Wednesday, December 24, 2025
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Iran’s Intelligence Minister: Israel facing “epidemic” of Iranian infiltration

Esmaeil Khatib

Speaking about the recent twelve-day conflict involving Israel and the United States, Khatib described Iran as emerging victorious, with its missile capabilities successfully targeting critical Israeli sites, contrary to Tel Aviv’s predictions.

Khatib referred to the arrest of an Israeli air force officer accused of spying for Iran and the transfer of sensitive nuclear and classified documents as evidence of Iran’s intelligence effectiveness.

He argued that these developments reflect the country’s growing power and resilience, reinforced during the twelve-day war.

The intelligence minister underlined the unity of the Iranian people during the conflict, saying that foreign attempts to incite unrest or undermine public support backfired. He praised the solidarity of Iran’s diverse population, including different ethnic and religious groups, in supporting national defense.

Khatib said that the US and Israel are involved in backing extremist groups,  cyberattacks, weapons smuggling, and other destabilizing measures to disrupt Iranian security, particularly in border regions.

He added that these efforts were thwarted thanks to the coordinated work of Iran’s military, intelligence, security, and judicial institutions.

He stated that strategic victories and Iran’s ability to compel enemies to revise their policies demonstrate Tehran’s growing influence, resilience, and global standing as a secure and united nation.

Rapid spread of H3N2 influenza across Iran

COVID in Iran

The official then issued an advisory which advises high-risk groups, including the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, and infected children to avoid crowded gatherings.

It however said mortality and ICU admission rates related to this influenza strain remain very low. The advisory also urged citizens, particularly in Tehran, to take mask-wearing seriously in public spaces.

The official noted that authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread.

2 children killed every day in Gaza despite ceasefire: UNICEF

Gaza War

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, spokesperson Ricardo Pires said: “Since 11th of October, while the ceasefire has been in effect, at least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the Gaza Strip, dozens more have been injured.”

He added this represented “an average of almost two children killed every day since the ceasefire took effect and the agreement that the killing would stop was finally achieved.”

Pires stressed that behind every number is a child whose life was violently cut short, reiterating that these are not mere statistics.

He recounted what UNICEF teams are witnessing on the ground — children sleeping outdoors with amputations, and others left orphaned and shaking with fear as they survive in flooded, makeshift shelters stripped of dignity.

“I saw this myself when I was last there in August. The reality imposed on Gaza remains brutally simple. There is no safe place for them, and the world cannot continue to normalize their suffering,” he stressed.

Despite expanding its operations, UNICEF says its efforts remain insufficient. He said the UN agency “could do a lot more if the aid that is really needed was entering faster.”

Warning of winter conditions and compounding risks for hundreds of thousands of displaced children living in shelters, Pires warned that “the stakes are incredibly high” as “the new season is a threat multiplier.”

Children have “no heating, no insulation, and too few blankets,” he continued, adding, “Respiratory infections are on the rise, while contaminated water fuels the spread of diarrhea.”

He added that “children continue to clamber over broken rubble barefoot.”

“Too many children have already paid the highest price, too many are still paying it, even under a ceasefire. The world promised them it (war) would stop and we would protect them,” he said and urged: “Now we must act like it.”

 

UN warns of escalating violence in West Bank

West Bank

“Turning to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues warned that the level of violence there remains deeply concerning, with casualties, property damage, displacement, loss of livelihoods and a strong sense of insecurity for Palestinian civilians,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

This week, Dujarric said the number of Palestinian children killed in 2025 reached 50.

“Overall, more than 200 Palestinians have now been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year,” he added.

In just one week, Dujarric said the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented 29 attacks by illegal Israeli settlers that led to 11 injuries and damaged 10 homes, two mosques, nearly two dozen vehicles, and a wide range of agricultural assets.

“We continue to call for the protection of civilians – which includes enforcing the law against anyone who carries out attacks – and for lethal force to be used by security forces only in strict accordance with internationally recognized law enforcement standards.”

“War-like tactics must not be tolerated as the new normal (in the West Bank),” he added.

When asked about the Israeli plans to seize large parts of a major historical site in the West Bank, Sebastia, Dujarric said the UN has seen the press reports of intention.

“I think we have been very clear in our opposition to the seizing of land in this matter,” he added.

The Israeli army has escalated attacks in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

More than 1,076 Palestinians have since been killed, and 10,700 injured in attacks by the army and illegal settlers in the occupied territory. More than 20,500 people have also been arrested.

In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

 

Iranian lawmakers submit impeachment motion against minister of roads and urban development

Iran's parliament

Zeynab Gheisari, MP, said more than 70 members of parliament have signed various impeachment motions targeting the minister. She noted that despite lawmakers’ repeated efforts to avoid invoking the impeachment mechanism, the chamber was ultimately left with “no alternative.”

According to Gheisari, parliament had sought for months to address performance-related issues through other supervisory instruments, including more than 400 formal warnings and 340 written questions to the minister.

“These steps were intended to guide the ministry back to its proper legal and operational path,” she said, adding that the attempts did not yield results.

The impeachment request has now been delivered to the parliament’s presiding board, which will determine the next procedural steps, including scheduling a session for the minister to appear before lawmakers.

Putin responds to US peace proposal for Ukraine war

”During the discussions, the American side asked us to make certain compromises,” Putin said, during a meeting with the Security Council. Back in Anchorage, Moscow confirmed its agreement with the peace proposals, Putin noted. However, after the Alaska talks, the American side paused due to Ukraine’s rejection of Trump’s plan.

Putin also mentioned that Moscow had received the text of the new Trump plan, but it has not yet been discussed “in detail.” “I believe it could also form the basis of a final peace settlement,” the president said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has also responded to the plan, saying that Ukraine must brace for a tough choice between accepting it or risking losing a key backer.

According to Reuters, the White House has threatened to cut off Ukraine from intelligence and military aid, should Kiev reject it.

The US submitted the plan as Zelensky’s legitimacy at home has been significantly undermined by a corruption scandal while Ukraine’s forces on the conflict frontlines have suffered a series of setbacks.

In recent months, Russian forces have been steadily advancing in the Donetsk People’s Republic, making significant gains. The Ukrainian military, by contrast, is facing severe personnel shortages.

 

Iran to launch new-generation satellites Zafar, Paya, Kowsar in early winter

Iran Zoljanah satellite carrier

Speaking to Tasnim news agency in central city of Semnan, he said the development of Iran’s new-generation satellites is progressing on the basis of indigenous capabilities, adding that international sanctions have accelerated the country’s shift toward domestic production of space technologies and equipment.

Salarieh emphasized that expanding national access to space technology remains a core objective.

He noted that whenever the private sector has the capability to take on a project, the ISA will transfer responsibilities accordingly, calling this approach the strongest form of government support for private actors in the field.

The ISA chief also highlighted ongoing cooperation with eastern partners, particularly Russia and China.

satelliteIran remains a member of APSCO, a China-centered multilateral space cooperation organization, as well as ISNET and other frameworks among Islamic countries, through which joint scientific and technological projects continue to be pursued.

Iran launches joint Army-IRGC air operation to contain forest fire in north

Governor Mehdi Yousefi Rostami said on Saturday that around eight hectares of forest in the Elit area of Marzanabad have burned so far. Helicopters from the IRGC Aerospace Force and the Red Crescent, along with firefighting aircraft, were deployed to reinforce suppression efforts.

Ground crews, including rapid-response forest protection units, local volunteers, and environmental groups, are also battling the flames in steep, hard-to-reach terrain, equipped with hand tools and air-blowers.

Officials say that roughly seven hectares have already been extinguished, with active fire remaining in less than one hectare.

The Elit forests have been hit by two waves of fire this month. The first, on October 31, was contained after several days of effort. The second started last Saturday and has now entered its seventh day despite continuous aerial and ground operations.

Authorities cite high temperatures, accumulated dry leaves and deadfall, and the rugged topography as the main factors fueling repeated outbreaks.

The Mazandaran-Nowshahr Natural Resources District, which covers 660,000 hectares of forests, rangelands and coastline, oversees protection of the affected area.

Iranian official says Tehran engages in international talks to combat forest fires

Ansari said late on Friday that two planes and a helicopter from Turkey are expected to arrive on Saturday, bringing eight personnel to aid in extinguishing the blaze.

The fires have been raging since last week, affecting significant areas of vegetation in remote areas of the Elit near Chalous. Local environmental forces, volunteers, and residents have been tirelessly working around the clock, utilizing helicopters to combat the flames. Despite their efforts, the fire has spread, prompting urgent international collaboration.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref emphasized the need to mobilize all national resources to control the fires in the Hyrcanian forests.

In discussions with the Mazandaran governor general and the head of the National Disaster Management Organization, Aref stressed the importance of leveraging local capacities and coordinating with various sectors to ensure a comprehensive firefighting strategy.

The fires have already consumed approximately eight hectares of forest, with seven hectares successfully extinguished thanks to aerial and ground operations.

However, a small area remains ablaze, complicating the firefighting efforts due to challenging terrain and dry conditions.

 

Ukraine risks ‘losing a key partner’ with Trump’s peace proposal: Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky

The US plan contains many of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s longstanding demands while offering limited security guarantees to Ukraine. It foresees Ukraine handing over territory to Russia, something Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out, reduces the size of it army and blocks its coveted path to NATO membership.

Zelensky pledged to hold constructive discussions with Washington at what he called “truly one of the most difficult moments in our history”. Zelensky said he spoke for almost an hour Friday with US Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the peace proposal.

US President Donald Trump in a radio interview on Friday said that he wants an answer from Zelensky on his 28-point plan by Thursday, but says an extension is possible to finalise terms.

“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines,” Trump said in an interview on the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio. “But Thursday is it – we think an appropriate time.”

While Zelensky has offered to negotiate with the US and Russia, he signaled Ukraine may not get everything it wants and has to confront the possibility of losing American support if it makes a stand.

“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest,” Zelensky said in a recorded speech. “Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”

“We will work calmly with America and all partners,” he said, but insisted on fair treatment.

He urged Ukrainians to “stop fighting” each other, in a possible reference to a major corruption scandal that has brought fierce criticism of the government, and said peace talks next week “will be very difficult”.

Zelensky spoke earlier by phone with the leaders of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, who assured him of their continued support, as European officials scrambled to respond to the US proposals that apparently caught them unawares.

Wary of antagonising Trump, the European and Ukrainian responses were cautiously worded and pointedly commended American peace efforts.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Zelensky of “their unchanged and full support on the way to a lasting and just peace” in Ukraine, Merz’s office said.

The four leaders welcomed US efforts to end the war. “In particular, they welcomed the commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine and the readiness to grant Ukraine solid security guarantees,” the statement added.

The line of contact must be the departure point for an agreement, they stated, and “the Ukrainian armed forces must remain in a position to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine effectively.”