Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

American judge rules Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to remain in US for now

A US federal judge has denied the administration of President Donald Trump's bid to dismiss activist Mahmoud Khalil's challenge to his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and has decided to shift the jurisdiction of the case to the state of New Jersey.

Trump calls on Iran to stop aiding Houthis

US President Donald Trump has stressed that Iran must completely halt any assistance it is supplying to Yemen's Houthi group, vowing to destroy it. Iran has repeatedly denied such allegations.

Zelensky agrees to halt attack on Russian energy infrastructure during phone call with Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iranians prepare Haft-Seen tables to welcome Nowruz, Persian New Year

As the Persian New Year, Nowruz, approaches, households across Iran are busy setting up Haft-Seen tables, a cherished tradition symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and the arrival of spring.

Several killed in Gaza as Israel continues air attacks

Several Palestinians have been killed in overnight and early morning Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, a day after more than 400 were killed across the besieged enclave.

Major Persian Gulf markets in red on geopolitical woes

Major stock markets in the Persian Gulf fell in early trade on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions escalated in the Middle East after Israeli air attacks killed hundreds in the Gaza Strip, shattering nearly two months of relative calm since a ceasefire began.

21 people killed in road accidents across Iran in 24 hours

Iran’s traffic police commander said on Wednesday that 21 people have died in road accidents across Iran over the past 24 hours.

Turkey arrests Istanbul mayor, Erdogan’s key rival

Turkey detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the main rival of President Tayyip Erdogan, on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group in what the main opposition party calls "a coup against our next president".

Blooms and cheer: Flower market thrives in Tehran in final days of Persian year

As the Persian New Year approaches, Tehran's local flower and plant markets are bustling with activity.

US considering relinquishing leadership of NATO’s European command: NBC

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering scrapping the longstanding role of the US in leading NATO's military operations in Europe, NBC News has reported, citing unnamed defense officials.

‘I don’t want us to be on Putin’s menu’: Zelensky says ceasefire negotiations must include Ukraine

Kyiv must be included in all future negotiations regarding steps to end Russia's full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated in a virtual press conference.

Palestinian Mahmoud Khalil calls himself ‘Political prisoner’ over US arrest

Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student who the administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking to deport for his role in pro-Palestinian protests, has called himself a “political prisoner”, in his first direct comments since detention.

More Americans say Ukraine not getting enough help from US: Poll

More Americans now think the United States is not doing enough to help Ukraine in its war against the Russian onslaught, an uptick from late last year, according to a Gallup survey.

Iran marks 74th anniversary of oil industry nationalization

Iran marked the 74th anniversary of the nationalization of its oil industry on Wednesday, a landmark event in the nation’s history.

Chaos in Iran’s Chaharshanbe Suri: 15 dead, over 1,000 injured, air pollution spikes

Iran’s Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations, marking the last Wednesday eve of the Persian New Year, turned tragic as 15 people lost their lives and over 1,000 were injured, according to the head of Iran’s Emergency Organization.

Macron confirms France to deploy nuclear-armed planes to German border

France will upgrade one of its main air bases along its border with Germany to host Rafale fighter planes armed with nuclear cruise missiles, French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed.

Iran rejects UN human rights mechanisms, vows non-cooperation with fact-finding mission

The Iranian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, declared on Tuesday that Iran will not cooperate with the UN’s fact-finding mission under any circumstances.

Iran parl’t speaker: Morality patrols completely removed

The Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, announced on Wednesday that the enforcement of the hijab law, including the controversial morality patrols, has been suspended.

Iran’s daily gasoline use hits record of 144 million liters on eve of Persian New Year holidays

Iran has reported a new record in gasoline consumption as motorists take to the roads at the start of a busy travel season that coincides with the Persian New Year holidays.

Putin supports limited 30-day ceasefire deal in call with Trump

US President Donald Trump spoke for nearly three hours with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday amid the U.S. push to secure Moscow’s agreement to a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine.

President Sisi says Egypt loses $800 million monthly in Suez Canal revenue amid regional turmoil

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has stated that regional instability costs the country roughly $800 million monthly in Suez Canal revenue, though he noted the African nation’s economy shows signs of improvement.

Ex-head of Parliament’s foreign policy committee warns of Iran-U.S. conflict risk 

The former chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has warned that without direct diplomatic engagement between Iran and the U.S., tensions in the Middle East could spiral into a conflict neither country intends. 

Iranians celebrate Chaharshanbeh Suri, an ancient festival of fire and renewal

On the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian calendar year, Iranians across the country come together to celebrate Chaharshanbeh Suri, meaning Wednesday Feast, a vibrant and ancient festival of fire that heralds the arrival of spring and the Persian New Year, Nowruz, on March 20.

Russian energy giant Gazprom suffered $13.1 billion loss last year: Report

The loss of a key European market has dealt a severe financial blow to Russian energy giant Gazprom, resulting in net losses of 1.076 trillion rubles ($13.1 billion) in 2024, the Moscow Times has reported.

Syria, Lebanon agree to ceasefire after cross-border attacks kill 10, injure dozens

The defense ministers of Syria and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire, Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reported, after cross-border attacks left 10 dead and more than 50 wounded.