Monday, December 22, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

Iran’s Saeid Mani wins gold at World Para Powerlifting Championships

On the second day of the 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, in the youth division, Iranian national team member Saeid Mani competed in the 88 kg category against strong international rivals. Mani successfully lifted 166 kg in his first attempt, followed by 172 kg in his second lift.

Iran says supports any initiative to end genocide in Gaza

Iran will back any effort or initiative that can lead to an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said in an interview with Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV network.

Iranian para powerlifter claims historic world title

Atieh Sadat Hosseini, an Iranian female para powerlifter, has been crowned world champion, marking a historic achievement for Iran.

Tehran residents show support for the Axis of Resistance

Following Friday prayers, thousands of Tehran residents took part in the “Besharat al-Nasr” (Promise of Victory) rally from the University of Tehran to Azadi Square to express their solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza and the Axis of Resistance.

Flamingos arrive at Iran’s Miankaleh wetland as autumn migration begins

The Miankaleh International Wetland in northern Iran has become a seasonal haven for migratory birds, including flamingos, as autumn migration gets underway, according to the head of the Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge and Reserve.

Iran Defense Ministry spox: Israel Forced to Sign Agreement with Hamas

Iran's Defense Ministry Spokesman Reza Talai-Nik said that the ceasefire in Gaza marks the victory of the resistance and the failure of the enemy, including the Zionist regime.

Putin: Israel sent message that it seeks no confrontation with Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Israel has conveyed messages to Moscow expressing that it does not seek confrontation with Iran and wishes to resolve the situation peacefully.

NATO weighing stronger military response to Russian provocations: FT

NATO member states are weighing options for a more decisive response to Russia's increasingly provocative actions, including military measures, the Financial Times (FT) has reported, citing unnamed sources.

EU envoys approve plan to phase out Russian gas, oil by 2028: Reuters

EU ambassadors agreed on a plan to phase out Russian gas and oil by 2028, Reuters has reported, as Ukraine's Western partners step up efforts to pressure Moscow, which continues to fund its war through revenues from oil and gas exports.

Iran says supports any initiative aimed at halting Gaza genocidal war

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced hat the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently supported every measure and initiative aimed at halting the genocidal war in Gazs, ensuring the withdrawal of occupying forces, enabling the entry of humanitarian assistance, securing the release of Palestinian prisoners, and realizing the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.

UN plans to cut 25% of global peacekeeping force amid funding shortfall

The United Nations will begin slashing its peacekeeping force and operations, forcing thousands of soldiers to evacuate their far-flung global hotspots. It comes as a result of the latest US funding cuts to the global organisation.

India likely to buy more Russian oil: Bloomberg

New Delhi is likely to increase its oil purchases from Moscow in the coming months, with refiners in the South Asian nation being offered significant discounts, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

EU pressuring Belgium to tap frozen Russian funds: FT

Patience among EU members is “running thin” over Belgium’s refusal to approve a bloc-backed plan to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for a multibillion-euro loan to finance Ukraine’s war, The Financial Times has reported.

‘Uncertainty is the new normal’ in global economy: IMF chief

The head of the International Monetary Fund has issued a stark warning about the mounting risks facing the global economy, stressing, “Buckle up: uncertainty is the new normal.”

French national Lennart Monterlos acquitted, released by Iranian court

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that French citizen Lennart Monterlos, who had been detained in Iran on charges of anti-security activities, has been acquitted and released following a court ruling.

Tehran, Moscow hold talks on development of small-scale reactors

Tehran and Moscow have held new rounds of discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, particularly on the development of small modular reactors (SMRs).

Almost 55,000 children under five suffering acute malnutrition in Gaza: Lancet

A study conducted by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) shows that 54,600 children in Gaza are either acutely or severely malnourished, The Lancet reported on Wednesday.

37th International Children and Youth Film Festival concludes in Isfahan

The closing ceremony of the 37th International Children and Youth Film Festival was held on Wednesday evening, in the central Iranian city of Isfahan.