Bus crash in Nepal kills 19 and injures 25

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – A packed bus on its way to Nepal's capital drove off a mountain highway in Nepal early Monday, killing 19 people including a British national and leaving another 25 wounded.

Pezeshkian:

Iran sees Africa ties as strategic, based on mutual interests

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran's view of the African continent has always been strategic, long-standing, and based on mutual interests.

17th Azerbaijan–Iran Commission meeting concludes with MoU

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – The 17th meeting of the State Commission on cooperation in economic, trade and humanitarian fields between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran was held in Baku.

4 HTS-led regime forces killed in ISIL attack in Raqqa

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Four Syrian HTS-led regime forces were killed on Monday in an attack by the terrorist group ISIL targeting a security checkpoint west of Raqqa city center in northeastern Syria.

15 dead after military helicopter crashed in Peru

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – At least 15 people have died after a military helicopter crashed in the Arequipa region of Peru, the country's air force said on Monday.

Nouri al-Maliki vows not to withdraw bid for Iraq’s PM post

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Nouri al-Maliki, the former Iraqi prime minister nominated by the largest parliamentary bloc to return to office, says he will not withdraw his candidacy for the premiership despite US threats.

Persepolis extend Osmar Vieira deal

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Persepolis football club have extended the contract of head coach Osmar Loss despite criticism of the team’s recent performances.

Iran ready for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Jafari

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Marzieh Jafari, head coach of Iran’s women’s national football team, says Team Melli Banovan are well prepared for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Gaza death toll reaches 72,073 since Oct. 7: health min.

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has said that Israeli forces killed 72,073 Palestinian people in the enclave since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel on October 07, 2023.

Armenian defense minister visits Iran

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Armenia's Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has arrived in Iran on an official visit, the minister himself has said.

Israeli settlers set ablaze mosque entrance south of Nablus

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Israeli settlers set fire to the entrance of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq mosque, in the village of Tell, south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, causing damage to the main gate and exterior facade in the deliberate attack.

Floods in eastern Congo leave over 2,500 households homeless

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – More than 2,500 households have been left homeless after two rivers burst their banks and flooded several villages in the central-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a civil society leader said late Sunday.

Tehran to host Iran EXPO 2026 on June 18-22: TPOI official

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – “Iran EXPO 2026” will be held at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds on June 18-22, 2026 for a period of five days, an official at Trade Promotion Organization of Iran said.

Deputy FM:

Iran resolved to defend against new aggression

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs, has warned the enemies that the country is not joking when it is talking about its resolve to defend itself.

Iran not afraid of enemy’s threats: MP

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – The chairman of Iranian Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission says that Iran is not afraid of any threats, advising the US government to take advantage of the opportunity of nuclear talks for saving face.

IRGC’s Shahid Mahdavi warship completes 1st mission

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) –A domestically-made oceangoing warship operated by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has entered Iran territorial waters after completing a long-term voyage to participate in joint naval drills with BRICS nations.

Iran, Azerbaijan stress expanding transit, transport coop.

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Officials from Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have emphasized the need for expanding and developing cooperation in the fields of transit and transport.

EU calls for diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas has urged a "diplomatic solution" on Iran on Monday ahead of expected nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.

Velayati:

Islamic Iran has taken up arms only to defend itself

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – A senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution says Islamic–Iranian civilization, with its long-standing tradition of peace-seeking and promotion of justice, has taken up arms only to defend itself.

Hezbollah leader lauds Ayatollah Khamenei as a great leader

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Secretary General of Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem said in an interview on Monday that he and the former leaders of the the Lebanese resistance leaders look up to Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Powerful winter storm shuts schools, disrupts travel in US

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Children across parts of the US Northeast will stay home on Monday as a powerful winter storm forced school closures and pushed offices and transit systems onto emergency schedules.

Developing nuclear triad remains absolute priority for Russia

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – The development of the nuclear triad "remains an absolute priority" for Russia, President Vladimir Putin said Monday in a video speech on the Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Iran's Dena Destroyer participates in MILAN 2026 drill

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Iran’s Dena destroyer has participated in MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise in India, which was held with the participation of 72 countries and hosted by the Indian Navy.

Ansarullah leader:

US accomplice in all crimes committed by Israel

TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (MNA) – Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah Resistance Movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said that US government is accomplice in all heinous crimes committed by the Zionist regime.