Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the national football team as it received a hero’s welcome upon its arrival to Tehran after grappling with restrictions imposed by the co-host, the United States.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman says US unilateral sanctions on Iran should be lifted as soon as possible.

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also attend.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has hailed the performance of Iran’s national football team at the 2026 World Cup.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has held a high-level meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday.

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says the case of the martyred Leader’s blood “remains open” and that perpetrators will face justice.

The Christian communities joined other religious minorities across Iran in mourning the loss of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was martyred on Feb. 28 in a US-Israeli terrorist strike targeting his residence in Tehran.