Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Death toll from Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port explosion rises to 58

Authorities in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province have confirmed that the death toll from the recent explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port has risen to 58, following the death of another injured victim.

Iranian MP: Nuclear talks with US respectful, constructive

The spokesman for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has described the latest round of talks between Iran and the US as “positive and constructive”, noting however that no formal agreement has been reached so far.

Anti-Turkey Kurdish group PKK disbands after 4 decades of conflict

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced its decision to disband and end its armed struggle for autonomy, following a call in February by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Iran sounds alarm over sharp decline in birth rate

Iran is facing a mounting demographic crisis, as new data from the Ministry of Health reveals a 7% drop in national birth rates over the past year, despite a growing population of married women.

Rose harvest festival celebrates agriculture, tourism in Babol

A month-long festival celebrating the harvest of Damask rose (Gol-e Mohammadi) is underway in northern Iranian city of Babol, aiming to showcase the region’s agricultural strengths and encourage tourism development.

5G internet will be available in Iran’s metropolises by March: Minister

Iran will provide access to 5G internet to its metropolises by the end of the current Persian calendar year in late March, the Iranian minister of Information and Communications Technology has announced.

Iran faces severe water crisis as dam reserves drop by 20%

Iran is facing a critical water shortage, with dam reserves across the country dropping 20% compared to last year, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Energy.

Iranian archaeologists uncover prehistoric and early metallurgy sites in central Kerman plain

A new archaeological survey in the Mahan district of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran, has revealed a series of significant findings, including Paleolithic sites, evidence of early metal smelting and casting, ancient nomadic settlements, and hand-carved shelters.

Study puts true death toll in Gaza war at around 110,000

A new report suggests that up to 109,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel's military campaign across the besieged Gaza Strip in October 2023.

Taliban bans game of chess

Taliban government has banned the game of chess across Afghanistan, arguing that it is incompatible with Islamic Sharia laws. The decision was announced on Sunday.

Israel asks ICC judges to withdraw PM arrest warrant 

Tel Aviv has asked judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw arrest warrants against Israel's Prime Minister and Defence Minister while the ICC reviews Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction over the conduct of the Gaza war.

Israel is prolonging war, hindering hostage agreement: US

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East has stated that Israel is prolonging the war in the Gaza Strip and reaching a new ceasefire and hostage deal is the correct next step to take.

Health officials warn of new COVID-19 surge in Iran

Iranian health authorities are raising the alarm over a fresh increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, urging vulnerable groups to adhere strictly to health protocols.

Tehran to host world’s largest street football tournament Friday

The Iranian capital is set to host what is being hailed as the world’s largest street football (Gol Koochak) tournament on Friday at Velayat Park.

Former IRGC commander: Diplomacy as essential as military strength for Iran’s security

Former IRGC Navy Commander and foreign policy expert Hossein Alaei has emphasized that diplomacy is a critical pillar of national power, arguing that Iran must balance its military development with strong diplomatic engagement, even amid tensions with the US.

President Pezeshkian says Iran seeks agreement in negotiations with US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran’s participation in indirect talks with Washington proves that it is committed to peace and serious in reaching an accord.

Iran former FM Zarif: Diplomacy requires patience; we must support negotiating team

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized the importance of patience in diplomacy amid negotiations with the US, urging public support for the country’s current negotiating team.

Hamas confirms it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander will soon be freed in the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas official has told Reuters, a move key Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt described as an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire negotiations in the war-torn enclave.

FM warns Europe against ‘strategy of confrontation’ over Iran’s nuclear program

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has warned European countries against a "strategy of confrontation" over Tehran's nuclear program, stressing that the move could risk provoking a nuclear proliferation crisis.

Armenia says there will be no war with Azerbaijan despite ‘provocations’

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that there will be no war between Yerevan and Baku, despite what he described as internal and external "provocations", without providing any further details about potential threats.

Differences narrowed at Iran-US talks: FM Araqchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi has hailed as fruitful the latest round of talks with the United States in Oman, saying Tehran and Washington have narrowed differences and their positions have moved closer.

Zelensky says ready to meet Putin in Turkey on Thursday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he is ready to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15.

Trump-Netanyahu rift widens over potential agreement between US, Iran: NBC

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “worried about any deal” the administration of US President Donald Trump might strike with Iran, according to NBC News.

New Pope urges Gaza ceasefire in first Sunday message

Pope Leo XIV called for genuine peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff.

Iran says fresh round of nuclear talks with US “difficult, useful”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced the conclusion of the fourth round of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, describing the talks as “difficult but useful.”
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