Monday, March 2, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Israel seizes key Gaza border crossing

Israeli soldiers have seized control of Gaza’s Rafah border crossing, cutting off a vital route for humanitarian aid and potential sanctuary for civilians.

Students stage pro-Palestine protests at five more UK universities

Students at five UK universities have become the latest demonstrators to stage protest rallies to pressure their institutions into divesting funds from and ending partnerships with Israel.

US senators threaten ICC with sanctions if they seek Netanyahu’s arrest

A dozen US senators threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC) with sanctions if the body moves forward with an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli leaders over the war in the Gaza Strip.

Iran’s nuclear chief says talks with IAEA chief constructive

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami says he had constructive and progressing talks with visiting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi.

Senior Iran general says US seeks targeting all Muslim world

The Commander in Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami says the US has targeted all Muslim world, and Iran will reciprocate the move by expanding its war front beyond geographical borders.

White House confirms US soldier detained in Russia

A US soldier was arrested in Russia last week, the US Army and the National Security Council confirmed Monday.

Ground invasion of Rafah would be “intolerable”: UN chief

A ground attack against the Southern Gaza city of Rafah would be "intolerable", United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday.

IAEA chief tours Iran’s historic Khaju Bridge

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, who is in Iran to hold technical talks with Iranian officials and attend a nuclear conference, visited the historic Khaju Bridge in Iran’s central city of Isfahan.

Israel declines Gaza ceasefire proposal, continues Rafah attack

The Israeli war cabinet has unanimously decided to continue military operation in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas on the issue of releasing the hostages, the government’s press office announced on Monday.

Iran FM calls for IAEA impartiality, welcomes close cooperation

The Iranian foreign minister, in a meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, has called for the impartiality of the agency in dealing with Iran's nuclear program and tackling the remaining issues between the two sides.

US says reviewing Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire proposal, opposes Rafah invasion

The United States has announced it is reviewing Hamas's response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal, while refusing to provide any details about the deal or what exactly the Palestinian group has agreed to.

Russia summons British, French ambassadors

The UK and French envoys in Moscow were summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry amid rising tensions over the Ukraine conflict.

Hamas says accepted Qatari-Egyptian proposal for Gaza ceasefire

Hamas has accepted a proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war put forward by mediators Qatar and Egypt, the Palestinian group announced Monday, although Israel has yet to comment on the proposal.

Official: Hundreds of buildings Destroyed in recent fire in northern Iranian village 

A fire has destroyed 389 houses and commercial properties in a village in the northern Iranian province of Gilan.

Iran’s atomic chief: Tehran ready to transfer nuclear capabilities to other countries 

The director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the country is determined to develop its nuclear technology, voicing readiness to transfer it to other states.

Israeli offensive in Gaza’s Rafah would compound “unbearable tragedy”: UN

The head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has repeated urgent calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, warning of "new forced displacement" and an "anxiety of endless suffering" among Gazans.

President Raisi calls for disarmament of all anti-Iran groups in Iraq, including Kurdistan

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi urges Iraq’s Kurdistan region to not let its soil be used by the Zionist regime’s mercenaries and anti-Iran groups as a launch-pad for actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Russia claims US ramped up search for alternative to Zelensky

The United States has ramped up its search for an alternative to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Russia’s foreign intel service (SVR). SVR added the West is extremely concerned about the dynamics of public sentiment in Ukraine, noted by increased "apathy" and "distrust of state institutions".

Around 2,500 arrested at pro-Palestinian rallies at US universities

Nearly 2,500 people have been detained at pro-Palestinian rallies at college and university campuses across the US, according to reports.

Putin orders tactical nuclear weapons exercise

Moscow will test its ability to deploy tactical nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced on Monday. The drill will be conducted “in the near future” and was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the statement added.

Iranian daily: Taliban on ethnic cleansing rampage of Shias, Iran silent

An Iranian newspaper has slammed officials in Iran for turning a blind eye to what it calls an ‘ethnic cleansing and killing spree of Shia Muslims’ in neighboring Afghanistan under the Taliban rulers.

Iran Leader: Israel would not dare to commit savage crimes without US support

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Israel would not and did not have the power to show such savage behavior if it were not for the United States’ help.

Israel calls on Gazans to evacuate eastern suburbs of Rafah

The Israeli army, ignoring international outcries, has issued urgent evacuation orders to Palestinian residents and displaced individuals in several areas of eastern Rafah, urging them to immediately relocate to the town of Al-Mawasi.

US pauses ammunition shipment to Israel: Report

The administration of US President Joe Biden has halted a shipment of ammunition bound for Israel last week, Axios reported, as pressure rises over the Israeli military’s promised invasion of Rafah in Gaza.

OIC urges member states to sanction Israel, halt arms export

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly denounced the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, calling on its 57 member states to impose sanctions on the regime and halt exporing weapons to Israel.