Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iranian President Congratulates Niger’s National Day

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed his congratulations to the people and government of the Republic of Niger over the West African country’s National Day.

Buses Carrying Evacuees from Kefraya, Foua Arrive in Syria’s Aleppo

A convoy of 10 buses carrying evacuees from the two Syrian towns of Kefraya and al-Foua in the Idlib province arrived in Aleppo early on Monday.

Iranian, Russian, Turkish DMs to Meet in Moscow

While Moscow has been already chosen to host a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey for talks on Syria, defense ministers of the three countries have also agreed to hold a gathering in the Russian capital on Tuesday, December 20.

Iran’s Ambassador to Britain Urges People to Beware of Provocations

Iranian ambassador to London has called for vigilance against certain groups that provoke people to stage protest rallies in front of Iranian embassies across the world, and also foreign embassies in Tehran.

Taliban Denies Receiving Invitation to Attend Iranian Conference

The Afghanistan-based militant group Taliban has rejected the allegations that its members have received invitations to participate in the Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran.

IAEA Satisfied by Iran Commitment to Nuclear Deal: Amano

During a visit to Tehran, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has expressed satisfaction with Iran’s commitment to its obligations under the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.

Iran Drops A380 Planes from Its Deal with Airbus

Airbus Group SE suffered a blow to its already troubled A380 program when Iran, which had previously suggested it would buy the double-decker planes, said it had dropped the model as part of a wider fleet upgrade.

ISIS Offers $1 Million Bounty for Killing Kurdish Girl of Iranian Origin

ISIS-affiliated media said the extremist group had set a one-million-dollar reward for killing a Danish-Kurdish girl of Iranian origin who has joined Kurdish Peshmarga in the fight against ISIS terrorists.

Buses Arrive at Besieged Syrian Villages despite Militants’ Attacks

According to a report by Syrian TV on Sunday, several buses, which were supposed to evacuate ill and injured people from the besieged Shiite-majority towns of Foua and Kefraya were attacked and some of them burned, but some of them have reportedly managed to arrive at the villages.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 19

IFP has taken a look at the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Monday and picked headlines from 21 them. IFP has simply translated the headlines and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Iran-Greece Ties on the Right Track: FM Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the bilateral ties between Iran and Greece as being on the right track, saying the two sides are resolved to develop the relations.

Iranian First VP’s Turkey Visit Postponed Due to Busy Schedule

Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri’s visit to Turkey was postponed because of his tight schedule, the country’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi announced on Sunday.

Iran Finalizes Deal to Buy 100 Airbus Planes

The Iranian flag carrier, Iran Air, says it has finalized a much-awaited contract with the European aviation giant Airbus to purchase 100 aircraft.

Aleppo Liberation Shows West Support for Terror Failing: Shamkhani

A senior Iranian official says the liberation of the strategic Syrian city of Aleppo from the grips of foreign-backed militants once again indicated the failure of the policy pursued by the West and its regional allies in supporting terrorism.

Russian Plane Carrying Aerospace Forces Crash-Lands in Siberia with 39 on Board

A Russian Il-18 plane has crashed in Russia's Sakha Republic (Yakutia) on Monday. Early reports show that all passengers have survived.

Without Iran, Any Secret Deal on Syria Is Doomed to Failure

An IRGC general warned against any secret agreement on Syria that does not take Iran into account.

German Police Arrest Suspect Who Kicked Woman down Subway Stairs

Police in Berlin have arrested the man suspected of kicking a woman down a flight of stairs at a subway station.

JCPOA Breach Adds to International Mistrust of US: Iran’s President

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani slammed the US extension of Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) as a violation of the JCPOA, the July 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, saying such conducts would only erode international trust in the US administration.

Iran to Stop Gasoline Imports in 2017

Iran’s deputy petroleum minister says the country will become self-sufficient in gasoline production next year as it eyes exporting the crucial fuel to other countries in the region and across the world.

ISIS Picks New Executioner to Replace Jihadi John

A new ISIS element is said to have replaced the notorious jihadi John as the terrorist group’s chief executioner.

Pro-Western Analyst Criticizes US for Hypocritical Approach towards Aleppo Liberation

In a surprising reaction, a VOA and BBC commentator has lashed out at the US and Israel over their hypocritical approaches towards the recent liberation of Syria’s Aleppo.

New Photos Show Iran’s General Soleimani in Syria’s Aleppo

Photos have been recently released in social media showing the Commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Major General Qassem Soleimani in the liberated Syrian city of Aleppo.

Iran’s President to Visit Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will start a tour of three countries in Caucasia and Central Asia in the coming days.

US Dreams of Divided Syria Shattered in Aleppo: Iranian Commander

A top Iranian military official hailed the Syrian army’s success to recapture the city of Aleppo from terrorist groups after a four-year battle, saying the major victory shattered Washington’s dreams of a disintegrated Syria.

Britain Is Secretly Exploiting Chaotic Situation in Mideast: Iranian Diplomat

A former Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman says Britain is creating division among Middle Eastern countries as part of its plan to exploit the ongoing crises in the region.