Thursday, December 25, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

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.

Most Lebanese oppose Hezbollah disarmament: Survey

A new opinion poll has showed that a majority of Lebanese people oppose the disarmament of the Hezbollah resistance movement and believe that the country’s army is not capable of confronting Israeli acts of aggression on its own.

US puts Balochistan armed group on ‘foreign terrorist’ list

The United States has upped pressure on the Pakistan-based Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), labelling it as a “foreign terrorist” organisation.

Trump says Zelensky won’t attend Alaska summit with Putin, but Ukraine-Russia negotiations should follow

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed during a press conference that President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will not take part in his upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, set for Aug. 15 in Alaska.

Iran breaks US monopoly with advanced nano-radiopharmaceutical for cancer detection

Iranian researchers have localized the advanced nano-radiopharmaceutical technology, breaking the US monopoly in cancer diagnostic drugs.

Iran expands quantum research across nine leading universities

Iran has launched a major initiative to expand quantum laboratories across nine leading universities. Thta's according to Secretary of Iran's National Quantum Committee Vahid Jansari.

UN condemns Israeli killing of Gaza journalists

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Israel's killing of six journalists in the Gaza Strip, urging "an independent and impartial investigation."

NATO chief concedes future peace accord may acknowledge Russian control of occupied Ukrainian land

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated Ukraine may ultimately have to accept de facto Russian control over parts of its occupied territory as part of a future peace agreement.

President Pezeshkian warns against covert ambitions by external actors under guise of Zangezur project   

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has firmly underscored Iran’s opposition to any military or security involvement under the guise of the Zangezur corridor project on Armenian soil.

Armenian PM briefs Iranian president on Washington talks with Azerbaijan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has briefed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the outcome of recent negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington.

Iranian, Iraqi security chiefs discuss regional, bilateral cooperation

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has held talks with Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji for talks over ways of strengthening security cooperation and coordination between Tehran and Baghdad.

Ukraine’s backers reneging on military personnel pledges: Sunday Times

Members of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”, comprised of Kiev’s European backers, will not be sending troops to Ukraine despite previously floating the idea, The Sunday Times has reported, citing an anonymous source.

Three-quarters of UN members support Palestinian statehood: AFP

Three-quarters of UN members have already recognised or soon plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to a report by AFP.

US VP says Ukraine peace accord not gonna make ‘anybody super happy’

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has praised President Donald Trump's "peacemaking abilitie" in an interview, though he admitted the U.S.-brokered settlement to end Russia's war against Ukraine would likely not "make anybody super happy" and may not succeed at all.

Iran to accept temporary nuclear restrictions if US lifts sanctions, says official

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, stated that Tehran is willing to accept temporary limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions.

European leaders seek talks with Trump before Putin meeting: Bloomberg

European leaders are seeking to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump before his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week, Bloomberg has reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Iran reports over one million undocumented foreign nationals expelled this year

Iranian authorities have expelled more than 1.14 million undocumented foreign nationals so far this year, but around three million remain in the country, officials said.

Zelensky not invited to Putin-Trump summit in Alaska: WaPo

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has not been invited to attend next week’s summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in the US, the Washington Post has reported, citing an official briefed on the negotiations.

Iran says talks with three European countries not halted, no agreement yet on time or place

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said on Monday that negotiations with three European countries have not stopped, although no agreement has been reached yet on when or where talks will take place.

President Pezeshkian calls for action against Israeli crimes in Gaza

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed the urgent need for countries around the world to intensify their efforts to stop the ongoing crimes committed by the Israeli regime against the innocent people of Gaza.

Iran’s top security official Larijani to sign security agreement in Iraq, to head to Lebanon

Iran’s newly-appointed Supreme National Security Council secretary, Ali Larijani, will sign a bilateral security agreement during a visit to Iraq before continuing on to Lebanon as second leg of his maiden tour in his new post.

Australia says to recognise Palestinian state in September

Australia will recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly meeting to add momentum for a two-state solution, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated.