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Trump says sets no deadlines for Russia on Ukraine war

By
IFP Media Wire
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“I don’t have a deadline,” he told reporters aboard his plane as he traveled to Washington from Florida, where he spent the Thanksgiving weekend.

This was Trump’s response to a question about whether he was trying to impose any deadlines on Russia for taking steps to resolve the crisis.

“I have a deadline — when the war is over,” the US president added.

He made the remarks just hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Florida.

Corruption remains one of Ukraine’s main problems, Trump stated, while commenting on the prospects of brokering peace between Moscow and Kiev.

Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Ukraine has “some difficult problems.”

When asked to clarify, the president pointed to a “corruption situation going on, which is not helpful.”

Trump added that both Russia and Ukraine would like the conflict to end, and that “there’s a good chance we can make a deal.”

Ukraine was rocked by a major corruption scandal last month involving figures in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle. The country’s Western-backed anti-corruption agencies alleged that Timbur Mindich, the Ukrainian leader’s former longtime business partner, was the ringleader of a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector, which relies heavily on foreign aid. Mindich fled the country to evade arrest, apparently after being tipped off.

The scandal led to charges against seven people and the resignation of two government ministers, with opposition MPs claiming that more top officials may have been involved.

Another of Zelensky’s close associates, Andrey Yermak, resigned as his chief of staff last week after his apartment was raided by anti-corruption investigators. Although Yermak has not been charged, he said he stepped down to avoid causing “problems” for Zelensky.

Ukraine has faced several major corruption scandals in recent years. In 2023, kickbacks and embezzlement in defense contracts prompted the resignation of Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov.

 

Iran offers to extend Gas deal with Turkey, calls for boost in energy, economic cooperation

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran on Sunday afternoon following his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Seyed Abbas Araqchi said that despite all efforts made and the positive results achieved, there is still a considerable gap before the full potential of the two countries—particularly in trade and economic relations—can be realized, and multiple steps must be taken to bridge that gap.

Araqchi noted that both ministers stressed the need to remove obstacles to bilateral trade and investment, adding that it was agreed the High-Level Cooperation Council and the Joint Economic Commission of the two countries would address these issues in detail.

Announcing the upcoming opening of Iran’s consulate general in the Turkish city of Van, Araqchi said the consulate would create new opportunities for bilateral ties, including enhanced cooperation between border provinces.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araqchi said the repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon and Syria show that the Israeli regime has broader plans to destabilize the region.

He stressed that stability, security, and calm in Syria are directly linked to preserving its territorial integrity, adding that the main threat to Syria’s security and stability comes from Israel’s occupation and aggressive actions.

Araqchi said it is the duty of regional countries to curb the regime’s aggression and expansionism, including in Syria and Lebanon.

He also reaffirmed Iran’s support for Turkey’s efforts to disarm the PKK terrorist group and to establish a terrorism-free zone.

Tehran emergency services report 357 deaths in eight days as air pollution calls surge

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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According to Mohammad Esmaeil Tavakoli, head of Tehran Province EMS, 31% of the 57,000 emergency calls received during this period were related to pollution-induced health issues.

Speaking on a television program, Tavakoli said EMS has no legal obligation to station ambulances in public squares during pollution episodes, explaining that earlier policies had been revised.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Health is responsible for responding to public health needs, with EMS acting as its pre-hospital arm.

Tavakoli noted that in November, when the latest pollution wave began, EMS received 227,000 calls and conducted 93,000 missions, 22% of which were linked to poor air quality. In the most recent eight-day period, emergency missions rose to 28,000, with cardiac and respiratory complaints making up 31% of cases.

He also highlighted structural shortages, citing a deficit of 400 EMS stations and 500 ambulances in Tehran Province.

Although the system operates helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and 240 motorlances, heavy traffic and the city’s geography limit response capacity.

Tavakoli urged authorities to address systemic gaps and asked the public to trust that emergency services remain fully operational despite the strain.

Saudi deputy foreign minister visits Tehran for bilateral and regional talks

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran and Saudi Arabia Flags

According to the ministry, the visit aims to facilitate discussions on bilateral relations as well as regional developments, including the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Syria.

The trip comes amid continued efforts by Tehran and Riyadh to strengthen dialogue following the restoration of diplomatic ties last year.

Al-Sati is scheduled to meet Iran’s foreign minister during his stay in Tehran. Iranian officials say such exchanges are part of a broader framework designed to manage regional issues through direct engagement and to expand areas of cooperation where possible.

Iran’s foreign trade surpasses $76.5 billion in first eight months of year

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Trade

The figures show that overall trade value declined 9.38% compared with the same period last year, while total weight increased by 1.53%.

Exports stood at 105.23 million tons valued at $36.99 billion, reflecting a 1.17% rise in volume but a 3.48% drop in value year-on-year.
Imports reached 25.82 million tons worth $39.54 billion, marking a 3% increase in volume and a 14.29% decrease in value.

Analysts attribute part of the rise in export volume to energy imbalances affecting Iran’s industrial and mining sectors.

Reduced access to stable energy supplies has reportedly pushed producers toward exporting more raw materials, including iron ore concentrate and pellets, to utilize otherwise idle production capacity.

According to recent figures from the Iranian Steel Association, exports of iron ore concentrate rose by 82% in the first seven months of the year compared with the previous year.

Steel producers have expressed concern that the surge in raw material exports could strain domestic supply chains, as concentrate is a key input for steel manufacturing.

Tens of thousands rally in Europe, demanding justice over Israeli war on Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The demonstrations, held to mark the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Saturday, came as the death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza surpassed 70,000 people.

In the French capital, Paris, an estimated 50,000 marched along the city’s major streets, chanting “Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you” and “From Paris to Gaza, resistance!”.

They also waved Palestinian flags while denouncing “Israeli genocide”.

“This is not acceptable. We are still so far from justice or accountability,” one protester told Al Jazeera.

“We, the people, know that this [Israel’s war] is wrong. But why do the people in power not feel that this is wrong?” asked another protester.

Anne Tuaillon, head of the France Palestine Solidarity Association (AFPS), one of about 80 non-government organisations, unions and parties behind the call to protest, stated that “nothing has been resolved” seven weeks after a ceasefire took effect on October 10.

“The ceasefire is a smokescreen. Israel violates it every day, blocks humanitarian aid and continues to destroy homes and infrastructure in Gaza. We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the genocide,” she told the AFP news agency.

Protests were also held in London, Geneva, Rome and Lisbon.

In the British capital, London, organisers announced that up to 100,000 joined the march demanding accountability for Israeli “crimes” against Palestinians and pleading for “protection” of those still suffering under siege despite a ceasefire.

In Italy, where mass demonstrations and union-led strikes have repeatedly mobilised against Israel’s war, the UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, and climate activist Greta Thunberg, attended the main demonstration in the capital, Rome.

The Wanted In Rome news website, in a report ahead of the rally, said some 100,000 were expected to take part.

In a statement posted on X, Albanese said that Israel is “committing genocide against the Palestinians” not just in Gaza, but in the occupied West Bank, too.

“Look at the totality of conduct/crimes against the totality of the Palestinians in the totality of the land slated for ethnic cleansing. Israel must be stopped, and we will,” she wrote.

Under the US-brokered ceasefire, Israel has pulled back to a so-called “yellow line” inside the Gaza Strip. But it remains in control of more than half of the besieged territory, and has launched several deadly attacks in breach of the agreement.

Since the ceasefire deal, at least 500 Israeli violations have been recorded, resulting in at least 347 Palestinians being killed and 889 being injured.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that “the killing of so many civilians, the repeated displacement of an entire population and the obstruction of humanitarian aid should never be acceptable”.

On Thursday, rights group Amnesty International warned that “Israeli authorities are still committing genocide” in Gaza, waging new attacks and curbing critical aid access, despite the declared ceasefire.

Saint Mary Metro Station inaugurated in Tehran 

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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IRNA correspondent says the Saint Mary Station was inaugurated in the presence of the mayor of Tehran, a number of foreign guests, and bishops of religious minorities, especially the Armenian community. This station is one of the stations on Tehran Metro Line 6, located at the intersection of Nejatollahi Street and Karim Khan Zand Street, near the Saint Sarkis Church.

The station has been constructed at a depth of 34 meters underground, with a total area of approximately 11,000 square meters.

Abbas Fathalipour, the project manager of Metro Line 6, said,“The first artwork installed in the station is a panel of ‘In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful’ written in Persian, English, Arabic, and Armenian”.

He added that the station also features artworks containing:
– Statements by Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and by founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini in praise of Saint Mary (Peace Be Upon Her) and Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him);
– Qur’anic verses from Surah Maryam regarding the birth of Jesus (PBUH);
– Verses 28 to 31 of the Gospel, displayed in Armenian, Assyrian, and Persian.
Fathalipour noted that another artwork depicts Jesus (PBUH) walking on water, and another panel portrays Saint Mary (PBUH) in a state of prayer along with the Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, accompanied by vine branches.

A separate artwork shows a mosque on one side and a church on the other, with a central sunburst motif symbolizing belief in one God.

A statue of Saint Mary (PBUH) and Jesus Christ (PBUH), approximately 2.2 meters tall, has been installed at the entrance of the station.

Christians are recognized as one of the official religious minorities in Iran. They have representatives at parliament and are free to perform their religious rituals within the framework of the law.

3rd day of Fajr Intl. Film Festival held in Shiraz

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

On the sidelines of the festival 3rd day, Head of the Cinema Organization Ra’ed Faridzadeh visited the film market, photo exhibitions, and the festival venue.

Meantime, specialized panels were also held for films from Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Turkey, and other countries.

More in the following pictures:

Air pollution remains severe across Iran as Tehran records seventh consecutive ‘red’ day

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

The city’s 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 particles reached 160, and the index stood at 153 on Saturday morning, both classified as unhealthy for all groups.

In Alborz Province, monitoring stations reported unhealthy conditions in Savojbolagh for all residents, while Karaj and Nazarabad recorded levels considered hazardous for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and individuals with heart or respiratory diseases.

Authorities reported PM2.5 readings of 161 in Savojbolagh, 148 in Nazarabad and 123 in Karaj.

Tehran police announced that, due to emergency measures approved by provincial authorities, the odd-even traffic scheme would be enforced citywide.

In Mashhad, air quality remained unhealthy for the 22nd consecutive day, with an average index of 108 over the past 24 hours and peaks of 136, affecting sensitive groups across most monitoring zones.

The National Meteorological Organization forecast a gradual improvement beginning Monday evening with the arrival of a rain-bearing clouds.

In Khuzestan Province, 18 cities reported polluted air, with Hoveyzeh registering a PM2.5 index of 239, classified as “very unhealthy.” Several other cities, including Ahvaz, Shushtar and Susa, were in the red, while Dezpart reported clean conditions.

Iran Army Chief: Active defense, smart deterrence form core of military strategy

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Iran Armed Forces

Major General Amir Hatami, speaking at a ceremony marking Navy Day and the unveiling of the Kurdistan floating base along with the reintegration of the Sahand destroyer into the Navy, said that the Naval Forces continue to advance scientific efforts, technological self-reliance, and equipment indigenization by leveraging specialized and technical capacities.

He added that, with the support of the Defense Ministry’s marine industries and Iranian knowledge-based companies, significant strides have been made toward self-sufficiency.

Hatami noted that Iran’s maritime industry has achieved substantial progress in the development of both surface and subsurface vessels, as well as their associated systems, including naval weaponry.

This progress, he emphasized, will continue with strength and determination under the guidance of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Referring to Iran’s role in regional security, Hatami said that regional security and the security of individual states can no longer be viewed separately.

He added that since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic has consistently played a constructive and irreplaceable role in ensuring regional security — a reality made even clearer by developments in the region over the past two years, which demonstrated who the true disruptors of regional stability are.

Hatami stressed that Iran’s long southern coastlines, access to open waters, well-equipped ports, skilled manpower, historical experience, indigenous knowledge and technology, and strategic geographic position all represent major capacities that can transform maritime opportunities into economic and security achievements.

The Army Chief underscored that building advanced vessels, upgrading maritime infrastructure, and enhancing Iran’s ability to operate in international waters are central pillars of the Army’s naval strategy.

Reaffirming Iran’s firm resolve to defend its ideals, national interests, and the lasting security of its people, Hatami concluded: “We will continue our path of self-sufficiency and defense advancement with full strength.”

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