Pope awards Vatican's highest diplomatic honor to Iran envoy

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Pope Leo XIV has awarded the Vatican's highest diplomatic honour, the Papal Order of Pius IX, to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Holy See.

Anti-war protesters disrupt Hegseth hearing

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – A tense scene unfolded Tuesday on Capitol Hill when activists clad in “No War on Iran” apparel staged a quiet but pointed demonstration directly behind War Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Senate subcommittee hearing.

Sirens triggered again in northern occupied Palestine

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – The Israeli Home Front Command said on Tuesday afternoon that the sirens went off again in the northern border areas with Lebanon.

Milad Ebadipour joins Greece’s AONS Milon

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Greek volleyball club Milon have officially announced the signing of Milad Ebadipour, the 32-year-old outside hitter and captain of Iran’s national team.

US to release 53.3 million barrels of its strategic reserves

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – The US Department of Energy announced plans to release 53.3 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help stabilize global fuel supplies.

Sudanese call on EU to sanction UAE for fueling civil war

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – The Sudanese have called for European sanctions against high-ranking Emirati officials and companies for fanning the flames of war in their country.

Iran, Uzbekistan FMs discuss ties and regional tensions

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Iranian and Uzbek foreign ministers spoke by phone, exchanging views on bilateral ties and the latest regional developments amid the ongoing diplomatic push to end the war on Iran.

Iran's Araghchi to attend BRICS meeting in India

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will attend the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in India, a spokesman said Wednesday, with bilateral talks planned on the sidelines.

Resistance costs less than surrender: Hezbollah chief

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem pledged Monday that the group will never abandon the battlefield against Israel, arguing the cost of resistance is lower than that of surrender.

Strait of Hormuz now a 500-kilometer operational ‘crescent’

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – The IRGC Navy has announced a major strategic expansion of Iran’s defensive perimeter in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that it will not allow any violation of the country’s territorial waters or national interests.

Pakistan:

CBS’ anti-Iran claim aims at undermining peace efforts

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson says the US media CBS’s report on Iranian aircraft in Pakistan aimed at undermining the ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace.

90% enrichment on table if Iran comes under attack again

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – A senior Iranian lawmaker has said 90% uranium enrichment could be one of Iran's options in the event of a renewed attack.

Iran loses to Kazakhstan in 2026 Asian Women’s U16 Handball

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Iran lost to Kazakhstan 38-33 in the 1st AHF Asian Women’s U16 Handball Championship on Monday.

Pakistani ambassador to Russia:

Islamabad to remain venue for US-Iran talks

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Islamabad is highly likely to remain the venue for US-Iran talks as Pakistan’s mediation efforts suit both sides of the conflict, Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi says.

Tehran slams US push for Hormuz Strait security resolution

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs has warned that any UN Security Council draft on the Strait of Hormuz that fails to address the aggression and illegal blockade against Iran will be biased and doomed to failure.

Iran's UK embassy hits back at Trump with list of US crimes

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Iran’s embassy in London responded to US President Donald Trump’s fresh accusations against Tehran by listing American atrocities, including the atomic bombing of Japan, the Vietnam War, and killings of civilians in Palestine.

SpaceX launches satellites into orbit for US Intel. purposes

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket with satellites for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), according to a broadcast on the US company’s X page.