Sunday, December 28, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iranian president outlines budget priorities amid economic challenges

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian emphasized the exceptional challenges faced by the country during this year’s budget planning in a parliamentary address.

Zafar-2, Iran’s most advanced university-built satellite, nears launch

Zafar-2, Iran’s most advanced university-developed satellite, is set to be launched into low Earth orbit (LEO), according to officials.

Many Arab, Islamic, African countries condemn, reject Israeli recognition of Somaliland

Representatives of 21 Arab, Islamic, and African countries have expressed their rejection and condemnation of Israel’s decision to recognize Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, warning that the move violates international law and threatens regional stability.

Gazans suffer flooded tents, debris as cold and rain lash enclave

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, surrounded by tents and debris, are suffering through more winter rains after two years of Israeli bombardment destroyed much of the Strip.

Iran facing ‘all-out war’, remains stronger than before 12-day aggression: Pezeshkian

President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the United States, Israel, and Europe are waging an “all-out war” against Iran, adding that Tehran is now stronger, in both military capability and manpower, than it was before the June military aggression.

Iran’s headline inflation rises to 42.2% in December: SCI

Iran has recorded a modest increase in its year-on-year inflation rate during the calendar period ending in late December, according to the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) .

Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Florida Monday: Israeli Official

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will depart for the United States on Sunday and meet with President Donald Trump in Florida a day later, an Israeli official told AFP news agency.

Saudi-led Coalition warns of intervention against Yemen’s separatists

The Saudi-led coalition has warned it would back Yemen's government in any military confrontation with separatist forces, as Riyadh urged them to withdraw "peacefully" from recently-seized provinces.

Renowned Iranian filmmaker Bahram Beyzai dies on his birthday

Prominent Iranian filmmaker, playwright, and theater director Bahram Beyzai has passed away on the anniversary of his birth, media sources reported on Saturday.

Iranian FM: Tehran will not relinquish its nuclear rights under US pressure 

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's policy of pursuing the nation's nuclear rights, firmly rejecting the possibility of abandoning uranium enrichment under US pressure.

Switzerland can’t defend itself from full-scale attack: Army chief

Switzerland cannot defend itself against a full-scale attack and must boost military spending given rising risks from Russia, the head of the country's armed forces has warned.

Iran condemns Zionist regime’s moves undermining Somalia’s territorial integrity

Iran has condemned the Zionist regime for violating Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei decrying efforts aimed at disintegrating the Muslim nation.

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.