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WATCH: Moment devastating flood sweeps through village in Iran’s Kermanshah

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Flood

Shocking video footage captured the moment the rushing waters surged into the village, sweeping away livestock, vehicles, and parts of buildings.

The deluge, caused by the overflowing of local rivers and seasonal springs in the Sar Firouzabad district, inflicted widespread damage.

According to local officials, at least ten homes were destroyed, dozens more damaged, and over 200 head of livestock—including sheep and cattle—were killed. Several agricultural machines and personal vehicles were also left mangled or submerged.

The storm hit just after midnight on the first day of the Persian New Year (Nowruz), catching many residents off guard.

Significant damage was reported to the village’s water, electricity, and road infrastructure.

Relief workers have begun clearing debris and delivering supplies to affected families, while authorities warn of continued risks due to forecast rain in the coming days.

President Pezeshkian visits Lake Urmia, seeks intl. expertise for revival efforts

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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During the visit, Pezeshkian expressed deep concern over the failure to implement previous restoration plans, noting that although a 26-point action plan was approved two decades ago, most of it has either remained unexecuted or was poorly implemented.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to reversing the lake’s ecological decline.

“We are studying various proposals, including diverting treated wastewater from East Azerbaijan and managing the inflow from the Zarrineh and Simineh rivers,” he said.

President Pezeshkian visits Lake Urmia, seeks intl. expertise for revival efforts

Pezeshkian announced that consultations will be held with both domestic and international experts to identify effective solutions. “We are committed to involving university professors, researchers, and specialists, and we plan to draw on foreign expertise to help us find viable paths forward,” he stated.

Acknowledging the significant role of rainfall in the lake’s condition, the president underscored the importance of long-term planning. “We must also examine why the agricultural components of the revival plan have not been implemented and address these shortcomings urgently,” he added.

Iran preparing response to Trump’s letter, rules out direct talks under pressure

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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In a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mizoryan in Yerevan. Araghchi confirmed that while the reply has not yet been delivered, it will be sent soon “in an appropriate manner and through proper channels.”

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s firm stance against entering direct talks with the United States under the current circumstances.

“As long as we are under maximum pressure, facing military threats and increased economic sanctions from Washington, we will not engage in direct negotiations,” he said.

However, he emphasized Iran’s continued openness to dialogue regarding its peaceful nuclear program. “We have always been ready to negotiate to enhance transparency,” he noted, adding that Iran is currently in discussions with the three European parties to the JCPOA- France, Germany and the UK- as well as other interested nations.

The senior diplomat also stressed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy in resolving regional issues. “We believe problems in the region must be resolved through dialogue, not warfare. Iran opposes any military aggression or escalation in the region,” Araghchi said.

American senators push Trump to seize Russian assets for Ukraine: Reuters

By
IFP Media Wire
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In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio seen by Reuters on March 24, senators questioned the administration’s willingness to use all available financial tools to pressure Russia into ending its war against Ukraine.

“How does the Administration view using all financial tools at its disposal to increase pressure on Russia to end the war?” the senators reportedly wrote in the letter.

They also asked whether U.S. and EU-held Russian assets should be leveraged in negotiations with Moscow.

Senators Todd Young and Lindsey Graham signed the letter, marking a rare instance of senior Republicans publicly urging a tougher stance on Russia. Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Tim Kaine signed it as well.

Pro-Ukraine Republicans in Congress have largely remained silent as Trump shifts U.S. policy closer to Moscow. The State Department has not yet responded to the senators’ request.

Their letter, sent on March 21, coincided with U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia, where officials discussed a potential Black Sea maritime ceasefire as a precursor to broader peace talks.

For years, U.S. lawmakers have pushed to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction rather than rely on American taxpayer dollars.

In the letter, the senators pressed the administration on whether it plans to encourage the EU, G7, and other allies to use Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine’s benefit. They also inquired about allowing Ukraine to purchase defense equipment using these assets.

Following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies froze an estimated $300-350 billion in Russian sovereign assets, primarily held in European financial institutions.

Washington has refrained from fully seizing the assets due to legal concerns, instead opting to use interest earnings to provide aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow has condemned any potential asset transfer as theft but has reportedly signaled a willingness to use frozen European funds for reconstruction—provided some of the money benefits the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

Iran’s FM stresses South Caucasus importance following Armenia visit

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Abbas Araghchi

In an Instagram post on Tuesday detailing his trip, Araghchi described his discussions with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan as part of Iran’s “continuous talks with the neighbors about bilateral relations and regional developments.”

“After participating in an informal meeting and dinner hosted by Minister Mirzoyan, I walked back to my accommodation,” Araghchi wrote, noting warm encounters with Iranian tourists visiting Yerevan for Nowruz holidays.

The Iranian foreign minister specifically highlighted that “the South Caucasus holds particular importance in our country’s foreign policy,” reaffirming Iran’s commitment to active engagement in the region.

Araghchi arrived in Yerevan on Monday at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart as part of Iran’s ongoing talks with neighboring countries regarding bilateral relations and regional developments.

Analysts view the visit as part of Tehran’s efforts to maintain balanced relations with all South Caucasus nations, including Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, while protecting its strategic interests.

Russia managed to influence American leadership: Zelensky

By
IFP Media Wire
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White House

According to Zelensky, some in the White House have begun to trust Russian President Vladimir Putin’s word more than their own intelligence.

“I believe Russia has managed to influence some people on the White House team through information,” Zelensky said.

“Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them.”

The U.S. has suspended military aid and intelligence to Ukraine after a meeting between Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the White House ended in a heated argument.

The freeze on military aid has drawn criticism even from members of Trump’s own party.

In an interview with American far-right political commentator Tucker Carlson, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff openly parroted Russian propaganda and agreed with most of the Kremlin’s talking points, further casting doubt on whether Ukraine can expect to gain a ceasefire on its terms.

“(Russia) reclaimed these five regions. They have Crimea, and they’ve gotten what they want. So why do they need more?” Witkoff stated.

Another instance that the Ukrainian president said was part of the Russian narrative was Trump’s comments about the encirclement of “thousands” of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast.

“That was a lie,” Zelensky stressed.

Trump made his comments about the alleged encirclement ahead of a planned call with Putin, in which the two leaders discussed a possible peace deal with Ukraine.

The call was intended to secure Russia’s agreement to the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had already accepted on the condition that Moscow also complied.

Putin initially signaled readiness to agree to a ceasefire but followed up with a list of demands, including a halt to foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

During the call with Trump, Putin once again declined to commit to a full ceasefire but did agree to a limited 30-day halt on energy infrastructure strikes, which Russia immediately violated.

Iran’s ancient art of Qalamzani gains global recognition

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The intricate art form involves etching elaborate designs onto copper, gold, brass, or silver surfaces using specialized chisels and hammers.

Copper remains the preferred medium due to its malleability, a tradition dating back to when humans first worked with metals in ancient Persia and the Near East millennia before Christ.

While the exact origins of Iranian metal engraving remain unclear, archaeologists consider it among humanity’s earliest metalworking traditions.

More in pictures:

US claims on Iran’s oil industry baseless: FM

By
IFP Media Wire
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Iran Oil

Araghchi and his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, discussed regional developments on the phone.

During their conversation, Araghchi and Hussein held consultations on the latest developments following the resumption of the Zionist regime’s brutal attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the U.S. military attack against Yemen.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the Zionist regime’s continued genocide in Gaza and repeated aggression against Lebanon – which are carried out in gross violation of ceasefire agreements and with a clear green light from the US- and the regime’s killing of innocent women and children.

Araghchi called for immediate action by the international community, especially regional and Islamic countries, to stop these crimes and acts of aggression and to prevent further insecurity in the entire region.

He referred to the serious dangers posed by the US’s abuse of bases in regional countries and their airspace for aggression against regional nations.

Araghchi stressed the need for all countries to take necessary measures to protect their sovereignty and prevent the use of their territory and facilities by foreign military forces to destabilize other countries.

Araghchi also referred to the illegal US sanctions against the Iranian oil industry, saying the accusations levelled by US officials in order to pressure Iran have no basis or credibility.

He added neighboring and friendly nations are expected to be wary of Washington’s seditious and divisive actions which have no aim but to destroy friendly relations between regional nations in line with the sinister goals of the Zionist regime.

The Iraqi foreign minister, for his part, voiced serious concern over the trend of developments in the region and the serious threats posed by the acts of aggression against Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

Hussein also underscored the need for consensus and cooperation among regional countries to help alleviate the suffering of the oppressed Palestinian people and prevent regional peace and stability from being endangered.

UN plans to downsize international team in Gaza due to Israeli strikes

By
IFP Media Wire
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UN spokesperson Stephan Dujarric said in a news briefing on Monday that approximately 30 of the UN’s 100 or so international staff would leave Gaza this week, admitting that the withdrawal comes at a time when humanitarian needs have soared and “concern over the protection of civilians intensifies”.

Dujarric stated the “temporary measure” was a “difficult decision” taken by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for security and operational reasons.

The UN spokesman also confirmed that an Israeli tank was responsible for the attack on a UN compound in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on March 19, that killed a Bulgarian UN staff member and left six other foreign staff with severe injuries.

Dujarric’s statement was the UN’s first to implicate Israeli forces in the attack on the clearly marked UN site. It comes after Israel’s military repeatedly denied that it was responsible for the strike, which came a day after Israel broke its ceasefire agreement with Hamas after just two months of relative peace.

Dujarric also added that Secretary-General Guterres has demanded “a full, thorough and independent investigation” into the tank attack on the UN compound on March 19.

Israel had claimed that it struck a Hamas site where preparations were being made to fire into Israeli territory.

When asked whether the UN believed the Israeli tank attack was a deliberate strike on the UN’s facility, which Israeli forces knew the exact location of, Dujarric noted: “I think that’s one of the reasons we need to have a pretty clear and transparent investigation.”

On Monday, the Israeli military admitted to firing on a building belonging to the Red Cross in Rafah, south of Gaza, blaming the attack on the clearly marked humanitarian organisation’s building as a case of mistaken identity.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its office in Rafah was damaged by an explosive projectile, though no staff were hurt. The damage has had a direct impact on the ICRC’s ability to operate, the organisation added, without specifying who was behind the explosion.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and wounded some 113,200 more in the territory, health officials announced.

China refutes involvement in Ukraine ‘peacekeeping’ contingent

By
IFP Media Wire
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China Air Force

The report by German outlet Welt am Sonntag is “not true at all,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing on Monday when asked to comment on the claims.

China’s position “on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear,” the spokesperson said.

Beijing has played an active role in advocating for a diplomatic solution since the escalation of hostilities three years ago, proposing a 12-point peace plan in 2023 and maintaining dialogue with both Moscow and Kiev.

Guo previously stated that Beijing believes dialogue and negotiations are the only viable ways out of the crisis.

On Saturday, Welt reported, citing unnamed EU diplomats, that Beijing is considering joining a potential ‘peacekeeping mission’ spearheaded by the UK and France.

China’s participation in the plan involving a ‘coalition of the willing’ “could potentially increase Russia’s acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine,” the diplomats reportedly told the outlet. Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of Western troops in Ukraine, noting that it would require UN Security Council approval, where Moscow holds veto power.

The idea of creating a group of countries ready to support Kiev militarily was first proposed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at an emergency summit in London earlier this month.

The plan, which includes the deployment of troops and aircraft, was backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said Western forces would not be deployed to Ukraine until the situation on the ground is safe for them.

Both Macron and Starmer are expected to hold separate meetings in London and Paris this week centered on military planning for Ukraine.

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