USA

Weightlifter Kijan Maghsoudi becomes Asian vice champion

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Female Iranian weightlifter Kijan Maghsoudi won a silver medal at the 2024 Asian Youth & Junior Championships on Tuesday.

Iran Zarei bags gold at 2024 Asian youth weightlifting c'ship

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iran’s Hamidreza Zarei claimed a gold medal at the 2024 Asian Youth & Junior Championships.

Iran’s Parl. Speaker:

Parl. coop. plays key role in creating world free of violence

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iran Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in a message to speakers of parliaments of Christian states says that achieving a world free of violence and extremism requires close consultation among parliaments.

Pezeshkain wishes for peace to world in Christmas message

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered congratulations on Christmas and the New Year, wishing for peace and tranquility to Iran, the region, and the entire world.

Car bomb explosion reported in Syria’s Manbij

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Local media in Syria on Tuesday reported that a bomb explosion in the center of the Syrian city of Manbij.

Paris' Eiffel Tower evacuated over short circuit in elevator

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower was evacuated on Tuesday over security concerns following an electrical emergency, according to local media reports.

Gaza Health Min. calls for intl. help to protect hospitals

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The Gaza Ministry of Health says the Israeli military has stepped up its attacks on hospitals in northern Gaza, calling for "urgent protection" of medical personnel and facilities.

Yemen strikes Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Yemeni Armed Forces fired a hypersonic ballistic missile targeting occupied Tel Aviv on Tuesday, a spokesman for the Yemeni military says.

Lebanon sues 'Israel' for damages to agricultural fields

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Lebanon has filed legal complaints against "Israel" through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the United Nations, Lebanese caretaker Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Hajj Hassan, announced.

In past 24 hours:

Zionist regime’s forces martyr 21 more Palestinians in Gaza

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The Zionist regime’s military martyred 21 Palestinians and injured 51 others in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave said.

Russian Gen.:

US ramping up biological warfare presence in Africa

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The documents available to the Russian Defense Ministry show that the US is ramping up its biological warfare presence on the African continent, a Russian defense official said on Tuesday, according to Russian media.

Iran consul general:

Iran attaches great importance to ties with Iraqi Kurdistan

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, received Faramarz Asadi, the new Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Erbil.

One Palestinian child killed every hour in Gaza: UNRWA chief

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said that one Palestinian child is killed every hour in the Gaza Strip as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Yemen needs no Iranian military assistance: Araghchi

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the Iranian government will continue to support Yemenis and other resistance groups, while rejecting the claims that Iran delivers military aid to Sana'a government.

Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan enjoy strong relations

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iran’s newly appointed Consul General in Erbil, Faramarz Asadi, has lauded the “strong” relationship between Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, describing the future of the ties as "highly promising."

9 countries confirm their readiness to become BRICS partners

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – On 1 January 2025, Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan will become BRICS partner countries, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said at a briefing.

Qassam spokesman:

Fate of Israeli prisoners linked to Israel’s advance in Gaza

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The spokesperson of the al-Qassam Brigades warns the Israeli occupation forces to tread carefully, as their advances could jeopardize the lives of their prisoners.

Iraq’s PMU masses resistance forces on border with Syria

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iraqi Hashd al-Sha’abi forces has sent fighters and military hardware to the country’s long border with Syria, in a bid to ease concerns following the downfall of al-Assad’s government earlier this month.

Araghchi stresses continuation of neighborhood policy

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that President Masoud's Pezeshkian administration will continue the neighborliness policy of the previous Ebrahim Raeisi's administration.

Yemeni analyst details recent downing of US F-18 aircraft

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – A Yemeni strategic affairs expert has explained the unprecedented operation of the country's armed forces in shooting down a US F-18 fighter jet.

UN warns consequences as Kurds-Turkey tension soars in Syria

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – UN Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen has warned of “dramatic consequences” of persisting hostilities between Kurdish-led forces and Turkish-backed groups in country’s northeast, calling for a political resolution to the conflict.

Tension soared after S Korean govt. refused to approve bill

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – South Korea's cabinet refused to approve bills to appoint a special inspector to investigate the activities of the suspended president of the country and his wife.

Official:

Iran overtakes Qatar in producing gas from South Pars

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The Director of the Gas Dispatching Department in the National Iranian Gas Company stated that Iran’s gas production from a field it shares with Qatar in the Persian Gulf has exceeded that of Qatar.

Iran, Russia stress boosting bilateral media coop.

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali in a meeting with the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman emphasized the development of bilateral media cooperation.

UNSC voices "deep concern" over deteriorating crises in Haiti

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The UN Security Council on Monday expressed "deep concern" over the deteriorating crises in Haiti, condemning the continued gang violence and calling for solidarity with the Haitian people.

Iranian weightlifters win six medals at Asian c'ships

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iranian weightlifters Ilia Salehipour and Alireza Abbaspour won six medals at the 2024 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Qatar.

Indians operating phase 1 of Iran’s Chabahar port: PMO chief

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Managing director of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Ali Akbar Safaei says India is operating the first phase of the strategic port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran.

Hezbollah reportedly announces where Nasrallah will be buried

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Lebanese sources claimed that Hezbollah announced the place where the body of Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, the former secretary general of this movement, will be buried.

Iran army Cmdr.:

Army Aviation self-sufficient in making modern chopper parts

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari says Iran Army Aviation has achieved remarkable progress in various fields, such as self-sufficiency in producing modern equipment and repairing different types of helicopter machinery.

Iran develops technology to extract shale oil from reservoirs

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Researchers from the Technical Faculties Campus of Tehran University, in collaboration with the Exploration Department of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), have developed technology to extract shale oil from reservoirs.

Govt. Spox.:

Iran in diplomatic consultations to reopen embassy in Syria

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iranian Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran is holding diplomatic consultations to reopen the embassy in Damascus.

Bridge collapse in Brazil leaves at least 3 dead, 15 missing

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – A bridge over the Tocantins River in northeastern Brazil collapsed, leaving at least three dead and 15 others missing, the civil defense of the state of Maranhao said on Monday.

Russian cargo ship reportedly sinks off Spain’s coast

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – A Russian merchant ship Ursa Major reportedly sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain after an engine explosion.

Anti-Muslim attacks reported in Germany: Officials

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Germany's Anti-Racism Commissioner has expressed concern following reports of anti-Muslim attacks in the aftermath of a car ramming last week on a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg that killed five people.

In Turkey;

12 dead after explosives factory goes up in flames (+VIDEO)

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – At least 12 people have been killed after a factory making explosives has gone up in flames in Turkey.

Senior Assad govt. official killed by HTS in Damascus

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The Minister of Interior in the Syrian transitional government announced that a senior figure affiliated with the Assad government was killed by HTS forces in Damascus.

Iran rejects claims of TRT Persian Channel license

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has announced that, contrary to published reports, the TRT Persian channel does not possess an operating license.

Biden inks $895 bln US defense budget for 2025

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – US President Joe Biden approved the country's defense budget for the fiscal year 2025 (started October 1) in the amount of $895 bln, according to a statement distributed by the White House press service.

Hamas warns against PA's attempts to sow discord in Palestine

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has strongly condemned the divisive remarks made by the Palestinian Authority officials and their acts of aggression against resistance fighters in the occupied West Bank.

UN official:

Continued violence leaves Gazans with nowhere to seek safety

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator has said that the continued violence has left Gaza civilians with nowhere safe to go.

Erdogan to visit Syria at the head of a large delegation

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Syria at the head of a large delegation, a Turkish newspaper reported.

Turkish president:

Israel to be forced to withdraw from Syrian territory

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Israeli regime will be forced to withdraw from the occupied Syrian territories.

Christians protest burning of Christmas tree in Syria

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early on Dec. 24 to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria.