Thursday, January 1, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Russia and Ukraine agree on Black Sea ceasefire

Moscow and Kiev have agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea after parallel talks with US negotiators in Saudi Arabia.

US offering conditional partial sanctions relief in Syria: Reuters

The United States has dangled the prospect of partial sanctions relief in front of Syria in return for a list of demands.

US  judge blocks deportation of pro-Palestinian Korean American student activist

An American judge has ruled that Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Korean American student at Columbia University who is being sought for deportation by the administration of President Donald Trump, cannot be detained as she fights endeavours to remove her from the United States over her pro-Palestinian views.

Congratulations pour in on Iranian soccer team’s World Cup qualification

Global football authorities and Iranian officials have poured in congratulations as Iran's national team secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country's fourth consecutive qualification for football's premier tournament.

U.S. sanctions three Iranian officials over disappearance of FBI agent

Washington has imposed sanctions on three Iranian intelligence officers for their involvement in the disappearance of former FBI Special Agent Robert Levinson, the U.S. Treasury and State departments announced in press releases on Tuesday. Iran denies the allegation.

Spy agencies claim Russia, Iran, China, North Korea teaming up against US like never before

America’s four great adversaries — China, Iran, North Korea and Russia — are increasingly acting in unison to undercut US interests, the intelligence community has claimed.

Turkey arrests more than 1,400 protesters after jailing of Istanbul mayor

Over 1,400 people have been detained during protests following the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkish Interior Ministry has announced.

Iran qualifies for 2026 World Cup after 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan

Iran’s national football team secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday night.

AFC Beach Soccer Championship: Iran defeats UAE to secure third straight win

Iran’s national beach soccer team claimed a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the United Arab Emirates in their third Group C match at the 2025 AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup, currently underway in Thailand.

Dozens, including children, killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza

Renewed Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip have killed dozens of Palestinians, including children, as Tel Aviv has issued a new round of forced displacement orders across the besieged enclave.

Russia seeking full control of partially occupied Ukrainian regions in negotiations with US: Report

Moscow is pushing to gain full control over four occupied Ukrainian oblasts—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—during talks with Washington in Saudi Arabia, the Moscow Times reported, citing sources familiar with the Kremlin’s strategy.

WATCH: Moment devastating flood sweeps through village in Iran’s Kermanshah

A powerful flood tore through the village of Darbdarreh in Kermanshah Province, western Iran, following intense rainfall that began on March 20.

President Pezeshkian visits Lake Urmia, seeks intl. expertise for revival efforts

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, currently on a visit to East Azarbaijan Province, made a stop at Lake Urmia on Tuesday to assess its deteriorating condition and review the ongoing efforts aimed at its restoration.

Iran preparing response to Trump’s letter, rules out direct talks under pressure

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is preparing an official response to a recent letter from U.S. President Donald Trump.

American senators push Trump to seize Russian assets for Ukraine: Reuters

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging the administration of President Donald Trump to transfer more than $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine instead of limiting assistance to the interest earned on those funds.

Iran’s FM stresses South Caucasus importance following Armenia visit

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has emphasized the strategic significance of the South Caucasus region in Tehran's foreign policy during an official visit to Armenia.

Russia managed to influence American leadership: Zelensky

Russian propaganda is successfully influencing  some people in the White House, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed in an interview with Time magazine.

Iran’s ancient art of Qalamzani gains global recognition

The centuries-old Persian art of Qalamzani, or metal engraving, has earned international acclaim, with Isfahan's traditional craft receiving UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage designation in October last year.

US claims on Iran’s oil industry baseless: FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the recent US allegations regarding Iran's oil tankers as baseless pretexts for imposing further sanctions on the Iranian oil industry.

UN plans to downsize international team in Gaza due to Israeli strikes

The United Nations has announced that it will be reducing the size of its international staff on the ground in the Gaza Strip. It follows renewed Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territory, killing hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel.

China refutes involvement in Ukraine ‘peacekeeping’ contingent

Beijing has rejected a media report suggesting that China could take part in a potential EU deployment of ‘peacekeeping’ forces to Ukraine, reaffirming its stance in favor of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Iran arrests 22 over ethnic tensions in West Azarbaijan Province

Iranian security forces have detained 22 individuals accused of inciting ethnic hatred in West Azarbaijan Province, according to a local police commander.

Turkey protests over detention of Istanbul’s mayor an internal matter: Iran FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called the demonstrations in Turkey over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu a domestic matter which "will be properly managed" by Ankara.

Iran asserts oil trade operates within legal frameworks, denies claims of shipment seizures

Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum has rejected claims by Iraq’s oil minister regarding the alleged seizure of Iranian oil tankers by the US, calling the reports "unfounded and politically motivated."

Atomic agency spokesperson: Iran firm in upholding nuclear rights amid int’l pressure

The spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to defending its nuclear rights, dismissing Western pressure as "ineffective" and vowing to pursue justice and global peace.