Thursday, March 5, 2026

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

US announces 500 new sanctions against Russia, longest blacklist to date

The United States has sanctioned another 500 people and entities connected with Russia, including financial executives and prison officials. US President Joe Biden stated that the restrictions will ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin “pays an even steeper price for his aggression”, but the Kremlin has dismissed them as “fruitless".

Israeli post-war Gaza plan ‘destined to fail’: Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian Authority has sharply criticised a “day after” plan for the Gaza Strip presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it “destined to fail”.

World Bank cautions Gaza economy plummeted by over 80% due to Israeli strikes

Gaza's economy shrank by more than 80% in the fourth quarter of last year due to Israeli onslaught against the besieged enclave, according to the World Bank.

NATO says Ukraine can deploy F-16s to attack deep inside Russia

Ukraine will be free to use F-16 fighter jets it will receive from NATO against military targets 'inside Russia', or beyond Kiev's borders, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told RFE/RL in an interview.

Warm winter in Iran raises concerns over continued drought

2023 was the hottest year on the record on the earth, a major source of concern that drought will pose serious threats in water stressed countries like Iran.

Iran’s Jahanbakhsh misses Feyenoord’s life-saving penalty shootout

Feyenoord once again failed to make it to the Europa League Round of 16 as its Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh missed a crucial penalty kick-out against AS Roma on Thursday.

Iran completes first phase of new nuclear power plant 

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the first phase of constructing a new power plant in the southern province of Khuzestan has been completed. 

Tehran hosts urban marathon

A sports event dubbed ‘Tehran City Marathon’ was held at the Azadi Sports Complex in the Iranian capital on Thursday.

2024 Beach Soccer World Cup: Iran beat UAE, set to play Brazil in semi-final

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Iran's national beach soccer team secured a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024 Beach Soccer World Cup.

Renowned Iranian actress Pardis Afkari dies, aged 60

Iranian actress Pardis Afkari, born in 1963, bid farewell to the world on Thursday, succumbing to a battle with a rapidly progressing case of liver cancer.

Biden calling Putin a ‘crazy SOB’ debases U.S.: Russia

The Kremlin announced on Thursday that Joe Biden had debased the United States by calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "crazy SOB", casting the American president's remark as part of a failed "Hollywood cowboy" act.

Israeli police say 1 killed, several injured in checkpoint shooting near Jerusalem

At least one person was killed and eight others were wounded when three gunmen opened fire at motorists close to an Israeli checkpoint near occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli police have confirmed.

‘Absolute victory’ in Gaza Strip not possible for Israel: Survey

A majority of Israelis participating in an opinion poll believe that it is not possible for Tel Aviv to achieve an "absolute victory" in the besieged Gaza Strip, where the regime has been waging a war since early October.

Zero-gravity style: Iranian NASA astronaut’s hairdressing debut

In an unprecedented cosmic rendezvous, Iranian-born NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli showcased her hairdressing skills aboard the International Space Station.

Iran’s Leader criticizes Islamic states for failing to cut ties with Zionists

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has slammed Muslim heads of state for failing to cut their relations with the Israeli regime.

Iran’s Gheymeh Nesar, Baghlava win gold medals in world culinary competition

Iran’s representative in the international cooking completion held in Pakistan has bagged the top awards for 2024.

Discontent towards Russia’s Putin on rise: Former speechwriter

Discontent toward Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian society is on the rise, according to Abbas Gallyamov, Putin's former speechwriter.

Israeli forces stealing weapons under guise of war: Report

An Israeli broadcaster has reported that there has been a disturbing increase in Israeli soldiers stealing arms and military equipment that could find their way into the hands of West Bank-based armed groups.

WHO chief says humanitarian situation in Gaza is ‘inhumane’, calls it ‘death zone’

The humanitarian condition in the Gaza Strip is inhumane, the head of the World Health Organization has stated, calling the Palestinian territory a “death zone".

Pro-gov’t daily rejects ‘electoral silence’ criticism against Iran president

The Iranian government mouthpiece “Iran Newspaper” has dismissed criticism against President Ebrahim Raisi for keeping silent on the upcoming general elections in the country.

Former Iran President Rouhani asks Guardian Council again to clarify disqualification reasons

Former Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, in a letter for the third time, has asked Iran’s electoral vetting body to publicly announce the reasons for disqualifying him as a candidate for the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts polls.

British arms manufacturer BAE Systems makes record profit amid Ukraine, Gaza wars

Increased military spending prompted by Russia’s war on Ukraine and the Gaza conflict helped the British weapons manufacturer BAE Systems to record profits last year, with further growth expected in the year ahead.

Gaza war could lead to nearly 86k additional deaths: Report

Nearly 86,000 more people could die if Israel's ongoing war against the besieged Gaza Strip further escalates, a joint US-UK study has indicated.

Israeli lawmakers back Netanyahu’s rejection of  Palestinian state

Israeli lawmakers voted to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of any “unilateral” recognition of a Palestinian state as international calls have grown for the revival of Palestinian statehood negotiations.

Sources say Russia captured up to 1,000 Ukrainian POWs in Avdeevka

Russian troops may have captured up to 1,000 Ukrainian forces during the chaotic retreat from Avdeevka over the weekend, the New York Times daily has reported, citing anonymous Ukrainian and Western sources. The newspaper described the withdrawal from the former Ukrainian stronghold in Donbass as a “devastating loss” for Kiev that “could deal a blow to already weakening morale".