Sunday, April 26, 2026
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Fire erupts at Tehran hotel, 130 evacuated safely

Iran Firefighters

The incident was reported at 4:04 a.m. local time to emergency services.

Jalal Maleki, spokesperson for the Tehran Fire Department, stated that the fire originated in the basement level of the four-story building, specifically in the dry sauna section of the hotel’s spa area, which also included a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

“The fire had primarily engulfed the dry sauna and spread to parts of the false ceiling,” Maleki said. “Thick smoke quickly reached the upper floors, including the lobby.”

Thanks to the swift and coordinated response by emergency crews, all 115 guests and 15 hotel staff members were evacuated safely before sustaining any injuries.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it could spread to other parts of the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported.

Iranian female mountaineer conquers 8,167-meter peak in Himalayas

Afsaneh Hesami Fard

Hesamifard announced on Saturday on her social media pages: “Dhaulagiri summit has been climbed.”

In addition to her professional mountaineering career, Ms. Hesamifard is also a physician.

She had previously climbed 11 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters.

This was her second attempt to summit the 8,167-meter Dhaulagiri, which she accomplished successfully.

The Iranian mountaineer had tried to climb this peak once before but was unsuccessful due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest of the 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, located in the Himalayas within Nepal.

Iran reports ‘slight rise’ in COVID-19 cases, urges continued vigilance

COVID in Iran

Officials have urged the public, particularly vulnerable groups, to remain cautious.

COVID-19 now accounts for approximately 4% of respiratory infections in Iran, up from 2.5% two weeks ago. While influenza and common cold cases are declining, the overall rate of respiratory infections remains lower than the same time last year.

Dr. Alireza Raisi, Deputy Health Minister, emphasized the importance of monitoring and prevention in a letter to medical universities.
He urged local health authorities to reinforce syndromic surveillance and preparedness, especially in high-risk settings like schools, prisons, and care homes.

Key recommendations include promoting hygiene practices, wearing masks in enclosed and crowded places, and increasing public awareness through media, religious centers, and community institutions.

Raisi also highlighted the need for health measures during large gatherings such as the Hajj pilgrimage and Arbaeen.

Despite the World Health Organization’s declaration ending the global COVID-19 emergency, Iranian authorities stress that proactive steps remain essential to prevent further spread.

Iran Leader urges continued focus on Palestinian struggle, denounces Israeli actions, Western support

Ayatollah Khamenei

Speaking in Tehran during a meeting with Iranian workers on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the importance of maintaining unwavering attention on the plight of Palestinians and the ongoing violence in Gaza.

“Through rumors, irrelevant narratives, and the constant introduction of new distractions, there is a clear effort to sideline the Palestinian cause,” the Leader said, reiterating, “Muslim nations must not allow this to happen.”

He criticized “systematic crimes” carried out by Israel in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, stating that such acts are too grave to be dismissed or forgotten.

“The world must stand against these crimes – both against the occupying regime itself and against its supporters,” he said, referring to Western countries, including the US and European powers.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated his long-held belief that the Palestinian people will ultimately prevail.

“Falsehood may roam about for a few days, but it is inevitably doomed,” he said, clarifying that the appearant progress by Israeli forces in Syria and other regions does not reflect strength, but in fact, a “symptom of further weakness of them.”

Referring to recent regional developments, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s military measures in Syria, the Leader dismissed them as unsustainable.

“This movement will not last,” he asserted. “With divine assistance and the resilience of the Palestinian people, victory over the occupiers is certain.”

He also urged the Iranian public and the wider Muslim community to remain vigilant and hopeful. “I believe, with divine favor, the day will come when the faithful will witness the liberation of Palestine with their own eyes.”

Trump has increasingly grown frustrated with Netanyahu amid Gaza war: Report

Trump Netanyahu

The report, citing unnamed sources, stated that Trump and his administration have “simply had enough” of Netanyahu’s refusal to align with Washington’s vision for the region.

American officials believe that Israeli resistance is “obstructing Trump’s broader goals, including aspirations for a Nobel Peace Prize.”

Trump has previously declared his ambition to be recognized with the prestigious award, citing his efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, including the pursuit of a comprehensive agreement involving Israel, Palestine, and Arab nations.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that ahead of Trump’s expected visit to the Middle East next week, the US has intensified efforts to secure a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

Behind-the-scenes negotiations, especially through Qatar, one of Trump’s key stops, are underway to reach a breakthrough on the issue of Israeli captives, the daily reported.

Despite Israeli skepticism over Hamas’ willingness to compromise, US officials remain “hopeful” that progress is achievable under Washington’s leadership.

Trump is set to begin his tour of the Persian Gulf on May 13 with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The report also highlights a string of recent American policy moves that have ‘surprised’ Israeli officials.

These include Washington’s decision to proceed with an agreement with the Houthi group in Yemen and the apparent abandonment of efforts to secure Saudi-Israeli normalization.

According to the daily, sources familiar with the matter said it had long been an “open secret” that normalization with Saudi Arabia was on hold. Now, the US appears ready to move forward with Riyadh regardless of Israeli objections.

The newspaper noted that Israel’s official silence on these developments reflects a growing rift between Tel Aviv and Washington, with their strategic relationship showing signs of strain.

On Tuesday, Oman announced it had successfully brokered a ceasefire agreement between the US and Yemen’s Houthi group.

Trump confirmed the deal, stating that it would halt Houthi attacks on US ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait in exchange for an end to American airstrikes on Houthi targets.

However, the Houthis clarified that the agreement does not include Israel, and they would continue their operations against Israeli targets in solidarity with Gaza.

Sources close to Trump previously told the paper Israel Hayom that the US president is “disappointed” with Netanyahu and plans to take “independent steps” in the region without waiting for Israel.

Tehran’s Intl. Film Festival hosts many artworks from Gaza

Youssef Mansouri stated that these works were screened directly by Gazan citizens themselves, and it was captivating.

The International 100-Second Film Festival, held in Tehran over the past few days, is a cinematic event where filmmakers from different countries participate with their 100-second films.

According to Mansouri, the turnout for the 14th festival was unprecedented, especially for its side programs, including last year’s documentaries.

He added that workshops with prominent Iranian filmmakers were held during this year’s festival.

Mansouri noted that over 5,300 works were submitted to the festival’s secretariat, nearly half of which were international.

He added the Free Palestine section received significant attention, with around 700 films focusing on Palestine—22 of which came from inside Gaza.

Mansouri also praised the festival’s jury, calling them on par with Iran’s top cinema standards.

Eight family members fall into 50-meter agricultural well in Iran’s Kuhdasht

Ambulance Iran

So far, only one individual has been rescued and is receiving medical care.

The incident occurred after a child initially fell into the well. In a tragic sequence of events, other family members — including the child’s father and brother — entered the well one after another in an attempt to rescue him, only to become trapped themselves.

Emergency response teams, equipped with long rescue ropes, breathing devices, and oxygen tanks, were dispatched immediately after the alert was raised.

An additional rescue team, as well as four ambulances, were also placed on standby.

Governor Naseri confirmed that the rescued individual was transported to Kuhdasht Hospital and is currently under intensive care.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

36th edition of international book fair underway in Tehran

The annual cultural event will run until May 17 and is expected to draw large crowds of book enthusiasts from across the country.

Over 2,300 publishers have registered to participate in various sections of the fair, including both domestic and international exhibitors.

More in pictures:

FM Araghchi: Iran, US set to resume indirect talks on Sunday

Abbas Araghchi

Speaking to Shahrara News during a visit to the shrine city of Mashhad, Araghchi said Iran has expressed its readiness to participate, and the final coordination on timing and venue is being handled by Omani mediators.

“The path of the negotiations is moving forward,” he stated, noting that “But it is important that we are moving forward in a way that will gradually lead us into the details.”

Araghchi criticized the inconsistent messaging from the American side, describing Iran’s approach as professional and principled, in contrast to Washington’s “emotional” and contradictory behavior.

Iran and the US have so far held three rounds of indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, in Muscat and Rome. The talks aim to reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions against Tehran.

Both sides have described the discussions as constructive, with officials calling the progress “positive” and indicating that the negotiations are moving in the right direction.

The minister also announced visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday. In Saudi Arabia, he will continue regional consultations regarding both indirect US-Iran talks and broader regional issues. In Qatar, Araghchi is scheduled to speak at the fourth Iran-Arab Dialogue Conference.

Araghchi emphasized the importance of ongoing regional dialogue, stating that sustainable agreements depend on addressing the concerns and shared interests of neighboring countries.

Source: Fourth round of Iran-US indirect talks to be held in Oman 

The source said that, following a proposal from Oman’s Foreign Minister to hold the fourth round of negotiations on Sunday, Tehran has agreed to the arrangement.

So far, three rounds of negotiations have taken place: two rounds in Muscat, Oman, and one in Rome, Italy.

The fourth round, initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed.

Iran has emphasized that it is only willing to discuss its nuclear program and the removal of sanctions. Tehran has also declared its readiness to reassure the international community that its nuclear program is purely peaceful.