Friday, January 2, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

Israel conducts air attacks near Syria’s Tartous

Israel has carried out air attacks near Syria’s Mediterranean port city of Tartous, Syrian state media reported.

UNICEF warns of severe impact on Gaza children as Israel stops aid deliveries

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Israel's halt to humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip will have "devastating consequences" for children and families struggling to survive.

Saudi crown prince, Lebanese president hold meeting in Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has held official talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Riyadh.

Govt. spokeswoman: Zarif’s resignation not yet accepted by Iran President

Iranian Government Spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has said President Masoud Pezeshkian has not yet accepted Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif’s resignation.

Iranian court convicts 44 people in massive fraud case

A court in Iran has found dozens of people including two former ministers guilty in a fraud and embezzlement case known as Debsh Tea.

Old man dead in stabbing attack in Israel’s Haifa

A 70-year-old man was killed and three others were wounded in a stabbing attack in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, officials have confirmed.

Israel plans escalation in Gaza within a week: KAN

Israel plans to implement an escalatory strategy against the Gaza Strip within a week, including cutting off electricity, assassinations and displacing Palestinians from northern to southern parts of the besieged enclave, Israeli sources have announced.

Iran slams IAEA chief’s ‘speculative’ nuclear bomb claims, vows to continue diplomacy with Europe

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, has dismissed recent claims by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi that Iran is close to developing a nuclear bomb.

FBI Director urges US Congress to investigate Ukraine aid transparency

Kash Patel, the newly appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has called on US Congress to investigate how aid money sent to Ukraine has been used, The Epoch Times has reported.

Just 4 percent of Americans support Russia in Ukraine war: Poll

Only 4 percent of surveyed Americans say they support Russia in the war in Ukraine, while 44 percent say they do not support Ukraine, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll.

Britain announces ‘coalition of willing’ to deploy troops in Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK and France are prepared to lead a “coalition of the willing” to provide military support to Ukraine.This includes the deployment of forces and aircraft, aiming to secure Kiev’s positions once a peace deal with Moscow has been reached.

Israeli PM rejects 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire deal, admits use of starvation against Gazans

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday refuted moving to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, acknowledging his use of starvation tactics against the territory’s population to pressure the Palestinian group, Hamas.

Iran Strategic Vice President Zarif resigns amid political pressure

Iran’s Vice President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, announced his resignation on Sunday following a meeting with the head of the judiciary, who advised him to return to academia to alleviate additional pressure on the government.

Iranian animation wins Oscar at 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony celebrated cinematic excellence, with the Iranian animated short film In the Shadow of the Cypress making history by winning the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

At least 116 Palestinians killed by Israel since start of Gaza ceasefire

At least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, taking the death toll since the ceasefire agreement in January to 116, the Health Ministry announced.

President Pezeshkian congratulates Muslim leaders on holy month of Ramadan

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered his congratulations to leaders of Muslim states on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, expressing hope that their collective efforts will strengthen cooperation among Muslim nations.

France, UK working on developing one month truce plan for Ukraine: Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are working on a plan to reach a one-month truce in Ukraine, according to Paris.

Satellite images show Taliban’s diversion of Helmand river away from Iran

Satellite images confirm that the Taliban has once again diverted the flow of the Helmand River towards the Godzareh depression instead of allowing water to reach Iran as previously agreed.

Hamas: Israel evading its obligations under Gaza ceasefire accord

The Palestinian group Hamas says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is evading its obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, calling on mediators to start negotiations for a second phase of the deal.

Israel approves call-up of 400,000 reserve soldiers amid uncertainty over Gaza ceasefire accord

The Israeli government has approved a bill allowing the military to call up an additional 400,000 reserve soldiers amid delays in the start of negotiations for the second phase of a the Gaza ceasefire accord.

Iran’s parliament ousts economy minister, first in President Pezeshkian’s cabinet

Iran’s Parliament voted to impeach Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati on Sunday, marking the first red card in President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration less than seven months into its term.

NATO Secretary General urges Zelensky to ‘restore relationship’ with Trump following White House clash

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to mend relations with US President Donald Trump following a tense exchange in the White House on Friday.

Iran’s non-oil exports surge 19% y/y in Apr-Feb: IRICA

Iranian Customs Office (IRICA) figures have shown that Tehran’s non-oil exports rose by nearly a fifth in the 11 months to late February.