Israel committed war crimes by targeting Lebanon’s reconstruction equipment: HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned Israel for committing war crimes by repeatedly targeting reconstruction-related equipment and civilian facilities in southern Lebanon throughout 2025, despite a ceasefire that came into effect on November 27, 2024.

Far-right Kast secures victory in Chilean presidential election

Chile has elected the far-right wing José Antonio Kast to be its next president, after an election campaign that was dominated by themes of security, immigration, and crime, the BBC reported Monday.

Sassanid-era inscription referring to royal festival discovered

TEHRAN — An Iranian archaeologist said a Sassanid-era inscription referring to the calendar of a royal festival has recently been discovered on rock cliffs in the Marvdasht Plain in southern Iran.

Iran-South Korea Chamber of Commerce members meet South Korean ambassador

TEHRAN- During a meeting between the members of the Iran-South Korea Joint Chamber of Commerce and the South Korean ambassador in Tehran, the sides reviewed the latest status of bilateral relations between Iran and South Korea, and emphasized the necessity of strengthening cooperation in economic and cultural fields, the chamber reported.

Expo of creative, knowledge-based firms to focus on AI

TEHRAN – The fourth exhibition showcasing the achievements of creative and knowledge-based companies is scheduled to take place from December 28 to 31 in Tehran, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI).

Iran ready to foster tech ties, share expertise with Ethiopia

TEHRAN – The head of the Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, Hossein Roozbeh, has announced the country’s readiness to share knowledge and boost technological cooperation with African countries, particularly Ethiopia.

Iran shakes with 136 earthquakes in a week

TEHRAN – A total of 136 earthquakes were recorded across the country in a week from December 6 to 12, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

WFP releases November report on Iran

TEHRAN – The World Food Program (WFP) has released a report, expounding on activities in Iran over the month of November.

Cabinet approves general outline of next year’s budget bill

TEHRAN – Iran’s cabinet on Sunday approved the general framework of the government’s budget bill for the Iranian year 1405 starting late March 2026, during a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran, Pakistan push for joint trade committee, $10b trade target

TEHRAN – Iranian and Pakistani business representatives agreed to pursue the creation of a joint trade committee and work towards boosting bilateral trade to $10 billion, during a meeting in Karachi aimed at strengthening private-sector cooperation and facilitating cross-border commerce.

Israel launches deadly drone strikes in southern Lebanon

At least three people were killed in southern Lebanon on Monday in violent Israeli drone attacks targeting multiple villages.

Oil Ministry targets completion of over 1,000 km of gas pipelines by late Mar. 2026

TEHRAN – Iranian Oil Ministry aims to complete and bring into operation more than 1,000 kilometers of gas transmission pipelines by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (late March 2026), Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said, underscoring efforts to strengthen energy security during periods of peak demand.

Australia vows stricter gun laws after Bondi Beach mass shooting

Australia vowed stricter gun laws on Monday as it began mourning victims of its worst mass shooting in almost 30 years, in which police accused a father-and-son duo of killing 15 people at a Jewish celebration at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach, Reuters reported.

Fatemeh Sharif takes charge of Pakistan women’s futsal team

TEHRAN - The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Sunday confirmed the appointment of Fatemeh Sharif Noghabi as the head coach of its national women’s futsal team.

Iran condemns “violent attack against civilians” in Sydney

Iran denounced the attack in Sydney. In a statement posted on X, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei wrote: “We condemn the violent attack in Sydney, Australia. Terror and the killing of human beings, wherever committed, are unacceptable and must be condemned.”

TEHRAN PAPERS

Full Israeli-US support for opposition and terrorist groups

TEHRAN - Javan, in a commentary, addressed Israel’s full support for opposition and terrorist groups against Iran.

Navy commander says readiness being boosted in line with emerging threats

TEHRAN – The commander of Iran’s Navy said the force is enhancing its readiness in proportion to evolving threats, citing the country’s growing scientific and technological capabilities in the maritime domain.

What Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said at his weekly briefing

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday addressed a broad range of regional and international developments, reaffirming its diplomatic positions on issues spanning regional conflicts, relations with neighboring countries, and disputes with the United States and its allies.

‘Common perspective’ needed to protect ecological balance of Caspian Sea: Pezeshkian 

TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says to maintain the ecological balance of the Caspian Sea requires “a common perspective” by the regional countries.

Afghanistan’s neighbors gather in Tehran to coordinate support for the war-torn country

Araghchi tells participants ‘external’ solutions cannot ensure stability

TEHRAN – Representatives of Afghanistan’s neighbors — Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan — and Russia met in Tehran on Sunday to discuss the current and future situation of the war-stricken country, where security and safety have improved since the Taliban first returned to power in 2021, but poverty and hunger have increased and the question of international recognition remains unresolved.

Iran cinema wins two awards at 16th Baku International Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian movies won two awards at the 16th Baku International Film Festival, which was held in Azerbaijan last week.

Iran, Tajikistan discuss ways to develop bilateral collaboration in publishing, printing industry

TEHRAN – A delegation of the printing and publishing sector of the Republic of Tajikistan, accompanied by Bahodur Nazir, counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, visited the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Tehran on December 13. 

Culture ministers of Iran, Kazakhstan sign MoU on cinematic cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi and the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva have signed a memorandum of understanding on cinematic cooperation in Astana, Kazakhstan.