Thursday, December 25, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Tehran street temperatures exceed Lut Desert heat 

Recent measurements reveal that surface temperatures on the Iranian capital Tehran’s streets can surpass those of the Lut Desert, one of the hottest places on Earth. 

Bus carrying Iranian pilgrims crashes in Iraq, injuring 43 

The Iranian Red Crescent Society has reported that 43 Iranian pilgrims were injured early Friday when their bus veered off the road in Iraq, about 10 kilometers from the Mehran border crossing. 

First VP: Iran’s Strategy Non-Intervention of Foreign Forces in Region

Iran’s First Vice President says that the Islamic Republic’s strategy in the Caucasus is the non-intervention of foreign countries and forces, especially in the region’s geopolitics, since regional issues require no foreign presence, and all countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia can live together in peace, stability, and security.

Iran FM: War with Zionists Not Imminent, Armed Forces Must Be Ready

The Iranian Foreign Minister says he does not believe a war between Iran and Israel is imminent; however, the armed forces and the government must maintain their readiness for any situation, as preparedness for war is the most important factor in preventing it.

Russia opposes European plan to trigger Iran sanctions snapback

Russia has formally rejected a plan by Germany, France, and the UK to activate the so-called “snapback” mechanism and reinstate UN Security Council sanctions against Iran.

Iran Security Chief: Tehran ready to give firm response to Israel

The Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic is ready to deliver a firm response to Israel, stressed that this regime failed to achieve its goal—overthrowing the government—in its recent war against Iran.

Iranian MP: Activation of snapback leads to Iran’s withdrawal from NPT

Iran will withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) if the snapback mechanism is activated, Tehran lawmaker Malek Shariati has warned.

Armenian PM: Zangezur corridor to bring tangible benefits to Iran

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the Zangezur corridor, which would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory, will deliver “tangible benefits” for both Russia and Iran.

British MPs call on PM to ‘immediately expel’ Israeli ambassador

A cross-party group of MPs have sent a letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to "immediately expel" Israel's ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely.

Iran FM Araghchi meets custodians of Imam Hussein Shrine after Arbaeen pilgrimage walk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Najaf on the eve of Arbaeen, participated in the pilgrimage walk to Karbala, Iraq.

Violence against Alawites in Syria likely included ‘war crimes’: UN commission

A United Nations commission investigating sectarian bloodshed in Syria's Alawite heartland has documented systematic violence at the hands of government forces and allied groups, warning that some of the acts could constitute war crimes.

South Sudan denies talks on resettling Gazans

South Sudan has denied media reports that it is in talks with Israel to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to the East African nation. Reports indicate that Tel Aviv is seeking agreements with third countries to accept people displaced from the besieged enclave.

OPEC data shows Iran’s oil output fell slightly in July

Tehran’s oil production fell slightly in July as output continued to suffer from the impacts of a war Iran fought with Israel in June, and despite a general rise in production by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Putin faces ‘very severe consequences’ if no Ukraine truce agreed: Trump

President Vladimir Putin will face “very severe consequences” if he does not agree a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine at his summit with Donald Trump in Alaska, the US president stated on Wednesday.

German manufacturer mulls relocating to US to avoid weapons embargo against Israel: Report

German automotive manufacturer Renk, which produces tank transmissions and engines for the Israeli military, is considering moving production to the United States after Berlin arms embargo on Tel Aviv.

Iranian National Security chief meets Hezbollah leader in Beirut before returning home

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, met with Ali Larijani, the newly-designated Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and his accompanying delegation on Thursday during Larijani’s visit to Lebanon.

Arbaeen pilgrimage walk for those unable to travel to Iraq held nationwide in Iran

The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage walk for those unable to travel to Iraq was held on Thursday, taking place simultaneously across Iran.

Israeli air attacks on Tehran killed inmates in ‘apparent war crime’: HRW

Israeli air attacks on Tehran’s Evin prison in June killed scores of detainees, visitors and staff in what Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called an “apparent war crime”.

Aid groups slam Israel’s ‘weaponisation of Gaza relief’

More than 100 aid groups say Israel is obstructing life-saving aid from entering the Gaza Strip, resulting in vast quantities of relief supplies remaining stranded in warehouses across Jordan and Egypt as more Palestinians starve.

Iran defeats Chinese Taipei 78-75 to reach FIBA Asian Cup Semifinals

Iran’s national basketball team staged a remarkable comeback to beat Chinese Taipei 78-75 in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup, securing a place among the tournament’s top four teams.

European leaders set out stance on Ukraine ceasefire pathway

Britain, France and Germany, co-chairs of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing", have set out their position on the pathway to a ceasefire in Ukraine in a statement released after a virtual meeting on Wednesday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson meets UK ambassador in Tehran

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei met with UK Ambassador to Iran, Hugo Shorter, in Tehran on Wednesday, as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements with ambassadors and heads of missions based in the Iranian capital.

Ukraine downplays Putin-Trump summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, will not be able to decide the fate of Ukraine during their highly anticipated Alaska summit unless Kiev consents to it, President Volodymyr Zelensky has told reporters.

Iran Leader advisor warns of appropriate response to agents of insecurity in Caucasus

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran's leader on international affairs warned that the Islamic Republic will give an appropriate response to any move that would compromise its national security as a result of the presence of extra-regional players in the Caucusus.

Israel army says approved plan for new Gaza offensive

The Israeli military announced Wednesday it had approved the "framework" for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, days after the security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza City.