Saturday, January 3, 2026

Iran News

Iran Front Page offers a handpicked set of the latest news and views from Iran and the Middle East

Snow delight in Ardabil: Locals embrace winter’s charm

In a winter wonderland scene straight out of a storybook, the provincial capital of Ardabil, in northwestern Iran, was transformed as heavy snowfall led to the closure of schools and universities.

Israel informs US it is no longer committed to Biden-backed Gaza ceasefire accord: Report

Israel informed the United States that it is no longer committed to the Gaza ceasefire accord, formulated during the administration of former President Joe Biden, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Putin claims Zelensky has ‘no chance’ of winning a fair election in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that President Volodymyr Zelensky has “absolutely no chance” of winning a fair election due to his low approval ratings and the internal political situation in Ukraine.

Tehran, 26 provinces in Iran shut down due to power, gas shortages

Tehran and 26 out of Iran’s 31 provinces were shut down on Tuesday due to shortages of electricity and gas amid freezing temperatures. This marks the second consecutive day of widespread closures across the country.

US refuses to condemn Russia for Ukraine war

In a dramatic shift in transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump, the United States split with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its war against Ukraine in votes on three United Nations resolutions Monday seeking an end to the three-year conflict.

EU officially adopts 16th package of sanctions against Russia over Ukraine war

The European Union has officially approved its 16th package of sanctions imposed against Russia in response to its full-scale war against Ukraine.

Iran urges intl. community to force Israel to eliminate nuclear weapons, join NPT

Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, described Israel's nuclear weapons as a serious threat to regional and global peace, calling on countries around the world to compel Tel Aviv to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treraty (NPT) and destroy its atomic weapons.

Iran’s Yak-130 jet conducts combat operation in military exercise

A Yak-130 jet of the Iranian Air Force has carried out a combat operation during the Army’s military drills in southeast of Iran.

Rushed birth: Baby delivered aboard air ambulance in Iran

A preterm baby was born aboard an emergency helicopter in Alborz Province, near the Iranian capital, marking a dramatic and successful rescue operation for a pregnant mother in labor.

Zelensky says he is ready to resign in exchange for peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he would step down from the presidency if it meant achieving a lasting peace in his country.

Ukraine FM says Kyiv plans to end war in 2025

Kyiv plans to end the war this year with a just peace, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated at the Ukraine: Year 2025 conference.

Hamas halts talks with Israel until release of Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire accord

A Hamas leader said Sunday that his group will not engage in negotiations with Israel until the release of Palestinian inmates held by Tel Aviv.

Terrorist group Jaish al-Adl claims responsibility for assassination of Iranian police officer in Khash

A commander of Iranian police force was assassinated by armed assailants in the southeastern city of Khash on Sunday evening, according to local authorities.

Iran condemns Israel’s violation of Lebanon sovereignty

Iran has strongly condemned Israel’s terrorist act against civilians after its warplanes flew over an area where the funeral of former Hezbollah chiefs was being held.

Israel won’t allow Syria military south of Damascus: Netanyahu

Israel will not allow the new Syrian government’s military forces to operate in the territories south of Syria’s capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated.

Heavy snowfall, extreme cold force closure of schools, offices across Iran

Severe snowfall and freezing temperatures led to the closure of schools, universities, and government offices in 25 provinces across Iran Monday.

Parliamentary research center: Only 19% of Internet users in Iran do not use VPNs 

According to a survey conducted by Iran’s Parliamentary Research Center, approximately 81% of internet users in the country rely on VPNs to bypass online restrictions. Additionally, more than half of respondents expressed skepticism about the Iranian government's ability to ease internet restrictions. 

Expert: Trump seeks to drive a wedge between Russia, China by ceding 4 Ukrainian provinces

Hassan Beheshti-Pour, an international affairs expert, argues that U.S. President Donald Trump is primarily focused on deepening the divide between Russia and China.

Israel says expanding West Bank offensive, soldiers to remain ‘for next year’

Israel has announced it is expanding its military offensive across the West Bank and preparing for soldiers to remain in some refugee camps “for the next year”.

‘Lebanon is tired of others’ wars’: President tells Iranian speaker

Iranian parliament speaker was told by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that “Lebanon is tired of others’ wars, and the unity of the Lebanese is the best way to confront any loss or aggression”.

Britian, France plan to dispatch 30,000 peacekeepers to Ukraine: WSJ

London and Paris are drafting a plan to deploy up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” in Ukraine, depending on whether Moscow and Kiev reach a ceasefire agreement, The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing unnamed European officials.

Mass funeral held in Lebanon for slain Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

Tens of thousands of people in Lebanon paid their last respects to Hezbollah’s late leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut last September.

Musk dismisses US threat to cut Starlink over Ukraine minerals deal

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has denied reports that the United States threatened to shut off Starlink in Ukraine unless Kyiv agreed to a minerals accord.

Trump team could strike a deal to end Russia-Ukraine war ‘this week’: White House

US President Donald Trump is "very confident" that he will reach an agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine, possibly as early as "this week," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Resistance against Usurpation, Occupation Will Never End

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, in a message on the occasion of the funeral and burial ceremonies for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the assassinated leaders of Hezbollah, underlined that that resistance against usurpation and arrogance will never end.