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Iran's Raisi says won't allow nuclear negotiations 'for negotiation's sake'

Islamic Republic's president-elect in his first official press conference also claims he has 'always' defended human rights despite being subject to U.S. sanctions over executions of political prisoners in 1988; says he won't meet Biden

AFP , 15:58 , 06.21.21

Iran set to stay on hardline course after Raisi win, Saudi commentators say

One analyst says victory of Ebrahim Raisi in Iran's presidential elections not expected to lead to significant foreign policy changes, while another warns U.S. is 'turning its cheek' to Iran

Reuters , 13:14 , 06.21.21

Iran says sole nuclear power plant shut down due to 'technical fault'

Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the Bushehr plant was temporarily shut down and taken off the power grid a day after a technical malfunction occurred; state official confirmed the shutdown on Sunday without providing details

AFP , 08:49 , 06.21.21

Iran's sole nuclear power plant undergoes emergency shutdown

Official says closure - which began on Saturday - could last 'three to four days,' warning of potential power outages across the country; Iran warned in March facility could stop working as sanctions made parts hard to get

Associated Press , 20:52 , 06.20.21

Jordan's unprecedented palace drama moves to courtroom

Relative of King Abdullah II and ex-royal court chief are accused of conspiring with former crown prince Hamzah to foment unrest against the monarch while soliciting foreign help

Associated Press , 18:47 , 06.20.21

Iran's ultraconservative judge leads in presidential election, says official

State TV says Ebrahim Raisi so far won 17.8 million or 62% of the vote after more than 28 million Iranians out of 59 million eligible voters cast ballots; President Rouhani and other candidates all congratulate Raisi, who enjoyed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's support

Reuters , 13:32 , 06.19.21

Nuclear talks closer than ever to deal, says top Iran delegate

Islamic Republic's Araqchi says accord's parties have reached 'tangible progress on different issues' but yet to iron out details on others; nuclear watchdog chief says finalization of agreement pending formation of new government in Tehran

Reuters , 20:28 , 06.17.21

Iran field narrows as candidates quit on campaign's last day

Owing in part to the disqualification of candidates by hardline leader as well as raging coronavirus pandemic, voter apathy runs deep as pollsters predict lowest ever turnout on Friday

Associated Press , 20:10 , 06.16.21

Iran presidential candidate urges better ties with West

Former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who previously said he was willing to possibly meet with Biden if he wins, hopes to woo reformists amid fears in Tehran of slumping voter turnout

Associated Press , 22:06 , 06.15.21

Egypt upholds death sentence for 12 senior Muslim Brotherhood figures

Ruling relates to mass trial of hundreds of suspects accused of murder and incitement of violence during pro-Brotherhood protests in Cairo in the weeks after then-president Morsi's overthrow

Reuters , 21:02 , 06.14.21

Jordan ex-royal court chief faces trial over alleged monarchy plot

State media says suspect formally charged with agitating to undermine the kingdom's political system and acts that threaten public security and sowing sedition; charges carry up to 30 years in prison

Reuters , 19:56 , 06.13.21

Qatar's Al Jazeera network says it combated cyberattack

Doha-based satellite channel says peak of attacks came ahead of documentary detailing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which included a voice recording purportedly of an Israeli held prisoner in Gaza

Reuters , 10:05 , 06.10.21

Resigned to a nuclear deal revival, Saudi, UAE engage with foe Iran

Gulf States have stated repeatedly in the past that the 2015 accord was inadequate as it ignored Islamic Republic's missile exports and support for regional proxy fighters

Reuters , 22:30 , 06.09.21

Iran nuclear deal rescue needs more time, envoys say ahead of fresh talks

Diplomats say negotiations in Vienna may require weeks or possibly months to accommodate Iranian demands about sanctions relief and Western concerns over Tehran expanding nuclear know-how

Reuters , 23:12 , 06.08.21

Hezbollah's Nasrallah reassures on health after rumors of severe illness

In a televised speech, Lebanese terror outfit leader thanks those who had asked after him after he was seen coughing and choking repeatedly in his last public appearance, says was suffering from allergies

Reuters, Ynet , 19:38 , 06.08.21

U.S.: Unclear if Iran wants to return to nuclear deal

Secretary of state tells House Foreign Affairs Committee, that Tehran could cut its nuclear breakout time to mere weeks if it keeps breaching 2015 agreement to restrict its atomic activity; international talks on return to pact to resume this week

AFP , 07:32 , 06.08.21

Iran cleric who founded Hezbollah, survived book bomb, dies of coronavirus

Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, who lost right hand in assassination attempt attributed to Israel, formed alliances with Muslim militant groups across Mideast, helping found Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard and Lebanese terror group

Associated Press , 21:20 , 06.07.21

Iran presidential hopefuls trade blame over economic woes

Ultraconservative judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi is widely seen as a favorite to win June 18 election; Iranian media express concern over low voter turnout after 57% of Iranians stayed away from last year's parliamentary elections

AFP , 12:18 , 06.06.21

EU official sees Iran nuclear deal at next round of talks

With negotiations to restart the 2015 accord set to resume on June 10, diplomats for E3 — made up of UK, France and Germany — strike a more cautious tone about a possible breakthrough, saying 'most difficult decisions lie ahead'

Reuters , 10:28 , 06.03.21

Jordan to try 2 coup plot suspects, both close to Saudi Arabia

Eighteen people were arrested after authorities on April 3 announced they had foiled a bid to destabilize the kingdom, with former crown prince Hamza among those suspected of involvement

AFP , 20:49 , 06.02.21

Lebanon's top Christian cleric berates politicians as deadlock drags on

National leaders have been at loggerheads over cabinet positions since October, preventing formation of government that is desperately needed to enact reforms and unlock foreign aid for the financially devastated nation

Reuters , 19:44 , 06.02.21

Iran's largest navy ship catches fire, sinks in Gulf of Oman

Iranian news agencies say fire on board the Kharg breaks out during naval maneuvers in the straits of Hormuz, used to transport one fifth of the worlds oil supply; crew reported to have been evaccuated to safety

Ynet, Agencies , 10:22 , 06.02.21

World Bank: Lebanon's crisis among world's worst since 1850s

International financial institution says that since late 2019, country has been facing compounded challenges, including largest peace-time economic and financial crisis, spread of coronavirus and massive blast at Beirut's port last year

Associated Press , 14:37 , 06.01.21

Mystery surrounds Hezbollah chief's health as rumors swirl

Days after Hassan Nasrallah appeared weak, with persistent cough in televised speech, reports from Lebanon include claims he is unconscious and hospitalized in secret medical facility; Iran-backed group insists that its leader is healthy

Smadar Peri , 11:28 , 06.01.21

Iran fails to explain uranium traces found at several sites, IAEA report says

UN atomic watchdog's chief voices concern Tehran has not clarified queries over sites where undeclared nuclear activity may have occurred, alluding to lack of cooperation with officials at Iranian facilities

News agencies , 21:27 , 05.31.21

IAEA head calls Iran's nuclear program 'very concerning'

Director general of UN nuclear watchdog warns Financial Times that Islamic Republic is enriching uranium at 60% - purity levels that 'only countries making bombs are reaching'

Reuters , 09:19 , 05.26.21

Syrians go to the polls in election that Assad is set to win

Assad's rule is defined by a decade-long war that erupted after peaceful protests against his authoritarian rule in 2011 killing hundreds of thousands of people, driving 11 million, nearly half the country from their homes

Reuters , 09:08 , 05.26.21

Iran official upbeat over nuclear talks, top delegate cautious

Tehran's top negotiator says parties agreed on lifting sanctions and very optimistic about resolving 'remaining minor and practical cases', estimates 'will be able to reach the final solutions' within days

Reuters , 18:03 , 05.25.21

Iran confirms Saudi talks, says 'too soon' to discuss results

In first since both nations cut relations in 2016, Islamic Republic says diplomats have been holding 'both bilateral and regional' talks in Iraq, facilitated by Iraqi premier

AFP , 23:00 , 05.10.21

French FM in Lebanon with a message of 'great firmness'

Ahead of his arrival in the Levantine nation, which is grappling with its worst crisis since 1975-1990 civil war, Jean-Yves Le Drian justifies France's decision to impose travel restrictions on Lebanese officials suspected of corruption or hindering efforts to form government

Associated Press , 11:34 , 05.06.21

Ahead of Beirut visit, French minister threatens Lebanese politicians

France, which is spearheading efforts to help Lebanon amidst its worst crisis since 1975-1990 civil war, has so far failed to persuade politicians to adopt reform road map or form a government to unlock international aid

Reuters , 21:53 , 05.05.21

Iraq has hosted more than one round of Saudi-Iranian talks, president says

Diplomats hope direct channels between Tehran and Riyadh will signal a calming of tensions across the Mideast after years of hostilities that have brought the region close to a full-scale conflict

Reuters , 19:00 , 05.05.21

Senior Swiss diplomat in Iran found dead after fall from high-rise

Local media says body of first secretary of the country's embassy in Tehran was found by a gardener after an employee who arrived at her apartment noticed she was missing

Reuters , 17:57 , 05.04.21

Report: Saudi Arabia to reopen Damascus embassy, seeking thaw with Syria

Saudi officials said to meet with Syrian leadership during Monday trip to Damascus in first contact since nations severed ties in 2012 during peak of Syrian civil war

i24NEWS , 17:25 , 05.04.21

Egypt to purchase of fighter Jets from France

French president also ruled out making France’s deepening defense and trade ties with Egypt conditional on the issue of rights after bilateral relationship under Sisi improved as countries share interests in the Middle East

AFP , 11:29 , 05.04.21

U.S. officials in Mideast to reassure jittery allies over Iran

As indirect talks between Washington and Tehran over nuclear deal continue, Biden officials and senators crisscross Mideast to reassure support from Gulf Arab partners

Associated Press , 16:56 , 05.03.21

Hezbollah exported drugs, weapons, with Lebanon government knowledge

Saudi Arabia bans import of Lebanese goods after massive drug and weapons seizures; Gulf allies support move as failed Levantine state sinks further into lawlessness under terror group's clutches

Hudhaifa Ebrahim/The Media Line , 15:15 , 04.29.21

Shakeup in Iran’s presidential office after leaked tape

In audiotape leaked by opposition news channel, Tehran's top diplomat heard accusing slain Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani of overreach in foreign policy and colluding with Russia to thwart 2015 nuclear deal

Associated Press , 14:40 , 04.29.21

U.S. Navy fires warning shots in new tense encounter with Iran

In first such incident in nearly 4 years, an American warship fired warning shots when vessels belonging to the Islamic Republic's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard came too close to a patrol in the Persian Gulf

Associated Press , 19:32 , 04.28.21

Saudi crown prince softens Iran rhetoric in balancing act

Mohammed bin Salman says in interview that Riyadh wants to have 'good relations' with Tehran, adding that both countries share common interests 'to propel the region and the world to growth and prosperity'

Reuters , 17:51 , 04.28.21

Iran orders probe into leaked Zarif audio 'conspiracy'

Government spokesman says the explosive 3-hour-long recording of Iranian FM, where he accuses Revolutionary Guard of having too much power, was 'stolen' by agents as part of a 'conspiracy against the government'

AFP, Ynet , 13:50 , 04.27.21

Syrian refugees face Ramadan penury amid Lebanon's economic ruin

Many of 1.5 million Syrian refugees who have poured into Lebanon in wake of civil war languish in severe poverty in tented settlements, reminiscing about days of Ramadan feasts and new clothes for the children back home

Reuters , 22:17 , 04.26.21

Iran's Revolutionary Guard sets policy and Russia tried to thwart nuclear deal, Zarif says in leaked remarks

Former Iranian vice president says comments by FM 'tantamount to Israel stealing nuclear documents,' could impact ongoing efforts to reinstate 2015 pact; Zarif says 'astonished' to discover Israel hit Iranian targets in Syria over 200 times

Ynet, Associated Press , 14:05 , 04.26.21

Amnesty: Mideast countries top 2020 global executions list

International human rights group says while numbers of people given death penalty have dropped due to pandemic, figures for Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia show the region is 'truly out of sync with the rest of the world'

Associated Press , 11:48 , 04.21.21

Woman applies to run for president of Syria for first time ever

Parliament speaker says Faten Ali Nahar, 50-year-old Damascus resident, has nominated herself for the post in the largely symbolic election which is certain to be won by President Bashar al-Assad

Associated Press , 23:12 , 04.20.21

Iran always welcomes dialogue with Riyadh, foreign ministry says

The talks, the first between the regional arch-rivals since 2016, reportedly were held in Iraq in a bid to ease tensions as Washington works to revive a 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran and end the Yemeni Civil War

Reuters , 11:52 , 04.19.21

Deputy commander of Iran's Quds Force dies of heart condition, reports say

Muhammad Hussein-Zada Hejazi was marked by IDF as playing key role in Hezbollah's precision-guided missile program, as well as a suspected planner of deadly 1994 bombing at AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires

Daniel Salami , 22:54 , 04.18.21

Saudi and Iran held talks aimed at easing tensions, say sources

Officials say meeting in Iraq, which took place as world powers attempt to rein Tehran back into nuclear deal, focused on Yemeni Civil War and ongoing financial and political turmoil in Lebanon

Reuters , 19:33 , 04.18.21

Iran nuclear talks resuming amid strains over enrichment, Natanz

Rouhani says Tehran has no intention of making atomic bomb, calls on world powers to honor 2015 deal abandoned by Trump, says if others return to full compliance, it will stop 20% and 60% enrichment, return to cap set by agreement

Reuters , 12:43 , 04.15.21

Iran to enrich uranium to 60%, highest level ever, official says

Tehran's announcement marks a significant escalation just days after sabotage at its Natanz nuclear facility, suspected of having been carried out by Israel; FM Zarif warns assault could hurt ongoing nuclear deal talks

Associated Press , 17:49 , 04.13.21

EU sanctions elite Iran commander, seven others, over 2019 protests

Among those blacklisted is Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guards Corps; About 1,500 people were killed during less than two weeks of unrest

Reuters , 20:03 , 04.12.21

Jordan's Prince Hamzah not to face trial, PM says

Amman says former crown prince will not face justice for involvement in a conspiracy to 'destabilize the kingdom's security' in which at least 16 people were arrested

AFP , 19:42 , 04.12.21

'Syrian air force may have dropped chlorine bomb on rebel town in 2018'

Chemical arms watchdog reports no one killed when cylinder of chlorine gas, delivered in a barrel bomb, hit the city of Saraqib, however, dozen people were treated for symptoms consistent with chemical poisoning

Reuters , 19:04 , 04.12.21

Iran calls Natanz atomic site blackout ‘nuclear terrorism’

Top Iranian nuclear official says Tehran 'will continue to seriously improve nuclear technology on one hand and to lift oppressive sanctions on the other'; Western intelligence officials say Mossad behind attack

Associated Press, Ynet , 19:15 , 04.11.21

Jordanian prince makes first public appearance since arrest

Royal palace releases photo and video with King Abdullah, Prince Hamzah and other dignitaries at a ceremony in capital Amman, remains unclear whether prince's movement restrictions removed

Associated Press , 17:13 , 04.11.21

Saudi columnists urge firm Western stand on Iran in Vienna talks

Asharq al-Awsat newspaper publishes opinion piece by Tariq al-Humaid, who claimed EU and U.S. want to restore the nuclear deal before Iranian presidential elections in June at any cost, and are willing to overlook regional concerns

Reuters , 15:33 , 04.11.21

Electrical problem strikes Iran's Natanz nuclear facility

Hours after restarting advanced centrifuges, state TV reports an 'accident' at facility for quick uranium enrichment; Natanz suffered a mysterious explosion in July, which Iran accused Israeli agents of carrying out

Associated Press , 08:32 , 04.11.21

World powers, Iran hold 'constructive' talks on reviving nuclear deal

While neither Washington nor Tehran say they expect any quick breakthroughs from the talks, both they and the EU describe the early exchanges in positive terms; Islamic Republic still insists on lifting sanctions

Reuters , 11:16 , 04.07.21

Report: Iranian ship struck by missile in the Red Sea

Foreign media says 'Israel might have been involved' in attack on Revolutionary Guards intelligence-gathering vessel as both nations are believed to have been locked in a maritime shadow standoff in recent months

Daniel Salami , 22:18 , 04.06.21

New audio undermines Jordan's claims of foreign plot

Recording unveils convo between Prince Hamzah and chief of staff, with Gen. Yousef Huneiti saying he's being punished over meetings with those who 'started talking more than they should'

Associated Press , 13:11 , 04.06.21