Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

President Pezeshkian: Iran, Saudi Arabia can be model for regional cooperation

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshikian says the Islamic Republic is fully prepared to expand relations with Saudi Arabia in all fields, including defense sector, and extend bilateral cooperation to other Islamic countries.

UK to support Germany dispatching Taurus missiles to Ukraine: Telegraph

The United Kingdom would support a potential German decision to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the Telegraph has reported, citing an undisclosed British foreign policy official.

Saudi defense minister arrives in Tehran for landmark visit

Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud arrived in Tehran on Thursday for talks with senior Iranian officials.

Iran rejects UK’s ‘unfounded’ allegations

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has dismissed as baseless and bogus the accusations msde by the British foreign secretary against Tehran.

EU fails to agree on sanctions on Russian gas: Reuters

The European Union has shelved the idea of banning Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) imports due to opposition from some members and uncertainty about alternative supplies, Reuters has reported, citing undisclosed EU officials.

IAEA Chief engaged in active shuttle diplomacy between Iran, U.S. amid nuclear talks

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), described his recent visit to Tehran as part of an ongoing diplomatic effort to support progress in the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Non-nuclear issues not on Tehran’s agenda for negotiations with Washington: Iran deputy FM

A member of the Iranian negotiating team has stated that non-nuclear issues are not on the agenda of the Iran-US  talks.

Gaza war would ‘end immediately’ if Israeli captives released: US envoy

Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip will end if Hamas releases all remaining captives, US President Donald Trump’s top hostage envoy said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

WTO warns of global trade decline amid US tariff war

The World Trade Organization (WTO) described the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump as a “crisis”,  warning that things could get worse if “the situation deteriorates.”

IAEA chief visits Iran’s nuclear achievements exhibition following high-level talks

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, visited the Nuclear Industry Achievements exhibition in Tehran on Thursday after several hours of discussions with Iran's Vice President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami.

Mehdi Taremi named Iran’s Athlete of the Year at National Sports Awards

Inter Milan and Iran national team striker Mehdi Taremi was crowned Iran's top athlete for 2023-24 at Wednesday night's "Iran's Champion" awards ceremony, attended by President Massoud Pezeshkian, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali and officials from the national Olympic and Paralympic committees.

Israel says to continue blocking aid to Gaza and soldiers to remain ‘indefinitely’

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has stated Tel Aviv will continue blocking lifesaving supplies, such as food, medicine, fuel, and cooking oil, from entering the war-battered Gaza Strip despite stark warnings from international medical charity groups.

Iran, Iraq sign agreement for NGL 3100 feedstock supply to border province petrochemical plant

Iran and Iraq have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to supply NGL 3100 feedstock to Dehloran Petrochemical Plant, in western Iranian border province of Ilam.

Israel allows dozens of Jews to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for first time

Israel has allowed dozens of  Jewish worshippers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, the largest number ever permitted by the authorities.

US puts sanctions on Chinese buyers of Iranian oil

The United States has imposed sanctions on Chinese importers of Iranian oil despite being involved in negotiations with Iran to sort out differences over its nuclear program.

Iran FM says talks with IAEA chief “constructive”; urges agency to maintain neutral role in nuclear talks

Iran's foreign minister says that constructive talks with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could help resolve outstanding nuclear issues, while urging the agency to remain impartial.

Iran warns ‘moving goalposts’ could derail Tehran-Washington negotiations

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has warned that making fundamental mistakes could disrupt the talks between Iran and the United States.

Taremi’s strike against Milan in Serie A voted as best goal of year

Iranian international footballer Mehdi Tarem’s strike against Milan has been voted as the best goal of the Persian year of 1403 in a competition entitled “Iran’s Champion: held by the national Iranian Radio and Television station, IRIB.

Gaza has become ‘mass grave’ for Palestinians: MSF

As Israel resumes and expands its onslaught on Gaza by land, air, and sea, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Wednesday denounced the mounting toll on Palestinian civilians and aid workers, saying the enclave has become a "mass grave" for Palestinians.

Trump tariffs will mean world uses less oil in 2025: IEA

The world will use less crude oil than expected this year due the “substantial risks” posed by US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs to the global economy, according to the global energy watchdog.

At least 1,400 medical personnel killed in Gaza war: Health Ministry

At least 1,400 medical personnel have been killed during Israel's onslaught on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Health in the besieged enclave has announced.

Trump admin. seeking to cancel ‘almost all’ funding for NATO, UN: NYT

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering a budget proposal that would eliminate “almost all funding for international organizations like the United Nations and NATO”, the New York Times has reported, citing officials and an internal memo.

Sanctions-hit aging fleet, equipment blamed for Tehran metro incident

A train operating in the Iranian capital Tehran experienced a breakdown on Wednesday morning that forced passengers to walk approximately three kilometers along the rail tracks to reach the nearest station.

Veteran Iranian journalist says US has “crossed red lines” in nuclear talks

The chief editor of Iran’s Kayhan newspaper has sharply criticized the US following the first round of indirect nuclear negotiations on Saturday in Oman, accusing Washington of failing its initial "truth test" by violating established red lines.

Iran’s FM to handover Ayatollah Khamenei’s written letter to Putin

Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will deliver the written letter of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a trip to Moscow.