Friday, January 2, 2026

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Russia says Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear energy

Moscow has once again defended Tehran's nuclear program, saying it is completely peaceful in nature and complies with international law.

Ancient watermills of Iran’s Dezful attract visitors on first day of Nowruz

The historic watermills of Dezful, in southwestern Iran, is one of the country’s most valuable cultural heritage sites that drew visitors on the first day of the Persian New Year on Friday.

Israeli Supreme Court halts dismissal of Shin Bet head

Israel's Supreme Court has issued an injunction temporarily freezing the dismissal of the head of the domestic intelligence service as protests continue against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US Secretary of State threatens Iran with regime change

US President Donald Trump is prepared to take military action against Iran and could go as far as threatening Tehran if diplomatic bids to renew dialogue on the country’s nuclear program do not succeed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated.

Millions of Iranians participate in Laylat al-Qadr night vigils

Millions of people in several Iranian cities, including the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom, participated on Friday in night vigils and prayers to mark Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Destiny, one of the holiest occasions in Islam that commemorates the revelation of the Holy Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad over 14 centuries ago.

Israeli defense minister orders military to occupy more areas in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the army to occupy more areas in the Gaza Strip after expelling Palestinian residents, as Tel Aviv resumed its genocidal war on the Palestinian enclave earlier this week.

Quakes hit Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan Province

Several earthquakes have hit an area near the central Iranian city of Natanz several hours apart.

Iran atomic chief: Outstanding achievements of nuclear industry to be unveiled in April

The director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says Tehran has made significant nuclear progress in recent years, adding that in the last Persian year, Iranian scientists showed they are steadfast in achieving desired results with self-confidence and are committed to pursuing their goals.

167 lives lost in road accidents in Iran over 5 days during Nowruz Holiday

Iran’s Traffic Police reported a tragic toll of 167 fatalities and 4,751 injuries in road accidents during the first five days of the Nowruz holiday travel period, which began on March 15.

European countries plan to replace US in NATO by 2035: FT

Europe’s NATO members are drawing up a plan to gradually replace the United States as their key defense guarantor over the next five to ten years, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources.

UK discussing deploying military aircrafts to Ukraine under potential peace deal: Telegraph

British military leaders have discussed deploying Royal Air Force (RAF) jets to Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, the Telegraph reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Israel’s cabinet agrees to Netanyahu’s dismissal of Shin Bet chief

Israel’s cabinet has approved the sacking of the head of the domestic security agency, endorsing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to oust the intelligence chief over a lack of trust amid the regional tensions.

White House says Trump ‘fully supports’ Israel’s military operation in Gaza

US President Donald Trump "fully supports Israel" as Tel Aviv resumes its aerial and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, the White House announced amid an escalating death toll.

US puts new round of sanctions against Iran

The United States Department of the Treasury has imposed a new round of sanctions against Tehran, targeting several entities, including independent Chinese teapot refineries, as well as vessels that supplied Iranian crude oil to these processing plants.

Iran’s exports to Americas surge 4.5-fold; free trade with Venezuela nears finalization

A senior official from the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran announced a significant increase in Iran’s exports to the Americas, alongside progress in establishing free trade agreements with Venezuela and other countries.

Iran’s Leader warns against threats, rejects proxy allegations 

In a Nowruz meeting held on Friday with various segments of the Iranian public and government officials, Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei delivered a message on regional and international issues, emphasizing Iran’s principled stance on resistance, self-determination, and its readiness to respond to aggression.

Iran defeats UAE 2-0 in world cup qualifier amid stadium controversy

Iran’s national football team, known as Team Melli, secured a crucial 2-0 victory against the UAE in the seventh round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Anti-Netanyahu Israelis clash with police over plan to sack Shin Bet head

Thousands of Israelis joined demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as protests against his move to oust the head of the domestic intelligence service flared for a third consecutive day.

Thousands rally in Istanbul for 2nd night over mayor’s detention

Thousands of people gathered at Istanbul’s city hall for a second night Thursday to rally against the arrest of the city’s mayor, which many see as a politically driven endeavour to remove a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from the next presidential race.

US, Israel to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme within days: Report

The United States and Israel will hold high-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme at the White House early next week, a source familiar with the matter has stated.

Russian president sends letter to new Syrian leadership

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter to his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, voicing his support for endeavours to restore stability and security in the country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated.

Germany reopens its diplomatic mission in Syria after 13-year closure

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopened Berlin's embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday after a 13-year closure.

Iran’s Expediency Council to review CFT, Palermo Conventions separately from FATF 

The spokesperson for Iran’s Expediency Council announced that the decision to review the CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) and Palermo conventions separately from the broader FATF (Financial Action Task Force) framework was made following a directive from the Supreme Leader, based on a request from the Iranian President.

Taliban frees US detainee

A United States citizen abducted by the Taliban has been released after two years in captivity, the US Department of State has confirmed.

FM Araghchi: Iran to respond to Trump’s letter soon

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran will respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s letter in due course and through appropriate channels.

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