Friday, January 2, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Tehran condemns Washington’s ‘inappropriate behavior’ against Iranian nationals

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has deplored the US government’s “inappropriate and humiliating” treatment of immigrants, including Iranian nationals, calling it unjustified and a violation of human rights standards.

UN chief condemns attack on peacekeeping mission in Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the Friday attack on a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy near the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, which wounded some peacekeepers.

Ukraine needs 1.5 million soldiers in absence of NATO membership: Zelensky

If Ukraine does not join NATO as part of a peace accord, it will need Western support to maintain an army of 1.5 million soldiers as deterrence against a future Russian onslaught, President Volodymyr Zelensky has told reporters at the Munich Security Conference.

American soldiers in Europe won’t stay ‘forever’: US defense chief

Europeans cannot assume that America's military presence on the continent will last forever, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stressed during bombshell remarks in Warsaw.

Iraqi Kurdistan president: We will not allow Iran’s security to be threatened

The president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region says security measures and border monitoring should be stepped up to prevent any activities that might disrupt the stability of the borders between Iran and the Kurdistan Region.

US VP: European politicians censoring free speech

US Vice President JD Vance has taken a swipe at European governments for what he described as their censorship of free speech and their political opponents, while largely avoiding the question of how to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump supports ‘hard stance’ on Gaza, says he does not know what Israel will do

US President Donald Trump has advocated taking a "hard stance" on the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave for which he has proposed a U.S. takeover and where a fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas is in place.

Iran condemns Israeli threat against passenger plane, calls on Lebanon to remove restrictions

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baqaei, condemned Israel’s threats against an Iranian passenger plane carrying Lebanese citizens, calling it a clear violation of international law and Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Group of UN envoys refute US plans to displace Gazans

The Arab Group at the United Nations, along with group of UN ambassadors, have strongly rejected any plans to displace Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, deeming it as a violation of international law.

Iran says received messages from Damascus amid Moscow talks

Iran’s Special Representative for Syrian Affairs has revealed that Tehran has received indirect messages from Damascus regarding the ongoing situation in Syria.

University of Tehran students rally over stabbing to death of fellow student by muggers

A number of University of Tehran students have held a protest over the tragic death of a student by two muggers.

Iranian ambassador urges Lebanon to resolve issue of flight restrictions wisely

The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon has urged Lebanese officials to resolve the issue of restrictions on flights from Iran to the Arab country.

Sixth national snow volleyball tournament kicks off in Iran’s Hamedan

The sixth edition of the National Snow Volleyball Tournament began on Thursday in the western city of Hamedan, amid heavy snowfall and temperatures dropping to -4°C.

18th International Tourism Exhibition in Tehran

The 18th International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition was launched on Tuesday and will wrap up on Friday.

Iranian official denies report on Leader’s order to ‘increase missile range’ as ‘utterly false’

A member of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of the Iranian Leader has refuted claims by a newspaper about Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's directive to extend missile ranges.

Tehran university student stabbed to death by muggers, police investigate

A 19-year-old student from Tehran University was fatally stabbed in a robbery on Wednesday night, according to Tehran police.

Winter in Iran’s Golestan: Symphony of birds

In the lush nature of Iran’s northern Golestan Province, as autumn arrives and temperatures drop, thousands of migratory birds fly from the north to warmer regions.

Iranian MP advocates for nuclear armament, citing North Korea’s example

A member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has suggested that Iran should pursue the development of nuclear weapons to bolster its deterrence capabilities, arguing that North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons has resulted in a more conciliatory stance from the US.

Nationwide festivities in Iran for birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi

Cities across Iran, including Tehran, are celebrating the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi, the 12th Shia Iamam and a revered figure in Islamic belief, particularly in Shiite traditions.

Hamas says will release Israeli captives as planned under Gaza ceasefire accord

Palestinian group Hamas announced Thursday that it will release Israeli captives as planned under a Gaza ceasefire accord.

US intelligence warns Israel considering attacks on Iranian nuclear sites: WSJ

US intelligence agencies have concluded that Israel is considering "significant strikes" on Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2025, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

No lasting peace in Ukraine without European role in talks: Leaders after Trump-Putin phone call

European states, including Britain, France and Germany, have stressed they have to be part of any future talks on the fate of Ukraine, insisting that only a fair accord with security guarantees would ensure lasting peace.

Sahand ski resort: A premier winter sports destination in Iran

Located on the slopes of Mount Sahand, in the northwestern Iranian Province of East Azerbaijan, Sahand Ski Resort is a 1,200-meter-long facility equipped with ski lifts, a ski school, and a hotel, attracting winter sports enthusiasts each year.

Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital boss tortured in Israeli jail: Lawyer

The director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital has been subjected to various forms of intense torture and inhumane treatment in an Israeli military prison, his lawyer has told Al Jazeera.

US sanctions hindering Syria’s recovery: Iran’s Envoy

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has urged the complete removal of the US sanctions against Syria which he stressed have severely hampered the recovery projects that are vital to the Arab country’s rebuilding bids.