Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

President Pezeshkian performs heart surgery during trip to Tabriz

In a rare and symbolic gesture, Iranian President Dr. Massoud Pezeshkian, a renowned heart surgeon, donned his surgical gown once again and performed open-heart surgery at Shahid Madani Hospital in Tabriz during his provincial visit to East Azarbaijan.

US says classifying Taliban as ‘foreign terrorist organization’ under review

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Washington is reviewing whether to designate Afghanistan’s rulers, the Taliban, as a “foreign terrorist organization”.

Iranian daily questions future of nuclear talks amid US hostility

An Iranian newspaper has expressed growing doubt about the continuation of nuclear negotiations, citing hostile behavior from the US and a lack of genuine commitment to a fair agreement.

Mass Ukrainian drone attack targets Moscow, multiple airports closed

Russian air defense systems shot down 105 Ukrainian drones overnight on May 22, including 35 intercepted over Moscow Oblast, the Russian Defense Ministry has announced.

Iran urges WHO to address refugee health amid regional crises

At the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Iran’s Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to give greater attention to the healthcare needs of over 4.5 million refugees residing in Iran.

Removal of West sanctions on Syria ‘long overdue’ but ‘positive’ step: Iran UN envoy

Iran has described a decision by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom to lift unilateral sanctions on Damascus as a "long overdue" but "positive" step.

US admits Russia is an aggressor, declines to label Putin war criminal

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged that Russia is an aggressor toward Ukraine, but declined to label President Vladimir Putin a war criminal.

Iran-Saudi model: Zarif calls for regional cooperation in ‘post-polar world’

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has pointed to the recent Iran-Saudi rapprochement as a model for future cooperation in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Iranian doctors remove 47 metal screws from man’s stomach without surgery

In an extraordinary medical case, Iranian doctors have successfully removed 47 sharp metal screws from the stomach of a 60-year-old man, without the need for surgery.

Former Iran president Khatami: Negotiation is not surrender; hope for reform must be preserved

Former Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami emphasized the importance of negotiation and reform in a message delivered to the sixth congress of the Isargaran (Devotees) Party, asserting that dialogue does not equate to surrender but serves the public good.

US claims ‘progress’ on ending Russia-Ukraine war

Washington has achieved "a lot of progress" toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated during a press briefing at the White House.

Two Israeli embassy staff in US shot dead

Two staff members of Israel’s embassy in the United States have been killed in an attack outside a Jewish museum in Washington, DC.

No aid has reached Gaza yet, despite Israeli claim of delivery: Report

No aid has reached Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip as of Wednesday, despite Israeli claims that dozens of trucks have entered the enclave, a UK-based news outlet says.

Israel Supreme Court rules decision to sack Shin Bet chief was illegal

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that a government decision to sack the head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet was "illegal and contrary to law", Israeli media has reported.

“Picasso in Tehran” Exhibition extended until June 2 amid public enthusiasm

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has announced the extension of its acclaimed exhibition “Picasso in Tehran” until June 2, due to high public interest.

Iran faces severe water stress amid 40% decline in dam inflows

Iran is experiencing a significant hydrological drought, with inflows to the country’s dam reservoirs decreasing by 40% compared to last year, a senior official from the Ministry of Energy has warned.

Iran warns Europe against triggering snapback sanctions mechanism

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has warned European countries against invoking the UN snapback sanctions mechanism, calling such a move a “grave mistake” with serious consequences.

EU, Arab diplomats come under Israeli fire in West Bank

A diplomatic delegation from the European Union, Arab and Asian nations has come under Israeli fire while visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority and numerous countries have announced.

Fifth round of US-Iran negotiations to take place Friday: Oman

The next round of talks on a nuclear deal between the US and Iran will take place this week in Italy, Oman’s top diplomat stated on Wednesday.

Former US nuclear negotiator: Halting Iran’s uranium enrichment impossible

An American diplomat from the administration of former US President Barack Obama, who led the nuclear negotiations with Iran, has emphasized that the idea of halting Iran's uranium enrichment was absolutely impossible.

Iranian president to visit Oman for high-level talks, strategic agreements

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to make an official visit to Muscat, Oman, on May 27–28 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

Top Iranian general: Eastern border sealing progressing rapidly

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri says the project to secure and seal Iran’s eastern borders is advancing at a fast pace.

Pope appeals for Israel to allow humanitarian aid in Gaza

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appealed for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, calling the situation in the Palestinian enclave "yet more worrying and saddening".

Putin visits Kursk Region, first time since full liberation from Ukrainian troops

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Kursk Region for the first time since its full liberation from Ukrainian forces, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.

Gaza reports 326 malnutrition deaths, over 300 miscarriages due to lack of essentials

The Gaza Media Office reports that Israel's 80-day blockade - involving strict border closures and aid restrictions - has resulted in approximately 330 deaths and over 300 miscarriages, describing the situation as amounting to a campaign of genocide.