Oman confirms joint meeting with Iran on Strait of Hormuz management

🔹Oman's Foreign Ministry announced that the first meeting of the Oman-Iran Joint Committee on the Strait of Hormuz was held in Muscat, with both sides discussing the future management of the strategic waterway and related issues.

🔹The two parties explored ways to enhance coordination on matters concerning the Strait, within the framework of shared interests and the sovereignty of both nations.

🔹Iran and Oman emphasized their commitment to international law and the development of cooperation in navigation and maritime services as neighboring states of the Strait.

‼️Tehran Times Exclusive:

The Tehran Times's LightHouse: A spotlight on the pieces of news you might have missed

A number of political elites and strategic researchers in Islamabad, at the unveiling ceremony of the report on the consequences of the recent American-Zionist imposed war on Iran, while acknowledging the key role of Tehran in advancing peace and stability in the region, emphasized that the war imposed by America on Iran has led to failure and Iran's situation in the post-war period is observed to be much more powerful.

The former Pakistani ambassador to London and Washington emphasized: Iran challenged the bullies and proved that it emerged more powerful in the post-war era. Therefore, other powerful regional actors or world powers should learn from the fate of America's war.

Martyred leader's funeral ceremonies to be nominated for national heritage status

Iran's Cultural Heritage Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri announced plans to seek national heritage registration for the funeral ceremonies of martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The minister described such processions as significant intangible cultural heritage since the 1979 Revolution. The ministry also plans to register the Leader's damaged residence and office as national heritage sites. Farewell ceremonies are scheduled for July 4-9 in Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, and Iraq, with an estimated 15-20 million attendees in Tehran and 35 million nationwide. Iran's foreign minister also discussed preparations with Iraq's funeral committee.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527739/Martyred-leader-s-funeral-ceremonies-to-be-nominated-for-national

Iran beat Syria at FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian qualifier

Iran opened the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' third window with a 72-68 victory over Syria at the Prince Hamza Hall in Jordan. Piter Girgoorian led Iran with 18 points, while Syria's Donte Lamont Mc Gill scored 19. Iran continued their dominance over Syria, having won eight of their last nine FIBA meetings, including an 82-43 rout at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. The Asian qualifiers began in November 2025 and will conclude in March 2027, determining seven teams to join host Qatar.

Gharibabadi: Demining of Strait of Hormuz to be carried out solely by Iran

🔹Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that French President Macron has spoken of coordinating with partners on demining the Strait of Hormuz.

🔹Under the Islamabad MoU, demining will be conducted exclusively by Iran—no other country will be permitted to take part in such operations.

🔹Gharibabadi stressed that the situation remains sensitive and complex, urging France not to complicate matters further through provocative actions.

Iran insists on full implementation of MoU on ending imposed war

🔹FM spokesman Baghaei reaffirmed Tehran's priority is ensuring full implementation of the MoU, stressing Iran is seriously pursuing its demands.

🔹On Article 10, US licenses for oil sales have been issued. On Article 11, asset unfreezing is underway, with an expert team heading to Doha this week.

🔹Final deal talks remain conditional on implementing Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11. Baghaei also rejected reports of US officials visiting Doha for talks, stressing no negotiations are scheduled with Washington.

‼️ Tehran Times Exclusive:

Starmer's Iran policy left Britain complicit in Washington's wars, says British activist

Stephen Bell, Treasurer of the Stop the War Coalition, told Tehran Times that Britain allowed US bombers from RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to strike Iran, making it complicit despite Starmer's claims "this is not our war." Bell argues Western policymakers miscalculated Iran's resilience due to Orientalist assumptions. He says the conflict exposed the hollow "rules-based order," with Gaza revealing Western liberal democracy's carcass. Bell criticizes Starmer's selective concern for international law, enabling genocide through arms and intelligence. He advocates full implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum and regional security without US forces.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527750/Starmer-s-Iran-policy-left-Britain-complicit-in-Washington-s

Eliminated on Paper. Victorious in Character

Iran's 2026 World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak with three draws, yet the team's resilience transcended football. Forced to base in Tijuana and endure exhausting border crossings, the players faced logistical and political challenges unmatched by any other team. Despite a disallowed goal, missed penalty, and stoppage-time winner ruled out, Iran remained unbeaten. International voices—including USA Today and Trevor Noah—praised their professionalism under pressure. The team never surrendered, earning respect through discipline and unity. While statistics show early elimination, the true story is one of character: a team that refused to be defeated by circumstances beyond the pitch.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527749/Eliminated-on-Paper-Victorious-in-Character

South Korea's Steel Miracle: A Model for Iran's Reconstruction

This report by the Iran-South Korea Chamber of Commerce examines how South Korea built a world-class steel industry from post-war ruin despite lacking resources. Key lessons for Iran include: strategic vision overcomes resource limitations, crisis can become opportunity for modernization, human capital development is crucial, and technology adoption drives competitiveness. South Korea's POSCO transformed from state enterprise to global leader, focusing on high-value products and green technologies. Iran possesses natural advantages Korea lacked—iron ore, energy, and domestic market. The report urges Iran to view reconstruction as building a modern, efficient industry ecosystem, not merely repairing what was damaged.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527738/South-Korea-s-Steel-Miracle-A-Model-for-Iran-s-Reconstruction

Iran, France FMs hold phone call on regional developments, MoU implementation

🔹Foreign Ministers Seyyed Abbas Araghchi of Iran and Jean-Noël Barrot of France held a phone conversation on Monday evening.

🔹The two top diplomats discussed the latest regional and international developments in light of the Islamabad MoU and the process of its implementation, aimed at ending the imposed war by the US and the Zionist regime against Iran.

Israel maliciously turns Armenian grief into diplomatic grenade masking Gaza atrocities

Israel's cabinet voted to recognize the 1915 Armenian genocide as a political maneuver, using historical tragedy to retaliate against Turkey's criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. The author argues this sudden recognition is hypocritical given Israel's military alliance with Azerbaijan, which used Israeli weapons to displace over 120,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. The timing aims to divert attention from Gaza atrocities, where over 73,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children, have been killed. The article condemns Israel for weaponizing Armenian suffering to launder its reputation while committing what UN reports term genocide.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/527748/Israel-maliciously-turns-Armenian-grief-into-diplomatic-grenade

Pezeshkian: If US honors MoU, Iran will fulfill its commitments

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the understanding is mutual, emphasizing that if the American side adheres to the MoU, Iran will also meet its obligations.

🔹He added that Iran's approach in the face of unreasonable rhetoric and baseless threats is to rely on rationality and human dignity in decision-making, while exercising decisive and resolute defense when action is required.

Lebanon minister: Israeli aggression has targeted all hospitals in south Lebanon

🔹Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasser al-Din stated that the Israeli regime's aggression has hit all hospitals in the southern regions, commending the immense sacrifices made by medical staff in these areas.

🔹He called on the international community to take immediate action to protect healthcare facilities and ensure the safety of medical personnel amid ongoing attacks.

Qatar spox: No US-Iran meeting in Doha, assets still frozen

🔹Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are present in Doha, but no direct meetings with Iranian officials will take place.

🔹He added that no high-level talks between the US and Iran are scheduled, and stressed that Iran's frozen assets have not yet been released—with their release depending on progress in US-Iran negotiations.

Baghaei: Talks on unfreezing Iran's assets progressing well

🔹Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that negotiations regarding the release of Iran's frozen assets are proceeding favorably.

🔹He announced that Iran's expert team will hold a meeting with Qatari officials tomorrow in Doha. "What matters is that we have free access to these assets and can use them as we see fit to meet our needs and purchase the goods we require," Baghaei emphasized.