Saturday, January 3, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

Kurdish militias: Not yet notified of US plan for Syria withdrawal

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have announced that they have not been informed of plans reportedly being drawn up by the US military to withdraw its troops from Syria.

Maximum pressure’ to lead to ‘maximum resistance’: Iran warns US

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi called on the US to abandon the policy of ‘maximum pressure’ against Tehran because it would provoke 'maximum resistance.'

Pentagon chief says US ‘very long way away’ from deploying soldiers in Gaza

US President Donald Trump is a long way off from deploying American soldiers to the Gaza Strip, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated.

Dozens of British MPs ink motion in parliament condemning Trump’s Gaza proposal

Pressure is mounting on UK Prime Ministet Keir Starmer's government to explicitly oppose US President Donald Trump's declaration that Washington will "own Gaza" and that Palestinians have no alternative but to leave without the prospect of returning.

Iran’s first drone carrier joins IRGC Navy

The ceremony for the induction of Iran's first drone carrier into the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy was held in the Persian Gulf on Thursday.

OPEC unity helps thwart US sanctions threats: Iran president

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) need to stay away from political games and remain united to foil threats of sanctions by the United States.

UN officials condemn Trump’s Gaza plan

United Nations officials have condemned the idea of deporting people from the Gaza Strip, noting it’s strictly prohibited under international law, after President Donald Trump announced the US will seize the Palestinian territory and resettle its war-weary population.

Iran says broke 10-year record in oil exports

Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has stated that oil exports from the country have reached a new record high despite a continued regime of US sanctions that seeks to cut Tehran’s oil exports to zero.

Iran strongly rejects US plan to cleanse, own Gaza

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baqaei, says the US president's idea regarding possessing Gaza and forcibly relocate the people of Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, is in line with the Zionist regime's plan to eradicate Palestine.

Iranian president downplays Trump’s threat to sanction Iran 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reacted to his US counterpart Donald Trump’s threat to cut off Iran’s oil exports, saying, “They think Iran is solely reliant on oil”.

Iran’s non-oil exports surge by 18% compared to last year

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Mohammadreza Farzin, announced on Wednesday a significant increase in the country’s non-oil exports over the past 10 months.

Ukraine leader a ‘maniac’ to demand NATO nuclear weapons: Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements on obtaining nuclear weapons are cause for serious concern, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated. In a social media post on Wednesday, she branded the Ukrainian leader a “maniac [gripped by] sick delusions” who could seek a ‘dirty bomb’.

Ayatollah Khamenei pardons over 3,000 Iranian prisoners

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has authorized the full or partial pardoning of more than 3,000 convicts on the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Pentagon developing plans to withdraw US forces from Syria: NBC News

The United States Department of Defense is drafting plans to withdraw all US troops from Syria within 30, 60, or 90 days, two US defense officials have told NBC News.

Trump urges ‘nuclear peace deal’ with Iran

President Donald Trump has stated that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons but should reach a “verified nuclear peace agreement”, which the US should begin work on immediately.

West Bank’s Jenin heading in ‘catastrophic direction’: UN

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned that conditions in the refugee camp of Jenin are deteriorating amid Israel’s ruthless onslught in the occupied West Bank.

Iran FM: No rush to resume ties with Syria under current ruler

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says there is no urgency for Tehran to resume political and diplomatic relations with the current administration in Syria.

Iranian first vice president on Trump-Pezeshkian meet: Not currently on Iran’s agenda

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that a meeting between Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and his US counterpart Donald Trump is not currently on the agenda for Iran.