Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iranian president congratulates China on National Day, highlights strategic ties

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, calling the day a symbol of unity, progress, and remarkable achievements.

Iran’s water rights from Helmand river remain unfulfilled despite treaty with Afghanistan

Iran has once again raised concerns over Afghanistan’s failure to deliver its agreed share of water from the Helmand River, despite a 1973 treaty obliging Kabul to allocate 820 million cubic meters annually.

Gaza starvation deaths rise to 453, including 150 children: Health Ministry

The death toll from malnutrition caused by Israel’s starvation policy in the Gaza Strip has reached 453 people since October 2023, the enclave's Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Judge rules US deportation drive against pro-Palestine students is illegal

An American judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump unlawfully targeted pro-Palestine student activists with deportation to silence criticism of Israel, violating their right to free speech.

Trump: Russia and China catching up with US on submarines

Moscow and Beijing are catching up with Washington in terms of number of submarines, US President Donald Trump has stated, although he asserted that America remains far ahead.

Majority of Germans oppose NATO attacking Russian jets: Poll

Most Germans would oppose NATO shooting down Russian military aircraft if they enter the bloc’s airspace, a new survey suggested. Several NATO members have previously threatened to do so.

Ex-UK defense chief calls for Crimea to be made ‘uninhabitable’

Kiev’s Western backers must help make Crimea “not inhabitable”, former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has stated.

Hamas has ‘3-4 days’ to respond to Gaza peace plan: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated that he is giving Hamas three to four days to respond to his 20-point Gaza peace plan, warning of dire consequences if the Palestinian group rejects it.

UN warns Afghanistan internet cut ‘extremely serious’ For human rights

Afghanistan's internet and telecommunications cut has "extremely serious" rights implications, with women and girls especially affected, the UN human rights office warned Tuesday.

Hamas pledges to study US Gaza plan ‘responsibly’: Qatar

Palestinian group Hamas has promised to study US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip “responsibly”, Qatar announced on Tuesday.

Rezaei: Trump’s letter to Leader raised nuclear talks, not missiles

Mohsen Rezaei, member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, said that the letter from U.S. President Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader had sought talks on the nuclear issue and made no mention of missiles.

Top Iranian lawmaker: Cooperation with IAEA currently suspended

Seyyed Mahmoud Nabavian, Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, declared that Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been reduced to “zero” following the illegal activation of the snapback mechanism by Western powers.

Most Americans oppose more aid to Israel: Survey

Israel is quickly losing US public support for its military operation in the Gaza Strip, a new poll suggested. Conducted by the New York Times and the Siena Research Institute, the survey was released hours after US President Donald Trump unveiled his new roadmap for peace in Gaza on Monday.

Iranian FM urges diplomacy, says nuclear technology is indigenous

Iran’s foreign minister told CNN in New York that diplomacy, not renewed sanctions or military action, is the only viable path to resolve tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Iran dismisses rumors of poppy cultivation, reaffirms opposition to narcotics production

The deputy secretary-general of Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters has dismissed rumors that the country may permit poppy cultivation, stressing that the government remains firmly opposed to growing narcotics.

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation but has not finalized NPT exit, lawmaker states

An Iranian lawmaker has said that the country has not yet reached a final decision on whether to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), stressing that such a move would require consensus across all branches of the political system.

Iran FM says UNSCR 2231 sanctions must end on October 18

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi has stressed that all restrictions under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 must end on October 18, condemning the US and European attempts to misuse the snapback mechanism as unlawful and a blow to diplomacy.

Ukraine says wants war with Russia to end this year

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga has stated that stronger Western pressure on Russia could bring the conflict to an end this year.

20% of children in Gaza born underweight or premature amid Israeli blockade: UNICEF

One in five children in the Gaza Strip is born premature or underweight, a consequence of the prolonged, systematic Israeli siege of the Palestinian territory over the past two years, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced.

US gears up for possible conflict with China: WSJ

The United States is working to ramp up missile production in preparation for a potential conflict with China, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing officials familiar with the matter. The Pentagon is reportedly pressing defense contractors to double or quadruple output amid mounting concerns over insufficient weapons stockpiles.

US deports dozens of Iranians to Tehran under bilateral deal: NYT

The Donald Trump administration is deporting about 100 Iranians from the US to Iran under an agreement reached between the two governments, The New York Times reported.

Iran’s military chief: Army, IRGC ready for any future confrontation

Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, has declared that the country’s Armed Forces and Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces are fully prepared for potential future conflicts.

US announces peace deal for Israel’s war on Gaza

US President Donald Trump announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a proposal to end the Gaza war. The American leader stated that the agreement is still to be accepted by Hamas.

UK Labour conference votes to sanction Israel and recognise Gaza genocide

Labour party delegates have voted that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and should be sanctioned, in a shock development at the annual party conference.

Israeli PM apologises to Qatar over Doha attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to Qatar for the killing of a Qatari citizen during an Israeli military operation on Hamas leaders in Doha this month, which drew global condemnation.