Monday, December 22, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Kiev mayor warns of ‘difficult’ winter amid Russia attacks

Residents of Kiev should prepare for possible blackouts this winter by stocking up on supplies and warm clothes, Mayor Vitaly Klitschko has warned, amid recurring Russian strikes on energy sites.

Execution halted at last moment in case of murdered Tehran University student

The planned execution of a man convicted of murdering Tehran University student Amir Mohammad Khaleghi was halted at the last moment on Wednesday morning, according to the victim’s family lawyer.

Trump announces start of ‘phase 2’ of Gaza ceasefire accord

US President Donald Trump announced the start of “phase two” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, following the release of 20 Israeli hostages under the first stage of the deal brokered by the US, Qatar, Turkey and Egypt.

Municipality spox: Over 300,000 housing units in Gaza completely destroyed

The spokesperson for Gaza City Municipality says during two years of the Zionist regime’s war on Gaza, more than 300,000 housing units have been completely destroyed and another 200,000 partially damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands of families displaced.

Syrian president to pay first visit to Russia

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Russia for a series of official meetings, according to sources close to the Syrian government.

Israel receives bodies of 4 captives from Red Cross in Gaza: Report

Israel has confirmed that it received the bodies of four hostages from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) inside the Gaza Strip.

UN says Gaza Strip reconstruction to cost $70bln

The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will require as much as $70 bln, Jaco Cilliers, the Special Representative of the Administrator for the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, has stated at a briefing.

Denmark embassy in Tehran: No demand for foreign nurses

The Embassy of Denmark in Tehran has stated that contrary to popular belief in Iran, Denmark currently has no demand for foreign nurses.

Iranian court issues verdict in espionage case involving 2 French nationals

Branch of the Islamic Revolution Court of Tehran has issued its preliminary verdict against two French nationals arrested on espionage charges in March 2023.

Council of Europe alarmed By ‘large numbers’ of British arrests over Palestine Action

The Council of Europe has announced it was alarmed over the "large numbers" of people being detained in the United Kingdom for their support of banned pro-Palestinian organisation Palestine Action.

‘Surprising’ drop in military aid to Ukraine in recent months: Kiel Institute

Military aid to Ukraine has fallen dramatically in recent months, a report by the Kiel Institute published has found.

Iran FM Rejects Trump’s Claim Being a Peacemaker

Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi referring to US President Donald Trump’s support for the crimes of the Zionists, said it is hard to call someone a “president of peace” while they fuel endless wars and stand beside war criminals.

Zelensky’s presidential reelection chances fading: Survey

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky could face defeat in a hypothetical presidential election, not only to former armed forces commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny, but also to military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov, according to a new opinion poll published Monday.

Italy says closer to recognizing Palestine after Gaza deal

Rome is closer to recognizing the state of Palestine following a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated.

Iranian parliament rejects urgent motion to suspend CFT accession process

Iran’s Parliament on Tuesday voted against a motion to debate urgently a proposal that would have barred the government from submitting documents related to the country’s accession to the Convention on Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT).

Iran’s former FM Zarif: Direct negotiations with US ‘only real solution’

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the only viable path to resolve Iran’s disputes with the US is through direct and genuine negotiations.

Renowned Iranian filmmaker Nasser Taghvai Dies at 84

Celebrated Iranian filmmaker and screenwriter Nasser Taghvai, best known for directing the classic television series My Uncle Napoleon, has passed away at the age of 84.

MI5 warns UK politicians about ‘overt flattery’ from Russian and Chinese spies

MI5 has issued guidance to British politicians and their staff on how to spot potential Russian or Chinese spies in their day-to-day activities.

Russia could attack EU at any moment: Germany’s top spy

Germany’s new foreign intelligence chief has described Moscow as a direct threat to the EU, warning Russia's “icy peace” with the bloc could escalate into “heated confrontation” at any moment.

A country with 16 neighbors ‘cannot be easily sanctioned’: President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed that Tehran is well capable of overcoming pressures and will never bow to force and bullying.

Israel releases nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire agreement

Almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli detention  under the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Iran: US largest producer of terrorism, greatest supporter of genocidal Zionist regime

Iran's Foreign Ministry says the US is the world's largest producer of terrorism and the supporter of the terrorist and genocidal Zionist regime, adding the Iranian people will never forgive or forget the brutal American crime of assassinating Martyr General Qassem Soleimani who played an unparalleled role in combating the Daesh terrorism manufactured by the US.

“Group sexual assault charges against Iranian athletes in S. Korea dropped”

The Iranian Athletics Federation says the charges of group sexual assault involving members of the national athletics team in South Korea have been dropped after new evidence was presented in court.

FATF invites Iran for direct talks after 6 years

After six years, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has formally invited Iran’s Financial Intelligence Unit chief Hadi Khani for direct negotiations aimed at normalizing Tehran’s case and potentially removing the country from the FATF blacklist, ILNA reported.

Netanyahu praises Trump as ‘Israel’s greatest friend’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised US President Donald Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”