Iran’s northern Mazandaran province has been battling a massive wildfire for over a week in the ancient Hyrcanian forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Firefighters and local residents have managed to bring about 80 percent of the blaze under control, according to officials. The fire, reportedly caused by human activity rather than natural factors, has already burned around 1,500 acres, as confirmed by NASA satellite imagery. The Hyrcanian forest, stretching along the Caspian Sea’s southern coast, is one of the world’s oldest and most biodiverse forests, home to rare species like the Persian leopard. No casualties or damage to nearby settlements have been reported so far. The wildfire coincides with Iran’s worst drought in 60 years, which has forced authorities to ration water in Tehran and other regions. Additional fires have also been reported near Jolfa in southwestern Iran, raising concerns about worsening environmental conditions across the country.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has claimed that Israel would not be able to sustain a war against Iran for even a week without the backing of the United States and NATO. Speaking at a Basij volunteer gathering at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum, Ghalibaf said Israel and the US were punished during the 12-day conflict in June, asserting that Iran’s strength lies not only in its missile capability but also in the strong support of its people. He alleged that US Vice President JD Vance had attempted to mediate during the conflict and that the Israeli leadership suffered defeat at the hands of Iran’s armed forces and citizens. Ghalibaf emphasized that maintaining public unity behind the Islamic system is the key to Iran’s continued success against its adversaries, accusing Israel and its allies of waging psychological warfare to weaken domestic support.

Russia has strongly condemned the joint US-Israel airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, calling it a violation of international norms and a threat to regional stability. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated Moscow’s commitment to a political and diplomatic resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue, emphasizing that any military action against facilities under the International Atomic Energy Agency’s supervision is unacceptable. She warned that such attacks undermine the global non-proliferation regime and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Zakharova also said that while some foreign powers seek to destabilize Iran internally, Tehran remains committed to dialogue to protect its national interests. She stressed that Iran must receive firm guarantees that its nuclear sites will not be targeted again and urged Western nations to abandon the language of sanctions and threats, returning instead to diplomacy. The statement follows recent talks between Russian and Iranian foreign ministers on the matter.

Iran has suspended its visa-free entry facility for Indian citizens following a surge in human trafficking and fraudulent job offers targeting Indians. The new rule, effective from November 22, requires all Indian travelers, including those transiting through Iran, to obtain a visa in advance. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Iranian government’s decision aims to curb trafficking networks exploiting visa-free access to lure Indians with promises of high-paying jobs or easy routes to Gulf and European countries. Investigations revealed that many victims were kidnapped or held for ransom upon arrival in Iran. The Indian government had earlier warned citizens about fake job agents misusing the visa-free policy, which was originally introduced in February last year to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote tourism. Under the previous arrangement, Indian passport holders could visit Iran for up to 15 days every six months without a visa. Tehran’s move reflects growing concern over the misuse of this facility by criminal syndicates.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied reports that Tehran is secretly enriching uranium, asserting that all nuclear facilities remain under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring. Speaking at a summit in Tehran, Araghchi said enrichment activities have halted following Israeli and US airstrikes on key sites, including Natanz. His comments come after US media claimed Iran was constructing a new enrichment facility near Natanz. The statement is viewed as a potential signal of Iran’s willingness to resume negotiations over its nuclear program, which has been a major source of tension with Western powers. Despite this, Araghchi criticized Washington’s approach as 'maximalist,' saying it leaves little room for fair dialogue. Satellite imagery reportedly shows no major activity at Iran’s main nuclear sites since the June attacks. The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to meet soon to consider a new resolution over Iran’s limited cooperation. The developments come as Iran remains under renewed European sanctions and ongoing international pressure over its nuclear ambitions.

Thousands of residents in northern Tehran gathered at Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque on Friday, November 14, to pray for rain as Iran faces one of its worst droughts in decades. Local officials reported that rainfall in the capital has dropped to its lowest level in a century, with half of the country’s provinces experiencing months without precipitation. The government has begun rationing water supplies for Tehran’s 10 million residents, implementing periodic shutdowns to conserve resources. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently warned that if rain does not arrive before winter, authorities might need to consider relocating residents, though officials later clarified he intended only to highlight the severity of the situation. Five major dams supplying Tehran are nearly empty, with one completely dry and another below 8% capacity. Nationwide, rainfall this year has reached only 152 millimeters—40% below the 57-year average—raising fears of worsening water shortages across Iran.

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, targeting individuals and entities allegedly involved in supporting the country’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said 32 people and organizations across Iran, the UAE, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine have been sanctioned. Washington accuses these networks of aiding Iran’s weapons development, while Tehran maintains that its missile and drone programs are purely defensive and its nuclear activities are peaceful. The move underscores ongoing tensions between the two nations over Iran’s military capabilities and regional influence.

Iran commemorated the 14th death anniversary of Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, widely regarded as the father of the country’s missile program. Born in 1959 in Tehran, Moghaddam played a pivotal role during the Iran-Iraq War in developing Iran’s indigenous missile capabilities. As a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he led the creation of the artillery and missile units that later produced Iran’s first domestically made missiles. Under his leadership, Iran developed the Shahab and Zelzal series, laying the foundation for modern Iranian missile technology. Moghaddam also assisted in establishing Hezbollah’s first missile unit in Lebanon. He was killed in a 2011 explosion at a military base near Tehran, along with 16 colleagues, and was buried with state honors. His legacy continues to shape Iran’s defense and aerospace ambitions.

Iran has expressed willingness to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan to defuse escalating tensions along their shared border. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the offer during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, according to Iranian media. Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to assist in promoting peace, urging both countries to engage in deeper dialogue and foster mutual understanding for sustainable stability. He noted that the leaders of both nations agreed to continue cooperation aimed at maintaining regional peace and preventing further conflict. The two sides also discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and broader international issues. Araghchi voiced concern over the deteriorating border situation and emphasized Iran’s commitment to regional diplomacy and constructive engagement to avert further escalation.

Iran has reportedly approached the United States about lifting sanctions imposed over its alleged nuclear weapons program. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is open to discussions, expressing readiness to “listen” and explore possibilities for relief. The sanctions, imposed by both the UN and the U.S., have placed severe economic pressure on Iran. Trump claimed recent airstrikes—carried out by Israel and briefly joined by the U.S.—completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, though the full extent of the damage remains uncertain. Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are peaceful. Oman, which previously hosted U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, has again called for renewed dialogue aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump’s remarks have raised hopes of a possible thaw in long-frozen U.S.–Iran relations.

Iran has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent large-scale military operations in Lebanon, describing them as a grave breach of Lebanese sovereignty and international law. In a statement on Friday, Tehran’s Foreign Ministry called the attacks “heinous crimes” that endanger regional peace and security. Iran urged the United Nations and the international community to intervene immediately to stop what it termed Israel’s “war hysteria.” The statement warned that continued silence could bring dire consequences for the Middle East. According to Tehran, more than a thousand Lebanese civilians have been killed or wounded since the 2025 ceasefire, with major infrastructure destroyed. Iran accused the United States of direct involvement and reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s government and resistance forces defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that his country will not cooperate with the United States unless Washington withdraws its support for Israel and ceases its intervention in the Middle East. Speaking at a student gathering in Tehran on November 3, Khamenei said that if the U.S. stops backing Israel, removes its military bases from the region, and ends its interference in regional affairs, then Iran could consider cooperation. He accused the United States of arrogance and of only understanding submission.

The remarks came during an event marking the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, which followed the overthrow of the Western-backed Shah. Relations between Iran and the U.S. have worsened after Israel’s airstrikes in June that triggered a brief regional war involving both nations. The conflict left hundreds dead and disrupted ongoing nuclear negotiations. Although a ceasefire was later brokered through Qatar, tensions remain high. Khamenei emphasized that Iran’s security depends on its strength and the deterrence it poses to enemies. Since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has faced mounting sanctions and economic hardships.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent order to resume nuclear weapons testing. Araghchi described the decision as “retrogressive and irresponsible,” calling the United States a “nuclear-armed occupying monster.” In a statement on October 30, he accused Washington of renaming its Department of Defense as a “Department of War,” revealing the true character of the U.S. government. He further warned that the U.S. is maligning Iran’s peaceful nuclear program while threatening attacks on Iran’s secure facilities, actions he said violate international law. Araghchi condemned what he described as America’s long-standing hypocrisy—criticizing Iran’s nuclear program while pursuing its own weapons testing. He added that the U.S. is the world’s greatest nuclear proliferation risk and cautioned that its actions threaten international peace and security. President Trump justified the testing as a response to other countries’ nuclear programs, claiming the U.S. arsenal remains the world’s largest.

Iran, China, and Russia have jointly sent a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, declaring that all provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 have expired as of October 18. The letter, announced by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, also condemns the UK, France, and Germany’s attempt to trigger the snapback mechanism as illegal. According to Gharibabadi, the letter emphasizes that the IAEA’s verification and monitoring reports related to Iran, established under Resolution 2231 and the 2015 Board of Governors’ decision, should now cease. He noted that the relevant resolution required the issue to remain on the IAEA’s agenda for a maximum of 10 years or until a final comprehensive report was issued — whichever came first. Thus, from October 18, the matter should be automatically removed from the agency’s agenda, requiring no further action.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in Mashhad that Tehran will not return to talks with the United States so long as Washington maintains what he called "unreasonable" and "additional" demands. Araghchi blamed the collapse of previous negotiations on American demands that Iran considers unrealistic, saying such conditions preclude meaningful progress. He reaffirmed Tehran's refusal to accept talks framed around predetermined outcomes, echoing earlier comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that negotiations with the U.S. are futile when the other side seeks to dictate Iran's nuclear activities and even its missile capabilities. Araghchi warned that accepting such pressure would amount to surrendering Iran's right to self-defense. The remarks, reported by Mehr News on October 22, underscore Tehran’s insistence on negotiating without external preconditions and signal continued resistance to U.S. demands perceived as infringing on national sovereignty. Tehran indicated it remains open to dialogue only if demands become mutually acceptable.