Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Israel threatens to further shrink, isolate Gaza, around 51k Gazans slaughtered

As the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli army's genocide in Gaza has reached 51,000, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to further shrink and isolate the Gaza Strip, where intensifying military operations continue.

Historic runner-up finish for Iranian squash player in Japan

Iranian squash player Fereshteh Eghtedari made history by finishing as runner-up at the Women's World Ranking Tournament in Yokohama, Japan — a milestone achievement for Iranian women in the sport.

Iranian documentary filmmaker, Arash Kordsali, laid to rest

The body of Arash Kordsali, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker from the southern Iranian province of Khuzestan was laid to rest in the provincial capital city, Ahvaz.

Israel bombs Gaza hospital, forcing patients to flee

Israel's military bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, the largest remaining functioning hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, leaving critically ill patients on the street in the early hours of Sunday.

Russia and Ukraine to hold direct talks in Ankara: CNN Turk

Russian and Ukrainian representatives will hold direct negotiations in Ankara next week, CNN Turk has reported, citing sources in the Turkish Defense Ministry.

Iranian lawmakers condemn desecration of Quran in the Netherlands

Over 170 members of Iran’s Parliament have issued a statement strongly condemning the recent act of desecration against the Holy Quran in the Dutch capital. The statement was read aloud in Sunday’s open session of the parliament.

Media Activist: Oman talks Diplomatic Victory for Iran, US

Mohammad Mahmoudi, an Iranian media activist, referring to Saturday’s talks between Iranian and American delegations in Muscat, writes that these negotiations have already become a win-win situation even before starting, with no possibility of failure. The talks, whether direct or indirect, will undoubtedly yield positive outcomes for the future of the Islamic Republic and the region.

Dozens killed in Russia strikes on Ukrainian city of Sumy, deadliest in 2025

Russian missiles hit the Ukrainian city of Sumy in the deadliest raid this year, killing more than 30 people, including two children, as residents gathered for Sunday church services, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Iranian MP praises professionalism of nuclear negotiation team

The head of the Iranian Parliament's Nuclear Committee has emphasized the global recognition of Iran's negotiation team as highly professional.

Iran’s Leader emphasizes strengthening armed forces’ weaponry capabilities

The Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, described Iran's armed forces as the country's fortress and a refuge for the nation against any aggressor, stating that the country's progress has caused anger and frustration among Iran's adversaries.

Iranian currency strengthens amid positive signals from indirect Iran-US nuclear talks

The Iranian currency market has experienced significant declines in exchange rates following indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, described as "positive and constructive" by both parties.

‘Let Us Wait!’ – A response to Kayhan’s opposition to nuclear negotiations

The principlist Kayhan newspaper ran a front-page headline on Sunday warning: "The Prospect of a Deal With Trump Remains Unclear – Don't Keep the Country Waiting!"

Iran says next round of negotiations with US to be indirect, mediated by Oman

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, has stated that the next round of talks between Tehran and Washington will continue to be indirect and mediated by Oman, though discussions are ongoing regarding whether Oman will remain the venue for the discussions.

Israeli-US captive accuses Trump of falling for Netanyahu’s lies, blocking Gaza prisoner release

"Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander, who is being held in the Gaza Strip, condemned US President Donald Trump for falling victim to the 'lies of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,' which he said are blocking his release and that of other captives.

Kurdish fighters withdraw from key Syrian dam after agreement with Damascus

The Syrian government has deployed forces to a key dam in northern Syria, taking over from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) following a deal.

Iranian speaker rejects claim, confirms parl’t was aware of Muscat negotiations with US

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has denied claims that legislators were kept in the dark about indirect nuclear negotiations with the US held on Saturday in Oman.

Results of US-Iran negotiations in Oman reassuring: Russian diplomat

Russian Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov has described the results of Saturday’s US-Iran talks in Oman as "reassuring."

Iran’s Parviz Khan Customs records $996 million in exports to Iraq

Parviz Khan Customs in Iran’s western Kermanshah Province reported a remarkable performance in 2023, achieving exports valued at $996 million and totaling 2.878 million tons of goods to Iraq.

Washington ‘demands control’ from Kyiv of key pipeline carrying Russian gas: Reuters

The United States has demanded control of a crucial pipeline in Ukraine used to send Russian gas to Europe, according to reports, in a move described as a colonial shakedown.

Trump extends Russia sanctions for another year

President Donald Trump has prolonged US sanctions on Russia for 12 months, based on the supposition that Moscow still poses a serious threat to the country’s national security.

Israeli military cuts off Gaza’s Rafah

The Israeli army says it has completed the construction of "the Morag Corridor", which cuts off the city of Rafah from the rest of Gaza, as it is expanding attacks on the southern part of the Strip.

Negotiations with Iran “going OK”: Trump

US President Donald Trump declined to weigh in substantively on high-stakes talks in Oman to reach a new nuclear deal with Iran, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that discussions are “going OK.”

White House says Iran talks positive, constructive

The White House called Saturday's negotiations between US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy and Iran’s foreign minister a step in the right direction,  confirming plans for follow-up talks next week.

Iran says talks with US held in constructive atmosphere, negotiations to continue next week

Iran says the first round of nuclear talks with the US was held in a constructive atmosphere in the Omani capital, Muscat, and that the two sides have agreed to pursue the negotiations next week.

At least 500 children killed since Israel broke Gaza ceasefire: Palestinian official

At least 500 Palestinian children have been killed by sustained Israeli air raids and bombardments in the Gaza Strip since Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas last month, according to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson of the Gaza Civil Defence.