Monday, December 29, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Deputy Foreign Minister: Contradictory US positions affect atmosphere of talks with Iran

The Political Deputy of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that contradictory statements by US officials on issues such as uranium enrichment in Iran show that the Americans themselves don’t know what they are really seeking.

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions over Ukraine war

The European Union has formally approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia over its aggression in Ukraine, including measures targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Tuesday.

EU reaches initial deal to lift Syria’s economic sanctions: Report

European Union countries have given the green light to lifting economic sanctions on Damascus in a bid to help the war-torn country recover following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, according to diplomats speaking to news agencies.

More than 20 countries urge Israel to allow full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately

More than 20 countries and the EU have called on Israel to lift blockade of aid delivery into the Gaza Strip and enable the UN and humanitarian organizations to work independently and impartially.

3 more UNRWA staff killed in Gaza, total surpasses 300

Three more staff members of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) were killed in the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of staff killed to over 300, the global organization has announced.

More Saudi airlines set to fly to Iran: Official

A Saudi aviation official has announced that additional Saudi airlines will soon begin flights to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport after the first Saudi flight landed in the Iranian capital following diplomatic rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh.

Majority of Americans believe Putin stalling peace talks, back sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate: Survey

More than 60% of Americans believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is "stalling" peace talks involving the United States, and back weaponry shipments to Ukraine and additional sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace deal, according to a Harvard CAPS Harris poll.

Yemen’s Houthis announce naval blockade on Israeli Haifa port

The Yemeni Houthi group has announced a naval blockade on the Israeli port of Haifa on the Mediterranean coast, in response to Israel’s ongoing offensive and blockade of Gaza.

Suspect arrested in theft of priceless manuscripts, artifacts from Iranian shrine

Iranian police have arrested a suspect accused of stealing valuable historical items, including coins and Qur’anic manuscripts, from the Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine in the southeastern city of Mahan, Kerman Province.

Co-operative Group members vote to ban Israeli products from British supermarkets

Members of the Co-operative Group, one of the UK's biggest supermarket chains, have voted to remove Israeli products from its shelves over the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

‘It’s our land’: Zelensky responds to Putin’s phone call with Trump

President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Vladimir Putin's demand to withdraw Ukrainian soldiers from four partially occupied regions, after the Russian president held a call with U.S. President Donald Trump and once again failed to agree to a full ceasefire.

FM says perspective of regional states on Iran has changed

Iran's Foreign Minister has stressed that the perspective of regional countries, particularly those in the Persian Gulf, toward Iran has significantly shifted compared to the past—a change evident in their positive stance on Iran-US negotiations.

Ayatollah Khamenei: US has no right to deny Iran uranium enrichment

Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei strongly rebuked Western pressure over Iran’s nuclear program, asserting that the Islamic Republic does not need permission from any country to pursue uranium enrichment.

Iran says reviewing US proposal for next round of indirect nuclear talks

A senior Iranian diplomat has confirmed that Tehran has received a proposal regarding the next round of indirect negotiations with the United States and is currently reviewing it.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will start ‘immediately’: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated the conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “went very well”, and that talks between Moscow and Kiev will begin “immediately".

Nine aid trucks cleared for Gaza ‘a drop in the ocean’: UN

The United Nations has announced that nine trucks carrying humanitarian aid “were cleared” to enter the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing after Israel temporarily eased a nearly three-month blockade.

Iran ambassador warns UK of potential false flag operation amid detentions of Iranian nationals

Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom has warned British authorities against the possibility of a false flag operation aimed at undermining bilateral relations between Tehran and London.

Britian, France and Canada threaten ‘concrete actions’ if Israel does not stop Gaza onslaught

The leaders of Britain, France and Canada have issued a joint statement warning that they will take “further concrete actions” if Israel does not stop a renewed military offensive in the Gaza Strip and lift aid restrictions.

President Pezeshkian: Iran does not seek nuclear weapons

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear activities and regional cooperation in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

92% of Gaza homes destroyed in Israeli war: UN

Israel’s ongoing war has destroyed 92% of Palestinian homes in the besieged Gaza Strip, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) announced on Monday.

US could pass more sanctions on Russia: Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a new sanctions bill targeting Moscow if Russia does not make progress in ceasefire talks with Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing European officials familiar with the matter.

Security chief: Iran, Pakistan not to let regional peace be disrupted

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Aliakbar Ahmadian has told his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Assem Malek that Tehran and Islamabad are committed to the security of common borders and also fighting terrorism.

Tehran raps Washington’s flip-flop, scorns US negotiator’s push for zero enrichment

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry made it clear that Tehran’s enrichment program would not come to a halt by any means.

Reverse brain drain expected in Iran’s medical sector, says health ministry official

Iran may soon witness a reverse brain drain in its medical sector, according to Hossein Hosseini, Deputy Minister of Education at the Ministry of Health.

President Pezeshkian says Iran keen to cooperate with Afghanistan to settle disputes

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister that Tehran is ready to collaborate with Kabul in an 'environment of understanding' in order to resolve the existing issues between the two countries.