Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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Human error, transport company violations confirmed in Kerman deadly bus crash, southern Iran

The accident occurred Sunday evening on the Kerman-Mashhad highway when a bus overturned. Of the 60 passengers onboard, 14 died at the scene, while 46 were injured, according to Kerman’s emergency services.

Mohammad Ali Talebi, the governor of Kerman, extended condolences to the victims’ families and acknowledged “infrastructure shortcomings” in the province’s road network.

However, he stressed that “human error and clear violations by the transport company” were the primary causes, calling for “serious follow-up by judicial and regulatory authorities.”

Rescue teams transferred the injured passengers to a hospital.

The crash has renewed scrutiny over road safety and transport operator compliance in Iran, where aging infrastructure and regulatory lapses frequently contribute to accidents.

Iran’s Leader warns of ‘firm response’ to hostile acts in Eid sermon

In his Eid al-Fitr address to thousands of worshippers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “Let it be clear that our positions remain firm.”

“They threaten us with malice, but should they act on these threats, they will undoubtedly face a strong and proportional counterblow,” he warned.

The Leader’s sermon, delivered during prayers marking the end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan, included remarks on regional and domestic affairs.

He described Israel as “the region’s sole proxy force,” slamming it for carrying out “genocidal crimes” in Palestine at the behest of Western powers.

He also referenced recent Israeli military acts of aggression in Syria.

Addressing potential internal threats, the Leader asserted that any attempts to foment unrest in Iran would be thwarted by the Iranian nation.

“Should they try to incite sedition as in previous years,” he said, “the Iranian people themselves will respond, just as they have done before.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also commented on recent Quds Day demonstrations on Friday, stating that the massive turnout had sent “clear messages” to the international community about Iran’s stance on Palestinian issues.

The sermon concluded with traditional Eid greetings to Muslims worldwide and to the Iranian nation on their New Year celebrations.

Iran wins freestyle wrestling Asian championship

125kg FS - Amirreza Fardin Masoumi Valadi (IRI) df. Shamil Magomed A Sharipov (BRN)

The tournament concluded Sunday evening, with Iran topping the team rankings after securing four gold, one silver, and four bronze medals.

Iran’s gold medals came from Mehdi Yousefi (79kg), Abolfazl Rahmani and Amirhossein Firoozpour (both in 92kg), and Amir Reza Masoumi (125kg).
Milad Valizadeh earned a silver medal in the 57kg category, while Ahmad Mohammadnejad Javan (61kg), Abbas Ebrahimzadeh (65kg), Sina Khalili (70kg), and Mohammad Mobin Azimi (97kg) each earned bronze.

With a total of 190 points, Iran dominated the team standings, finishing well ahead of Japan (146 points) and Kazakhstan (123 points), which placed second and third respectively.

Iranians celebrate Eid al-Fitr as Ramadan concludes

In the capital Tehran, worshippers gathered at Imam Khomeini’s Mosalla Grand Prayer Grounds for the Eid prayers, led by the Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Large crowds of worshippers packed the expansive prayer complex, filling its various sections in a vibrant display of faith and unity.

Among the attendees were high-ranking officials, including President Massoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The ceremony also saw the presence of foreign ambassadors and diplomatic representatives.

In Mashhad, the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, resounded with the traditional Naqareh drums on Sunday night, heralding the festive occasion.

Eid al-Fitr, one of the most significant religious holidays for Muslims worldwide, signifies the end of 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting.

A distinctive feature of Eid al-Fitr is the special prayer, typically performed in open fields or large halls with large congregations.

In a message on Sunday, President Pezeshkian extended his warm wishes to the leaders and people of Muslim nations, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity within the Islamic world.

He described Eid al-Fitr as a manifestation of religious and social unity, strengthening the bonds among Muslims globally.

Crescent moon sighted in Iran, Eid al-Fitr to be celebrated Monday

The statement confirmed that the crescent moon has been sighted, signaling the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Eid prayers will be led by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla on Monday morning.

Iran President: Path for indirect negotiations with US open

President Pezeshkian noted on Sunday that the response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the letter from the President of the United States was delivered to them through Oman.

He stated that although the topic of direct negotiations between the two sides has been rejected in this response, it has been indicated that the path for indirect negotiations remains open.

Pezeshkian added that the response to the letter emphasized that Iran has never shied away from negotiations, and it is only the broken promises that have caused problems in this path, which need to be addressed and that trust should be restored.

In another part of his remarks, Pezeshkian stressed the need to stop the catastrophic crimes of the Zionist regime against Palestine, stating that it is absolutely unacceptable for innocent people to be bombed despite the declaration of a ceasefire, relying on technology; no honorable human being can accept this inhumane behavior.

He also congratulated all Iranians and Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and expressed hope that the blessings of this month and the Eid would strengthen unity and cohesion among Muslims.

Iran beats China, crowned at Asian U20 Water Polo Champion

In a high-intensity match, the Iranian team delivered a powerful performance to overcome the same Chinese squad that had narrowly beaten them 13-11 during the group stage.

The final served as a moment of redemption, with Iran showcasing tactical discipline and scoring dominance to secure the title.

Iran’s road to the championship began with a crushing 40-1 win over Sri Lanka, followed by a close loss to China. They rebounded with a 28-6 victory over Malaysia to reach the knockout stages. In the quarterfinals, they routed Uzbekistan 32-7, and then defeated host nation Singapore 15-10 in the semifinals.

With their top-four finish, Iran also secured qualification for the upcoming U20 World Water Polo Championships.

Iranian Armed Forces General Staff warns enemies against “miscalculation”

The statement cautioned the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran not to make any “miscalculation.”

It further stated that from its very first years, the divine system of the Islamic Republic of Iran faced the most complex hostilities and the most sinister devilish plots by global arrogance, led by the US, however, through divine grace, the leadership of Imam Khomeini (RA)—the founder of the Islamic Republic—and the guidance of his successor, Ayatollah Khamenei, along with the perseverance of the Iranian people, it has become a resilient system of national power and a strong country on the international stage.

The statement added that over its glorious 46-year history, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven that while powerfully defending its principles, foundations, people, and territory, it has always been an advocate of regional and international peace and security.

It also emphasized that supporting and defending the oppressed people of the world, especially the heroic and oppressed Palestinian nation, will always remain an unshakable and fundamental strategy for Iran.

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces pointed out that the Islamic Republic has achieved a stage of active and sustainable military-defense deterrence, enabling it to pursue its ideals in the face of any excessive demands and threats.

Iran confirms diplomatic process continues with US through indirect talks

“The Iranian response to the received letter has been prepared and delivered,” Mohajerani stated in a post on X social media platform on Sunday.

“Accordingly, the process of indirect negotiations with the US has been put on the agenda, and diplomatic efforts are ongoing,” she added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi revealed that Iran’s official response was delivered through Oman on Wednesday.

“The formal reply included a letter fully outlining our views regarding the current situation and the contents of the US letter,” Araghchi told IRNA news agency.

The minister reiterated Iran’s longstanding policy, saying “Our position remains firm against direct negotiations under conditions of maximum pressure and military threats. However, indirect talks – as conducted during both presidents Rouhani’s and Raisi’s administrations – may continue.”

The exchange marks the latest development in backchannel diplomacy between the adversaries, with Oman frequently serving as intermediary.

Observers note the communication persists despite stalled efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and ongoing tensions in the region.

Iran shines at Asian senior freestyle wrestling championships in Jordan

Gold medalist Mehdi Yousefi (79kg) dominated his bracket, defeating Bahrain’s Khidir Saifutdinov 10-0 in the finals.

Milad Valizadeh (57kg) earned a silver medal, following an impressive performance that saw him defeat opponents from Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Kazakhstan before losing to North Korea’s Chung Sang Han, a reigning Asian Games silver medalist, in the final.

Bronze medals went to Abbas Ebrahimzadeh (65kg), Sina Khalili (70kg), and Mohammad Mobin Azimi (97kg), who each rallied through repechage rounds after semifinal losses.

Notable victories included Khalili’s 9-2 technical fall over Mongolia’s world bronze medalist Tömör-Ochiryn Tulga, and Azimi’s 9-3 win against Turkmenistan’s Shatlyk Hemelyayev. Ebrahimzadeh sealed his bronze with a 10-0 shutout of Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov.

The championships continue through the week, with Iran positioned as a top contender for the team title.