Monday, December 22, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Veteran Iranian actor Mohammad Kasebi dies at 75

Mohammad Kasebi, a prominent Iranian film and television actor, has passed away at the age of 75 after a long illness, his daughter announced on Sunday.

Taliban, Pakistan trade heavy fire along Afghanistan border

Taliban and Pakistani soldiers have exchanged fire across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, prompting calls for restraint from several countries, as tensions escalate following an air attack on the Afghan capital, Kabul, earlier this week.

Three Qatari officials killed in car crash in Egypt

Three Qatari officials have been killed in a car crash near the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, according to the Doha Embassy in Cairo.

Hamas says ready to fight if Gaza war resumes

Hamas is ready to fight back if United States President Donald Trump’s peace accord unravels and hostilities with Israel resume in the Gaza Strip, a senior official told AFP on Saturday.

Iran confirms receiving Israel’s message via Russia, dismisses new talks with US and Europe

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Russia has conveyed a message from Israel claiming that Tel Aviv has no intention of engaging in a new conflict with Iran.

Iran’s ambassador: $60 million in Iranian aid to Lebanon rejected Over sanctions

Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani says the Iranian people offered humanitarian assistance worth $60 million to Lebanon, but the Lebanese government declined to accept it due to international sanctions and political sensitivities.

Iran’s weightlifting team reclaims world title after 8 years

The Iranian men's national weightlifting team claimed the team world championship title after eight years, bringing a significant honor to Iranian sports.

Israeli air attacks kill one, injure seven in Lebanon

Israeli air attacks on a southern Lebanese village have killed one person and wounded seven others, temporarily severing a key route connecting Beirut to the country’s south, in the latest near-daily violation by Tel Aviv of the November 2024 ceasefire it signed with Hezbollah.

Thousands of Palestinians returning to areas vacated by Israeli soldiers in Gaza

Tens of thousands of Palestinians set off toward areas vacated by Israeli soldiers after a ceasefire took effect on Friday.

South Korean ambassador in Iran performs iconic Persian song “Jan-e Maryam” to mark 63 years of diplomatic ties

South Korea’s ambassador to Iran, Kim Junpyo, has performed a new rendition of the beloved Persian classic “Jan-e Maryam” in collaboration with the Orkestr-e Istgah (Station Orchestra).

Once a shining jewel, Kermanshah’s Sarab-e Niloufar dries up amid mismanagement, drought

Sarab-e Niloufar, once a sparkling natural spring and a beloved symbol of life in western Iran, has completely dried up, turning from a lush blue lake into a cracked, silent basin.

Beijing slams Washington plan to restrict flights over Russia

Beijing has slammed Washington over a proposed ban on Chinese airlines using Russian airspace, warning that it would ultimately harm US businesses.

Lebanon says it thwarted Israeli network plotting bomb attacks

The Lebanese government announced it had foiled an Israeli plot to carry out assassinations and bombing attacks in the country, as Tel Aviv continues to violate the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad Hail global solidarity, thank Iran and other allies for supporting Gaza ceasefire

The Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad expressed deep gratitude for the “unprecedented wave of global solidarity” supporting the Palestinian people.

US says to impose 100% tariffs on China

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods beginning November 1, 2025, in response to what he described as Beijing’s “extraordinarily aggressive” new trade restrictions.

Putin says Russia to unveil new weapon soon

Moscow will soon make an announcement on a new weapon at its disposal, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, adding that trials have so far gone well.

Israeli hostages to be released from Gaza on Monday: Trump

Israelis held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other armed groups are slated to “come back” on Monday, United States President Donald Trump has stated, with 20 living captives and the bodies of 28 others who died in captivity due to be handed over as part of the US-backed ceasefire accord.

Palestine factions refuse foreign guardianship on Gaza

Hamas and allied Palestinian factions have reiterated that any decision on the future governance of the Gaza Strip is “an internal Palestinian matter” as the ceasefire in the war-ravaged territory takes effect.

US announces it will allow Qatar to construct Air Force facility in Idaho

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced that the United States will allow Doha to build an Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, which will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots who will train alongside American troops.

IRGC navy commander: Iran to defend its interests in Persian Gulf “to last breath”

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, described the Strait of Hormuz as the “world’s oil and gas artery,” emphasizing Iran’s commitment to safeguarding the strategic waterway.

US admin. threatens Chinese airlines flying over Russia: Reuters

The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States, Reuters reported on Friday.

EU lawmakers support shooting down Russian planes

The European Parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling on EU member states to shoot down Russian military aircraft that enter the bloc’s airspace. The move follows a string of recent drone sightings across Europe, which Western officials have linked to Moscow, which denies any wrongdoing.

Rumors about assassination of Iran’s General Qaani denied

Reports circulating on social media about the assassination and martyrdom of General Esmail Qaani, commander of the IRGC Quds Force, are false, according to Iranian sources.

Iran denounces US military intervention in Latin America as danger to regional stability

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baqaei condemned the US’s destabilizing and tension-escalating actions in the Caribbean and Latin America, particularly its recent military movements against Venezuela.

Iran club Esteghlal celebrate manager Ricardo Sá Pinto’s 53rd birthday

Portuguese manager of Esteghlal FC Ricardo Sá Pinto turned 53 years old on Friday.