Friday, December 19, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

EU leaders fear US ‘betrayal’ on Ukraine peace negotiations: Report

President Volodymyr Zelenskly's key European backers "harbor profound distrust of" Washington’s attempts to help end the Ukraine conflict, Der Spiegel has reported, citing a transcript of a recent phone call it has obtained.

Iran’s former transport ministry adviser sentenced for selling government posts

A former senior adviser at Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development has been handed a prison sentence and barred from public service after being found guilty of selling government positions, according to the final court ruling.

IRGC arrests armed team linked to terrorist group near Tehran

The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Pardis, in eastern Tehran, announced the arrest of an armed operational team affiliated with the anti-Iran terrorist group Mojahedin-e Khalq (MKO) by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

IRGC Navy showcases missile capabilities in ongoing Persian Gulf exercise

New footage has been published from the second day of a large-scale naval exercise conducted by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy across the Persian Gulf, the Naze'at islands, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

Iran says US must be held accountable for “crimes against humanity” over unilateral sanctions

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman says the United States must be held accountable for committing crimes against humanity by imposing illegal and inhumane unilateral coercive measures on the peoples of developing countries, including Iran.

IRGC navy conducts 2nd phase of major drill, launches long-range precision missiles

In the second phase of the IRGC Navy's "Power" exercise, a multitude of long-range precision ballistic and cruise missiles were launched, destroying their targets.

Three countries withdraw from Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation

Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have announced that they will withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest over Israel’s inclusion in the event.

Army Chief: Iran Armed Forces Stand Ready to Defend Islamic System at Any Cost

Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief, Major General Amir Hatami, said the country’s armed forces remain steadfast in defending the Islamic Republic under any circumstances, stressing that even the slightest harm to the Islamic system is viewed as a direct blow to Iran’s independence and territorial integrity.

Iran Warns UN That Unilateral Sanctions Violate Intl. Law

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the UN General Assembly that unilateral coercive measures — including sanctions — blatantly breach international law, the UN Charter, and core principles such as sovereign equality and non-intervention.

Iran dismisses PGCC claim over Persian Gulf islands as unfounded

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, condemned the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council for persisting with the United Arab Emirates’ baseless and inaccurate assertions regarding the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf.

Iran marks 20th anniv. of fallen media, army personnel

A ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the martyrs from Iran’s media community and the Army of the Islamic Republic was held in Tehran.

Six Iranian athletes ranked in world karate top ten

Following the World Karate Championships held in Cairo, Egypt, the World Karate Federation has released its latest global rankings, placing six Iranian athletes among the top ten in their categories.

Putin says Russia will “liberate” all of Donbass

Moscow will drive Ukrainian soldiers from Donbass and fully liberate the region, whether through military action or diplomatic efforts, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated.

IRGC says it issued warning to US warships in Iran’s southern waters

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said it has delivered firm warnings to US warships operating off Iran’s southern coasts, instructing them to keep clear of the area where a major naval exercise is currently underway.

Israel’s conduct of war in Gaza ‘fundamentally wrong’: UN chief

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has sharply criticized Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war, calling it “fundamentally wrong” and saying there are “strong reasons” to believe Israeli forces have committed war crimes in the Palestinian territory.

Gaza militia leader accused of working with Israel killed

Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of a gang in the Gaza Strip that was accused of working with Israel to counter Hamas and of looting humanitarian aid, has been killed, his group has confirmed.

Baghdad withdraws terror designation of Hezbollah, Houthi groups

Iraq has retracted a decision to classify Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis as “terrorist organizations”, announcing the listing was “mistakenly” issued.

UN Security Council delegation visits Damascus after 14 years of isolation, meets Syrian president

A delegation representing all members of the UN Security Council arrived in Damascus on Thursday, for the first visit to the Middle Eastern country in 14 years.

Advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei warns Persian Gulf bloc not to play with Iran’s ‘red lines’

Ali Shamkhani, the representative of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei at the Defense Council, has warned the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) against “unconstructive” claims regarding the three Iranian islands and the Arash gas field.

Tasnim: Reports suggest rise in cancer cases among MEK women in Albania camp amid restrictions on medical access

A source familiar with the situation inside the Albanian camp housing members of the anti-Iran Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) terrorist group says that a significant number of women residing there have recently developed cancer, while access to medical services has reportedly been reduced.

China raises Iran oil import: Bloomberg

Beijing has increased its purchases of Iranian oil after Chinese authorities issued new quotas allowing private refiners to import crude stored on tankers waiting offshore, according to a new report.

Iran’s speaker at Asian Parliamentary Assembly: “Era of dominance by one or two powers is over”

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that global power dynamics are shifting toward Asia, telling delegates at the Asian Parliamentary Assembly’s Standing Committee on Political Affairs in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad that the “era of domination by one or two countries has ended.”

Iran’s Hormozgan Province reports first death from H3N2 influenza as transmission wave intensifies

The Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, in southern Iran, has confirmed the province’s first death linked to the H3N2 influenza virus, warning that the region has entered an accelerated and firmly established transmission wave.

Trump says path to peace in Ukraine unclear

The path ahead for Ukraine peace talks is unclear, American President Donald Trump has satted, after what he called “reasonably good” talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys which nonetheless failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad hand over remains of Israeli captive under Gaza ceasefire accord

Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad returned the remains of another Israeli hostage in northern Gaza on Wednesday under a ceasefire accord.