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Thursday, January 8, 2026
TopicIran

Topic: Iran

‘Outward changes’ but tensions remain: Where Iran & Saudi Arabia stand year after restoration of ties

Following years of hostility, the two countries agreed to a China-brokered deal in 2023, and have since found common ground in Gaza.

3 events in 1979 changed Islamic world, led to extremism, says author Iqbal Hasnain

Padma Shri awardee Iqbal Syed Hasnain’s ‘Fault Lines in the Faith: How Events of 1979 Shaped the Islamic World’ was the topic of an animated discussion at Delhi’s IIC earlier this month.

‘Fired large volley of rockets,’ Hezbollah claims to have attacked Israeli surveillance base

The attack comes after Israeli warplanes struck the Bekaa Valley Monday, killing at least two Hezbollah members in the military's furthest reach into Lebanese territory.

Iranian Quds Force head visits Iraq, calls pause on attacks on US troops in Iraq

According to sources, Esmail Qaani met representatives of armed groups in Baghdad airport soon after Washington blamed the group for killing U.S. soldiers at the Tower 22 outpost.

US launches retaliatory airstrikes at 85 targets in Iraq, Syria; more than 30 killed

The strikes were the first in a multi-tiered response by President Joe Biden’s administration to the attack last weekend by Iran-backed militants.

3 US troops killed & 34 wounded in drone strike by ‘Iran-backed militants’ in Jordan, says Biden

While the Biden administration says they are gathering facts and will take action, Iran’s mission to the UN says Tehran was not involved in the attack.

‘Won’t let enemies damage brotherly ties’ — Iran condemns attack that left nine Pakistanis dead

This comes weeks after the countries carried out airstrikes against each other. Unidentified gunmen launched attack in Saravan Saturday, no one has claimed responsibility for it yet.

Iran simultaneously launches three satellites for the first time

One satellite weighing 32 kg & 2 nano-satellites of less than 10 kg each, aimed at testing narrowband communication & geopositioning technology, were sent to a minimum orbit of 450 km.

USA asks China to reign in Iran to stop actions by Houthi rebels in Red Sea, reports Financial Times

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan discussed the issue in meetings with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of China's Communist Party.

Iran executes protester for running over police officer, 5 others during 2022 Mahsa Amini protests

Amnesty International said Mohammad Ghobadlou’s right to a fair trial was violated and his bipolar condition was not taken into consideration by Iran’s judicial system.

On Camera

Budget 2026 must signal rail reform. End cross-subsidies, privatise operations & services

Rail reform must be politically and socially sustainable. Infrastructure ownership should remain sovereign, while privatisation should be limited to new services and assets.

2025 marked key point in India’s power sector: Clean energy surge pushed coal power into rare decline

Coal-based power generation fell 3% in 2025 while renewable capacity surged to 40% of India’s installed power mix, according to India Power Sector Review 2025 by CREA.

Bangladesh-Pakistan look to expand ties to defence procurement as Dhaka shows ‘interest’ in JF-17s

Pakistan military said it has assured Bangladesh of fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft during high level defence meet held Tuesday.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.