Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Gaza death toll from Israeli onslaught tops 30,000: Health ministry

More than 30,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel’s war against the besieged enclave began last October, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory announced Thursday.

Iran Red Crescent rescues thousands amidst snow, blizzard crisis

The head of Iran's Red Crescent Rescue Organization, reported on the organization's extensive relief efforts for 15,986 individuals stranded in the snow and blizzard across 26 Iranian provinces.

Miraculous emergency birth rescue in snow-stranded region in northern Iran

During a phone call to the emergency center, a critical pregnancy situation unfolded in the snowbound region of Jajan, in the northern Iranian province of Mazandaran.

EU seeking to completely stop Russian gas transit via Ukraine

The European Commission is working hard to abandon Russian gas supplies it receives through Ukraine, the commission’s spokesperson, Tim McPhie, has stated. The EU’s gas transit contract with Moscow expires at the end of 2024.

Israeli police warn curbing Palestinians access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan may fuel tensions

Israeli police have warned that imposing restrictions on the entry of Palestinians to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan could inflame tensions in Jerusalem.

US trying to persuade Turkish banks, companies to cut ties with Russia: Report

Turkish businesses are at risk of being banned from carrying out currency operations if they continue to trade with Moscow, RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday, citing the news outlet Aydinlik. American officials have reportedly visited Turkey to persuade banks and companies to sever ties with Russia.

US Officials say Pentagon pondering $4 billion Ukraine weapons supply

The US military is considering whether to draw on its last remaining funds allocated for Ukraine, even with no assurances the money will be replaced by lawmakers amid fierce debate over renewed aid, multiple officials told CNN.

Israel to end year with 12k disabled soldiers: Analyst

An Israeli military analyst revealed that Israel will end the current year with 12,000 soldiers suffering from disabilities as a result of the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

Official: Plans underway to facilitate Iranian singer Moein’s return to country

During the past few months there have been reports and denials that the Iranian pop singer Nasrollah Moein who lives in self-exile in the US will be given the green light to return to the country.

Report: Iran’s Mostazafan Foundation website hacked

A hacker group claims it has taken down Iran’s charitable Mostazafan Foundation’s website and released its documents.

Iran successfully launches Pars 1 satellite

Iran successfully launched a new domestically-built imaging and research satellite into space on Thursday and put it into orbit 500 kilometers above the earth.

Gaza Health Ministry confirms 6 children die from dehydration, malnutrition in enclave’s hospitals

Six children have died from dehydration and malnutrition at hospitals in northern Gaza, the Health Ministry in the besieged strip has announced, as the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave worsens.

Hamas says Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel still not close

A senior official with the Palestinian group Hamas has dampened hopes of an immediate ceasefire deal with Israel. Basem Naim, the head of political and international relations for Hamas, stated there was still a long way to go before an agreement could be secured.

Lawsuit implicating Biden in Gaza ‘genocide’ gets expedited appeal

A US federal appeals court has granted a motion to expedite the appeal of a lawsuit that alleges President Joe Biden has failed to stop a genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Turkey says ready to host Russia-Ukraine talks

Ankara is ready to serve as an intermediary for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine once again, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated, ahead of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Turkey to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum later this week.

Countdown beings for voting in Iran as campaigning ends

Campaigning officially ended on Thursday in Iran as the clock is ticking down for parliamentary and Assembly of Experts polls.

Pakistan says US sanctions ‘may not apply’ to gas pipeline project with Iran

Pakistan’s caretaker energy minister has stated Washington’s anti-Tehran sanctions, imposed over its nuclear program, may not apply to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline as Islamabad was going to start work on the project within its territory and connect to the neighboring country.

US spent $12mn to protect Bolton, O’Brien in fear after Iran’s top commander assassination: Report

The US Secret Service reportedly paid over $12 million to protect two security advisors of former President Donald Trump for fear of “possible threats” against their lives from Tehran in revenge for the assassination of top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani.

Bushehr nuclear power plant 2nd and 3rd phase will soon start generating electricity 

The deputy director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the second and third phases of the country’s Bushehr nuclear power plant will soon start generating electricity.

Hamas says Israel, US won’t make gains in Gaza via political deals

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has stated that Tel Aviv and Washington will not achieve through political deals what they failed to accomplish on the field in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Western special forces already in Ukraine: Report

The unofficial presence of Western special troops in Ukraine is a matter of common knowledge, the Financial Times has reported, citing a senior European defense official, speaking anonymously.

Iran Leader calls for high turnout in Friday elections

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has stated that if the nation shows the world that they are present in "decisive scenes", they will save the country and contribute to Iran’s progress. The Leader called for a high turnout in this Friday elections.

Iranian daily slams govt. for permitting Taliban to invest in Iran

An Iranian newspaper has taken a swipe at the government for giving the all clear to the Taliban to make investments in southern Iran.

US officials grilled over lack of congressional approval for military operation against Yemen

The administration of US President Joe Biden came under fire from lawmakers over the lack of congressional approval to conduct military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis and defend foreign ships in the Red Sea.

UN warns hundreds of thousands of Gazans one step away from famine

The United Nations says Israel is “systematically” blocking aid from reaching desperate Palestinians in Gaza, warning that at least one-quarter of the besieged enclave’s population was a step away from famine.