Friday, December 26, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Military spokesman: Israel surrendered on ninth day of war

The spokesman for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces stated that on the ninth day of the recent 12-day imposed war, Israel raised its hands in surrender and could no longer continue fighting. All of the enemy’s security and military centers, along with its advanced equipment, were destroyed.

Iran raps Israeli bill to impose sovereignty over West Bank, Jordan Valley

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemnd the Israeli Knesset’s approval of the bill aimed at imposing the regime’s sovereignty over the West Bank and Jordan Valley, viewing it as yet another indication of the expansionist and hegemonic nature of this regime.

Brown bear spotted in Firoozkooh highlands, northern Iran

A brown bear has been sighted in the natural highlands of Firoozkooh, east of Tehran, in what officials describe as a positive sign for the region’s biodiversity.

Iranian officials appointed to lead Asian Taekwondo Academy

Following the conclusion of the Asian Taekwondo Union's electoral assembly, two prominent Iranian officials have been appointed to lead the newly restructured Asian Taekwondo Academy.

More Gazans die of starvation as famine worsens: Health Ministry

Two more Palestinians have died of starvation and malnutrition in the besieged Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry in the enclave announced on Thursday.

Spox: Iran’s nuclear industry has deep roots, to recover from attacks

Following the recent airstrikes by the United States and the Zionist regime on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day imposed war, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), stressed that Iran’s nuclear program is deeply rooted and resilient.

Iran’s senior cleric urges Pope to speak out against Gaza crimes

In a letter addressed to the Pope, senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani called on the leader of the world’s Catholics to take a firm moral stance against the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Taliban committing ‘rights violations’ against Afghan returnees: UN

The United Nations has announced that Taliban authorities are committing human rights violations, including torture and arbitrary detention, against Afghans forced to return by Iran and Pakistan.

Passenger aircraft with 49 people on board crashes in Russia

A passenger plane operated by Angara Airlines has crashed in Russia’s Far East, killing all 49 people on board, emergency services confirmed on Thursday.

Bombing Iran nuclear facilities ‘wrong’, will bear ‘unpredictable’ consequences: Ex-US envoy

The former US special representative for Iran has censured the administration of President Donald Trump for choosing the “wrong option” of attacking nuclear sites inside the Islamic Republic, which he said would have “unpredictable” consequences.

Iranian parliament speaker says enemy goal is to ‘dismantle Islamic Republic’

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the primary goal of Iran’s adversaries is the “elimination of the Islamic Republic” in order to enable the country’s fragmentation.

ISL may be responsible for atrocities against Druze, not Syrian forces: US envoy

US envoy Tom Barrack has suggested that Syrian government forces were not responsible for atrocities committed against the Druze community in southern Syria, and that the armed fighters who carried out the attacks may have been Islamic State militants disguised in government uniforms.

OIC calls on UN Security Council to act on Gaza

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is currently chaired by Turkey, called Wednesday on the UN Security Council to immediately act to end the suffering in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas says submitted response to Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators

Hamas announced early Thursday that it submitted its response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal.

Iran slams US, Israel’s role in ‘collapse’ of intl. legal order, ‘erosion’ of UN Charter

A senior Iranian diplomat has denounced the United States and Israel’s role in the ongoing "collapse" of the international legal order and "erosion" of the United Nations Charter.

Severe water shortage expected in Tehran within 40 days, lawmaker warns

The Iranian capital, Tehran, is facing a serious water crisis, with a severe shortage expected within the next 40 days, according to Zeynab Gheisari, a member of parliament.

12 arrested for illegal weapons possession in southern Iran

Authorities in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province have arrested 12 individuals for possessing illegal firearms and ammunition, as part of a three-day crackdown aimed at enhancing public safety.

Iran reformists call for national reconciliation, political freedoms in meeting with president

Members of the Iranian Reformist Front urged President Massoud Pezeshkian to take bold steps toward national reconciliation and political reform.

Editorial: Iran must rethink overreliance on China amid shifting geopolitics

Iran’s Ettelaat newspaper warns that Tehran must reassess its growing reliance on China, especially in light of Beijing’s cautious stance during the 12-day Israeli assault on Iran in June.

Iran ready for war with Israel, will not stop nuclear programme: President Pezeshkian

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the Islamic Republic is prepared for any war Israel might wage against it, adding he was not optimistic about the ceasefire between the two sides, while confirming Tehran is committed to continuing its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes.

Israel’s parliament approves ‘symbolic motion’ on West Bank annexation

Israel’s parliament has approved a "symbolic measure' calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Deputy FM: IAEA technical team to visit Iran

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says a technical team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is scheduled to visit Iran within the next two to three weeks to discuss the future framework of cooperation between the agency and Tehran.

Ukraine, Russia hold third round of peace negotiations in Istanbul, agree to another major prisoner exchange

Ukrainian and Russian delegations have held a third round of peace talks in Istanbul, with the meeting lasting less than an hour.

Iran warns of environmental fallout from Israeli strikes in letter to intl. bodies

Head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization Shina Ansari has sent a letter to 10 international organizations, warning of the serious environmental risks posed by Israel’s recent military aggression against Iranian soil.

Iranian satellite to launch Friday aboard Russian Soyuz rocket      

Iran is set to launch one of its satellites this Friday aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket.