Thursday, December 18, 2025

Iran News

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

EU foreign policy chief warns lack of Russian concessions could fuel future wars beyond Ukraine

Even if Ukraine were to receive security guarantees, the absence of real concessions from Russia would risk triggering new wars elsewhere, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned.

Lebanese newspaper claims Beirut has halted acceptance of new Iranian ambassador

The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar has claimed that Lebanon’s foreign minister has effectively suspended the exchange of ambassadors between Beirut and Tehran by refusing to complete the legal procedures required to accept Iran’s new ambassador.

One-fifth of Iran’s population to be elderly by 2050, expert warns

Iran is facing a rapidly accelerating population aging trend, with people aged 65 and over expected to make up around one-fifth of the country’s population by 2050, according to Amirhossein Ghasemi, CEO of the Hamyari Institute.

Iran’s women’s youth goalball team wins gold at Para-Asian Youth Games in Dubai

Iran’s women’s youth goalball team has claimed the championship at the Para-Asian Youth Games in Dubai.

Marble Palace, Iran Art Museum

The Marble Palace is considered one of the most beautiful and valuable tourist attractions in Tehran, located in the city center. This building, known as the Iran Art Museum, dates back to the era of the first Pahlavi dynasty.

Israel approves several new West Bank settlements in major annexation push

Israel’s security cabinet has signed off on plans to formalise 19 illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank—a move that Palestinian officials say deepens a decades-long project of land theft and demographic engineering.

Minister: Worst of flu wave to end in Iran in 3 weeks   

Iran’s Minister of Health Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi has said the country is expected to exit the peak of the influenza outbreak within two to three weeks.

US stormed cargo ship travelling from China to Iran: Wall Street Journal

United States raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran last month, according to the Wall Street Journal, in the latest reported instance of increasingly aggressive maritime tactics by the administration of American President Donald Trump.

Trump’s envoy to meet Zelensky, European leaders over US peace plan: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and European leaders in Brussels over the weekend as discussions on Washington-proposed peace framework aimed at ending Russia's war continue, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

US withheld intelligence from Israel during Biden era: Reuters

US intelligence officials temporarily suspended sharing some key information with Israel during the Joe Biden administration over concerns about its conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip, six people familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency.

Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant produces more than 72bn kWh of electricity: Iranian official

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has announced that Unit One of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran continues to operate with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts and has so far generated more than 72 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Iran says seized foreign tanker carrying 6mn liters of smuggled diesel in Oman Sea

The Chief Justice of Hormozgan Province in Southern Iran has announced that Tehran has seized an oil tanker carrying 6 million liters of smuggled diesel fuel off the coast of the Oman Sea.

EU indefinitely freezes Russian funds, moves closer to financial lifeline for Ukraine

The European Union has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank reserves, moving the bloc a step closer to securing a financial lifeline to Ukraine as the war heads into its fourth year.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution asking Israel to allow aid into Gaza Strip

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly supported a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law in line with its obligations as an occupying power.

Covid-19 vaccines linked to heart damage: Report

Certain Covid-19 vaccines can trigger immune responses that may inflame heart tissue and lead to potentially fatal complications in rare cases, with young men being especially susceptible, a new study has revealed.

Turkish-owned vessels damaged in Russian attack on Ukrainian ports

Russia has attacked two Ukrainian ports, damaging three Turkish-owned vessels, including a ship carrying food supplies, according to Ukrainian officials and a shipowner.

European states step up opposition to seizing Russian funds: Politico

Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Malta have urged the EU to explore alternatives to seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, Politico Europe has reported, citing an internal document.

Iran named world’s best Greco-Roman wrestling team for 2025

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has named Iran’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team the world’s best team for 2025, the federation announced on its official social media page.

Iran president meets Putin, says Tehran determined to implement strategic agreement with Russia

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s determination to implement its comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with Russia during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

British banks oppose EU push to steal frozen Russian funds: FT

British bankers have pushed back against plans to use the frozen Russian assets they hold to fund a loan for Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported.

Iranian president in meeting with Turkmen leader: World needs trust, peace more than ever

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said the modern world is in urgent need of greater trust, peace and convergence among nations during a meeting with Turkmenistan’s National Leader and Chairman of the People’s Council, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, on Thursday evening.

Iran’s FM to Lebanese Counterpart: Tehran Seeks “New Chapter” in Bilateral Ties

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araqchi, responding to recent remarks by his Lebanese counterpart, stressed that the Islamic Republic seeks to open a new chapter in its relations with Lebanon.

Trump claims everyone in Ukraine except Zelensky ‘loved’ US peace plan

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Ukrainian people supported his peace proposal, which was rejected by Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine says referendum on territorial concessions necessary

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated the country may hold a referendum on territorial concessions ahead of any peace deal with Moscow. Kiev has previously ruled out any recognition of former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.

US secretly planning five-nation club including Russia to sideline G7: Report

The US is secretly planning to create a five-nation power bloc with Russia, China, India and Japan to sideline the Western-dominated G7, according to reports.