Friday, January 2, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Israel says expanding West Bank offensive, soldiers to remain ‘for next year’

Israel has announced it is expanding its military offensive across the West Bank and preparing for soldiers to remain in some refugee camps “for the next year”.

‘Lebanon is tired of others’ wars’: President tells Iranian speaker

Iranian parliament speaker was told by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that “Lebanon is tired of others’ wars, and the unity of the Lebanese is the best way to confront any loss or aggression”.

Britian, France plan to dispatch 30,000 peacekeepers to Ukraine: WSJ

London and Paris are drafting a plan to deploy up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” in Ukraine, depending on whether Moscow and Kiev reach a ceasefire agreement, The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing unnamed European officials.

Mass funeral held in Lebanon for slain Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

Tens of thousands of people in Lebanon paid their last respects to Hezbollah’s late leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut last September.

Musk dismisses US threat to cut Starlink over Ukraine minerals deal

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has denied reports that the United States threatened to shut off Starlink in Ukraine unless Kyiv agreed to a minerals accord.

Trump team could strike a deal to end Russia-Ukraine war ‘this week’: White House

US President Donald Trump is "very confident" that he will reach an agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine, possibly as early as "this week," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Resistance against Usurpation, Occupation Will Never End

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, in a message on the occasion of the funeral and burial ceremonies for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the assassinated leaders of Hezbollah, underlined that that resistance against usurpation and arrogance will never end.

Iranian FM: Resistance, Hezbollah alive, path of resistance to continue

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says the resistance movement and Hezbollah remain steadfast and alive.

Israel delays prisoner release in violation of ceasefire accord

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced overnight into Sunday that it would postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners, claiming that Hamas has violated the ceasefire accord.

Trump says he wants US to ‘get back’ money spent on Ukraine

Ukraine must compensate the US for all the assistance provided to Kiev during its war with Moscow, US President Donald Trump has stated. His comments are expected to escalate the public spat between him and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over the issues of aid and negotiations with Russia.

Iranian president renews solidarity ahead of funeral of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment on Sunday to its allies in a message ahead of the funeral of Hezbollah’s assassinated leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah later in the day.

Iran calls for speeding up of legal processing of Israel’s genocide, war crime cases

The Iranian foreign minister has urged the international community to accelerate legal and criminal proceedings against Israeli officials at international courts for genocide and war crimes against Palestinians.

Jaish al-Adl terror group claims responsibility for bomb attack in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan

The Jaish al-Adl terrorist outfit claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province that targeted the office of a major foundation responsible for providing housing for the deprived and construction of urban housing units.

Hamas frees six Israeli captives in Gaza as part of ceasefire accord

Hamas has released six Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip ahead of the release of hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons in the final swap under the first phase of the ceasefire between the Palestinian group and Tel Aviv.

US threatens to shut down Starlink in Ukraine: Reuters

The United States has threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite internet terminals if Kyiv does not reach an agreement with Washington regarding critical mineral resources, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the negotiations.

Two Palestinian children killed in West Bank by Israeli army

Two Palestinian children were shot in the back and killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.

Satellite images reveal Saudi Arabia may be quietly expanding ballistic missile force

Saudi Arabia may be quietly modernising and expanding its long-range missile capabilities, newly published satellite imagery disclosed.

Over 24,000 tons of medicinal plants produced annually in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan

Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran produces more than 24,000 tons of medicinal plants annually, according to Alireza Dahmarde, head of the province's Agricultural Jihad Organization.

Hamas releases remains of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas after ‘mix-up of bodies’

Bibas family in Israel has confirmed that the remains of Shiri Bibas have been returned by Hamas. It comes a day after it announced that the Palestinian group had returned an unidentified body.

Trump says Zelensky ‘not very important’ for meetings

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is actually “not very important” to have at meetings, US President Donald Trump has said, adding he only makes negotiations difficult.

Iran launches major joint military exercise Zolfaghar 1403

The main phase of the Iranian Army's joint military exercise Zolfaghar 1403 commenced on Saturday morning, across the Makran coasts, the Sea of Oman, and the northern Indian Ocean.

Arab leaders discuss alternatives to US plan for Gaza

The leaders of seven Arab states have held talks in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to hash out a plan for the future of the Gaza Strip.

US opposes use of ‘Russian aggression’ in upcoming G7 statement on Ukraine: FT

The US is objecting to use of the term ‘Russian aggression’ in an upcoming G7 statement marking the third anniversary of the Ukraine war, the Financial Times has reported, citing Western officials familiar with the matter.

US could withdraw military forces from Central, Eastern Europe: Bild

Western security services and politicians are worried about a potential exit of US troops from NATO member states in Central and Eastern Europe, Bild has reported, citing unnamed sources. The tabloid suggests that Russia is trying to get the US to radically downgrade its military presence on the continent.

Iranian president visits International Fair of Trade with Eurasia

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday afternoon visited different sections of the 3rd International Fair of Trade with Eurasia where more than 100 Iranian companies and trade delegations from Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus have put their products on display.