Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Zelensky will only meet with Putin in Turkey, lower-level talks pointless: Aide

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would not meet any other Russian official apart from President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul this week, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak has stated, explaining that talks with lower-level representatives would be pointless.

Iranian court overturns verdict in controversial case of singer Amir Tataloo

The verdict against Iranian singer Amirhossein Maghsoudlou, widely known as Amir Tataloo, has been overturned following the acceptance of a request under Article 477 of Iran’s Criminal Procedure Code, his lawyer confirmed.

British veterans detail war crimes by British forces in Afghanistan, Iraq

Former members of the United Kingdom’s special forces  recount war crimes committed by British soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq dating back over a decade.

Trump considering attending Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Turkey

US President Donald Trump has stated he is open to attending the potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday, as Washington ramps up pressure on Moscow and Kyiv to bring an end to the three-year conflict.

Larijani: US seeks power, not legal dialogue; Iran must strengthen itself

Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran's Leader and a member of the Expediency Council, stated on Tuesday that the conflict between Iran and the US is not legal in nature but rooted in power politics.

Sasanian architectural remains unearthed at Urmia’s Grand Mosque, northern Iran

Archaeologists have discovered remains of Sasanian-era architecture during recent excavations at the historic Grand Mosque of Urmia, in Iran’s West Azarbaijan Province.

Trump receives royal Saudi welcome from MbS in Riyadh

US President Donald Trump received a royal Saudi welcome Tuesday as he arrived in the capital, Riyadh, descending Air Force One on purple-carpeted steps to a greeting from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Iran’s deputy FM: US contradictions complicate negotiations

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has said contradictory statements from US officials are complicating ongoing negotiations, stressing that Iran remains vigilant and committed to defending its national interests.

Syria’s new ruler skips Iraq summit after firestorm over invitation

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media reported on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred controversy over the rebel-turned-leader's potential return to a country where he fought and was jailed.

Kremlin: Iran-Russia relations are win-win

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described Iran-Russia relations as a "win-win partnership," praising the outcomes of the 18th Joint Economic Commission held recently in Moscow.

Iran, Uzbekistan can achieve prosperity through expanded relations: President Pezeshkian

President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized that Tehran is eager to deepen collaboration and share experiences with the friendly nation of Uzbekistan.

Iran’s vice president: Gov’t committed to unblocking internet, empowering women and youth

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref announced that the country’s decision-making system has reached consensus on lifting internet restrictions, signaling a major policy shift toward greater digital freedom.

PA president lifts ban on operations of Al Jazeera TV inside Palestinian territory

Al Jazeera's Ramallah bureau chief has announced that the news channel could resume working in the Palestinian territories after president Mahmoud Abbas lifted a ban in place since January.

Hamas frees dual US-Israeli national and soldier Edan Alexander

Hamas has released Edan Alexander, a dual United States-Israeli national and soldier, as the Palestinian group seeks to revive ceasefire negotiations and an end to Israel’s blockade of the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip.

White House notifies US Congress of $1.45bn in proposed arms sales to UAE

The US State Department notified Congress on Monday of two proposed weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates totaling an estimated $1.45 billion as President Donald Trump embarked on a four-day Middle East tour.

Syria’s president proposes Trump Tower in Damascus, peace with Israel for sanctions relief: Reuters

Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly offered to build a Trump Tower in Damascus, establish peace with Israel, and grant the US access to Syria’s oil and gas, as part of his bid to secure sanctions relief from Washington, Reuters has reported.

President Pezeshkian slams intl. community’s silence on Israel’s atrocities

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly condemned the ongoing crimes by the Zionist regime, criticizing the silence of the international community and the UN toward Tel Aviv's atrocities.

Famine stalking across besieged Gaza Strip, 500k face starvation: Report

Israel’s blockade threatens the entire population of the Gaza Strip with famine, putting 500,000 people at risk of starvation, a global hunger monitor has warned.

EU sees Syria instability as terror risk for bloc: Reuters

The situation in Syria could pose security risks for Europe, according to a draft internal European Union counterterrorism document seen by Reuters which warned that the terror threat level in the bloc remains high.

Death toll from Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port explosion rises to 58

Authorities in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province have confirmed that the death toll from the recent explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port has risen to 58, following the death of another injured victim.

Iranian MP: Nuclear talks with US respectful, constructive

The spokesman for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has described the latest round of talks between Iran and the US as “positive and constructive”, noting however that no formal agreement has been reached so far.

Anti-Turkey Kurdish group PKK disbands after 4 decades of conflict

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced its decision to disband and end its armed struggle for autonomy, following a call in February by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Iran sounds alarm over sharp decline in birth rate

Iran is facing a mounting demographic crisis, as new data from the Ministry of Health reveals a 7% drop in national birth rates over the past year, despite a growing population of married women.

Rose harvest festival celebrates agriculture, tourism in Babol

A month-long festival celebrating the harvest of Damask rose (Gol-e Mohammadi) is underway in northern Iranian city of Babol, aiming to showcase the region’s agricultural strengths and encourage tourism development.

5G internet will be available in Iran’s metropolises by March: Minister

Iran will provide access to 5G internet to its metropolises by the end of the current Persian calendar year in late March, the Iranian minister of Information and Communications Technology has announced.