Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iran’s New School Year opens with president’s attendance

President Massoud Pezeshkian officially inaugurated the new academic year in Iran on Tuesday by ringing the school bell at a girls’ school in the capital Tehran.

Pezeshkian rules out negotiating with those who seek bullying

Ahead of his trip to New York, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated, "We should sit together and engage in dialogue to better understand one another; but dialogue with those who intend to bully, dominate, deceive, or sabotage is not possible."

Iranian scientific vice president: Path of supporting AI education continues

The Iranian vice president for science announced the continuation of artificial intelligence (AI) education for students and the periodic holding of related competitions throughout the year.

Iran warns snapback will create ‘new conditions’ and void deal with IAEA

Iran has warned that any move by Britain, France, and Germany to reinstate UN sanctions through the "snapback mechanism" would create “new conditions” that nullify its recent agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Russia risking ‘direct armed confrontation’ with NATO: UK

British fighter jets are ready to “confront” Russian warplanes violating NATO airspace, the UK Foreign Secretary has told the United Nations, as she accused Moscow of risking “direct armed confrontation”.

Putin: Russia ready to respond to any threat

Moscow is ready to respond to any threats, President Vladimir Putin has said, adding that Moscow still supports a diplomatic path to ease tensions despite the West’s destructive policies.

France among six more states to formally recognise Palestinian statehood

The leaders of six countries have moved to recognise Palestinian statehood at a high-level summit ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York.

US vows to ‘defend every inch of NATO territory’

Washington's new envoy to the United Nations has vowed to "defend every inch of NATO territory" as he addressed an emergency meeting over an incursion by Russian jets into Estonia's air space.

Hungary calls for deal to lower risk of war with Russia

Ending the Ukraine conflict would entirely diffuse the risk of escalation between NATO and Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview with TASS on Monday.

Tehran governor announces deportation of 1.4 million illegal foreign nationals

Tehran’s governor has announced that since the beginning of this Persian year, 6 months ago, approximately 1.4 million illegal Afghan nationals have been deported from Iran.

Nuclear chief: Iran to continue its programs within safeguard obligations

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami says he is hopeful that his visit to Moscow will mark a turning point in bilateral relations between Tehran and Moscow.

North Korean leader teases ‘secret weapons’

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hinted that the Asian country has developed “secret weapons” to bolster deterrence against the US and its allies.

France warns against seizing frozen Russian assets

French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed back against the idea of seizing frozen Russian funds, warning that doing so could backfire on the West and undermine global stability and security.

Syria sets October date for first election since al-Assad’s overthrow

Syria will elect a new People’s Assembly on October 5, the first parliament to be chosen since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad late last year.

Dozens of Iranian lawmakers call for production of nuclear weapons

More than 70 members of Iran’s parliament, in a letter to the Supreme National Security Council and the heads of the three branches of government, called for the production of nuclear weapons while urging a review of Iran’s defense doctrine.

Europe refutes key Trump demand over Ukraine war

The EU is not going to impose tariffs on imports from India and China in spite of US President Donald Trump’s request, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated in an interview with Le Soir.

Germany says NATO jets intercept Russian spy plane over Baltic Sea

NATO scrambled two Eurofighter jets over the Baltic Sea after a Russian reconnaissance aircraft was detected flying without a filed flight plan, the German Delegation to NATO has reported.

Iran marks start of school year with ‘Blossom Festival’ for first graders

Iran’s Ministry of Education has launched the new academic year for first‑grade students with the nationwide “Blossom Festival”, held on Monday ahead of the official school opening on Tuesday.

Iranian MP: President Pezeshkian’s New York trip a chance to ease tensions

A senior member of Iran’s parliament has described President Massoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly as a key opportunity to reduce tensions, ease sanctions, and open new diplomatic horizons.

Iran to hold nuclear negotiations with Europe in New York

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi is set to meet with the foreign ministers of Germany, France and UK in New York this week, with the European Union’s foreign policy chief also expected to attend.

Commanders of Iran’s IRGC, Army pledge unified, swift response to any aggression

Senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Islamic Republic of Iran Army reaffirmed their strategic unity and warned foreign adversaries against any aggression.

Iran says multi-national projects in Chabahar undeterred by US sanctions

Tehran has announced its joint development projects with New Delhi and other countries in the deep-water port of Chabahar will continue regardless of a recent decision by Washington to withdraw a sanctions waiver granted to the port seven years ago.

Israeli PM says that a Palestinian state ‘will not happen’

A Palestinian state will never be established west of the Jordan River, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated in response to nations that have recently recognized Palestine.

President says Iran expects China to implement global governance initiative in practice

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Tehran expects Beijing to do more to implement its “valuable” initiative regarding global governance to promote multilateralism and counter unilateralism.

Children among 5 killed in Israeli drone attack in Lebanon

An Israeli drone attack has killed five people, including three children, in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry has announced, as Israel continues to target its neighbour on a near-daily basis despite a US-brokered truce that took effect in November.