Iran, UK FMs hold phone call on talks, regional stability

🔹Foreign Ministers Seyyed Abbas Araghchi of Iran and Yvette Cooper of the UK held a phone conversation on Friday evening.

🔹Araghchi briefed his British counterpart on the latest negotiations, progress made in implementing agreements, and ongoing consultations.

🔹The two sides reviewed bilateral and regional developments, emphasizing continued diplomatic consultations to support regional stability, advance the negotiation process, and achieve positive and lasting outcomes.

Szymon Marciniak appointed referee for Iran-Egypt clash

FIFA has appointed Polish referee Szymon Marciniak to officiate the crucial Group G match between Iran and Egypt at the 2026 World Cup. Marciniak, who previously refereed the 2022 World Cup final, will be assisted by compatriots Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at 6:30 a.m. Iran time at Lumen Field in Seattle, United States. The match is expected to play a decisive role in determining the final Group G standings and both teams' chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527623/Szymon-Marciniak-appointed-referee-for-Iran-Egypt-clash

IRGC spox: Strait of Hormuz is Iranian territory, has nothing to do with US

🔹IRGC Spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini strongly dismissed US claims of a direct communication line between Tehran and Washington regarding the Strait of Hormuz, calling the allegations "sheer lies."

🔹"This has not happened and will never happen," he asserted, emphasizing that the Strait is Iranian territory and has no connection whatsoever with the United States.

Mexican ambassador in Tehran honored for hosting Iran national football team

Players from Esteghlal, Persepolis, and Zob Ahan presented Mexican Ambassador Guillermo Alejandro Puente Ordorica with a signed Iran jersey to express gratitude for Mexico's hospitality toward Team Melli during the 2026 World Cup. The ambassador, his family, and diplomats from Venezuela and Nicaragua joined Iranian fans in Tehran to watch Iran's match against Belgium. The gathering at Hadish Mall celebrated Iran's performance and highlighted sport's role in strengthening international friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527615/Mexican-ambassador-in-Tehran-honored-for-hosting-Iran-national

Europe's bloody hands revealed

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged Italy and Romania's active support for the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, contradicting earlier European denials. Italy allowed 500 US aircraft to operate from its bases, while Romania restricted commercial traffic for US operations. The war killed at least 3,375 Iranians and injured 21,000, with 168 children killed in a Minab school strike. Iran condemned the admissions, calling for accountability. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denied participation, but evidence also suggests UK involvement through RAF Fairford base access. Iran insists European states must face legal consequences for their complicity.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527640/Europe-s-bloody-hands-revealed

‼️ Tehran Times Exclusive:

New joint nuclear projects in discussion

Russian Ambassador Alexey Dedov told Tehran Times that trade between Russia and Iran reached $5.8 billion in 2025, a 21% increase, with continued growth despite the war. The EAEU-Iran free trade agreement has boosted commerce. On nuclear cooperation, Rosatom specialists will return to Iran once security is assured. Construction of the Rasht-Astara railway continues, and talks on the Hormoz nuclear plant are ongoing. Both sides are also negotiating small-scale nuclear power plant projects. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, transit is currently free under the Islamabad Memorandum, with future mechanisms still being finalized.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527645/New-joint-nuclear-projects-in-discussion

‼️ Breaking:

CENTCOM confirms US forces have carried out strikes on southern Iran

Gonabad, an emerging destination for religious tourism

Gonabad in Khorasan Razavi province has become an emerging religious tourism destination, registering the highest number of Ashura-related events in Iran's national tourism calendar. With 13 registered Ashura rituals and nine additional Muharram ceremonies listed as intangible cultural heritage, the city leads the nation with 24 tourism events. These traditions, including passion plays, processions, and mourning rituals, have been preserved through generations. Local officials highlight the ceremonies' cultural and social value, calling for infrastructure development and promotion. Religious tourism here offers visitors a chance to experience living history, beliefs, and community identity.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527627/Gonabad-an-emerging-destination-for-religious-tourism

The blood of Minab: America's war on Iran and the world's silence

On February 28, 2026, a US Tomahawk missile struck Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, killing 168 people including 120 children. Despite Trump calling it a "mistake," Amnesty International confirmed a precision-guided US missile directly hit the school. The attack violated international law, yet the international response has been largely silent. Iran's UN mission called it "168 stolen futures." Iranian football players have worn "#168" pins at the World Cup, but gestures are not enough. The author demands accountability and justice for the victims, urging the world not to look away from this preventable tragedy.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527637/The-blood-of-Minab-America-s-war-on-Iran-and-the-world-s-silence

Iran condemns US airstrikes as flagrant violation of ceasefire MOU

🔹The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned US airstrikes on Friday night targeting coastal monitoring facilities in southern Iran, calling it a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the MOU on ending the imposed war signed on June 18, 2025.

🔹It also noted that the Zionist regime, in coordination with the US, attacked Lebanon—another clear breach of the same agreement.

🔹Tehran reaffirmed its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stating that defensive strikes by Iranian forces against US aggressor targets were carried out on this basis.

🔹The Ministry warned that the US and any complicit parties bear full responsibility for the consequences, and urged southern Gulf states to uphold good neighborliness and prevent the use of their territory for aggression against Iran.

🔹It also called on the UN Secretary-General, Security Council, and relevant international bodies not to remain indifferent .

Trump sees himself 'most powerful man that the planet has ever known'

The book "Regime Change" by Haberman and Swan exposes a Washington ruled by spectacle and impulse. It reveals Trump decided on war with Iran weeks in advance, ignoring intelligence calls of "farcical." The book details Trump's private contempt for Netanyahu despite giving him everything he demanded. Governance is portrayed as public humiliation rituals, with sycophantic aides enabling delusion. Trump dismissed international law, claiming "because it always is" when asked how war would be okay. He brandished a document comparing himself favorably to Attila, Genghis Khan, and Hitler, seeing himself as "the most powerful" ever.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527638/Trump-sees-himself-most-powerful-man-that-the-planet-has-ever

Gharibabadi: No safe passage guarantee with ambiguous arrangements or parallel routes

🔹Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy for Legal and International Affairs of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, emphasized in a post on X that safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed through ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes, or decisions made without Iran's considerations as the coastal state.

🔹He stressed that any valid framework must be based on coordination with Iran and the provisions of paragraph five of the Islamabad MOU. Otherwise, the result will be the suspension of any parallel route.

Naim Qassem: Lebanon gov't agreement with Zionist regime is humiliating, invalid

🔹Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem strongly condemned the agreement between the Lebanese government and the Zionist regime, describing it as a retreat from national sovereignty and a giveaway of free concessions to the enemy.

🔹He stressed that direct negotiations with the Zionist regime amount to accepting submission and handing over free concessions to Israel and the US.

🔹Qassem declared the Washington agreement "humiliating, disgraceful, and invalid," calling instead for the implementation of the Iran-US understanding on halting the war in Lebanon.

🔹He warned that linking Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon to disarmament of the Resistance crosses all red lines and turns Lebanon into a tool of the enemy.

🔹"Legitimizing the occupiers' stay in southern Lebanon could lead to long-term occupation and even annexation," he cautioned.

Iran offers condolences, aid to Venezuela after deadly earthquake

🔹Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone call on Saturday with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil Pinto to express sincere condolences over the devastating earthquake that claimed many lives and caused extensive damage across the country.

🔹Araghchi conveyed the sympathy of the Iranian government and people, especially to the families of the victims, and announced Tehran's readiness to dispatch rescue and relief teams and provide any assistance to ease the suffering of those affected.

🔹The Venezuelan top diplomat thanked Iran for its humanitarian stance, including the messages of President Pezeshkian and FM Araghchi, while briefing on ongoing relief efforts and reaffirming Caracas's determination to further strengthen friendly relations with Tehran.

Official highlights Tirgan as key element of Iran's intangible cultural heritage

Mohammad-Ebrahim Zarei, head of Iran's Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, described Tirgan as one of Iran's most significant intangible cultural heritage elements. Celebrated on the 13th day of Tir (July 2 or 3), the ancient festival honors water, rainfall, and nature through water-splashing ceremonies and prayers. It is linked to the legend of Arash the Archer, symbolizing sacrifice and patriotism. Zarei emphasized that Tirgan reflects enduring values including hope, social solidarity, and respect for natural resources. Alongside Nowruz and Yalda, it remains a vibrant celebration in Iran's cultural memory.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527672/Official-highlights-Tirgan-as-key-element-of-Iran-s-intangible

✍By Hongda Fan

Even China and Iran need greater mutual trust

The article argues that while Iran has made strengthening relations with China a top priority, the 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement has not reached its envisioned potential due to international sanctions, China's balanced Middle East policy, and mutual strategic mistrust. Iran believes Beijing has been overly cautious and yielding to US pressure, while China's strategic self-perception differs from Iran's rising regional ambitions. The author contends that shared interests alone cannot sustain a lasting partnership; greater strategic trust is essential. Ghalibaf's expected Beijing visit offers an opportunity to address misunderstandings and build political confidence for a more mature relationship.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527681/Even-China-and-Iran-need-greater-mutual-trust