Saturday, January 3, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iran’s UN mission: Tehran has never initiated escalation, responded proportionately to US threats

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has stated that Iran has never initiated the escalation of tensions but has always responded proportionately to the nature and intensity of threats posed by the US.

Holding elections a disaster for Ukraine: Zelensky

Holding a vote amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would be a disaster for Kiev for a number of reasons ranging from popular disapproval to “losing” its Armed Forces, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.

Iran FM firmly rejects Trump’s Gaza conspiracy

The Iranian foreign minister firmly rejected the U.S. president’s proposal to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from Gaza, describing it as an extension of the colonial conspiracy to erase Palestine.

US committed to ‘buying and owning’ Gaza: Trump

Despite international outcry, United States President Donald Trump has reiterated his controversial proposal to take control of the besieged Gaza Strip, stressing he is committed to “buying and owning” the war-ravaged enclave.

Millions of Iranians take part in Revolution anniversary rallies nationwide

The annual march commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory, led by Imam Khomeini against the last monarch in Iran, began on Monday in the capital and across the country.

Israel kills two, including pregnant woman, in West Bank attack

The Israeli army has expanded its military operation in the occupied West Bank, killing two women – one of whom was eight months pregnant, during a raid in the Palestinian territory’s Nur Shams refugee camp.

Arab League, PGCC condemn Netanyahu’s comments on Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

The Arab League and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council have condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements suggesting the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia.

Majority of Americans think US takeover of Gaza ‘bad idea’: Survey

A poll conducted by CBS has found that most people in the United States think Washington's control of the Gaza Strip, a proposal made by President Donald Trump last week, is a “bad idea”.

At least 110 Palestinians killed by Israeli military in Gaza since ceasefire: Report

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has documented the killing of at least 110 Palestinians by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire agreement was implemented last month.

Iranian envoy in Kabul: Water rights issue between Afghanistan, Iran resolved

Alireza Bigdeli, the caretaker of Iran’s embassy in Kabul, announced that the long-standing water rights dispute between Iran and Afghanistan has been resolved through recent negotiations.

Iran to build yellowcake production plant: Atomic energy official

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has announced plans to construct a yellowcake production plant as part of its ongoing uranium mining and processing operations.

Kremlin keeps mum on reported contacts between Putin and Trump

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that he could neither confirm nor deny reports of contacts between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Ukraine.

Israeli soldiers complete withdrawal from Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor

Israeli soldiers have withdrawn from the militarised zone that cut Gaza in half, known as the Netzarim Corridor, to the buffer zone it created on the besieged Strip’s eastern border.

Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have disconnected their energy systems from Russia's electric power grid "another historic day for European integration", the Estonian Foreign Ministry confirmed.

Iran strongly condemns US-Israeli plan for forced displacement of Gazans as colonial conspiracy

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has deplored the joint US-Israeli plot for the forced displacement of Gazans and ethnic cleansing in the besieged enclave as a colonial conspiracy, calling for the emergency meeting of the Islamic states’ foreign ministers to discuss the matter.

Oil minister: US will fail to reduce Iran oil exports to zero

Iran’s oil minister has dismissed the US policy of imposing maximum pressure to halt Iran’s oil exports as a failed strategy, asserting that reducing Iran’s oil exports to zero is an unattainable goal.

Riyadh condemns Netanyahu’s remarks on Palestinian relocation to Saudi Arabia

Riyadh has strongly condemned the recent statements of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who had called for the displacement of Palestinians to Saudi Arabia.

Iran to continue talks with E3, will never accept ‘dishonorable’ negotiations: Govt. spokesperson

Iran’s government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani has stated that Tehran will continue its talks with European countries, but will not submit to any “dishonorable” negotiations.

President Pezeshkian says Resistance Front will definitely achieve ultimate victory

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Tehran is certain that the resistance front will achieve a final victory in the face of enemies.

Israeli air attack kills six in Lebanon amid fragile ceasefire

An Israeli air attack has killed six people and wounded two in eastern Lebanon amid a fragile ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah.

Trump says has spoken to Putin about Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump says he has discussed the Ukraine war with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the phone, according to the New York Post. The Kremlin has yet to comment on the announcement.

Lebanon forms new government, first in over two years

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has announced the formation of a new government after more than two years of an interim cabinet amid political wrangling and a major economic crisis.

Nine days into major Iran cinematic event

The 9th day of the 43rd International Fajr Film Festival, marking Iran's Islamic Revolution, took place on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the festival's headquarters in Milad Tower in Tehran.

Iranian MP: Iran will not negotiate with US

A top Iranian lawmaker has said negotiation with the US is a red line for the Islamic Republic of Iran because Washington is not trustworthy.

Lebanese presidency dismisses US envoy’s remarks on Hezbollah

Lebanon’s presidency has distanced itself from comments made by US deputy special envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who stressed after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, that Hezbollah’s participation in the next government was a “red line”.