Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iranian cheetah at brink of extinction, says environment chief

The head of Iran’s Department of Environment has warned that the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah is “one step away from extinction,” urging coordinated national action to save the species.

Hamas confirms death of Mohammed Sinwar

Hamas on Sunday confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar, its presumed leader in Gaza, more than three months after Israel announced it had killed him in an air strike.

Interior ministry: Over 1.8mn undocumented Afghan migrants exited Iran since July last year

More than 1.8 million undocumented Afghan migrants have left Iran since the start of the current administration in July last year, according to the Ministry of Interior’s Office for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs.

Iran denies Azerbaijan’s allegations against ambassador to Armenia

The Iranian embassy in Baku has denied allegations published by the Republic of Azerbaijani news outlet Axar regarding Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, describing the claims as “baseless and false.”

Iran to add two new national days to calendar next year

Iran’s Public Culture Council is finalizing two proposals to add new commemorative days to the country’s official calendar starting in the Iranian year 1405 (staring March 2026).

US accuses Europe of prolonging Ukraine war: Axios

Senior White House officials have accused some European leaders of prolonging Russia's war in Ukraine, Axios has reported.

Trump considers sending US private military companies to secure Ukraine peace accord: Telegraph

U.S. President Donald Trump is negotiating with European allies to send American private military companies to help secure a potential peace accord in Ukraine, the Telegraph has reported, citing undisclosed sources.

Iran president: Shanghai summit key to boosting multilateralism, regional cooperation

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian described the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen multilateralism and expand regional cooperation, ahead of his departure to China on Sunday.

Presence of foreign powers in West Asia a source of concern: Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, has emphasized that the presence of extra-regional powers, including the United States, raises significant concerns for West Asia.

Yemen’s Houthis confirm prime minister killed in Israeli attack on Sanaa

A Houthi official has vowed “vengeance” against Israel after the Yemeni group confirmed that an Israeli air attack earlier this week killed the prime minister of the Houthis’ government in the capital, Sanaa.

Palestinian Authority calls on US to reinstate Abbas’s visa before UNGA

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s office urged Washington to reverse a decision to revoke the Palestinian leader’s visa, just weeks before he was set to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Iranian CrossFit champion killed at wedding in Mashhad

Iranian CrossFit champion and referee Mohsen Asadi was fatally shot at a wedding hall in Mashhad, northeastern Iran.

“Economic normalization with West almost impossible after snapback”

Head of Iran’s Parliamentary Research Center Babak Negahdari has warned that normalizing economic relations with the West is nearly impossible in the current geopolitical climate.

Iran defeat USA to reach Final of U21 Volleyball World Championship

Iran’s U21 national volleyball team secured a spot in the final of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship after a decisive 3-0 victory over the US in the semifinals.

President Pezeshkian: No foreign power allowed to undermine Iran-Armenia friendship   

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran’s concerns over the presence of foreign forces in the sensitive Caucasus region were largely alleviated following assurances from Armenian officials.

Iranian president to visit China for SCO summit and Victory Day Parade

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to arrive in China on Sunday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iran’s ambassador to Beijing announced. 

EU says ‘not optimistic’ on sanctioning Israel over Gaza war

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that she was "not optimistic" the bloc would take action against Israel over the war in Gaza due to splits between member states.

Iran faces severe drought amid poor water management, environment chief warns

Iran has faced five consecutive years of drought, with this year’s rainfall levels described as “very poor,” according to Shina Ansari, head of the Department of Environment.

US backing ‘Chinese peacekeepers’ in Ukraine: FT

US President Donald Trump has proposed deploying “Chinese peacekeepers” to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, the Financial Times has reported, citing people briefed on the discussions.

Renowned Iranian composer Ahmad Pejman dies in Los Angeles

Celebrated Iranian composer Ahmad Pejman, known for his groundbreaking contributions to Iranian classical and cinematic music, passed away on Friday in Los Angeles at the age of 91.

Iran, Armenia discuss security and regional stability

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), met on Saturday with his Armenian counterpart, Armen Grigoryan, during the latter’s visit to Tehran.

Iran rules out negotiations under pressure, backs Russia, china nuclear proposal as ‘practical step’

Iran has dismissed the idea of holding talks under “threats or coercion”, describing a proposal from Russia and China toward resolving nuclear issues as a “practical step.”

France: Putin ‘played’ Trump if no Zelensky meeting commitment by Monday

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a reminder of President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Iranian speaker says US, NATO, Israel aligned against Tehran

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says that Iran is facing a united front comprising the US, Israel, NATO, and even some regional countries, stressing the need for national unity and strength to counter potential threats.

Iranian daily warns of return to Ahmadinejad-era sanctions

The Jomhouri-e Eslami daily has warned that Iran is edging back toward the period of heavy sanctions experienced during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the nuclear negotiations led by Saeed Jalili.