After months under a near-total internet blackout during the Middle East war, Iranian tech worker Amir-Hassan was finally able to get back online, but only through a privileged service that has sparked public criticism.
Millions like the 39-year-old have been unable to access the internet since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, punishing the pockets of online entrepreneurs and workers.
Lebanon and Israel are to hold new peace talks in Washington starting Thursday, as their latest ceasefire -- considered to still be in place despite hundreds of deaths in Israeli strikes -- nears its end.
The two countries last met on April 23 at the White House, where US President Donald Trump announced a three-week ceasefire extension and voiced optimism for a historic agreement.
By Karen Sloan
May 13 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked U.S. sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a U.N. expert on the Palestinian territories, finding that the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights by imposing the measures after she criticized U.S. ally Israel’s war in Gaza.
WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - The United States hopes to convince China to play a more active role in trying to persuade Iran to walk away from what it is doing in the Gulf, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview aired on Fox News on Wednesday.
Rubio made the comments in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Writing by Christian Martinez; editing by Michelle Nichols )
Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday for the national football team as it prepared to play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The players, dressed in red and black tracksuits, were presented at a stage in the central Tehran square of Enghelab, where crowds of people cheered for them, according to videos aired on state TV.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei and the president of Iran's football federation, Mehdi Taj, were also present.
By Ayhan Uyanik and Erol Dogrudogan
VIENNA, May 13 (Reuters) - Israel's contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on Tuesday heard the boos of a small number of pro-Palestinian protesters as he took the stage even though many in the room could not, he told Reuters on Wednesday.
(corrects title of JD Vance to Vice President)
WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday he believes progress is being made in negotiations with Iran to end hostilities, after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest proposal as unacceptable.
By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked the latest Democratic-led effort to end the Iran war until it is authorized by Congress, but the measure edged closer to passage as a third Republican voted to advance the bill.
The Senate voted 50-49 not to advance the war powers resolution, nearly along party lines. Three Republicans joined every Democrat but one in backing the measure sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon.
By Andrea Shalal, Michael Martina and Trevor Hunnicutt
WASHINGTON/BEIJING, May 13 (Reuters) - When U.S. President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping this week he is expected to ask for help resolving his costly and unpopular war with Iran.
He is unlikely to get the support he wants.
Analysts said that while Xi might agree to nudge Iran's leaders back to the negotiating table, China's leader will be reluctant to cut economic support for Beijing's most important partner in the Middle East or to stop supplying it with the dual-use goods its military needs.
JERUSALEM, May 13 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the United Arab Emirates and met with the Emirati president during the war with Iran, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the meeting resulted in an "historic breakthrough" in relations between Israel and the UAE.
The statement appeared to be the first confirmation of a meeting between Netanyahu and the Emirati president.
