Friday, January 2, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Starmer reaffirms UK support for Ukraine during meeting with Zelensky after White House clash

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reiterated his support for Ukraine during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London.

Israel accepts US proposal for temporary Gaza ceasefire during Ramadan

Israel has announced that it has agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during Ramadan and Passover, following a proposal from US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. The announcement came just hours after the first phase of a ceasefire was set to expire.

Iranian parliament begins impeaching economy minister

The Iranian Parliament on Sunday initiated impeachment proceedings against Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, with President Massoud Pezeshkian in attendance.

Iran releases 1st footage of Israeli-linked ship seized months ago

Iran has broadcast the first footage of the Israeli-linked container ship MSC Aries, which was seized by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)’s special naval units in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf last April.

Traffic policemen killed in shooting incident in Iran’s Kerman Province

Unknown gunmen shot dead two traffic policemen in the city of Rigan in Iran’s Kerman Province.

Top US diplomat says EU wants another year of war

Some EU countries would favor the war between Russia and Ukraine to drag on longer in order to  weaken Moscow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed, stressing that Washington’s goal is to end the hostilities.

US intel discloses Russia and China seeking to recruit disgruntled federal employees

Russia and China have recently directed their intelligence services to ramp up recruiting US federal employees working in national security, targeting those who have been fired or feel they could be soon, according to four people familiar with recent US intelligence on the issue and a document reviewed by CNN.

Hamas refutes Israel’s ‘formulation’ to extend phase one of Gaza ceasefire

Hamas has rejected Israel’s “formulation” of extending the first phase of the ceasefire instead of proceeding to the second phase as originally planned, calling it unacceptable.

US approves $3 billion military sales to Israel amid ceasefire negotiations

Washington has approved potential foreign military sales to Israel worth $3 billion, according to the State Department.

Former Iran MP criticizes Russia’s role in JCPOA collapse, voices skepticism about Lavrov visit

A former Iranian lawmaker has criticized Russia’s foreign policy and its role in the collapse of Iran’s nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, with the West.

US terminates support of Ukraine energy grid restoration

The State Department has terminated a US Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help restore Ukraine's energy grid following attacks by the Russian military, according to two USAID officials working on the agency’s Ukraine mission.

UK’s intl. development minister quits over aid cuts

Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s International Development Minister, has resigned after London announced a massive cut to the international aid budget, warning that it would likely impact programs in the Gaza Strip and Sudan.

Bodies of four more missing Iranian climbers recovered after avalanche in Kordestan, rising death toll to six

The bodies of four more climbers who went missing following a series of avalanches in Iran’s western Kordestan province have been recovered, officials confirmed on Saturday, updating the death toll to six.

UN head warns coming days are ‘critical’ for Gaza ceasefire agreement

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that "the coming days are critical" for maintaining the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip and has urged all parties to uphold their commitments.

Iran: PKK leader’s call on group to drop arms ‘important step’ to curb violence

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has welcomed Turkey’s jailed militant leader’s call on his Kurdish group to lay down weapons and dissolve.

Zelensky ordered to leave White House without signing minerals agreement after Oval Office clash with Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House early without signing a mineral deal with the United States following a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Trump extends Russia sanctions over Ukraine war for another year

United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending for another year certain sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war, according to documents released by the White House.

Israeli military admits ‘colossal failure’ in its Oct. 7 attack probe

The Israeli army has released its findings after months of investigations into the Hamas attack in Oct. 2023, admitting to a "colossal failure" in anticipating the "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation​​​​​​​" launched by the Palestinian group.

Iranian skiers end Asian Alpine Ski Championship with more medals

On the second and last day of the 33rd Asian Alpine Ski Championship (under 27 years old) held in China, Iranian skier Zahra Alizadeh Saveh snatched the gold medal and the championship title in the small spiral category in the women's section.

Iran to teach AI at schools from next academic year

Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy, Hossein Afshin, says one million students will be taught AI across Iran from the next school year.

Iran’s IRGC commander asserts Operation True Promise III to be carry out ‘in right time’

The Deputy Coordinator of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Ali Fazli, announced that the third phase of the operations against the Israeli regime, known as Operation True Promise, will definitely be carried out “on schedule.”

Persepolis triumphs over Esteghlal in Tehran derby

Persepolis secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Esteghlal in the 105th Tehran Derby, maintaining their pursuit of the Iran Pro League title.

Iran’s natl. oil company wins key victory in Crescent arbitration case

According to the Legal Affairs Department of the Iranian President’s Office, the tribunal in the Crescent arbitration case has dismissed the UEA-based company’s claim that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is liable for damages incurred by third parties (companies contracted by Crescent).

North Korea deploys additional forces to Russia’s Kursk Oblast: South Korean intelligence

North Korea has deployed additional troops to Russia, an official for South Korea's National Intelligence Agency (NIS) has claimed.

President Pezeshkian advocates stronger relations among Muslim states

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the promotion of convergence and relations among Muslim countries is among the necessities in the current global situation.