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U.S. Navy says mine fragments suggest Iran behind Gulf tanker attack

Washington seeks to build international case for isolating Tehran, as European powers aim to avert war but warn time running out; Tehran says won't give Europe more time to save nuclear deal

Reuters , 19:08 , 06.19.19

U.S. set to send 1,000 troops to Middle East in faceoff with Iran

Fears of Iranian-American clash mounting since last week's attack on two oil tankers in Gulf of Oman, which Washington blamed on Tehran, as Iran warns time running out to preserve nuclear deal

Reuters , 10:11 , 06.18.19

Egypt's ousted president Morsi buried under heavy security after courtroom death

67-year-old former leader laid to rest in Cairo after authorities refuse burial in family cemetery in hometown; state TV says Morsi, who was ousted and jailed in 2013, died of heart attack; Muslim Brotherhood accuses government of assassination through poor prison conditions

Associated Press , 09:24 , 06.18.19

Islamist Morsi briefly made history as Egypt's first democratically elected president

The leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, son of a peasant farmer from a village in the Nile Delta, broke out of jail 2011 and became president the following year; a year after that, he was behind bars again, and remained there until his death

Reuters , 23:32 , 06.17.19

Egypt TV says ousted president Morsi dies in court

67-year-old Morsi from outlawed Muslim Brotherhood collapsed and died during a court session on espionage charges

Associated Press, Ynet , 19:22 , 06.17.19

Iran says it will break uranium stockpile limit in 10 days

Announcement indicates Tehran's determination to break from the landmark 2015 accord, which has steadily unraveled since Trump administration pulled out of the deal last year and re-imposed tough economic sanctions, sending Iranian economy into freefall

Associated Press , 12:40 , 06.17.19

Saudi seeks oil supply protection as U.S. and Iran face off

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country does not want war but will not hesitate to deal with threat to kingdom or vital interests

Reuters , 08:59 , 06.16.19

Iran has accelerated enrichment of uranium, IAEA says

Head of UN atomic watchdog says Tehran now producing more enriched uranium than before, but unclear when it might reach previous stockpile limits; German FM, in Iranian capital, warns situation in region 'highly explosive and extremely serious'

Reuters , 17:16 , 06.10.19

Germany: EU plan to bypass U.S. sanctions on Iran soon operational

German FM Maas to meet Rouhani, Zarif in Tehran as Berlin, London and Paris move to salvage nuclear deal; Iran wants Europeans to do more to protect trade, declines to discuss missile program

Reuters , 11:32 , 06.10.19

Iran reinforces morality police force amid crackdown on violation of 'Islamic principles'

Pilots units comprised of women become 'resistance groups for verbal and practical response to bad-hijabi women' in north-eastern province; Hundreds of Tehran restaurants shut down for breaking religious customs

i24NEWS , 09:01 , 06.09.19

'A great betrayal of the Islamic world': Iran urges Gulf rivals not to back US peace plan

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei slams Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for supporting U.S. Middle East peace plan in live address during Eid al-Fitr prayers, ahead of economic workshop initiated by U.S., boycotted by Palestinians

i24NEWS , 23:36 , 06.05.19

Palestinian public furious over secret 67% pay raise for ministers

Leaks of salary hikes come during Ramadan, a time of great expense for struggling families, renewing outrage among Palestinians who have long seen their leaders as out of touch and rife with corruption

Associated Press , 20:49 , 06.05.19

As UN budget dries up, Palestinian classrooms swell in size

The effects of U.S. aid cuts have rippled throughout UNRWA's operations, but its sprawling school system, serving 500,000 children across the Middle East, has been hit hardest, average class sizes in the West Bank have grown from 30 students a year ago to 50

Associated Press , 21:25 , 06.03.19

Iraq's racy TV in Ramadan revives an industry - and draws censure

Muslim fast month is typically a time when families and friends across Mideast gather around televisions after evening meal; this year, a series about a seedy hostel shocked some viewers with scenes of massages, alcohol and drugs, but is also seen a sign that normal life is returning

Reuters , 09:18 , 05.25.19

Driven out of Mideast, ISIS sets up shop in India, Pakistan

Amaq news agency says Pakistan stronghold already caused casualties among Indian soldiers in Kashmir; India police also confirm presence of ISIS fighters in contested border area

The Media Line , 18:57 , 05.24.19

War-torn Idlib back at forefront of Assad regime hunt for rebels

Latest Syrian government offensive ends months of relative calm in the area as it resumes the war, meanwhile it is also creating new refugees and possibly more tensions with Turkey

The Media Line , 17:18 , 05.23.19

Documents offer rare look inside Syrian government crackdown

Documents obtained by Washington-based Syria Justice and Accountability Center show how Bashar Assad's shadowy security agencies spied on the populace at large, sought to eliminate dissidents through detention, intimidation or killings and systematically persecuted Kurdish minority even before the onset of the 2011 uprising against Assad

Associated Press , 17:31 , 05.21.19

Iran: Today's situation isn't suitable for talks, resistance is our only choice

President Rouhani's statement comes following Trump's warning to the Islamic Republic, saying attacks on American interests in the region would be met with 'great force'

Reuters , 08:40 , 05.21.19

Palestinians to shun U.S.-led economic conference, say they weren't consulted

June 25-26 event in Bahrain meant to help West Bank, Gaza investment seen as unveiling of first stage of Trump peace proposal; Palestinian minister: Anyone taking part would be nothing but collaborator for Americans and Israel

Reuters , 19:50 , 05.20.19

Trump: Conflict would be 'official end' of Iran

Rhetoric follows sabotage of Saudi oil tankers, rocket launch into Baghdad's embassy row — both attributed to Iran, proxies; Iran's arch-adversary Saudi Arabia calls Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summit in Mecca

Reuters , 08:45 , 05.20.19

Once again, Iraq caught up in tensions between US and Iran

'Iraq is worried that American forces on its soil could be targeted by factions loyal to Iran,' says unnamed Iraqi official; Baghdad, who is allied with both sides, fears of becoming arena of yet another Mideast conflict

Associated Press , 14:26 , 05.19.19

Minister: Iran builds firewall against Stuxnet computer virus

'Iranian scientists developed a firewall for industrial automation systems to neutralize industrial sabotage such as that caused by Stuxnet in power networks, and it was successfully tested' -Comm. minister

Reuters , 23:17 , 05.16.19

US in new push to resolve Israel-Lebanon sea border dispute

Lebanese President Aoun told US officials that Lebanese officials have a 'unified stance' regarding the demarcation of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel

Associated Press , 23:09 , 05.15.19

Report: Iran halts some commitments under nuclear deal

Islamic Republic's national security council apparently ordered to stop complying with the 2015 agreement with world powers which allowed Tehran to produce low-enriched uranium with a 300-kg limit; sources say Iran has no limit from now for production

Reuters , 09:08 , 05.15.19

Saudi Arabia says its oil infrastructure attacked by drones

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih: drones attacked petroleum pumping station running to Red Sea port amid heightened regional tensions with Iran; oil infrastructure sites in Riyadh region also targeted

Associated Press , 18:24 , 05.14.19

US moving Patriot missile battery to Mideast to counter Iran

The Pentagon decides to move the missile battery - meant to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircrafts - into the region after receiving intelligence that Iranian military is planning an attack on US targets and interests in the area

Associated Press , 09:32 , 05.11.19

Gaza violence exposes deep Israel-Turkey divide

During the recent flare-up, Israel destroyed a building housing the Gaza office of Turkish a news agency; while the Turkish government supports the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is an offshoot, bursts of violence deepens the rift between Jerusalem and its Middle Eastern neighbor

The Media line , 13:39 , 05.10.19

Iran says it will resume higher uranium enrichment if new deal isn't reached

Iranian president sets 60-day deadline to negotiate new terms of its nuclear deal with remaining partners in the agreement, while admitting the current situation is 'dire' after US restored crippling economic sanctions on Islamic Republic

Associated Press , 09:17 , 05.08.19

US-Iran tensions rise ahead of anniversary of deal pullout

Rouhani reportedly plans to broadcast a statement about the “counteractions” Tehran will take on Wednesday, on the nuclear deal pullout anniversary, following the sudden statement that the USS Abraham Lincoln will be deployed in the Persian Gulf

Associated Press , 10:21 , 05.07.19

US dispatches aircraft carrier over unspecified Iran threats

National security adviser John Bolton said U.S. deploying USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to Mideast in response to 'troubling and escalatory indications

Associated Press , 20:40 , 05.06.19

How Trump's hawkish advisors won debate on Iran oil sanctions

US president's decision to cancel sanctions waivers for Iranian oil importers - effectively severing the Islamic Republic's financial lifeline - was made amid strong objections of some State Department officials; 'No one's actually tried to take this all the way to zero'

Reuters , 10:04 , 05.03.19

Trump oil sanctions go into effect while debate on move continues

Concerns voiced over oil prices rising but all-time-high oil production, administration official hope, will hold prices down

Reuters , 08:25 , 05.01.19

Iran's leaders defiant in face of US sanctions, want Trump apology

Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Rouhani went on the offensive, saying the country will export as much oil as it needs despite Trump's decision to end sanctions waivers; claim Saudi Arabia and the UAE owe their existence to the Islamic Republic

Reuters , 15:50 , 04.24.19

Iranian leader appoints new Revolutionary Guards chief

Hossein Salami - who has vowed to wipe 'Zionist regime off political map' - now heads Islamic Republic's elite military force following an appointment by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, just days after US designated the group a terror organization

Reuters , 20:26 , 04.21.19

Australia grandmother tracks down her grandchildren in Syria refugee camp

Karen Nettleton travels across the world to find the orphaned children left behind by her daughter and her Islamic State husband who took them to Mideast in 2013; Canberra government says it is 'working quietly behind scenes' and in 'close contact' with family

AFP , 13:17 , 04.16.19

U.S. declares Iran's Revolutionary Guards terrorist organization

For the first time in history, Washington has declared a branch of another country’s government as a terror group; measure could mean fresh sanctions on Islamic Republic; furious Tehran replies in kind for American forces in Mideast

Associated Press , 19:28 , 04.08.19

Saudis making financial amends for Khashoggi murder

The children of Saudi dissident journalist, who was killed at Saudi mission in Istanbul in October, have reportedly accepted a diya – compensation paid under Islamic law to murder victim or heirs - in the form of money and homes

The Media Line , 11:08 , 04.08.19

Brunei invokes laws allowing stoning for gay sex, adultery

New Islamic criminal laws that took effect Wednesday trigger outcry from countries, rights groups and celebrities far beyond the tiny Southeast Asian nation’s shores

Associated Press , 14:21 , 04.03.19

US envoy: Three waiver countries cut Iran oil imports to zero

Official says Trump administration not issuing any more exceptions to initial eight nations who could buy Iranian oil, but current ones could be extended

Reuters , 10:15 , 04.03.19

UAE official urges Arab openness to Israel

UAE foreign minister calls the decision to ban contact with Israel 'very, very wrong,' expects increased contact between Arab world and Jewish state; 'in 15 years' time, discussions will revolve around equal rights in one state,' he says of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Reuters , 23:30 , 03.28.19

Opponents say Egypt's constitutional changes will cement "absolute rule"

Al- Sisi's opposition protests constitutional changes that could allow him to stay in power until 2034, say they were subject to smear campaigns and intimidation; majority of lawmakers support initial bill, if final version is accepted a national referendum will follow

Reuters , 21:48 , 03.28.19

Syria seeks urgent Security Council meeting on US declaration on Golan

Damascus slams 'flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council's resolution by a permanent member-state'; French presidency does not immediately schedule session as diplomats say request will be discussed

AFP , 10:19 , 03.27.19

Turkey inaugurates mysterious archaeological ritual site in bid to draw tourists

A 12,000-year-old Neolithic shrine site with bizarre animal-shaped pillars baffles researchers; will Erdogan be able to make this site, perhaps the world’s oldest temple, draw tourists to a forsaken area by the Syrian border?

The Media Line , 11:41 , 03.23.19

Pompeo heads to Lebanon, where Hezbollah is at peak strength

Secretary of State will meet with close allies of terror group in Lebanese government as well as Hariri, a Western ally who has been reluctant to confront the Iran-backed organization; officials say Washington, which backs a coalition of groups opposed to Hezbollah, has to avoid pushing Lebanon to the brink

Associated Press , 14:49 , 03.21.19

Iran demands US leave Syria, as Damascus threatens American ally

Iran flaunted its ties with Damascus as the two demanded the U.S. withdraws its troops from Syria and threatened to defeat Washington's Kurdish allies

Reuters , 19:58 , 03.18.19

Iran's president urges Iranians to 'put all your curses' on Israel, US

Hassan Rouhani says 'the United States, the Zionists and Saudi Arabia' are to blame for the Islamic Republic's recent financial woes; comments come amid criticism leveled at his government amid spiraling economy

Associated Press , 13:24 , 03.18.19

Iran's oil tanker fleet being squeezed as sanctions bite

Islamic Republic is having trouble expanding its tankers fleet, as countries are removing Iranian ships from their registry due to renewed US sanctions; tankers are critical for Iran as oil accounts for 70% of the country's revenue

Reuters , 17:09 , 03.14.19

Revolutionary Guards' Soleimani flexes political muscle

The general's success in operations beyond Iran's borders, in particular in shoring up Assad's rule in Syria, have made him instrumental in the steady spreading of Iranian influence in the Middle East

Reuters , 17:40 , 03.05.19

Iran reveals FM wanted to resign over Assad visit to Tehran

Syrian president's trip to Iran’s capital last week is what prompted Javad Zarif to quit his post as foreign minister since he reportedly was not informed about the visit by the Islamic Republic's officials

Reuters , 11:45 , 03.05.19

Iran's Rouhani rejects resignation of foreign minister Zarif

President Rouhani says accepting Zarif's resignation would be 'against national interests'; Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani also expresses support of Zarif; the Iranian FM thanks Iranians for their support on Instagram.

Reuters , 10:06 , 02.27.19

By ‘not bargaining’ on constitution Assad risks little

A stalled reform process won’t produce another civil war because the Syrian dictator is firmly in control, analysts contend.

The Media Line , 23:11 , 02.25.19

Iran's foreign minister resigns

The US withdrawal from the nuclear deal weakened Iran’s moderates as regime become more bellicose towards the West and the Iranian economy stumbles.

Associated Press , 23:10 , 02.25.19

Saudi Arabia names first female ambassador to Washington

Kingdom replaces Prince Khaled bin Salman with Princess Reema bint Bandar hoping to improve Saudi-American relations.

The Media Line , 22:18 , 02.25.19

Britain to ban Hezbollah outright, class it as terrorist organization

Six years after the EU declared the organization's military wing a terror group, London decides to declare the entire organization as such, a move that has vast criminal implications for its members.

Reuters , 15:55 , 02.25.19

Report: Trump aides ignored legal warnings in pushing Saudi Arabia reactor plan

US president's advisors fast-tracked proposed transfer of American nuclear technology to the Arab country in possible breach of the Atomic Energy Act, according to documents released by Democratic lawmakers.

Reuters , 09:02 , 02.20.19

Report: At least 27 Revolutionary Guard personnel killed in Iran bombing

Additional 20 people were reportedly wounded after a bus transporting Islamic Republic's elite paramilitary force was targeted in a suicide bombing in Iran's southeast; Jaish al Adl militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Associated Press, Reuters , 18:43 , 02.13.19

Iran vaunts military, exults at US 'dismay' as revolution turns 40

Iranians took to the streets in hundreds of thousands to mark anniversary of 1979 Islamic Revolution, burning US and Israeli flags while chanting 'Death to Israel, Death to America.'

Reuters , 19:26 , 02.11.19

Iran unveils long-range cruise missile on revolution anniversary

Islamic Republic appears to have expanded its ballistic missiles program despite US opposition as a presentation of a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 1,300 km marks the celebrations of 1979 revolution.

Reuters , 08:57 , 02.03.19

Macron presses Egypt on human rights during visit

As he meets Egyptian counterpart in Cairo, French president says current crackdown seems worse than those led by Mubarak, too many ordinary people 'who do not threaten the regime's stability' have been jailed.

Associated Press , 16:29 , 01.28.19

France's Macron to press Egyptian president on human rights

French leader says he will 'pursue a truthful dialogue on topics of public freedoms and human rights' during talks in Cairo -- an area he feels Egypt has not progressed enough.

Associated Press , 14:33 , 01.28.19

Trump warns Europeans not to try to evade Iran sanctions

White House officials say if the EU move to set up an alternative money payment channel to ease doing business with Iran would circumvent US sanctions, European countries will be subjected to stiff fines and penalties.

Associated Press , 08:42 , 01.28.19

Experts, images suggest a Saudi ballistic missile program

New evidence, which suggests Saudi Arabia is manufacturing ballistic missiles, might indicate that the kingdom's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is doubling down on his promise to develop an atomic bomb if Iran continues its nuclear program.

Associated Press , 16:55 , 01.26.19

In Iran, parched land hollowed by water pumping is now sinking

After a 30-year drought and excessive pumping, officials warn that land subsidence poses a grave danger to a country where protests over water scarcity already have seen violence; even Netanyahu has offered help, but Iranian officials, unsurprisingly, turned him down.

Associated Press , 08:10 , 01.26.19

Gaza suffers from brain drain as young professionals look for better life

Almost half of the Palestinians who leave the Strip don't return, with many taking advantage of the permanent opening of the Rafah border crossing to get out via Egypt and search for a better life elsewhere.

Elior Levy , 23:32 , 01.18.19

US-led coalition says has started Syria withdrawal

'The coalition has begun the process of our deliberate withdrawal from Syria. Out of concern for operational security, we will not discuss specific timelines, locations or troop movements,' Colonel Sean Ryan says.

Reuters , 13:39 , 01.11.19

Trump's envoys are telling Mideast leaders what they want to hear

Analysis: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton are covering the Middle East in a desperate attempt to separate fact from fiction and establish a consistent regional policy, while trying to local leaders' concerns.

Reuters , 19:24 , 01.10.19

Pompeo repudiates Obama Mideast policy, takes aim at Iran

Secretary of State believes the former US president purposely ignored the growth of Hezbollah in Lebanon to the detriment of Israel's security; says Mideast will never be stable as long as the Islamic Republic continues its 'malign activities' in the region.

Associated Press , 17:26 , 01.10.19

With US leaving, rival powers seek to move into Syria's east

Around one third of the devastated country is up for grabs thanks to a looming power vacuum; Israel, Iran, Turkey and more will be looking for an opportunity to cement their own positions.

Associated Press , 09:17 , 01.07.19

Lebanon's Hezbollah believes solution to government impasse ‘very close’

Shi’ite group sees possible breakthrough to create national unity government in line with Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system as country faces economic problems and regional instability.

Reuters , 19:09 , 01.02.19

IS still lethal in Syria despite Trump claim, say fighters on ground

Islamic State has hundreds of battle-hardened men and supporters operating freely in Northern Syria, even with heavy the military losses the terror group sustained.

The Media Line , 08:24 , 01.02.19

Philosophy to be introduced into Saudi Arabia classrooms

As teachers prepare for the new curriculum, some worry that the staples of philosophical thinking—logic and reason—will be compromised if they run up against religious sensibilities.

The Media Line , 19:10 , 12.31.18

Turkey 'determined' to drive out Syrian Kurdish forces

As Turkey coordinates the withdrawal of American troops with Washington, it remains steadfast in its decision to clear all Kurdish forces from Syria

Associated Press , 18:38 , 12.25.18

Netanyahu brands Erdogan 'anti-Semitic dictator' as verbal spat spirals

Row begins when Turkish president claims 'Jews in Israel' beat defenseless Palestinian people, while PM says he will not be lectured on morailty by someone 'whose army massacred women and children in Kurdish villages.'

Itamar Eichner , 10:04 , 12.23.18

Trump defends US withdrawal from Syria: Do we want to be Middle East policeman?

President hits back at criticism, says America gets nothing in return for presence in region after spending billions of dollars, losing precious lives.

Reuters , 16:35 , 12.20.18

US to pull all troops from Syria as Trump declares victory over ISIS

Move runs counter to advice of top defense officials, comes after Russia declares 'illegal American presence in Syria is becoming a dangerous obstacle to the path to a settlement.'

Agencies , 18:56 , 12.19.18