Thursday, December 25, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

UK MPs urge London to disclose if it holds spy plane footage of Israel’s journalist killings

The British government faces mounting scrutiny over its military cooperation with Israel after the Israeli targeted killing of six journalists in an strike on Sunday in Gaza.

Larijani reaffirms Iran’s support for Lebanon’s unity and resistance

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has underlined Tehran’s commitment to Lebanon’s unity, independence, and resistance during a visit to Beirut.

Iran embassy in Iraq condemns US interference in Tehran-Baghdad cooperation

The Embassy of Iran in Iraq has strongly condemned statements by the US State Department spokesperson opposing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and Iraq.

Iran says detained 21,000 ‘suspects’ during 12-day war with Israel

Iranian police arrested as many as 21,000 “suspects” during the country’s 12-day war with Israel in June, a law enforcement spokesperson confirmed.

Israel in talks with South Sudan to forcibly transfer Gazans: AP

Israel is reportedly negotiating with South Sudan to forcibly transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, advancing its mass expulsion agenda as Gaza lies in ruins after months of bombardment.

UN warns Israel, Russia over reports of sexual abuse by their armed forces

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has put Tel Aviv and Moscow “on notice” that their armed forces and security personnel could be listed among parties “credibly suspected” of committing sexual violence in conflict zones.

No surrender to pressure; prepared until threats end: Iran nuclear head

Iran’s nuclear chief has vowed that Tehran would remain unbowed in the face of bullying powers’ excessive demands regarding its nuclear program.

E3 willing to reinstate sanctions on Iran: FT

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have told the United Nations they are ready to reinstate sanctions on Iran if it does not return to negotiations with the international community over its nuclear programme, the Financial Times daily has reported.

Zelensky says he would not withdraw Ukrainian soldiers from Donbass

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine cannot withdraw its troops from Donbass, as it fears a "future offensive" from there.

Rare footage captures brown bear nursing 3 cubs in Iran

A rare moment of a mother brown bear nursing her three cubs in Iran’s Central Alborz mountains has been captured and shared by park ranger Jafar Panahpour.

Iran defense minister: Israel heavily censoring extent of damage

“The Zionist regime is heavily censoring the extent of the damage, but they themselves know well the blow they suffered,” said Iran’s Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, referring to Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel during the recent 12-day war.

European defense plants growing 3 times faster amid Russia’s war against Ukraine: FT

European defense factories are expanding at triple speed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Financial Times (FT) has reported, citing its analysis of satellite data.

Tehran-Baghdad security accord provides basis for sustainable security in region: Iran’s top official

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has praised the security accord signed between Tehran and Baghdad, stressing it lays the foundation for sustainable security and stability in West Asia.

EU condemns Israel’s killing of Gaza journalists

The European Union condemned the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated.

Iran FM slams Israel for massacre of Gaza journalists

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has condemned the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli air attack in the Gaza Strip, highlighting this crime as evidence of the desperation of a globally reviled regime that is going downhill.

Ukraine softens stance on land concessions: Telegraph

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky could agree to concede land to Russia and the freezing of the current front lines as part of a potential conflict settlement, the Daily Telegraph has reported, citing sources. Publicly, however, he has refused to consider giving up territory.

‘No sign’ Russia preparing for ending war: Zelensky says ahead of Trump-Putin summit in Alaska

Russia is preparing to stage new offensives in Ukraine and has shown "no sign" of readiness for a ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated.

EU leaders say Ukraine should have freedom to decide its future

26 European heads of state and governments have announced in a statement that Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their future and that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukrainian and European interests.

Europe ‘lacks strength’ to support Ukraine: Times

Europe does not have the capability to help Ukraine in any meaningful way, whether in pushing for better negotiating terms or enforcing a future ceasefire, according to a report by The Times.

FM says Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement should not cut off Iran’s access to transportation routes

The Iranian Foreign Minister welcomed the establishment of peace between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and, referring to Iran’s considerations regarding communication routes and the unblocking of transportation networks, stressed that such routes must not result in a change in the region’s geopolitics or cut off Iran’s access to other transportation routes.

Iran security chief: Resistance movements enjoy significant political maturity

The Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that Hezbollah and the resistance movements possess a very good level of political thinking, and they are not in need of guardians.