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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

U.S. expects 'difficult' Iran talks, sees no quick breakthrough

Tehran says only complete removal of all sanctions could jumpstart negotiations with the U.S., while Washington sources say the administration will take a pragmatic approach and not let the argument over who goes first to be an obstacle

Reuters , 08:46 , 04.06.21

Jordan's king, half-brother 'accept mediation' to heal rift, palace says

In signed letter, Prince Hamzah pledges his allegiance to King Abdullah, crown prince after his involvement in an alleged conspiracy to destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom's security

AFP , 22:54 , 04.05.21

Jordan's Prince Hamzah says he will disobey army orders to keep silent

Half-brother of King Abdullah and former heir to the throne says in recording released by Jordanian opposition that he would not comply after being barred from any activities and told to remain quiet

Reuters , 12:20 , 04.05.21

In show of Pharaonic heritage, Egypt parades royal mummies

22 pharaohs and royals, among them Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh, are transported on decorated trucks to the new south Cairo museum in event meant to showcase the country's rich history and spur tourism

Associated Press , 19:13 , 04.04.21

Jordan says prince liaised with 'foreign parties' over plot to destabilize country

Deputy PM Safadi says communications included a foreign intelligence agency contacting Prince Hamzah's wife to organize a plane for the couple to leave Jordan

Reuters , 17:34 , 04.04.21

Gantz: Alleged Jordan coup plot is 'an internal matter'

After round-up of suspected conspirators, Jordanian media warns of 'security and stability' red lines that cannot be crossed; mother of former crown prince slams claims he was involved in plans to overthrow king as 'wicked slander'

Ynet, AFP , 13:56 , 04.04.21

Jordanian military warns king's half-brother to stop actions undermining stability

Though palace denies reports of arrest, Prince Hamza claims in a video he was told to stay at home and not contact anybody; Jordanian authorities are increasingly concerned with efforts by King's half brother to build ties with disgruntled figures within powerful tribes

Reuters , 07:21 , 04.04.21

Lebanon's top Christian cleric criticizes Hezbollah in leaked video

Head of the Maronite church calls for Lebanon to remain neutral in regional conflicts, referring to Hezbollah's deployment of fighters to neighboring Syria alongside Shi'ite Muslim militias and its alliance with Iran

Reuters , 19:54 , 04.01.21

Iran adds advanced machines enriching underground at Natanz, nuclear watchdog says

In latest breach of nuclear agreement, Tehran keeps mounting pressure on U.S., with both sides locked in a standoff over who should move first to salvage deal meant to curb Iran's race for the bomb

Reuters , 18:26 , 04.01.21

U.S. open to discussing wider nuclear deal road map if Iran wishes

Tehran rejects reported Washington plan to ask it to halt work on advanced centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium to 20% purity in return for undefined U.S. sanctions relief, as Western diplomat says proposals on a return to nuclear deal are being made by both sides

Reuters , 07:11 , 03.31.21

UN seeks $10 billion for Syrians as humanitarian needs soar

Some 24 million people in the war-torn nation are in need of basic aid, the highest number yet since a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters by Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2011 led to civil war

Reuters , 22:20 , 03.30.21

EU to sanction Iranians for rights abuses in first since 2013

European bloc set to impose travel bans and asset freezes after recent similar moves against China, North Korea, Libya and Russia as part of effort to take tougher stance on human rights

Reuters , 21:40 , 03.30.21

Iran rejects ending 20% enrichment before U.S. lifts sanctions, state TV says

Following reports Washington would offer new proposal to jump-start talks, Tehran threatens to further reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal if U.S. fails to comply with demands while window of opportunity is fast closing

Reuters , 08:55 , 03.30.21

U.S. offers $10 million reward for info on Hezbollah operative

Salim Jamil Ayyash, a senior member of Shi'ite terror group's assassination squad, was sentenced in absentia by an international tribunal to five life sentences over his role in the 2005 killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri

Associated Press , 22:46 , 03.29.21

Suez Canal jam ends after stranded ship refloated

After dredging and excavation work over weekend, rescue teams succeed in partially refloating MV 'Ever Given' using tugboats; At least 369 vessels await transit after traffic through global shipping lane halted for over a week

Reuters , 18:56 , 03.29.21

Stranded Suez Canal ship re-floated, undergoing checks

Reports say the breakthrough in Suez Canal came after intensive efforts to push and pull the Ever Given ship with 10 tugboats and vacuum up sand with several dredgers at spring tide after skyscraper-sized vessel became stuck last Tuesday

News agencies , 07:59 , 03.29.21

U.S. senators push for broader Iran deal, not return to nuclear pact

Letter, signed by 43 Democrat and Republican lawmakers, says a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to the natural security interests of the U.S. and its allies in the region

Reuters , 22:58 , 03.25.21

Beirut neighborhood gets vision of hope after blast

Offre Joie (Joy of Giving) NGO has repaired Lebanese districts hit by war and violence since 1985 and now it is working to rebuild a low-income area devastated by deadly explosion in capital's port

Reuters , 21:57 , 03.25.21

'Beached whale' ship could block Suez Canal for weeks

The 400-meter-long MV Ever Given is blocking transit in both directions through one of the world's busiest channels, with a total of 206 various large vessels backing up, creating one of the worst shipping jams seen for years

Reuters , 20:50 , 03.25.21

Jordan cemetery struggles amid COVID-19 surge

Recent hike in morbidity, which is attributed to UK variant, has put Jordan's virus cases and deaths above most of its neighbors, undoing months of success in containing the outbreak

Reuters , 19:19 , 03.24.21

Suez Canal blocked as rogue cargo ship stuck after sideways spin

Panama-flagged vessel grounded in narrow waterway after its owners say it was overcome by strong winds; closure of canal could have major impact on global shipping

Associated Press , 11:09 , 03.24.21

Saudi Arabia proposes ceasefire to Yemen's Houthis

Riyadh's outline includes reopening of sea and air links to allow import of fuel and food to famine-stricken nation; U.S. and UN welcome initiative while Iranian proxy remains skeptical of any talks

Reuters , 23:52 , 03.22.21

Lebanon crisis escalates after failure to agree on government

For over five months, Lebanese leaders have quarreled to end the political deadlock, plunging the Levantine country further down a spiral of economic collapse as foreign donations dry up until a reform-minded cabinet is formed

Reuters , 23:22 , 03.22.21

Swedish scientist near death after months in solitary confinement in Iran, say UN experts

Experts say conviction and sentence of man — accused of providing information to Israel to help it assassinate nuclear scientists — based on confession extracted under torture, after unfair trial

Reuters , 14:01 , 03.18.21

Lebanon's president asks PM-designate to form government or go

Ailing nation's leaders have been at loggerheads over formation of a government for almost five months, needed to implement urgently-needed reforms and unlock international aid

Reuters , 22:52 , 03.17.21

In war-torn Syria, uprising birthplace seethes 10 years on

After a decade of bloodshed, Daraa is back under Assad's rule and has been seeing frequent mass protests against the government and Iran, reflecting a growing concern over Tehran's expanding influence

Associated Press , 11:43 , 03.17.21

Syrians in rebel-held Idlib mark 10 years since uprising

The protest in Idlib city was the largest in years, and aimed at recreating the early days of peaceful protests in which tens of thousands called for Assad's downfall, after the civil war killed more than half a million people and displaced half the country's pre-war population of 23 million

Associated Press , 21:35 , 03.15.21

Iran releases footage of Revolutionary Guards 'missile city' base

Paramilitary group boasts rows of missiles in a depot with cement walls, says bolstered missile capability of its navy while not providing any details on location nor how many missiles are stored there

News Agencies , 17:22 , 03.15.21