Monday, January 5, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

Israel murdered majority of record number of journalists slain in 2024: Report

A record number of journalists were killed in 2024, with Israel responsible for more than two-thirds of those deaths, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has announced in its annual report.

British ambassador visits detained UK nationals in Iran

The UK envoy to Iran, Hugo Shorter, met on Wednesday with two British citizens detained on security related charges in Kerman province, according to a statement released by the province’s Justice Department.

‘Restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic objective’: US

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that it is unrealistic to expect that Ukraine can restore its 2014 borders in any negotiations with Moscow on ending the war.

Iranian filmmakers summoned to court over award-winning film

Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the directors of the internationally acclaimed film My Favorite Cake, have been summoned to appear before an Iranian court in about two weeks.