Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Iran News

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

Iranian daily backs expulsion of undocumented Afghan migrants

Iran’s daily Javan has argued that deporting undocumented Afghan migrants would benefit both national security and the economy.

Erdogan says Putin, Zelensky not ready for face-to-face meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to hold direct talks at this time, according to Reuters.

France issues arrest warrant for Bashar Assad over 2012 journalist killings in Syria

French judicial authorities have issued arrest warrants for ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six other top former officials over the bombardment of a city in 2012 that killed two journalists, lawyers have stated.

Municipal worker in Iran’s Gorgan returns bag full of gold to owner

A municipal sanitation worker in the northern Iranian city of Gorgan has returned a bag containing gold jewelry worth an estimated 3 billion tomans (around $30,000) to its owner, earning widespread praise for his honesty.

Iranian armed forces “fully prepared” to respond to any aggression

The spokesperson of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are at the highest level of readiness and prepared to deliver a “decisive and painful response” to any possible aggression.

Pres. Pezeshkian raps double standards in nuclear dispute, global governance

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) during his visit to Beijing, sharply criticized Western double standards in nuclear negotiations and global governance.

China reaffirms support for Iran’s nuclear rights, sovereignty

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Beijing, reiterating China’s respect for Iran’s commitment to non-proliferation and its right to peaceful nuclear energy.

EU defence spending to hit record 380bn Euros this year: Report

EU military spending is set to hit a fresh record of 381 billion euros in 2025, as the member states plough more money into warding off Russia, the bloc's defence agency announced Tuesday.

EU considers tighter rules to block Russian gas: Bloomberg

European Union countries are weighing new measures to close potential loopholes that could allow Russian gas to continue flowing into the bloc after a full ban takes effect by the end of 2027, Bloomberg has reported.

Spokesman says US seeking unlawful pressure against Iran

The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry has stated that Washington support for the action of three European countries in triggering the snapback mechanism and reinstating the annulled UN sanctions against Tehran shows the US plan to impose unlawful pressure on Iran.

Kremlin says Putin and Trump did not agree on summit with Zelensky

No deal has been reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on the former holding talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky or on a trilateral summit, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has stated.

Belgium says to recognise Palestinian statehood, put sanctions on Israel

Belgium will recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot has stated.

Iran’s parliament vows strong response if snapback mechanism is triggered

Iran’s Parliament held a closed-door session on Tuesday to discuss potential responses to the activation of the UN “snapback” mechanism, which could reimpose previously lifted Security Council sanctions against Tehran.

Iran rejects PGCC claims over islands, reaffirms sovereignty

Iran’s Foreign Ministry firmly rejected claims made in the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) foreign ministers’ statement regarding Iran’s sovereignty over its three islands, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, stressing that such assertions are “baseless” and “have no legal or historical validity.”

Spy agency claims about 2,000 North Korean soldiers killed in Russia deployment

Around 2,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to help Russia fight Ukraine are estimated to have been killed, South Korea's spy agency claimed Tuesday, according to a lawmaker.

Taliban appeals for global aid as rescue teams search for survivors

The Taliban has called for international aid as Afghanistan reels from an earthquake that killed hundreds of people and left thousands injured.

Pezeshkian, Putin stress impact of implementing bilateral treaty, EAEU agreement

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have emphasized the significance of implementing the Iran-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty as a catalyst for enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation.

Iran says ready to cooperate with Turkey to overcome banking, customs barriers

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized Tehran's readiness to enhance economic and trade relations with Ankara while addressing the need to overcome banking and customs obstacles.

Over 250 media outlets protest Israel murdering Gaza journalists

More than 250 media outlets in dozens of countries have staged a front page protest highlighting the killing of more than 200 journalists in Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) media freedom group announced.

US says ‘despicable’ Russian bombing campaign against Ukraine puts all sanctions options on table

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the Donald Trump administration is considering new sanctions on Russia after President Vladimir Putin intensified strikes on Ukraine despite recent peace talks.

President Pezeshkian to UN Chief: Iran ready for diplomacy on nuclear issue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with UN Secretary General António Guterres on Tuesday in China, reaffirming Tehran's commitment to resolving its nuclear dispute with the West through dialogue and diplomacy.

Iranian President urges SCO involvement in resolving Palestine crisis

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to adopt a clear and comprehensive plan to address the long-standing crisis in West Asia, particularly the tragic issue of deliberate killings and starvation of innocent people in Gaza and across Palestine.

Iran’s first vice president: West using snapback to disrupt nation, but people have overcome sanctions

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Monday that Western powers are attempting to create unrest in the country by threatening to trigger the snapback mechanism, stipulated in the moribund 2015 JCPOA nuclear accord, but stressed that Iranians have long adapted to sanctions.

Iran urges Europe to reconsider snapback sanctions amid SCO consultations

Iran has urged European countries to reconsider their recent push to reactivate UN Security Council sanctions, reasserting the move was “legally unfounded and contrary to international law.”

Gaza death toll from Israeli war tops 63,500

At least 63,557 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, as nine more people, including three children, died of starvation in the besieged enclave, the Health Ministry announced on Monday.