Iran committed to strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia: FM

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that his country is committed to strengthening its relations with Saudi Arabia, stressing that Tehran seeks a strong region free from foreign powers' meddling.

UN:

74 killed, over 80 injured in recent clashes in eastern DRC

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – At least 74 people, mostly civilians have been killed and 83 wounded as a result of recent clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a report by the UN humanitarian coordinator in the country late Monday.

Local Syrian media report three blasts in capital Damascus

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Local Syrian media have reported explosions in Mezzeh District in the capital Damascus on Tuesday.

Iran at apex of readiness: IRGC dep. commander

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Ground Forces for Operations Brigadier General Valiollah Madani has said that the country is fully prepared for potential threats.

Persepolis move up to top of PGPL after beating Peykan

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Persepolis football team defeated Peykan in the Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) in Iran on Tuesday to climb to the top of the table with two more games than traditional rivals Esteghlal.

Saudi Arabia, China condemn aggression on Iran territory

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Saudi Arabia and China have condemned the act of aggression and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran, Oman ink MoU to develop coop. in aviation, flight op.

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Iranian and Omani officials to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of flight operations, airport services, and strengthening air transportation infrastructures.

Industry min.:

Tehran to host 11th Iran-Qatar Economic Commission meeting

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Abbas Aliabadi has said that the 11th edition of Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Cooperation Commission meeting will be held in Tehran in February 2026.

Iran criticizes IAEA biased approach to its nuclear program

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – A senior Iranian nuclear official has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for adopting a biased and politicized approach towards Iran's nuclear program, saying such an approach complicates the situation.

Gaza death toll reaches 70,366 since Oct. 07: ministry

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has said that Israeli forces have killed 70,366 Palestinian people in the enclave since the outbreak of war erupted between Israel and Hamas on October 07, 2023.

Israel named world's top killer of journalists again

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has named Israel the world's greatest killer of journalists for the third consecutive year, holding it responsible for nearly half of global journalist deaths in 2025.

Pres. Pezeshkian to depart for Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Wed.

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to leave for Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan on Wednesday, an official at the Iranian Presidency said Tuesday.

Fire breaks out at 7-story building in Indonesia, 20 killed

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – A fire broke out at a seven-story building in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on Tuesday, an official said on Tuesday, with 20 people confirmed dead.

Iran line up Portugal for 2026 World Cup preparation

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, said Team Melli will play Portugal in a friendly in late May.

Industry minister:

Belarus eager to construct pharmaceutical factories with Iran

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Industry Minister of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Kuznetsov has said that his country is interested in building joint pharmaceutical factories with Iran.

Iraq removes Hezbollah, Ansarullah from asset-freeze list

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Iraq has officially removed the resistance groups Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Ansarullah from an asset-freeze list.

Russian An-22 heavy transport aircraft crashes

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – A Russian An-22 heavy-lift military transport aircraft has crashed in the Furmanovsky district of Ivanovo Region, according to initial reports from Russian media.

Iranian, Chinese deputy FMs discuss bilateral ties

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – The Chinese deputy foreign minister, who has traveled to Tehran to participate in the third round of the Iran-China-Saudi Arabia trilateral meeting, met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs.

Iran, Pakistan agree on high-level Ashgabat dialogue

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke by phone on Tuesday.

Spox.:

Iranian Armed Forces enhanced military power

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – A senior spokesman for the Iranian armed forces said the outcome of the 12-day conflict forced Israel and its Western backers to seek a halt to fighting, underscoring Iran’s expanding missile and drone power.

Japan refuses European plan to seize Russian assets

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) –  Japan has rejected the European Union’s (EU) proposal to expropriate frozen Russian assets worth approximately $30 billion, according to reports.

China-Iran-Saudi Arabia meeting to be held in Tehran

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Iran, Saudi Arabia, and China are set to hold their third trilateral committee meeting in Tehran today to review and advance the implementation of the Beijing Agreement.

Tehran invites foreign partners to expanded energy Coop.

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – In a meeting with Belarus’s industry minister, Iran’s oil minister emphasized that Tehran has prepared a portfolio of oil and gas contracts aimed at attracting friendly partners.

Thai Navy launches operation against Cambodian troops

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – The Thai Navy has launched an operation in the Trat Province to push Cambodian troops out of the area.

Iran’s missile advances major source of fear for Israel

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Israeli military representatives have told parliament that Iran’s quickening pace of ballistic missile production now poses a significant strategic concern.

Iran, Azerbaijan determined to strengthen bilateral relations

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei says Tehran and Baku are committed to using all available capacities to enhance bilateral ties and expand cooperation within multilateral frameworks.

Israel launches ground, air assaults on southern Lebanon

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Israel carried out simultaneous ground incursions and airstrikes across several areas of southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese and regional media reports.