Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Ali Larijani: U.S. demanded Iran cut missile range to below 500 km

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, revealed that Washington once attempted to impose a condition requiring Iran to reduce the range of its missiles to less than 500 kilometers.

Iran confirms arrival of Russian MiG-29 jets, announces upcoming delivery of Su-35 fighters

A member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has confirmed the arrival of Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets in Iran, saying the aircraft are now stationed in Shiraz as part of a short-term defense solution.

Kayhan: shadow of war to never disappear via negotiations

The Iranian daily Kayhan wrote that the experience of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran proved negotiations with the United States not only failed to prevent military aggression but also facilitated deception and surprise attacks.

German military reveals expected losses from conflict with Russia

The German armed forces would expect to suffer 1,000 wounded soldiers a day in the event of a conflict with Russia, according to the head of the Bundeswehr’s medical service. Moscow has repeatedly denied any plans to attack NATO nations, calling such allegations “nonsense.”

Poland threatens to shoot down Russian aircraft

Poland would shoot down any Russian aircraft or missile that crosses into its airspace, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday.

US could sanction entire ICC: Reuters

Washington is weighing whether to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a whole, in what would be the most severe escalation yet of its campaign against the tribunal, Reuters has reported, citing six people familiar with the matter.

Moldova arrests dozens over alleged Russian plot to stir up unrest around key election

Authorities in Moldova announced that they carried out 250 raids and detained dozens of people on Monday as part of an investigation into an alleged Russia-backed plan to incite "mass riots" and destabilise the country in the run-up to critical parliamentary elections.

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.