Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Vladimir, stop!’: Trump ‘not happy’ with Russia’s deadly strike on Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Russia's strike on Kyiv that killed at least 12 civilians and injured 90, calling it "not necessary."

Russian Security Council Secretary threatens Europe with nuclear weapons

Moscow reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if faced with 'unfriendly actions', Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has stated in an interview with TASS state news agency.

UN says over 90% of homes in Gaza destroyed or damaged during war

More than 90% of homes in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported, citing data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Tehran police arrest 23 in fake meteorite scam following popular TV series

Iranian cyber police have detained 23 individuals for allegedly selling counterfeit meteorites online, capitalizing on renewed public interest sparked by the popular TV series Paytaxt, the Capital.

Europe refutes US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea: FT

Europe will not support any U.S. move to recognize Russian control over occupied Crimea and will not pressure Ukraine to accept it, the Financial Times (FT) has reported, citing undisclosed Western officials.

Iran to host next SCO judicial chiefs summit

The Iranian judiciary chief announced that Iran will host the 21st meeting of judicial chiefs from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states next year.

Beirut secures $250 million loan from World Bank to rehabilitate Lebanon’s electricity sector

Lebanon has received approval from the World Bank for a $250 million loan to address the country’s electricity problems, Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassine Jaber confirmed on Thursday.

UK lifts sanctions against Syrian defense, interior ministries, intelligence agencies

The United Kingdom has announced the lifting of sanctions against Syrian ministries and intelligence agencies, according to Britain's finance ministry on Thursday.

Tel Aviv cracks down on official posts mourning Pope Francis

Israel’s orders to remove official posts expressing condolences on the death of Pope Francis have sparked outrage among international observers and stirred controversy among Israeli envoys.

85% of child laborers in Tehran are Afghan nationals, deputy governor reports

Tehran's deputy governor for political and social affairs, revealed that approximately 85% of child laborers collected in the capital are Afghan nationals, adding that the children receive training at specialized centers before being returned to their families.

Nine killed, dozens injured in Russian attack on Kyiv

At least nine people have been killed and more than 70 injured in Kyiv after Moscow carried out one of the most devastating air attacks against the war-torn country in months, with Kharkiv and other cities also targeted.

Tehran agrees to let in team to discuss restoring nuclear monitoring: IAEA chief

Tehran has agreed to let in an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical team in the coming days to discuss restoring camera surveillance at Iran's nuclear sites, the head of the IAEA stated Wednesday, calling it an encouraging signal of Iran’s attitude toward nuclear talks with the United States.

Iran can’t enrich uranium, could only import it for civilian program: US

Iran will have to stop enriching uranium under any accord with the United States and could only import what is needed for a civilian nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated ahead of talks between Tehran and Washington on Saturday.

Israeli minister: US Republicans support bombing Gaza ‘food and aid depots’

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says that top American Republican lawmakers support bombing “food and aid depots” in the Gaza Strip.

Iranian filmmaker Saeed Roustaee’s “Woman and Child” selected for Cannes Film Festival’s Main Competition

Iranian director Saeed Roustaee’s latest film, Woman and Child, has been officially selected for the Main Competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

Trump and Zelensky clash again as US warns it could abandon Ukraine peace negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed again on Wednesday on endeavours to end the three-year-old war in Ukraine, with the US leader chiding Zelensky for refusing to recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea.

Iran, China FMs emphasize strategic partnership in countering unilateralism

The Iranian foreign minister underlined the firm determination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to comprehensively boost ties with China within the framework of the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership treaty.

Palestinian Authority president calls Hamas ‘sons of dogs’ over Gaza war

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has called Hamas “sons of dogs”, demanding the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of the group.

Powerful earthquake strikes near Istanbul, scores injured in panic

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday leading to scenes of panic in the Turkish metropolis, officials have announced.

Chogha Zanbil: Grandeur of Iran’s Elamite architecture

Chogha Zanbil, an ancient ziggurat in Khuzestan, southern Iran, is the first Iranian site registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list and one of the oldest stepped temples in the world.

Iranian Taekwondo athletes snatch 4 gold medals in China

At the end of the first day of the World Taekwondo Federation President's Cup in China, Iranian taekwondo athletes won 4 gold medals, 1 silver, and 3 bronze.

Ukraine peace talks downgraded

Top diplomats of the United States, Ukraine, France, Germany and the United Kingdom have postponed a planned meeting in London, downgrading the negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine to discussions among their senior officials.

‘National disgrace’: US lawmakers decry pro-Palestine student detentions on visit to jails

US congressional lawmakers have denounced the treatment of Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk, the students being detained by US immigration authorities for their pro-Palestinian activism, as a “national disgrace” during a visit to the two facilities in Louisiana where each are being held.

Iran condemns US fresh sanctions amid talks

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry rapped the new sanctions the US Treasury Department has imposed on a number of natural and legal persons engaged in Iran’s oil and gas industry and also on people in connection with the country’s peaceful nuclear program.

Israeli military needs additional $2.6 billion to expand Gaza war: Report

The Israeli military estimates that it will need an additional 10 billion shekels ($2.6 billion) to expand its war on the Gaza Strip, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.