhibition of arrogance against law, morality, and justice."

🔹Baghaei stated: "This is the clear result of absolute impunity bestowed upon an apartheid terrorist regime by its enablers—a regime that continues its genocidal campaign across the region with utter disregard for civilized norms."

🔹Frazier had presented a documented report on torture and sexual violence against Palestinian children by the Israeli regime when the Israeli envoy confronted her aggressively.