Saturday, January 3, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Hamas, Israel launch fifth prisoner swap under Gaza ceasefire accord

Tel Aviv released dozens of Palestinian prisoners after the armed group Hamas freed three Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip.

Ayat. Khamenei reiterates support for Palestinians, downplays US threats against Iran

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei paid tribute to the martyrs of Gaza and their commanders, particularly Ismail Haniyeh, reaffriming the Islamic Republic’s support for the Palestinian cause.

US approves nearly $7.5bn arms sale to Israel

The US State Department approved a potential $7.41 billion foreign military sales to Israel, the Pentagon has announced.

US says ready to ‘double down’ on Russia sanctions

US President Donald Trump is prepared to intensify sanctions on Russia in order to push for an end to the war between Kiev and Moscow, according to his special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

“No rush to do anything” in Gaza: Trump

President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he saw “no rush to do anything” in the Gaza Strip and insisted there would be no US “boots on the ground.”

Iran condemns Washington’s sanctions on ICC, says US shielding Israeli crimes

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Esmail Baqaei, has strongly condemned the United States for imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), slamming it as a blatant misuse of power intended to protect the Zionist regime from facing justice for its criminal actions.

Iran unveils new nuclear achievements in Isfahan, more underway in Yazd

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) inaugurated on Saturday several nuclear technology projects aimed at advancing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Israel torturing Palestinian workers to death: Report

Palestinian workers arrested during the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 were abused by Israeli prison guards, with some of them tortured to death or disappeared, according to testimonies collected by a Palestinian trade union.

Elon Musk warns US to lose next war ‘very badly’

The United States risks major defeat in the country’s next war unless it urgently reforms its outdated weapons programs, Elon Musk, who owns X and heads SpaceX and Tesla, has warned in a stark assessment of the nation’s defense capabilities.

British MPs slam ‘barbaric’ Netanyahu call for Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

MPs from the UK Labour Party have condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for suggesting that Palestinians should establish a state in Saudi Arabia rather than their homeland.

Severe cold wave, heavy snowfall lead to widespread school, office closures in Iran

Schools, offices, and stock exchanges as well as many other institutions across 27 provinces in Iran are closed on Saturday due to an intense cold wave and heavy snowfall.

Trump says he expects to meet Zelensky next week and will “probably” talk with Putin

US President Donald Trump has stated he would “probably” meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week and hinted at a talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hezbollah should be omitted from Lebanon government: US

The United States has demanded that the armed group Hezbollah must not be part of Lebanon’s government.

Dozens of parties To ICC condemn US sanctions against global tribunal

US President Donald Trump's decision to sanction the International Criminal Court increases the "risk of impunity" for serious crimes, 79 parties to the global tribunal have announced in a joint statement.

Heavy snowfall hits mountainous roads in Iran’s northern Gilan province

Gilan Province in northern Iran is experiencing heavy snowfall, with up to 100 centimeters of snow accumulating on mountainous roads.

Iran Leader: Negotiations with US ‘neither wise nor honorable’

The Leader of Iran’s Isalamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has stated that negotiations with the US are “neither intelligent, wise, nor honorable,” and have no impact on resolving the country's problems.

North Korean missiles show improved accuracy in Russian attacks on Ukraine: Reuters

North Korean missiles used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine have become more accurate, Reuters has reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Ukraine regaining nuclear weapons ‘not going to happen’: US

Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has dismissed the possibility of Kyiv regaining nuclear power status.

6 students killed, 27 injured in bus accident in southeastern Iran

A tragic accident occurred on Thursday evening when a bus carrying female students from a high School for exceptionally talented students in southeastern Iranian province of Kerman crashed, resulting in the death of 6 students, injuring 27 others.

43rd Fajr Film Festival: Day 7 highlights

The 43rd Fajr Film Festival, running from January 31 to February 10, continues to captivate audiences at Tehran’s Milad Tower.

40th Fajr Music Festival to be continue with competitive spirit

The 40th International Fajr Music Festival, marking Iran’s Islamic Revolution, is set to benefit the entirety of Iran's music scene by becoming increasingly competitive across various musical genres and interdisciplinary fields, according to the festival's secretary, Reza Mahdavi.

Iran warns US about repercussions of oil-related bans

The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, has strongly condemned the new US sanctions against the Islamic Republic over oil sales, warning Washington about its consequences.

President Pezeshkian stresses Iran not pursuing nukes, war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons or war, and that claims to the contrary—primarily made by Israel—are unfounded.

Iran Interior min.: Unauthorized foreign nationals have taken many job opportunities, expulsion is inevitable

Iranian Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, stated that unauthorized foreign nationals have taken numerous job opportunities in Iran, prompting the government to implement stricter labor laws to counter this issue effectively.

Israel’s West Bank aggression displaces 26k from Jenin and Tulkarm camps

The Israeli army has displaced 26,000 Palestinians from their homes in Jenin and Tulkarm since launching its major assault on the occupied West Bank last month.