Friday, December 26, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Lebanon’s president unveils draft response to US plan for disarming Hezbollah, calls for army monopoly on weapons

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday unveiled key elements of a draft response to a US proposal on disarming Hezbollah, stressing the army should hold weapons as the country seeks to restore sovereignty and stability.

Iran President’s envoy holds meeting with Mir-Hossein Mousavi amid hopes for ending house arrest

A senior member of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration has met with opposition figure Mir-Hossein Mousavi in a 90-minute session, signaling a potential shift in the government’s approach toward resolving his prolonged house arrest.

Zelensky calls for ‘regime change’ in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Thursday that the world should push for "regime change" in Russia, arguing that President Vladimir Putin otherwise would continue to destabilise its neighbours.

Medvedev ‘entering very dangerous territory’: Trump

US President Donald Trump issued a warning to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, calling him a “failed” leader and cautioning him against combative rhetoric.

Former PSG, Tottenham defender Serge Aurier joins Iran’s Persepolis

Iranian football giants Persepolis FC have officially signed Serge Aurier, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur right-back, as their ninth acquisition of the summer transfer window.

US strikes oil agreement with Pakistan: Trump

The US and Pakistan have concluded a deal in which Washington will help Islamabad develop its “massive oil reserves”, American President Donald Trump has stated.

Nearly 50 Israeli soldiers committed suicide since onset of Gaza war: Report

Nearly 50 Israeli soldiers have died by suicide since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, local media reported on Wednesday.

Iran increased its oil output by nearly 0.4 mln bpd in 9 months: Report

Iran has managed to significantly raise its oil production in a short period of time under an emergency plan introduced by the government and despite the pressures of the US sanctions, according to a report published in the local media.

Iran’s president faces backlash & praise over withdrawal of online content bill

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian is facing mixed reactions after withdrawing a controversial bill aimed at regulating misinformation on social media, which could lead to up to 15 years of imprisonment for culprits.

US should compensate losses to Tehran’s nuclear program: Iran’s FM

Washington must compensate the losses to Tehran’s nuclear program incurred by US strikes before Iran agrees to resume the negotiation process, Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi told the Financial Times.

President Pezeshkian welcomes Venezuela’s initiatives for promoting peace in West Asia

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed the constructive initiatives of his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, aimed at fostering peace in the West Asia region.

Lack of accountability emboldens Israel to intensify its crimes: Iranian speaker

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned that the international community's failure to hold Israel accountable has emboldened the Zionist regime to intensify its crimes, posing a serious threat to world peace.

Canada says to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly

Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has announced his country plans to formally recognise Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September, after France and 14 other countries co-signed a declaration that pointed towards a wave of future recognitions of an independent Palestinian state.

Drop in Afghan repatriations from Iran raises questions amid tighter controls

The once-crowded Afghan repatriation camp in eastern Tehran now sits noticeably empty, signaling a slowdown in the return of undocumented Afghan migrants from Iran.

US imposes tariffs on India over Russia trade

US President Donald Trump has announced that India will face 25% tariffs and additional penalties starting next month over its continued trade with Russia. The move comes after the White House gave Moscow a ten-day deadline to reach a peace accord with Ukraine.

Hezbollah dismisses calls to disarm, says demands serve Israel

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has stressed that calls for the Lebanese group’s disarmament serve only Israel, amid pressure from the United States on Beirut to take such steps.

Iran’s UN ambassador underlines need to establish independent Palestinian state

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Saeed Iravani has said lasting peace in the West Asia region can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

Iran’s non-oil trade hits $34.2bn in 1st 4 months of 2025

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), the country's non-oil trade in the first four months of 2025 reached 61.02 million tons valued at $34.175 billion.

US Treasury Secretary says China will resist American sanctions on buying Russian oil

China remains committed to buying Russian oil despite the threat of US tariffs, Washington’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated.

Iran UK envoy says Tehran open to honest talks, rejects use of diplomacy as a tool for deception

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Seyed Ali Mousavi, said Tehran remains committed to diplomacy as the best means of resolving disputes, but warned that talks must be genuine and not a cover for coercive or deceitful agendas.

Iranian president to visit Pakistan on Saturday amid efforts to boost bilateral ties

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian is set to visit Pakistan on Saturday, following an official invitation from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Authorized Afghan nationals permitted to join Arbaeen pilgrimage, says Iranian official

Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Law Enforcement, Majid Pourjamshidian, announced that authorized Afghan nationals will be allowed to participate in the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage, marking the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, in Iraq under the same conditions as Iranian pilgrims.

Dozens of lawyers ask ICC to investigate Macron and French ministers for Gaza genocide complicity

French lawyers have submitted a request to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an investigation into the role of French officials "in the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide" by Israeli forces against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Russia claims Western and Ukrainian officials held ‘secret meeting’ on ousting Zelensky

US and UK officials have secretly met with key Ukrainian powerbrokers to discuss ousting President Volodymyr Zelensky and replacing him with former military chief Valery Zaluzhny, according to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).

Iran FM meets President of Tajikistan, calls for boost in ties

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, emphasized the Islamic Republic of Iran’s determination to expand relations with Tajikistan across all areas of mutual interest.