Monday, December 22, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iran warns against continued colonial expansionism of Zionist regime 

The spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baqaei, has decried and strongly condemned a resolution by the Zionist regime’s parliament, Knesset, regarding the annexation of the West Bank as a clear violation of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. 

Russia says it response to Tomahawk strikes would be ‘staggering’

Russia would deliver a “very serious, if not downright staggering” response to any Ukrainian attacks using US-made Tomahawk missiles, President Vladimir Putin has warned, calling pressure on Washington to supply such weapons “an attempt at escalation.”

Putin says Russia-US summit postponed

Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that the planned Budapest summit with US counterpart Donald Trump is being postponed. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, he noted that the proposal was initially made by the American side.

Iran’s men’s Kabaddi team wins silver at Asian Youth Games in Bahrain

Iran’s men’s kabaddi team finished runner-up at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain after a narrow 35–32 loss to India in Thursday’s final.

Zarif refuses to publish statement after Lavrov claims over snapback mechanism

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded publicly to comments made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who claimed that Iran was responsible for re-activating U.N. sanctions via the “snap-back” mechanism under Resolution 2231.

Over 1.4 million undocumented foreign nationals leave Iran in 6 months

Iran’s Ministry of Interior announced that the departure of undocumented foreign nationals from the country has reached nearly 1.45 million people in the first half of the current Iranian year, as part of an ongoing repatriation program primarily affecting Afghan nationals.

Haniyeh family refutes reports relatives left Gaza after Turkish request

The family of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has rejected reports that some of their relatives had been allowed to leave the Gaza Strip at Turkey’s request.

Saudi Arabia appoints conservative Grand Mufti

Riyadh has appointed a conservative cleric in his nineties as its top religious leader, state media reported, sticking with tradition even as rapid social changes upend the previously cloistered kingdom.

Russia says immune to US oil sanctions

Russia has announced that new US sanctions on its oil industry risked hurting diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war, and that it had developed a "strong immunity" to them.

South Korean ambassador performs with Iranian vocalist at joint art exhibition

South Korea’s ambassador to Iran, Kim Junpyo, joined renowned Iranian vocalist and music instructor Fazel Jamshidi in a live performance during a joint Korean-Iranian calligraphy exhibition held on Wednesday in Tehran.

EU squabbling over frozen Russian funds: Politico

European countries are at odds over how to use a proposed loan for Ukraine funded by frozen Russian assets, with some pushing to restrict spending to European-made weapons while others want US arms included, Politico has reported, citing sources.

Over 61mn tons of debris left by 2 years of Israeli war on Gaza: UN

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has announced that more than 61 million tons of debris blanket the Gaza Strip as a result of more than two years of Israel’s war.

Iran’s foreign minister warns against “failed repetition” after IAEA chief’s remarks

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has responded sharply to recent comments by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, saying that those who issue threats against Iran “must realize that repeating a failed experience will lead only to another failure.”

Iran’s Central Bank transfers Ayandeh Bank deposits to Bank Melli

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) announced that all deposits and customers of Ayandeh Bank will be transferred to Bank Melli Iran starting Saturday, marking the end of Ayandeh Bank’s operations after years of financial imbalance and regulatory noncompliance.

Trump says meeting with Putin ‘canceled’

US President Donald Trump has called off his planned summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Budapest, saying he does not believe the talks would yield the desired results at this stage of the dialogue. Moscow has yet to comment.

Trump hits Russia’s oil giants with sanctions over Ukraine war

United States President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on Russia for the first time since returning to the White House, citing a lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations to end Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

Iranian citizen Mahdieh Esfandiari granted conditional release from French prison

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian citizen detained in France since early 2025, has been granted conditional release by a French court.

Iranian Muay Thai champion Saba Chenari passes away at 25

Iranian Muay Thai fighter and referee Saba Chenari passed away on Wednesday night after suffering a cardiac arrest during training in Tehran. She was 25 years old.

Israel must allow aid into Gaza: ICJ

The United Nations court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has announced that Israel has an obligation to ensure the “basic needs” of the population in Gaza are met.

EU agrees 19th sanctions package against Russia over Ukraine war

The European Union on Wednesday agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine aimed at crimping Moscow's oil and gas revenues, announced Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating presidency.

Most Americans support U.S. recognition of Palestinian state: Survey

Most Americans - including 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans - think the U.S. should recognize Palestinian statehood, a sign that President Donald Trump's opposition to doing so is out of step with public opinion, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows.

Iran’s Esteghlal FC earn 1st win in AFC Champions League 2 with victory over Jordan’s Al-Wehdat

Tehran’s Esteghlal FC have secured their first win in the AFC Champions League 2 after defeating Jordan’s Al-Wehdat in a commanding performance.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister: 50 foreign spy agencies assisted Israel in its failed aggression against Iran

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Seyed Esmaeil Khatib has revealed that 50 intelligence agencies supported the Zionist regime in its recent 12-day hybrid war against Iran, which aimed at bringing about regime change and territorial fragmentation.

Democratic senators call on Trump to oppose West Bank annexation

Forty-four of the 45 Democrats in the US Senate have sent a letter to US President Donald Trump urging him to reaffirm his opposition to Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank, Axios has reported.

Tehran’s “Saint Mary” subway station: A symbol of art, inter-faith co-existence, and Unity

The Saint Mary Subway Station, located opposite the Saint Sarkis Church on Karimkhan Street in downtown Tehran, is set to open soon.