‼️ Tehran Times Exclusive:

The U.S. strike on Iran has altered the strategic landscape of the West Asia—but where does the region go from here?

In an exclusive interview with Gheis Ghoreishi, the Tehran Times explores the far-reaching implications of the conflict, the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and the shifting balance of power that could redefine the region for years to come.

IRGC Gen. Mohebi: Iran destroys 11 US fighter jets, helicopters on ground in 15 days

🔹IRGC Spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi, in an exclusive interview with Tasnim, announced that Iran's Armed Forces destroyed 11 US fighter jets and helicopters on the ground over 15 days of combat (July 8-22) .

🔹The confirmed list of destroyed US assets includes: 17 reconnaissance and combat drones (8 of which were brand new), 1 F-15 fighter jet inside a shelter, 1 P-8 aircraft, 1 C-17 transport aircraft, and 8 tanker aircraft.

Iran urges full implementation of Yemen roadmap as Saudi-Houthi tensions escalate

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei expressed grave concern over recent Saudi-Yemen tensions, emphasizing there is no military solution to the crisis.

🔹He called for a return to dialogue and full implementation of the agreed roadmap to end the suffering of the Yemeni people, warning that continued blockade and restrictions on essential goods are deepening the humanitarian crisis.

🔹Baghaei condemned US interventionist policies that complicate the situation, stressing regional security must be achieved through dialogue and cooperation among regional states. Iran supports any constructive initiative that advances a political resolution to the conflict.

‼️ Tehran Times Exclusive:

"I pulled my 11-year-old brother from the burning car, hoping he was still alive, but..."

On July 17, a US missile strike on a rural bridge in Hormozgan killed Homayoun Chatrzarin, 32, and his 11-year-old brother Mazyar—along with four others in a second car.

Homayoun, visually impaired, was the family's pillar. Mazyar, a fourth-grader, dreamed of becoming a police officer "to protect people."

Their brother Hassan arrived minutes later: "I pulled Mazyar from the car, stroked his face, called his name. But there was no response."

He recalled Homayoun's final phone call to their mother—cut off mid-sentence. The family's anchor and their youngest light, both gone.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528525/I-pulled-my-11-year-old-brother-from-the-burning-car-hoping

Pentagon accused of hiding US casualties in war with Iran

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta condemned the Pentagon for a "systematic cover-up" to conceal the true scale of troop losses.

Official figures claim 18 US service members killed and 430–500 wounded—but independent observers say actual casualties are far higher. The Pentagon's casualty tracking page quietly altered its death toll from 18 to 14 without explanation, calling it a "temporary data disruption."

The Defense Department—rebranded as the "Department of War"—has not held a standard press briefing for over two and a half months. Journalists' credentials were stripped, replaced by political loyalists.

War costs have surpassed $37.5 billion. Domestic support has plummeted.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528533/Pentagon-accused-of-hiding-US-casualties-in-war-with-Iran

Targeted strikes will continue until the enemy's total surrender

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr declared that Iranian retaliatory strikes will continue until the enemy's "complete surrender." Every plume of smoke across the region represents strikes against American military, security, or financial assets.

Major General Ali Abdollahi announced a new operational doctrine: every Iranian civilian killed in US strikes will be matched by the death of an American service member—a permanent policy, not a temporary measure.

Former Israeli negotiator Daniel Levy confirmed Washington violated the ceasefire framework—failing to release frozen assets and making unilateral Hormuz demands.

Analysts report 70% of Iran's missile arsenal remains operational.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528548/Targeted-strikes-will-continue-until-the-enemy-s-total-surrender

The empire strikes The Hague

The unprecedented removal of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan—who sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes in Gaza—marks the execution of international law at the altar of Zionism.

When 82 member states voted by secret ballot to dismiss him, they dismantled the illusion that the rules-based global order applies to the US or Israel. Khan was denied basic due process while the court remained under illegal American sanctions.

Marco Rubio explicitly promised to dismantle the ICC "brick by brick." Venezuela cynically withdrew from the Rome Statute in a clear quid pro quo.

The Global South has learned: no institution is safe.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528545/The-empire-strikes-The-Hague

Iran strongly condemns Ukraine's attack on Iranian commercial vessel in Caspian Sea

🔹The Foreign Ministry condemned Ukraine's attack early Saturday on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, which resulted in the explosion of the ship, the martyrdom of one sailor, and injury to another.

🔹The attack—acknowledged by Ukrainian officials—constitutes a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and an act of aggression that risks further expanding regional conflict.

🔹Tehran, which has never interfered in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calls on the UN Security Council and European nations to hold the Ukrainian regime accountable for this criminal act.

🔹Iran reserves its inherent right to self-defense under international law and will not hesitate to protect its national interests and security.

Iran strongly condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan's Tank city

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a police checkpost in Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressing condolences to the victims' families, the government, and the people of Pakistan .

🔹Reaffirming Iran's principled stance against all forms of terrorism, Baghaei stressed that there is no justification for terrorist acts against civilians and security forces.

🔹He emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to effectively combat terrorism, calling for coordinated action to identify, pursue, and punish its perpetrators, organizers, and financiers .

Gen. Qaani: Lifting 11-year Yemen blockade is a just, humanitarian demand

🔹IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmaeil Qaani stated that lifting the 11-year blockade on Yemen is a just and humanitarian demand for the oppressed people of the country .

🔹He expected Saudi. Arabia to learn from the costly behavior of the US and end its blockade of a Muslim nation of over 38 million people .

🔹"The world's Muslims expect Saudi Arabia—which considers itself the servant of the Two Holy Mosques—to instead direct its resources toward supporting the Palestinian people and confronting the Zionist regime, not continuing war against Yemen," Qaani said .

🔹"Efforts to save oppressed Gaza bring honor, not the continuation of the blockade on Yemen," he concluded .

Iran, Oman hold technical talks on Strait of Hormuz management

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced that several rounds of talks between Iran and Oman were held in Tehran on Friday and Saturday at the level of deputy foreign ministers .

🔹The two sides exchanged views on common principles and operational mechanisms for managing safe maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz, respecting the sovereign rights of both coastal states .

🔹Baghaei described the talks as "useful" with progress made. The Omani delegation left -Tehran on Saturday evening, but technical and political consultations continue .

🔹Responding to a question on the strait's current status, Baghaei confirmed: "No change has occurred in the traffic situation" .

The "Alamut Castle and Related Fortifications" has been officially registered as Iran's 30th cultural heritage site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Why Aramco Stands Alone?


Aramco's annual net income—$100–160 billion—rivals Apple and Microsoft. This massive liquidity flows directly into US capital markets through dividends to the Public Investment Fund, recycling petrodollars into US Treasuries, REITs, and S&P 500 block purchases.

The PIF now manages over $700 billion, anchoring Silicon Valley funds and underwriting AI, data infrastructure, and clean-tech ventures. ADNOC, QatarEnergy, and Kuwait Petroleum operate similar mechanisms, collectively funnelling hundreds of billions into Western financial arteries.

This capital chain makes Saudi Aramco the structural liquidity backstop for Wall Street. Disabling its production would inflict severe shocks on the US economy.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528543/Why-Aramco-Stands-Alone

Pro Palestine solidarity rally held in Milan, Italy

Why isn't Jordan telling its people the whole story?

Jordan's official narrative: "We are not a party to the war—only defending our airspace." Yet citizens see a different picture on social media.

The government is managing public opinion carefully. Jordan's population—largely of Palestinian origin—has held massive pro-Palestine protests. Any perception of assisting US military operations could trigger unrest.

So officials frame the conflict as a national security matter, not a geopolitical one. They downplay US forces on Jordanian soil and military cooperation.

But in the age of social media, the gap between official statements and online reality is widening. Citizens are no longer passive recipients—they compare, question, and increasingly distrust.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/528535/Why-isn-t-Jordan-telling-its-people-the-whole-story

Pezeshkian: Iran belongs to all Iranians

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian hailed the UNESCO registration of Alamut Castle as "recognition of a part of Iran's diverse and shared history."

🔹"Cultural heritage can bring us together despite all our differences and remind us that Iran belongs to all Iranians," he stated

Images show thick smoke rising near Saudi Arabia's Jazan refinery