Saturday, December 27, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Pelicans return to Mazandaran’s shores as winter guests of Caspian Sea

With the arrival of autumn and winter, the calm shores of Iran’s Mazandaran Province once again welcome familiar white-winged visitors.

Kyiv attack shows Russia does ‘not want to end war’: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Saturday that a Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv shows Russia does "not want to end the war".

Trump pours cold water on Zelensky’s ‘peace plan’ for Russia war

US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest peace proposal to end the conflict with Moscow, arguing the discussions could move forward only with his "blessing".

Christmas Eve atmosphere brings festive mood to Tehran

Although Armenian Christians in Iran celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on January 6 according to their religious calendar, parts of Tehran take on a festive Christmas atmosphere each year around December 25, in line with global celebrations.

Iranian daily warns against Taliban influence after killing of former Afghan police commander

An Iranian newspaper has warned that “leniency toward the Taliban” is undermining Iran’s internal security, following the killing of a former Afghan police commander in Tehran.

Trump could unveil Gaza ‘peace council’, ‘government’ soon: Report

The White House wants to move beyond phase one of the Gaza ceasefire process in January, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back, creating friction with United States President Donald Trump’s senior team, according to a report.

Iran says US pursuing ‘law of jungle’ over diplomacy

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed that the United States pursues “the law of jungle” over diplomacy, resorting to force and sanctions to advance its interests.

China sanctions many US firms over Taiwan arms sales

China has announced fresh sanctions on 20 US defence firms, including a Boeing subsidiary, over Washington's latest weapons sales to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.

African Union refutes ‘any recognition of Somaliland’ after Israel declaration

The African Union has stressed it "rejects any recognition of Somaliland" after Israel declared it viewed the breakaway Somali territory as a sovereign state.

Minor earthquake shakes northeastern Tehran, renewing warnings over seismic risks

A minor earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Tehran province on Saturday morning, briefly shaking parts of the capital and nearby areas, according to Iran’s Seismological Center.

Iran’s Leader: Core dispute with west is opposition to global dominance, not nuclear issue

Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the country’s confrontation with Western powers is rooted in resistance to an “unjust global order,” rather than disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.

Militant group claims responsibility for Syria mosque bombing

A militant group has claimed responsibility for the bombing of a mosque in an Alawite-majority area of Syria's Homs on Friday, which killed at least eight people.

Zelensky to meet Trump over Russia war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for negotiations on how to end the Russian invasion, Kyiv has announced.

Yemen official says around 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters amass near border

A Yemeni military official from the internationally recognised government told AFP Friday that around 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters had amassed in strategic areas bordering Saudi Arabia since separatists seized swathes of territory last month -- but they were not ordered to advance.

Minister: Iran’s oil sales remain strong despite sanctions, lower global prices

Iran’s oil minister said the country continues to sell a strong volume of crude oil, with sales levels remaining stable despite a decline in international oil prices and US-led Western sanctions.

Cooperation with IAEA under new framework serves Iran’s interests, analyst says

An Iranian nuclear analyst says continued cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under new arrangements would benefit Tehran by reducing tensions and limiting pretexts for further pressure from Western countries.

Iranian president visits family of Christian martyr on Christmas eve

On the evening marking the birth of Jesus Christ, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the home of the family of Razmik Khachatourian, a Christian martyr of Iran.

Iranian border guards rescue 1,600 Afghans stranded in snow

Iranian border guards in Taybad rescued around 1,600 Afghan nationals who were stranded in severe cold and snow while attempting to enter Iran through unauthorized border routes.

Christmas celebrations held at churches in Iran

A ceremony marking the birth of Jesus Christ was held at the Armenian Saint Gregory Church and the Chaldean Catholic Church of Saint Joseph in Iran.

Iran police confirm ex-Afghan police chief killed in Tehran

Iranian police have confirmed the killing of Ekramuddin Sari, a former police commander from Afghanistan’s Takhar province, in a shooting attack in Tehran, according to reports citing informed police sources.

Senior IS leader killed: Syria

Syrian authorities said on Thursday that they had killed a senior leader of the Islamic State group in coordination with the US-led coalition, hours after arresting another leader near Damascus.

Russia responds to Zelensky’s ‘unhinged’ Christmas address

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “strange” Christmas address raises concerns over the Ukrainian leader’s ability to make any rational decisions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated.

Iranian president extends Christmas wishes in message to Pope, all Christians

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has sent a message to Pope Leo XIV, leader of the Catholic Church, extending his best wishes on the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and the arrival of the New Year.

Hezbollah calls on Lebanese government to refute Israeli threats amid fears of escalation

Hezbollah has urged the Lebanese government to reject Israel’s threats to disarm the group amid fears of Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Hamas denies responsibility for Rafah explosion, calls for pressure on Israel to abide by ceasefire agreement

The Palestinian group Hamas has denied any responsibility for an explosion that hit an Israeli armored vehicle in Rafah in southern Gaza, urging pressure on Tel Aviv to abide by a ceasefire deal in the enclave.