Saturday, December 20, 2025

Iran News

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

No agreement reached with Trump on Ukraine’s territory: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that no compromise was reached with US negotiators over Ukraine’s borders.

US must not threaten EU democracy: Brussels

The US must not threaten to interfere in the EU’s “democratic life”, European Council President Antonio Costa has stressed, adding that Brussels and Washington no longer share a common worldview.

Israel facing sharp rise in hunger due to economic fallout of Gaza war: Report

More than one-quarter of households in Israel are now experiencing food insecurity, driven by the economic and social fallout of the two-year war in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli organization has found.

Three Shahid Beheshti University scholars ranked among top one percent most-cited worldwide

Three researchers from Shahid Beheshti University have been named among the world’s top one percent most-cited scientists in 2024, according to a new report by the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC).

‘Record high’ number of Palestinians died in Israeli prisons: Report

A "record high" number of 110 Palestinians have died under prison policies implemented by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in the past two and a half years, according to Walla.

Israel confirms 22,000 wounded soldiers since Gaza war

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced Monday that it has treated nearly 22,000 wounded soldiers since the Gaza war in October 2023.

EU looking at options for enhancing Lebanon’s internal security forces: Document

The European Union is studying options for strengthening Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the armed group Hezbollah, according to a document seen by Reuters.

Iran says determined to enhance Azerbaijan ties, warns against undermining relations

Iran’s Foreign Minister has emphasized that Tehran is determined to expand its relations with Baku in all dimensions, and that no party should be allowed to undermine the ties between the two countries.

Official says dozens of Iranian nationals jailed in US heading home

The director of Iran’s Interests Section in Washington, Abolfazl Mehrabadi, has stated that around 50 Iranian prisoners have left the United States for their home country following the strict immigration policies of US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Azerbaijan’s president voices commitment to promotion of ties with Iran

Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev has expressed his country's readiness to use all available capacities to strengthen relations with Iran.

Official: 1.8 million Afghans exit Iran via Dogharoon; northeast border 50% secured

Approximately 1.8 million Afghan nationals have left Iran through the Dogharoon border, according to the deputy for security and law enforcement of Khorasan Razavi Province.

Iran resumes flights to Sharjah from five cities months after conflict with Israel

Iran has resumed commercial flights to Sharjah, the UAE, for the first time since the recent 12-day conflict in June, with the inaugural service operated by an Iranian airline departing Tehran on Monday.

At least 80k Israeli soldiers treated for psychological disorders since Gaza war: Report

The number of Israeli soldiers receiving treatment for psychological disorders has risen sharply since the war in the Gaza Strip began two years ago, an Israeli Defense Ministry official has confirmed.

Europe may need to shoot down Russian aircraft, drones violating NATO airspace: Czech president

European countries may have to start shooting down Russian aircraft and drones that violate NATO airspace if Moscow keeps testing the alliance's resolve, Czech President Petr Pavel has stated in an interview with the Sunday Times of London.

US to spend $800mn on support for Ukraine in 2026, 2027: Pentagon budget draft

The US’ draft budget allocates $400 million each for support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, according to the draft of the National Defense Authorization Act published by Pentagon, on which Congress will begin voting this week.

Off-road drivers compete in Iran’s national championship

The third edition of Iran’s National Off-Road Championship for men and women concluded with competitors battling across six different vehicle classes for top honors.

Kazakhstan announces upcoming visit by Iran’s President Pezeshkian

Kazakhstan’s presidential office announced on Monday that Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian will pay an official two-day visit to Astana starting on Wednesday.

UN committed to supporting Syrian-led transition: Secretary-General

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, marking the first anniversary of the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, said the organization remains “fully committed to working with Syrians to ensure the transition is successful.”

Israeli PM says will not quit politics if he receives pardon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he would not retire from politics if he receives a pardon from the president in his years-long corruption trial.

New wave of mysterious Caspian seal deaths raises alarm across region

A new wave of mass deaths among Caspian seals in Kazakhstan has triggered fresh alarm for all five littoral states, including Iran, as experts warn the endangered species may be edging closer to extinction.

Trump claims Zelensky ‘isn’t ready’ to accept US peace accord

US President Donald Trump has stated that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky “isn’t ready” to sign off on a US-authored peace proposal aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, at the end of three days of talks between Washington and Kyiv in Florida.

Israeli PM rules out creation of Palestinian state

Tel Aviv will not allow the creation of a Palestinian state, since its true purpose is the destruction of “the one and only Jewish state”, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated.

New US security strategy accords largely with Russia’s view: Kremlin

The Kremlin has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy and announced it largely accorded with Russia's own perceptions, the first time that Moscow has so fulsomely praised such a document from its former Cold War foe.

Appeals court lifts detention order for actor Pejman Jamshidi, cites lack of new evidence

Pejman Jamshidi’s attorney says an appeals court has overturned the lower court’s ruling and lifted the actor’s detention order after determining that no new evidence had emerged to justify continued custody.

IRGC: Iran struck Haifa refinery twice, killed 36 in attack on Mossad facility

An Iranian military official says that Iran carried out multiple strikes on strategic sites in Israel during the recent 12-day conflict, including two missile attacks on the Haifa oil refinery and an operation targeting a Mossad facility.