Friday, April 17, 2026
Home Blog Page 107

Iranian cheetah at brink of extinction, says environment chief

In a message marking National Asiatic Cheetah Day on August 31, the official wrote: “We are standing at the crossroads of extinction or survival. We are just one step from a national regret but still a few steps from reviving the population; steps we are determined to take.”

According to the department, only 20 Asiatic cheetahs remain in the wild, mostly in the Touran Biosphere Reserve, while six others are kept in a controlled breeding facility. Conservationists stress that the ultimate goal is to restore the species in its natural habitat, but population numbers have now fallen below the red line.

Experts have repeatedly called for greater inter-agency support, warning that without urgent action, the cheetah, once roaming vast regions of Asia, could disappear forever.

Iran began marking National Cheetah Day in 1994 after the death of a cub known as “Marita,” an event that became a symbol of the species’ decline and the urgency of conservation efforts.

Interior ministry: Over 1.8mn undocumented Afghan migrants exited Iran since July last year

Nader Yarahmadi, advisor to the interior minister and head of the office, said on Sunday that the government’s new migration policies, introduced over the past year, have focused on distinguishing legal residents from illicit migrants and creating conditions for voluntary returns.

“Since the beginning of this administration until August 6, a total of 1,833,636 undocumented individuals have exited the country, including 1.2 million departures this year alone,” Yarahmadi said.

He added that more than 70 percent of those who left did so along with their families, noting that policies now allow for potential legal re-entry for individuals with needed skills or employment opportunities.

Authorities estimate that at least 800,000 additional undocumented migrants will need to leave in the next phase to manage pressures on infrastructure and public services.

Yarahmadi also highlighted progress on a national migration law, aimed at streamlining services, building a centralized migrant database, and issuing unique identification documents for foreign nationals.

Iran denies Azerbaijan’s allegations against ambassador to Armenia

Armenia Azerbaijan

In a statement sent to Axar, the embassy rejected reports accusing Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani of supporting separatist movements in Nagorno-Karabakh or providing military assistance to the Armenian government. The statement stressed that such allegations are “completely unfounded.”

The embassy also reiterated Iran’s “principled stance” on supporting a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and respecting the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

It added that the remarks published by the Azerbaijani outlet were “fabrications and personal speculations of the author.”

Axar had recently published a report about Ambassador Sobhani, claiming “as his diplomatic mission in Yerevan nears its end, he allegedly backed separatist forces in Karabakh and fueled anti-Azerbaijani sentiments.”

The outlet also alleged that “Iran provided Armenia with military support, including weapons supplies.”

Diplomatic relations between Iran, Armenia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan have become sensitive, especially as a US-brokered ceasefire between Baku and Yerevan is feared to cut off Iran’s access to Armenia.

Iran to add two new national days to calendar next year

Iran Flag

The first proposal designates December 1 (Azar 10 in the Persian calendar) as “National Day of Iran’s Three Islands in the Persian Gulf,” marking the historic sovereignty of Iran over Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands.

The move gained momentum last year after renewed claims by the United Arab Emirates and a joint statement by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union describing the historically Iranian islands as “occupied,” sparking widespread public and online reactions in Iran.

The second proposal seeks to dedicate a day to commemorate the 12-day conflict with the US-Israeli alliance earlier this year, which included direct attacks on Iranian soil. Officials have not yet announced an official title for this day.

Qader Ashena, Secretary of the Public Culture Council, said the initiatives will be presented to the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution for approval in the coming weeks. If passed by October, the two days will be included in Iran’s national calendar.

Iran president: Shanghai summit key to boosting multilateralism, regional cooperation

Speaking at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, Pezeshkian emphasized that the SCO represents nearly 2.5 billion people and accounts for over 40 percent of the global economy, underlining its strategic importance.

“This summit is an important platform for reinforcing multilateral cooperation and countering the unilateralism and hegemonic approaches promoted by the US and some European countries,” the president stated.

He noted that the event will bring together both full and observer members of the organization, offering opportunities for high-level discussions with presidents and prime ministers aimed at strengthening political, economic, cultural, and security ties.

Pezeshkian added that planned meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other participating leaders would focus on advancing bilateral and regional partnerships.

Expressing optimism about the summit’s outcomes, the president said he hopes the talks will contribute to regional and global peace and stability, as well as promote cooperation for the prosperity and well-being of people in the region and beyond.

Palestinian Authority calls on US to reinstate Abbas’s visa before UNGA

White House

The Palestinian presidency expressed “astonishment” at Washington’s decision to rescind the visas for Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials before next month’s high-level meetings at UN headquarters.

Abbas has addressed the General Assembly for many years and generally leads the Palestinian delegation.

“We call upon the American administration to reverse its decision,” Abbas’s spokesperson spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh told The Associated Press on Saturday, warning that the move “will only increase tension and escalation”.

“We have been in contact since yesterday with Arab and foreign countries, especially those directly concerned with this issue. This effort will continue around the clock,” Abu Rudeineh added.

The spokesperson also urged other countries to put pressure on US President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse its decision, including most notably those that have organised a high-level conference about reviving the two-state solution.

Set for September 22, the conference is being co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.

The Trump administration’s visa curbs come amid growing condemnation of Israel’s devastating war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and a wave of Israeli settler and military violence in the occupied West Bank.

The deadly attacks have prompted a growing number of countries to announce plans to recognise an independent Palestinian state at the UN in September.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the revocations on Friday by accusing the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) of “not complying with their commitments” and “undermining the prospects for peace”.

Rubio also accused the PA of taking part in “lawfare campaigns”, including appeals to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to hold Israeli accountable for abuses in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief said the bloc is calling on Washington to reconsider its visa denials.

“In the light of the existing agreements between the UN and its host state, we all urge for this decision to be reconsidered,” Kaja Kallas stated on Saturday following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen.

Iranian CrossFit champion killed at wedding in Mashhad

Crime Scene

The incident also injured several other guests. According to Judge Sadegh Safari, the suspect, also a local athlete, has been identified through rapid legal procedures and a manhunt has started to find him.

Authorities say the assailant fired multiple rounds using a handgun.

No motive is known for the killing. But witnesses suggest that a family dispute may have been the primary motive. Asadi was 36.

Iran defeat USA to reach Final of U21 Volleyball World Championship

The defending champions left little chance for the opposing side, bringing the US team to its knees.

With this win, Iran moves one step closer to retaining its world title.
In the championship final, Iran will face Italy.

President Pezeshkian: No foreign power allowed to undermine Iran-Armenia friendship   

He was speaking on Saturday during a meeting with Secretary of Armenia’s National Security Council Armen Grigoryan.

Pezeshkian said no foreign power should be allowed to undermine the close and strategic friendship between Tehran and Yerevan.

Referring to the positive outcomes of his recent visit to Armenia, Pezeshkian welcomed progress on the North–South Corridor project, describing it as a major step toward enhancing economic and political ties.

The Iranian president further called for swift implementation of bilateral agreements.

For his part, the secretary of Armenia’s National Security Council praised Iran’s commitment to deepening ties.

Grigoryan noted that Armenia is ready to finalize a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with Iran.

He also welcomed greater involvement of Iranian companies in Armenia’s infrastructure and development projects and voiced hope for a significant boost in economic exchanges.

Iranian president to visit China for SCO summit and Victory Day Parade

Masoud Pezeshkian

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said the visit will focus on participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit as well as the “Shanghai Plus” gathering, which brings together member states, observer countries, and representatives of regional and international organizations, including the UN secretary general.

The Iranian president will also attend China’s grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II.

Rahmani Fazli described Pezeshkian’s presence at the parade as a sign of the close and constructive relationship between Tehran and Beijing.

The ambassador referred to Iran’s active role in the SCO, noting that the country has taken part in over 100 meetings and committees during China’s chairmanship, with participation at ministerial and even top state levels.

He also cited recent visits to China by Iran’s judiciary chief and several cabinet ministers as evidence of strong engagement.

Rahmani Fazli underlined that Iran’s participation underscores opposition to unilateralism and commitment to multilateral cooperation for peace, security, and development at both regional and global levels.