Monday, March 17, 2025

Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Tehran’s Grand Bazaar bustles with year-end shopping rush

As the Persian calendar year 1403 draws to a close, Tehran’s Grand Bazaar is witnessing a surge in activity, with shoppers flocking to purchase goods ahead of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.

US says Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions

Ukraine should be prepared to give up certain territories as part of any future peace negotiations with Russia, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has stated.

Netanyahu seeking to dismiss head of Shin Bet over lack of ‘trust’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will bring a vote to the government to dismiss the director of the Shin Bet domestic security service.

Iran’s former Central Bank officials cleared of currency manipulation charges

Iran’s judiciary has issued a halt to the prosecution of former governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Valiollah Seif, and former deputy governor for foreign exchange, Ahmad Araghchi, in a high-profile corruption case involving currency market manipulation.

Death toll from US attacks on Yemen rises to 53: Houthis

Yemen’s Houthi group has announced that US air attacks on the country have killed 53 people and injured 98.

Yemen’s Houthi leader warns of escalation, expands naval blockade against US

Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has declared that his forces will escalate attacks in response to US military aggressions, warning that drones and missiles will continue to target American warships, aircraft carriers and naval vessels.

Iran’s Expediency Council considers conditional approval of CFT, Palermo conventions

The head of Iran’s Expediency Council has stated that the council can conditionally approve the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Palermo Conventions. These two sticking points could pave the way for Iran to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body focused on combating money laundering.

Feast held at Iran’s Imam Reza Shrine during Ramadan

As the auspicious birth anniversary of Imam Hasan Mujtaba (PBUH), the second Shia Imam, approaches, more than one thousand pilgrims and residents of Mashhad gathered on Sunday night at the Imam Hasan Mujtaba (PBUH) Courtyard of the Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine to partake in a special Iftar banquet.

Omani top diplomat: Talks with Iran FM Araghchi ‘productive’

Oman's Foreign Minister announced that he had a productive meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Muscat.

Iran strongly condemns US, UK air attacks on Yemen

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the “barbaric” attacks by the US and the UK against Yemen that have killed and injured dozens of people, including women and children.

Nowruz Joy Carnival brightens Tehran with festive parade

A vibrant Nowruz carnival brought color and cheer to the streets of the Iranian capital on Friday, as part of the celebrations leading up to the Persian New Year, starting on Thursday.

Iranian woman sets record by making 137 types of jam

An Iranian woman, Mrs. Mahmoudzadeh, has made headlines by setting a remarkable record for creating 137 different types of jam, earning her a place in the record books.

IRGC chief warns of Iran’s firm response to threats

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that while Iran will never seek to initiate a war, it remains determined to deliver a resolute response to any threats or onslaught by the enemies.

Road accidents: Third leading cause of death in Iran, costing $200k per fatality

Road accidents have been identified as the third leading cause of death in Iran, following cardiovascular diseases and cancer, according to the acting president of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

‘Putin lying to everyone’: Zelensky calls for ‘strong pressure’ on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged an international coalition to intensify pressure on Moscow and meet with skepticism any claims from Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation on the battlefield.

Israel kills over 150 Palestinians in Gaza since ceasefire: Report

More than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the ceasefire accord took effect on Jan. 19, 2025, including 40 in the past two weeks, the Gaza Media Office has announced.

Iranian company develops affordable brain surgery navigation system

An Iranian knowledge-based company has successfully developed a domestically-produced neurosurgical navigation system that assists surgeons in precisely locating tumors during complex brain surgeries, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and improving surgical outcomes.

Tehran faces severe water crisis as reservoir levels plummet

Tehran residents are being urged to prepare for a severe water crisis as reservoir levels in the capital’s main dams have reached critically low levels.

American protesters demand release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

Demonstrators gathered Saturday outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Washington, DC to demand the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil -- a green card holder and recent Columbia University graduate who helped organize campus protests last year.

Italy says does not plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine

Rome does not plan to participate in a peacekeeping force on the ground in eastern Ukraine to guarantee a potential ceasefire, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office has announced.

Iranian daily suggests foreign policy needs balancing act amid rising tensions

The Iranian newspaper, Ettelaat, has emphasized the need for more flexibility in Iran's foreign policy to de-escalate tensions and navigate the challenging terrain of international sanctions.

Iran says will never back down from its share in global oil market

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stressed Tehran will never back down from its share in the global oil market.

Armed attack in southeastern Iran kills IRGC guard, injures another

An armed attack by unidentified assailants late Saturday evening in southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan left an IRGC guard dead and another injured.

At least 9 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza

At least nine Palestinians, including journalists, were killed on Saturday in Israeli strikes the northern Gaza Strip.

Heavenly banquet: 270-meter Iftar spread lights up Tehran’s Tabiat bridge

In celebration of the midway point of the holy month of Ramadan and the auspicious birth anniversary of Imam Hassan al-Mojtaba (AS), a 270-meter-long Iftar table was set up on Tehran’s iconic Tabiat Bridge.