Friday, January 9, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

20 killed in Syria’s car bombing

A car bomb has killed at least 20 people and injured many others on the outskirts of the city of Manbij in northern Syria, the Syrian presidency has announced.

President Pezeshkian urges formation of inclusive Syrian government

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized the need for the formation of an inclusive government in Syria and endeavours to prevent partitioning of the Arab country.

Iran launches second phase of air defense exercise in southwest

The second phase of Iran's large-scale air defense exercise commenced on Tuesday in the southwestern region of the country, aimed at bolstering the country’s defensive capabilities and combat readiness.

Iranian VP says Tehran needs new strategy in ‘war of narratives’ with Israel

Iran’s Vice-President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif has stressed that the world is currently embroiled in a “war of narratives”, where international diplomacy often overlooks factual realities. This war, he warned, has been perfected by Israel, especially in its ongoing conflict with Tehran.

Five Arab states oppose removing Palestinians from Gaza in letter to US

Five Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official have sent a joint letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio opposing plans to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, as suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump in late January.

Trump plans to target UN Human Rights Council, UNRWA

US President Donald Trump is expected to stop Washington’s engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council and continue a halt to funding for the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, a White House official has stated.

70 killed in West Bank by Israel since January: Health Ministry

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 70 people, including 10 children, have been killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of 2025.

Former British soldier sentenced to 14 years for ‘spying for Iran’

A former UK soldier who sparked a manhunt after escaping from prison before his trial has been sentenced by a court in Britain to 14 years of imprisonment for "espionage for Iran".

President Pezeshkian: Iran’s policy is to defend territorial integrity of regional countries 

Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has told the Azerbaijani president's aide for foreign policy Hikmat Hajiyev that a fundamental principle of Iran's foreign policy is to support the regional countries’ territorial integrity.

Iran musical group of artists with disabilities to hold concert in Tehran 

An Iranian musical group consisting of individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy will hold a concert in Tehran soon.

Iran’s president orders budget for National Olympic Committee’s participation in Intl. games 

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has instructed authorities to allocate a budget for the National Olympic Committee’s participation in international and regional events.

Authorities in Gaza say death toll close to 62,000 as missing being added

Authorities in the Gaza Strip have updated the death toll from Israel’s war on the blockaded enclave to 61,709, having added thousands who were missing and are now presumed dead.

Iran says to support any gov’t backed by Syrian people

Tehran would respect any Syrian government backed by the people of Syria, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has said, expressing hope that the next government in the Arab country would represent all segments of society.

No evidence Iran vice president Zarif connected with SAVAK, says Islamic Revolution Documents Center

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Documents Center has announced that there is no evidence of current vice president and former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's claimed collaboration or connection with the SAVAK, the Iranian intelligence agency before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

IRGC chief says Iran’s missiles can strike any enemy target

The chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has praised the capabilities of the force’s missiles and their deterrence, and stated that the country's missiles can hit any hostile target across the region.

Israeli police open criminal investigation into Netanyahu’s wife: Report

A criminal probe has been opened by the Israeli police into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, over allegations that she sought to intimidate a witness and interfere in the office abuse cases against her husband, The Times of Israel daily has reported.

Talks with Ukraine, Russia ‘going pretty well’: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that discussions involving Ukraine and Russia are making progress, though he provided few details.

UN Rapporteur: Gaza situation reached unprecedented levels not seen in modern history

Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, has warned that the situation in the Gaza Strip has reached unprecedented proportions not seen in modern history.

UN condemns Israel’s ‘criminal actions’ in West Bank

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, condemned Israel’s “criminal” actions in the West Bank.

Report: Iran Political Activist, Former Editor of Kayhan, Nasiri, Released After Brief Detention

Mahdi Nasiri, the former editor of the Tehran-based newspaper Kayhan and a political activist, has been released from detention by security forces in Mashhad. This information was announced on Nasiri's Telegram channel.

Hamas: Israel delaying Gaza relief, reconstruction deal

The Palestinian group Hamas says Israel is delaying the implementation of relief and reconstruction agreements in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli bombing continued for more than 15 months until a ceasefire took effect on January 19.

Israel demolishes neighbourhood in Jenin refugee camp in West Bank

The Israeli military has pounded Jenin refugee camp and destroyed residential buildings as part of its ongoing large-scale operations in the occupied West Bank.

Trump, Netanyahu expected to announce progress on Saudi-Israeli normalization: Report

A potential normalization agreement between Tel Aviv and the Kingdom of Saudi Arania is moving forward, US President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to announce after their meeting in Washington, DC.

Iranian female referee released after 40 days of detention in Denmark

Mahsa Ghorbani, an international football referee from Iran, has been released after being detained on charges of forging a Schengen visa in the transit hall of Copenhagen Airport for forty days.

Iran says its nuclear program completely transparent

The chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has stated that the country’s nuclear program is completely transparent.