Friday, January 2, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Trump says received an important letter from Zelensky

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he appreciates Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement in support of peace talks, but did not directly discuss his decision to halt military aid to Ukraine in his address to a joint session of the Congress.

Israel’s Shin Bet investigation finds government-wide policy failures leading to Hamas October 2023 attack

A long-awaited investigation by Israel's internal law enforcement agency, the Shin Bet, has found that both political and intelligence failures led to the Hamas attack in October 2023, including a lack of coordination between the Israeli military and the Shin Bet itself.

Ukraine president says White House clash ‘regrettable’, proposes steps for peace

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House "did not go the way it was supposed to be", calling the fallout "regrettable".

US VP dismisses criticising Britain, France over Ukraine peacekeeping proposal

United States Vice President JD Vance has denied that his criticism of a potential European peacekeeping force in Ukraine was aimed at Britain and France, both of which have supported US-led wars in the past.

Russia: Threats of using military force against Iran’s nuclear facilities ‘unacceptable’

Russia has dismissed threats of using military force against Iran's nuclear sites, cautioning that such actions would have catastrophic consequences.

Iran’s parliament approves Thursday holidays for government offices

Iran’s Parliament has approved a bill mandating a five-day workweek for government offices, effectively making Thursdays a day off.

Arab leaders endorse Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza

Arab leaders have endorsed an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip that would allow its residents to remain in the besieged enclave, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has stated.

White House turmoil reflects global diplomatic shifts, says Iranian FM

In an op-ed titled "Chaos in the White House; Dizziness in Global Politics," published in the Tehran-based Ettelaat Newspaper, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi analyzed the implications of a recent public dispute between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Sea buckthorn saplings planted in Tehran’s Pardisan Park to mark Arbor Day

On the occasion of National Tree Planting Day, a ceremony for planting Sea buckthorn saplings was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Pardisan Park in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

US designates Yemen’s Houthi group as ‘foreign terrorist’ organisation

The United States State Department has reinstated the “foreign terrorist organization” designation for Yemen’s Houthi group, fulfilling an order announced by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office.

E3 considers seizing frozen Russian assets in ceasefire negotiations: FT

France, Germany, and the UK are exploring ways to seize over 200 billion euros ($210 billion) in frozen Russian assets as part of the ceasefire talks over Ukraine war, officials familiar with the discussions told Financial Times (FT).

Russia says ready to facilitate US-Iran negotiations

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Bloomberg on Tuesday that Moscow is ready to broker talks between Washington and Tehran, including on Iran’s nuclear program and its "regional proxy network."

Pentagon denies halting cyber operations against Moscow: Bloomberg

The Pentagon has denied that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a halt to cyber operations against Russia, Bloomberg reported, citing an unnamed senior defense official.

US weighs lifting sanctions on Russia: Reuters

The White House has directed the State and Treasury departments to draft proposals for easing certain sanctions on Moscow, Reuters has reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Israeli military kills Palestinian in Jenin amid ongoing offensive in West Bank

The Israeli army on Tuesday killed a young Palestinian man in Jenin amid the ongoing onslaught in the northern occupied West Bank, that has been taking place since mid-January.

US halts financing new weapons sales to Ukraine: WSJ

The United States has suspended funding for any new arms sales to Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing unnamed sources.

Advisor to Iran’s Leader deplores Turkey’s diplomatic conduct, warns of Syria’s fragmentation, predicts EU collapse

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran’s Leader, has criticized Turkey’s diplomatic conduct, warning that provocative statements regarding Iran, could harm bilateral relations.

Turkey ‘false’ statements could affect bilateral ties: Iran

An aide to the Iranian Foreign Minister has reacted to recent comments by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Iran, telling Ankara's envoy to Tehran that "false statements and unrealistic analyses" should be avoided.

Iranian gov’t congratulates “In the Shadow of the Cypress” animation team for Oscar win

The spokesperson for the Iranian government, Fatemeh Mohajerani, has congratulated the creators of the animated short film “In the Shadow of the Cypress” for winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Time isn’t on Ukraine’s side: US

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has warned Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky not to test the limits of Washington’s patience, financial support, and military resources, arguing that now is the time to shift towards negotiations rather than prolonging the conflict with Russia.

Iranian daily denounces economy minister’s impeachment as ‘political maneuvering’

The government-affiliated Iran daily has rapped the impeachment of Iran’s now-dismissed minister of economy Abdolnaser Hemmati in an editorial on Tuesday, following a parliamentary vote of no confidence on Sunday.

Israeli engineer captured for offering Iran info on Dimona nuclear reactor: Report

Authorities say an Israeli engineer has been arrested for initiating contact with Iranian intelligence and offering to sell sensitive information including  access to a nuclear research center, according to a report.

IAEA stresses pursuing constructive relations with Iran

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has stated Tehran and the United Nations atomic agency need to engage in constructive and continued talks to resolve issues pertaining to Iran’s nuclear program.

Hamas calls on mediators to oblige Israel to start talks for 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has urged mediators to intervene to prevent the collapse of a Gaza ceasefire accord and start negotiations for the second phase of the deal.

2 Gazans killed, 3 injured by Israeli military despite ceasefire

Two Palestinians were killed and three others injured by Israeli army fire in southern Gaza on Monday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire accord between Tel Aviv and Hamas.