Monday, December 22, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iran executes convicted Israel spy

The Judiciary of Qom Province, southern Tehran, announced that the death sentence of an individual convicted of espionage for Israel has been carried out following approval by the Supreme Court and the rejection of his clemency request.

Israel bombs Gaza’s Rafah despite ceasefire

Israeli military carried out air strikes on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday in the latest reported violation of the ceasefire.

Syrian FM to make first official visit to China in November

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani has announced that he will make his first official visit to China in early November on an invitation extended by Beijing.

Iran FM condemns UK parliament’s drone display

The Iranian Foreign Minister has described the display of a drone in the British Parliament— attributed to Iran—as a regrettable scene orchestrated by the Israel lobby and its supporters.

Two Russian banks agree to accept letters of credit from Iranian banks

Two Russian banks have agreed to accept letters of credit (LCs) issued by Iranian banks, according to Eshaq Bandani, Deputy Governor for Foreign Exchange Affairs at the Central Bank of Iran (CBI).

Iran daily criticizes Tehran’s approach to Taliban, urges support for free elections in Afghanistan

Iran’s Jomhouri-e Eslami newspaper has sharply criticized the Iranian government’s continued engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, warning that Iranian officials have failed to grasp the serious regional threat posed by the militant group, unlike neighboring Pakistan.

Hamas refutes US claim on Gaza ceasefire violation

Hamas has rejected a statement from the US State Department in which it cited “credible reports” indicating the Palestinian group would imminently violate the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

20 European states demand measures to return Afghans either voluntarily or forcibly

In a letter addressed to Magnus Brunner the Commissioner of Internal Affairs and Migration, twenty European countries have come together to pressure the European Commission to find ways to send back Afghan nationals who are living illegally in Europe, either voluntarily or by force, Belgian minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt has stated.

US claims Hamas planning ‘imminent ceasefire violation’

The US State Department has announced that Hamas is planning an “imminent” attack on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, potentially violating the terms of its peace deal with Israel about a week after the pact’s agreement.

Iran’s FM: Snapback mechanism not activated, UNSC Resolution 2231 has officially expired

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that, according to the shared view of Iran, Russia, and China, the UN Security Council’s snapback mechanism to restore sanctions against Iran has not been activated and Resolution 2231 has formally expired.

Netanyahu seeking another term as Israeli PM

Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated he will seek another term in the November 2026 parliamentary election.

Afghanistan, Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire after talks in Qatar

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after negotiations mediated by Qatar and Turkey following a week of fierce and deadly clashes along their disputed border.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps unveils two enhanced missiles

The upgraded Emad and Qadr missiles of the IRGC Aerospace Force were unveiled during a programme showing Iran’s underground missile cities.

Iranian MP warns ex-FM Zarif over remarks on Russia’s role in nuclear talks

A member of Iran’s parliament has sharply criticized former foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for his recent comments about alleged Russia’s obstruction during the nuclear negotiations and implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA.

Hamas returns bodies of two more hostages, says Israel violating Gaza ceasefire

Hamas has turned over the remains of two more deceased Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced, as the Palestinian group announced that Tel Aviv is continuing to commit ceasefire violations.

Israel commits 47 violations since Gaza truce came into effect: Media office

The government media office in the Gaza Strip has said in a press statement that Israel committed 47 breaches of the truce deal since it came into effect last week.

Hamas says will not commit to disarm until further negotiations

Hamas will not automatically commit to disarming and hopes the ceasefire with Israel will last three to five years to rebuild Gaza, Hamas politburo member Mohammed Nazzal has stated in an interview with Reuters.

Analyst: Russia acts pragmatically while Iran treats politics as a matter of honor

Iranian political analyst Abbas Abdi has criticized Iran’s “honor-based” approach to politics, arguing that such rigidity prevents pragmatic policymaking and leads to endless conflict.

Iranian lawmakers receive suspended prison sentences, media bans

Iran’s Judiciary announced on Saturday that former lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian and current Tehran representative Abolfazl Zohrevand have been sentenced to prison and banned from media activities in separate court rulings related to their public remarks.

Iran formally approves conditional accession to anti-terror financing convention

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf has officially notified President Massoud Pezeshkian of the law approving the country’s accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), in accordance with the Iranian Constitution.

Trump says To meet with China’s leader At South Korea summit

President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he will hold talks with China's Xi Jinping during the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea.

Venezuelan Nobel winner holds call with Israeli PM

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, in a call on Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praised the fight against "totalitarian forces", in what Tel Aviv presented as an endorsement of its Gaza offensive.

Iran says nuclear restrictions under UNSC Resolution 2231 no longer valid

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 will officially expire on October 18, insisted that all related restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program are now void, and urged the UN to correct “false claims” of renewed sanctions.

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks in Qatar after deadly clashes

Pakistan officials will hold talks in Qatar with their Afghan counterparts, a day after Islamabad launched air sattacks on its neighbour killing at least 10 people and breaking a ceasefire that had brought two days of calm to the border.

Iran, Russia, China send joint letter to UN on end of Resolution 2231

Iran, Russia, and China have jointly sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, emphasizing the termination of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 on Iran’s nuclear program, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi.