Thursday, January 1, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

European states reconsidering troop deployment in Ukraine: FT

European countries supporting Ukraine in the conflict with Russia are shifting away from the idea of deploying troops to the country, the Financial Times has reported.

Police: 185 die in Iran road accidents during Nowruz holidays

The commander of Iran's traffic police says 185 people have died in road accidents since the start of Nowruz holidays on March 15.

Negotiations on dividing territory between Moscow and Kiev ongoing: Trump

Talks about the terms of “dividing up the lands” between Moscow and Kiev are in full swing, US President Donald Trump has stated.

Iran raps US complicity in Israeli crimes

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has refuted US and Israeli allegations of destabilizing activities by Tehran, stressing that they aim to shield Israel and 'perpetuate impunity for its crimes.

Trump’s envoy: US ‘open to an opportunity to clean it all up with Iran’

The US special envoy to the Middle East stated that President Donald Trump is “open to an opportunity to clean it all up with Iran" after his military threats were rebuffed by Tehran as getting them nowhere.

Isfahan Bird Garden: A feathered haven for Nowruz travelers

The Isfahan Bird Garden, located in the Nazhvan Forest Park in central Iran, is welcoming Nowruz travelers and tourists from across Iran during the Persian New Year holidays.

Two Iranian youths rescued from drug cartel near US-Mexico border home

Two Iranian youths who were trapped by drug cartels near the US-Mexico border have been safely returned to Iran following a three-day rescue operation, according to reports on Saturday.

France considers UN peacekeeping mission for Ukraine in case of peace agreement: Telegraph

French President Emmanuel Macron is exploring the possibility of establishing a United Nations-led peacekeeping mission to protect Ukraine in the event of a potential peace deal, the Telegraph has reported.

Germany confiscates Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker in Baltic Sea: Der Spiegel

The German government has seized a tanker stranded in the Baltic Sea linked to Russia's "shadow fleet", Der Spiegel has reported, citing security sources.

US claims Ukraine will hold presidential elections

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has told American journalist Tucker Carlson in an interview that Ukraine's leadership has agreed to hold a presidential election.

Thousands join march in Istanbul to protest mayor’s detention

Thousands of demonstrators have joined a march in Istanbul in support of the city’s arrested mayor, defying a warning from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that authorities would crack down on “street terror”.

China urges end to US meddling in Beijing-Tehran cooperation

China has called on the United States to stop its interference in Beijing’s economic collaboration with Tehran.

Russia says Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear energy

Moscow has once again defended Tehran's nuclear program, saying it is completely peaceful in nature and complies with international law.

Ancient watermills of Iran’s Dezful attract visitors on first day of Nowruz

The historic watermills of Dezful, in southwestern Iran, is one of the country’s most valuable cultural heritage sites that drew visitors on the first day of the Persian New Year on Friday.

Israeli Supreme Court halts dismissal of Shin Bet head

Israel's Supreme Court has issued an injunction temporarily freezing the dismissal of the head of the domestic intelligence service as protests continue against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US Secretary of State threatens Iran with regime change

US President Donald Trump is prepared to take military action against Iran and could go as far as threatening Tehran if diplomatic bids to renew dialogue on the country’s nuclear program do not succeed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated.

Millions of Iranians participate in Laylat al-Qadr night vigils

Millions of people in several Iranian cities, including the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom, participated on Friday in night vigils and prayers to mark Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Destiny, one of the holiest occasions in Islam that commemorates the revelation of the Holy Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad over 14 centuries ago.

Israeli defense minister orders military to occupy more areas in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the army to occupy more areas in the Gaza Strip after expelling Palestinian residents, as Tel Aviv resumed its genocidal war on the Palestinian enclave earlier this week.

Quakes hit Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan Province

Several earthquakes have hit an area near the central Iranian city of Natanz several hours apart.

Iran atomic chief: Outstanding achievements of nuclear industry to be unveiled in April

The director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says Tehran has made significant nuclear progress in recent years, adding that in the last Persian year, Iranian scientists showed they are steadfast in achieving desired results with self-confidence and are committed to pursuing their goals.

167 lives lost in road accidents in Iran over 5 days during Nowruz Holiday

Iran’s Traffic Police reported a tragic toll of 167 fatalities and 4,751 injuries in road accidents during the first five days of the Nowruz holiday travel period, which began on March 15.

European countries plan to replace US in NATO by 2035: FT

Europe’s NATO members are drawing up a plan to gradually replace the United States as their key defense guarantor over the next five to ten years, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources.

UK discussing deploying military aircrafts to Ukraine under potential peace deal: Telegraph

British military leaders have discussed deploying Royal Air Force (RAF) jets to Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, the Telegraph reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Israel’s cabinet agrees to Netanyahu’s dismissal of Shin Bet chief

Israel’s cabinet has approved the sacking of the head of the domestic security agency, endorsing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to oust the intelligence chief over a lack of trust amid the regional tensions.

White House says Trump ‘fully supports’ Israel’s military operation in Gaza

US President Donald Trump "fully supports Israel" as Tel Aviv resumes its aerial and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, the White House announced amid an escalating death toll.