Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Gaza’s first responders searching rubble for 10k missing bodies

Gaza’s civil defence agency has provided an update on the besieged Strip, revealing that more than 10,000 bodies remain buried under the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings, with recovery operations ongoing amid the ceasefire.

Yemen’s Houthis says to target only Israel-linked vessels after Gaza ceasefire

Yemen's Houthis will limit their attacks on commercial vessels to Israel-linked ships after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, the Yemen-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center has announced.

Iranian health minister: 15 percent of under-5 child mortality blamed on air pollution

Iran’s Health Minister,  Mohammadreza Zafarghandi says air pollution is to blame for 15 percent of under-5 child mortality.

Iran warns European troika of retaliatory response to snapback mechanism

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, has warned the United Kingdom, France and Germany that a bid to trigger the so-called snapback provisions of the 2015 nuclear deal will trigger Tehran’s counteraction.

Over 90% of homes destroyed or damaged in Gaza: UN

Almost all housing in the Gaza Strip has been destroyed or damaged during Israel’s war on Hamas, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Tehran’s development faces challenges: President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian warned on Monday of the critical issues facing the capital Tehran's development, emphasizing that the current development trajectory is unsustainable and could lead to the city's downfall.

President Pezeshkian says ‘Gaza people demonstrate resilience against terrorism’

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has praised the ‘resilient’ people of Gaza for teaching other nations how to stand against terrorism.

Syrian defence minister rejects Kurdish-led SDF’s proposal for own military bloc

Syria’s new defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra has stated it would not be right for US-backed Kurdish fighters based in the country’s northeast to retain their own bloc within the broader integrated Syrian armed forces.

Persistent snow, rain in Tehran to continue until Tuesday, temperature to drop to freezing

The Tehran Meteorological Office forecasts continued snowfall and rain across the Iranian capital Tehran until Tuesday. Temperatures in the capital are expected to drop to 0°C.

Trump team preparing phone call with Putin: CNN

Donald Trump’s team is preparing a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could come shortly after the president-elect’s inauguration, CNN reported, citing sources.

UN relief chief cautions “no time to lose”, as hundreds of aid trucks enter Gaza

Hundreds of trucks carrying aid entered the Gaza Strip on the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to the United Nations’ Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

Iranian Army Ground Forces stage ‘successful’ missile, drone strike drill

In the first phase of the Army Ground Forces' mobile offensive security drill in Iran, which began on Sunday night, the 65th NOHED Brigade's rapid reaction special units conducted a preemptive operation beyond the country's borders as part of a larger national exercise.

Iran, Pakistan set to enhance military cooperation

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has announced that Iran and Pakistan are boosting their military cooperation across various fields.

WHO welcomes Gaza ceasefire but warns of immense health challenges ahead

The United Nations health agency has welcomed the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but warned that the besieged enclave’s “health challenges ahead are immense” as residents of the war-torn territory face rising disease and malnutrition.

90 Palestinian freed from Israeli jails

Ninety Palestinians have been freed from Israeli prisons and were greeted by large crowds of jubilant relatives, friends and supporters as they returned home to the occupied West Bank in the first prisoner exchange of the ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hamas following the release of three Israeli captives in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Iran Judiciary spokesperson: Arrests made following assassination of two senior judges

The spokesperson for Iran's judiciary announced on Sunday evening several individuals have been arrested in connection with the assassination of two prominent judges a day earlier.

Al-Aqsa Storm final nail in Israel’s coffin: Hamas

The Palestinian movement of Hamas has extended its gratitude towards Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and the Iraqi Resistance for their support for the Gaza Strip, saying Operation al-Aqsa Strom hammered the final nail in the Zionist regime’s coffin.

Israeli finance minister threatens to topple government if Gaza not seized

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to overthrow the government if it did not occupy the besieged Gaza Strip.

First three Israeli captives in Gaza freed

Israeli authorities have confirmed that Hamas handed over the first three captives as the Gaza ceasefire  took effect.

Iranian court sentences controversial singer Amir Tataloo to death 

Iranian singer Amirhossein Maghsoudlou, known professionally as Amir Tataloo, has been sentenced to death by a court in Iran on charges of "sabb al-nabi" (insulting the Prophet Muhammad).

President Pezeshkian: Iran not seeking nuclear weapons

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has addressed accusations from the West regarding Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, reiterating that “Iran has never sought, is not seeking, and will never seek nuclear weapons,” citing the country's policies and beliefs.

Russia’s 2nd largest bank to open branch in Tehran

VTB Bank, the second-largest bank in Russia, has announced its intention to convert its representative office in Tehran into a full-fledged branch.

Gaza ceasefire ‘biggest defeat’ for Israel: IRGC Quds Force chief

The commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has praised the ceasefire accord between the Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel as the biggest defeat for Tel Aviv.

Trump planning early trip to China amid trade war: WSJ

Incoming US President Donald Trump is seeking to visit Beijing in his first 100 days in office to improve relations with President Xi Jinping, as the prospect of a new trade war looms, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday citing sources.

Iran’s military chief to visit Pakistan

Iran’s highest-ranking military commander is slated to visit Pakistan for talks on bilateral relations and regional developments.