Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iran denounces US violations at IAEA general conference

Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna has sharply criticized the United States for breaking international law during the IAEA General Conference in Vienna.

Glowing object seen in Iranian skies linked to domestic system tests

A mysterious glowing object spotted over several Iranian provinces late Thursday has been confirmed as part of domestic system tests, according to local officials.

Foreign Minister: Iran’s Proposal to E3 Reasonable, Logical

The Iranian Foreign Minister says the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a reasonable and practical plan to the European countries regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, aimed at preventing an unnecessary and avoidable crisis in the coming days.

Trump admin. wants key Afghan air base back

US President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to regain control of Bagram Air Base in northeastern Afghanistan.

Trump blocks arms deal with Taiwan: WaPo

US President Donald Trump has refused to approve a weapons package for Taiwan, the Washington Post has reported, citing five people familiar with the matter.

India ramping up Russian oil imports amid US trade negotiations: Bloomberg

Indian refiners intend to continue purchasing Russian crude to meet rising fuel demand, even as New Delhi restarts trade talks with the US for...

Trump says ‘not the right time’ to call for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has stated it is not the right time for him to call for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

1 dead, 20 injured in Tehran–Mashhad bus collision in Iran

A passenger bus traveling from Mashhad to Tehran collided with a trailer truck near Hajiabad in Garmsar County on Thursday morning, leaving one dead and 20 others injured.

Iran’s top military chief: Diplomacy best path to resolving disputes

Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, emphasized that the Islamic Republic has never been the initiator of war and regards diplomacy and negotiation as the best means of resolving international disputes.

Israeli army to flood Gaza City with explosive-laden robots: Report

The Israeli military is preparing to deploy an “unprecedented” number of explosive-laden, remote-controlled vehicles into Gaza City, according to a report by Walla news outlet.

79,000 Israelis left occupied territories in 2024, outnumbering newcomers: Official figures

Around 79,000 Israelis left the occupied territories last year, a figure significantly up from a year earlier, amid rising regional tensions over Tel Aviv’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

Poll finds huge support for global cooperation, but failing grades for UN, others

A new survey of over 36,300 people worldwide showed huge support for more international cooperation on issues including trade, global health, climate and poverty, but gave largely failing grades to institutions like the United Nations, IMF and others.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan ink mutual defence pact

Saudi Arabia signed on Wednesday a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan, amid growing fears in the Persian Gulf over the US’s willingness to constrain Israeli belligerence.

Iran calls on E3 to act ‘responsibly’ amid ‘snapback’ threats

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has urged France, Germany, and Britain, jointly known as the E3, to act “responsibly” and “independently” in the face of mounting pressure to re-impose UN sanctions on Tehran.

Iran tells UN Security Council Afghan migration poses growing strain

Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan that the presence of millions of Afghan migrants has severely strained Iran’s resources and infrastructure, creating complex security and cross-border challenges.

Syria’s president says negotiations with Israel could lead to results ‘in days’

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa has stated that security talks with Israel are a “necessity” and could lead to results in the “coming days”.

Britain to formally recognize Palestinian state after Trump’s visit: Report

The United Kingdom will formally recognize a Palestinian state this weekend after US President Donald Trump concludes his state visit, The i Paper reported Wednesday, citing government sources.

Iranian president: No obstacles to Tehran-Moscow cooperation

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Tehran sees no barriers to expanding cooperation with Moscow and stressed that bilateral agreements in energy, transport, and power sectors will be implemented with urgency.

EU proposes suspension of trade concessions with Israel over war in Gaza

The European Commission, the European Union’s main executive body, has presented a much anticipated and delayed proposal to “suspend certain trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel” in response to Tel Aviv’s war on the Gaza Strip.

American judge orders deportation of activist Mahmoud Khalil to Syria, Algeria

An immigration judge in the United States has ordered that pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil, who played a leading role in protests last year against Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip at the prestigious Columbia University, be deported to Algeria or Syria.

Gaza death toll surges past 65,000

The death toll in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 65,062, with 165,697 others injured, since Israel launched its genocidal war on the enclave in October 2023, the Health Ministry announced Wednesday.

Iran’s health minister: Sanctions cause more deaths than wars

Iran’s Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi says sanctions cause more deaths than wars.

Samineh Baghcheban, founder of deaf education institutions, dies at 97

Iranian writer and founder of educational and cultural institutions for hearing-impaired children Samineh Baghcheban has passed away at the age of 97.

Two smugglers killed in police operation in Iran’s northeast

The spokesperson for the Iranian Police Force announced the execution of a joint operation by the special forces unit and the anti-narcotics police, resulting in the death of two armed criminals in the desert region of Halvan in northeastern Iran.

Ukraine’s Zelensky ready to meet Russia’s Putin without preconditions except one

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he is ready to meet either with Russian President Vladimir Putin alone or together with US President Donald Trump, “without conditions” but rejected a proposal to travel to Moscow for talks.