Sunday, January 4, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

British MPs call on government to send team to inspect Israeli prison sites

A group of 11 British lawmakers have signed a letter urging the Labour government to send a delegation to inspect Israeli imprisonment sites.

Zelensky says ready for talks with Putin to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to negotiate with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin if it is the only way to bring the Ukraine conflict to an end.

Atomic chief: Iran has no nuclear weapons program

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), in response to US President Donald Trump's recent remarks on Iran’s nuclear activities, has reiterating that Iran has no plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran transfers body of terrorist ringleader Sharmahd to Germany

Iran handed over the body of Jamshid Sharmahd, the head of the Tondar terrorist group, to Germany on Wednesday after completing legal procedures, according to judiciary officials.

Tehran records 130 days of polluted air in nearly 11 months

Tehran has experienced 130 days of polluted air since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year, on March 21, according to a report by the social Tasnim News Agency.

FM Araghchi in response to Trump: Assurance on Iran’s non-pursuit of nuclear weapons is achievable

After US President Donald Trump imposed maximum pressure on Iran on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the policy against Iran is a failed experience and its repetition will yield no results other than failure.

Saudi Arabia rejects Trump’s claim, says no normalization with Israel without Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its stance that it will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, refuting a claim by US President Donald Trump that Riyadh had dropped the demand.

Iran gov’t spokesperson does not rule out talks with US

The Iranian government spokesperson emphasized on Wednesday that ‘dignity, wisdom, and expediency’ are three fixed principles in any talks regarding Iran’s foreign affairs.

Ukraine calls for nukes to ‘stop Russia’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed that the West should give Kiev nuclear weapons and more missiles “to stop Russia” or fast track his country into NATO.

Trump claims US will ‘take over’ and ‘own’ Gaza

United States President Donald Trump has stated that Washington will “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip after resettling Palestinians elsewhere under an extraordinary redevelopment plan that he claimed could turn the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East”.

Sheikh Naim Qassem appointed as Iran Leader’s representative in Lebanon

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has appointed the Secretary General of Hezbollah resistance movement, Sheikh Naim Qassem, as his official representative in Lebanon.

Senior commander: Iran must embrace cutting-edge AI, laser technologies

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, has underscored the importance of advancing in laser, quantum, and particularly artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Trump says he would love to make an agreement with Iran

US President Donald Trump has stressed that he would love to make a deal with Tehran to improve bilateral relations, but added that Iran should not develop a nuclear weapon.

Iranian researchers develop rapid detection for Parkinson’s disease using colorimetric nano-biosensor

Researchers at Tarbiat Modares University in Iran have successfully designed a colorimetric nano-biosensor to rapidly diagnose Parkinson's disease.

Amnesty slams US for hosting Israeli PM despite ICC warrant

Amnesty International has criticized the US for hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with his army's genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.

Syria, Turkiye presidents talk Kurdish fighters, defence pacts

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syria’s newly-appointed President Ahmed al-Sharaa have discussed deepened security ties – including a response to Kurdish fighters in the war-torn country – during a meeting in Ankara.

Lebanon files UN Security Council complaint against Israel over ceasefire violations

Lebanon lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council against Israel over its continued violations of a ceasefire accord and UN Resolution 1701.