Thursday, January 1, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

UN experts accuse Israel of genocidal acts and sexual violence during Gaza war

Israel carried out "genocidal acts" against Palestinians by systematically destroying women's healthcare facilities during its war on Gaza, and used sexual violence as a war strategy, United Nations experts have announced in a new report.

Syria’s interim President signs constitutional declaration for 5-year transitional period

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has inked a draft constitutional declaration on Thursday, establishing a five-year transitional period for the country.

Envoy slams UNSC meeting as an ‘interference’ in Iran’s cooperation with IAEA

Iran has strongly objected to a United Nations Security Council meeting on the country’s nuclear program, calling it an “unwarranted interference” in Tehran’s ongoing collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

EU parliament accuses US of ‘blackmailing’ Ukrainian leadership into capitulating to Russia

EU lawmakers passed a wide-ranging joint declaration condemning the U.S. for "blackmailing" Ukrainian leadership into capitulating to Russia.

Tehran faces severe water crisis as reservoirs drop to 5% capacity

The water situation in Tehran has reached a critical level, with four major dams supplying the capital now holding only 5% of their capacity.

30-day ceasefire agreement may be struck within days: Rubio

A 30-day ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine may be finalized within "days", U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated.

US officials heading to Russia for ceasefire negotiations: Trump

American representatives are on their way to Russia to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in the White House.

Iran proposes ‘new idea’ to resolve issues with IAEA: Foreign minister

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, announced that Tehran has proposed a “new idea” to address ongoing issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Hamas welcomes Trump’s pullback from mass displacement plan of Gazans

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has welcomed United States President Donald Trump’s apparent retreat from his proposed permanent displacement of more than two million Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip.

Iran’s population surpasses 86 million: Statistical Center data

Iran’s population has officially exceeded 86 million, as reported by the Statistical Center of Iran on Wednesday.

Iranian FM confirms letter from US president received

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced on his Instagram account on Thursday that he received a letter from  US President Donald Trump.

No one expelling anyone from Gaza: Trump

Amid row over his 'Gaza Plan', US President Donald Trump asserted that no one would be "expelled" from the besieged Strip.

Over 800 extrajudicial killings documented in Syria violence: Report

The recent surge in violence in coastal Syria has resulted in more than 800 extrajudicial killings, a war monitor has announced in a new report.

Canada announces plan to ease sanctions on Syria

Ottawa has announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria as the interim government in Damascus seeks international support.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Trump’s call for negotiations ‘deception’

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has stated a call by US President Donald Trump for talks with Tehran is nothing but an attempt to "deceive the world public opinion" and portray Iran as the party not willing to give diplomacy another chance.

Ukraine doesn’t trust Russia but wants to show readiness for peace: Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine agreed to Washington's temporary truce proposal to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump and its European partners that it is serious about ending the war.

Russia discussed Iran nuclear agreement with US, maintains contact with Europeans: Moscow

Moscow has discussed the Iran nuclear deal with Washington and maintains some communication with the Europeans, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told US bloggers Mario Nawfal, Larry Johnson and Andrew Napolitano in an interview.

China, Russia, Iran to hold nuclear negotiations in Beijing on Friday

Beijing will hold a meeting on Friday with Tehran and Moscow on the Iranian nuclear issue, China’s foreign ministry has stated, with both nations sending their deputy foreign ministers.

Russia unlikely to accept 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine: Reuters

Moscow is unlikely to agree to a temporary truce in Ukraine proposed by Washington, feeling it has the upper hand on the battlefield and viewing the ceasefire as a trap, Reuters has reported, citing undisclosed Russian sources.

US frim Maxar restores Ukraine’s access to high-resolution satellite imagery: Report

U.S. aerospace company Maxar Technologies has restored Ukraine's access to the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (GEGD) service, allowing Kyiv to utilize high-resolution commercial satellite imagery again, Militarnyi reported on Wednesday, citing users of the service.

Israel frees four Lebanese captives, agrees to join border negotiations

Lebanon announced it has received four hostages taken by Israel during its war with Hezbollah, as Tel Aviv said it has agreed to engage in talks to demarcate its border with Lebanon.

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since start of ceasefire

At least 137 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire  took effect in Gaza in January, local authorities have announced.

US threatens to slash federal funding to 60 universities

The US Department of Education (DOE) has sent letters to 60 universities, warning them of "potential enforcement actions" if they fail to "protect" Jewish students on campus.

Trump’s letter to Iran yet to be delivered by a regional country, FM Araghchi says

Despite widespread speculation and claims, a letter reportedly sent by US President Donald Trump to Iran has not yet been received but is expected to be delivered by a regional country, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

Israeli troops kill at least four people in West Bank

Israeli soldiers have killed at least four Palestinians, including a 60-year-old woman, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority (PA) announced.