Friday, December 19, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Turkey confirms  two sanctioned tankers hit by ‘explosions’

Two tankers sanctioned by the West were damaged by blasts in the Black Sea on Friday, Turkish officials have announced.

Iran says parliament prepared proposals for possible NPT withdrawal

The chairman of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, said the Iranian parliament has drafted proposals related to a possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), noting that these plans will proceed through legislative channels if national circumstances require it.

Syria condemns Israeli aggression on Damascus countryside as ‘criminal onslaught’

Syria has condemned the Israeli army raid on the town of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside as a “criminal assault,” saying the incursion and subsequent airstrikes amounted to a war crime.

NATO member states considering ‘cyber offensive’ against Russia: Politico

NATO’s European members are reportedly considering joint offensive cyber operations against Russia, Politico has reported, citing two senior EU government officials and three diplomats.

Hezbollah says reserves right to respond to Israel’s killing of senior commander

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem has condemned Israel’s killing of top commander Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai, calling it a “deliberate crime”, and emphasized that the armed group reserves the right to retaliate at a time of its choosing.

Ukraine says won’t cede territory to Russia

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will not agree to give up any territory to Russia as long as he remains in charge of the country, his top aide and chief negotiator, Andrey Yermak, has stated.

Greek media hails Iran striker Taremi as “a luxury option” in Olympiacos attack

Greek sports outlet Gavros has praised Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi for his impressive early impact at Olympiacos, describing him as “a luxury option” in the team’s attacking lineup.

Iran director Majidi receives special honor at First Eurasia International Film Festival

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi received the Special Award of the inaugural Eurasia International Film Festival for his “significant contribution to world cinema.”

Russia says any military cooperation with Iran follows framework of strategic partnership treaty

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that any form of military cooperation with Iran would take place strictly within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two countries earlier this year.

Iran strongly blasts Zionist regime’s crimes in West Bank

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baqaei, strongly condemned the Zionist regime’s ongoing crimes in the West Bank, including the killing and torture of the residents.

13 killed, several wounded in Israeli attack on Beit Jinn town in Damascus countryside

At least 13 people were killed, including women and children, and several were wounded early Friday in an Israeli attack on the town of Beit Jinn and the road leading to Mazraat Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside.

Israel still committing genocide in Gaza: Amnesty International

Amnesty International has announced that Israel is “still committing genocide” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire agreed last month.

Iranian MP criticizes UN forum for giving platform to separatist groups

A member of Iran’s parliament strongly criticized the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues for allowing armed separatist groups to speak under the banner of minority representation. 

Iran reserves right to pursue US accountability for war: Envoy

The Iranian ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations has reaffirmed Tehran’s “full and unequivocal” right to seek accountability from Washington and pursue compensation for losses resulting from the June war.

Ayatollah Khamenei rejects claims of back-channel messages to U.S.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei dismissed reports that Tehran had sent indirect messages to the United States, calling such claims “a total lie” during a televised address on Thursday night.

Israel hits Lebanon with nearly 700 air raids since ceasefire: Report

Israel carried out 669 airstrikes on Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect in November 2024, at a rate of two attacks per day, an Israeli security institute announced Thursday.

No draft of Ukraine peace agreement yet: Putin

No draft document on a Ukraine peace deal exists, as Washington has only outlined a list of issues to discuss, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated, adding Moscow is ready to negotiate the peace plan.

Iran condemns Australia’s designation of IRGC as “unlawful, politicized” move influenced by Israel

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the Australian Government’s “political decision” to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization sets a dangerous and unlawful precedent, driven by Israeli influence to divert global attention from the genocide in Gaza.

Security chief: Israel’s recent war against Iran planned years in advance

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said the recent 12-day conflict with Israel was planned years in advance by Washington and Tel Aviv, but ultimately showcased Iran’s “unwavering national will” in the face of foreign pressure.

Russia to fight on unless Ukraine cedes land: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he would end his Ukraine offensive if Kyiv withdrew from territory Moscow claims at its own -- otherwise his army would take it by force.

Europe warns against ‘carving up’ of Ukraine amid crunch US-led negotiations

The European Commission president has warned against “the unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation” as Europe scrambles to assert influence over the US’s push to end the war in Ukraine.

Wildfire destroys nearly 10 hectares of forest in northern Iran

A senior official from Iran’s Natural Resources Protection Unit says a major wildfire in the Elit forests of Chalous, in Mazandaran Province, has destroyed close to 10 hectares of woodland this month.

Tehran hosts “Basij Power” drill with senior IRGC commanders in attendance

The “Basij Power” military drill was held in Tehran on Thursday morning with the participation of senior commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

US representatives call for Trump envoy to be fired after leaked Kremlin call

A handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which the special envoy to Ukraine reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle President Donald Trump, but most have so far remained mute on the revelation that American officials were advising a US adversary.

Americans sympathy for Israel hits historic low: Survey

Sympathy for Israel over Palestine among US voters has plummeted to a record low, according to a recent poll by Big Data Poll (BDP).