Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Iran FM urges Muslim states to sever ties with Israel, end to genocide in Gaza

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqhi has urged all Muslim countries to immediately sever all relations with the Zionist regime which is engaged in the murder of the Gaza residents and yet entertains the absurd dream of a “Greater Israel”.

Syria interim president to speak at UN General Assembly next month: Official

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa will speak at the United Nations General Assembly next month, a foreign ministry official told AFP on Monday, the first Syrian leader to do so in decades.

Israeli military raids Syrian town in Damascus countryside, opens fire on civilians

The Israeli army moved into a town in the Damascus countryside in southern Syria, opening fire on civilians, local media reported on Monday.

Enemy threats to be met with Iran’s stronger response: Armed Forces General Staff

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff expressed gratitude for the support of the people, the government, and the three branches of power during the 12-day war, and further emphasized that through strengthened national unity and cooperation with officials, any threat from the enemies will be confronted with even greater decisiveness and power.

World-famous singer Sami Yusuf donates part of Istanbul concert proceeds to Gaza

British singer and composer Sami Yusuf dedicated part of the proceeds from his latest concert in Istanbul to support humanitarian aid for people in Gaza.

Iranian President Pezeshkian pays tribute to ‘Martyrs of Power’

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian on Monday visited the cemetery of senior military commanders killed during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, paying tribute to the “Martyrs of Power.”

Iran hopes to begin Russian gas imports via Azerbaijan soon, ambassador says

Iran’s ambassador to Russia said Monday that the delivery of Russian gas to Iran through the Republic of Azerbaijan could begin “in the near future,” pending agreement on pricing terms.

Israel says ‘ready to support’ Lebanon’s endeavours to disarm Hezbollah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday stated that Israel was ready to back Lebanon's endeavours to disarm Hezbollah and offered "reciprocal measures" if Beirut followed through with plans to seize the group's weapons.

Israeli attack on Gaza medical complex kills 20, including 5 journalists

Nineteen Palestinians, including five journalists and a firefighter, were killed and several others wounded Monday in an Israeli attack on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, health authorities and eyewitnesses have announced.

Israeli military says razing Gaza City could take over a year

The Israeli army has warned the government that implementing its demands to demolish all of Gaza City could take several months, potentially more than a year, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Ukraine strikes long-range targets with own weapons without coordinating with US: Zelensky

Ukraine uses domestically produced weapons to carry out long-range attacks against Russia and does not coordinate such targets with the U.S., President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated.

Iran’s Quds Force official: Disarming Hezbollah ‘to never happen’

A senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force said on Monday that disarming Lebanon’s Hezbollah is an “American-Zionist plan” that “will never be realized.”

Iranian wrestling champion Reza Soukhteh Saraei dies at 76

Reza Soukhteh Saraei, a former Iranian wrestling champion and one of the few athletes in the country’s history to win medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, has passed away at the age of 76.

Russia has made ‘significant concessions’ amid Trump-led peace negotiations: Vance

In an exclusive interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press", U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about diplomatic endeavours to end the war in Ukraine and claimed that Russia has made "significant concessions" during peace talks.

Israeli bombardment kills six, injures dozens in Yemen’s Sanaa

The Israeli military has bombed the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Israeli and Yemeni officials say, as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate amid Tel Aviv’s war on Gaza.

NATO says to send Ukraine another $50bn in military aid

NATO intends to spend another $50 billion on military aid for Ukraine and match its contributions from last year, a senior official has told Italy’s Corriere della Sera daily newspaper.

Tasnim News Agency: Iran, European countries to resume nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday

Iran and the European trio, Germany, France, and the UK, are set to hold a new round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, according to Iranian media reports.

Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking nuclear power plant

Russia claimed a Ukrainian drone attack started a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Kyiv celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Zelensky pledges to retake Crimea despite Trump’s peace push

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected US calls to withdraw its claim to Crimea or make any territorial concessions to Russia.

Russia claims west trying to ‘block’ Ukraine peace negotiations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Western states of trying to “block” peace talks to end the Ukraine conflict, after a flurry of diplomatic activity appeared to stall.

IRGC says unity of government, nation and armed forces key to strong Iran

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has stressed that synergy between the Iranian government, people, and the Armed Forces is a key to building a strong and advanced country.

Renowned Iranian actor, Mehrdad Falahatgar, passes away

Mehrdad Falahatgar, veteran actor of Iranian cinema and television, passed away at the age of 66 after a long struggle with cancer.

Govt. spokeswoman: War, negotiation both strategic tools in Iran’s foreign policy

Iranian Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani, outlining the administration’s approach to foreign policy, said diplomacy is a key instrument and stressed that “war and negotiation are both strategic tools that must be employed in their proper place.”

Iran’s Leader rejects US pressure, calls for unity amid regional tensions

Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the US seeks to make Iran “obedient,” stressing that the Iranian nation will never bow to such demands.

Armenians hold rally against Russian military base

About 100 people staged a protest outside a Russian army base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, calling for an end to Moscow's military presence in the Caucasian country.