Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 21st of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran’s renewed call for international burden sharing in hosting Afghan refugees has revived a familiar narrative - that refugees are an economic strain rather than a source of long-term value. Analysts say this framing overlooks decades of contribution by Afghan refugees across the region.
Iran has called for greater international support in hosting millions of Afghan refugees, warning that it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage the long-term humanitarian burden without a fair sharing of responsibilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrapped up visits to Belarus and Russia during which he held high-level talks on closer bilateral relations and major regional developments.
Iran has summoned the ambassador of Republic of Cyprus Petros Nacouzis over remarks made by his country regarding Iran’s territorial integrity.
The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan skipped a major regional meeting in Tehran on Sunday, with analysts saying the absence is “not a deliberate political signal” but reflects timing and existing diplomatic ties.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian officials following a one-day visit to Minsk on Monday 15 December ,where he met with Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenov.
The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan opted out of a major regional meeting held in Iran’s capital Tehran on Sunday.
Iran has rolled out changes to how fuel is priced at the pump. The move is aimed at managing demand without triggering public anger.
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Special representatives for Iran and Russia have discuss declining Caspian Sea levels during a meeting held in Tehran.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Astana on Wednesday, 10 December, for a two-day visit aimed at expanding trade, transit, and economic ties, with more than ten agreements expected to be signed.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement.
Iran and Saudi Arabia reiterated their commitment to enhance ties following a joint meeting with China in Tehran on Tuesday to follow up on implementation of the 2023 Beijing Agreement which resulted in resumption of their diplomatic relations after eight years.
Tehran has protested to Washington because of the travel ban on its football team delegation as well as Iranian fans who would like to travel to the United States for the upcoming World Cup matches in 2026.
On 10–11 December, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian will pay an official visit to Astana.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov held both a tête-à-tête and an extended-format meeting with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, in Baku on Monday (8 December).
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Tehran for Baku on Sunday (7 December) evening to hold talks with Azerbaijan’s President and Foreign Minister.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan next week for talks with his counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov on bilateral relations and cooperation.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its support of the claims by United Arab Emirates on three Iranian islands.
Iran launched naval manoeuvre in its southern waters on Thursday as it concluded hosting the joint counter-terrorism drills of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Islamic Republic has closed its security gaps after Israel and U.S. repeatedly bombed the country in June.
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