Detained US citizen Baquer Namazi leaves Iran after six years

After arriving in the United Arab Emirates, 85-year-old Baquer Namazi will undergo urgent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

Iran

Syrian government gears up for major military operation against IS in the desert

Syrian government forces are deployed in the Syrian desert in preparation for a large campaign against the Islamic State.

Syria

Russia to reopen embassy in Libya

For years Russia supported the eastern-based military forces in Libya, but now Moscow is working with the Tripoli government to reopen its embassy there.

North Africa

Iran unrest takes new turn as schoolgirls join protests  

A fresh episode was seen in raging protests across Iran as schoolgirls defiantly twirled headscarves and chanted against Iran's supreme leader, who ordered a crackdown on the protesters.  

Iran

Turkey-Libya energy deal clouds waters in East Mediterranean

An energy deal signed between Turkey and the Libyan administration of  Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Monday has brought a reaction from Greece, EU and Libya’s eastern-based parliament. 

Turkey

Iraq situation ‘highly volatile,' envoy warns Security Council

The UN’s envoy to Iraq delivered a scathing indictment of the country’s political class during today’s Security Council briefing, decrying its exposure of the population to severe risks. 

Iraq

Once a safe haven, Iranians in Turkey say civil liberties are at risk

Many Iranians feel that space for culture, freedom of speech and a secular lifestyle is steadily shrinking in Turkey, which until now has been serving as a safe haven for many Iranians to live freely. 

Turkey

Tunisia’s Islamists under siege as Saied rolls back democracy

Islamists are bearing the brunt of President Kais Saied’s "counter revolution" with their leaders facing possible jail time and little public sympathy, as many view them as the principal architects of the economic woes and political gridlock that has long gripped the country.

North Africa

Analysis

Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine hints at reliance on Iran

Problems equipping Russian troops with "nationally developed drones" leave Russia's military primarily operating Iranian drones.

By Anton Mardasov

Netanyahu's ultranationalist minister pick concerns US

American officials are warning opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu that including ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir in a possible future cabinet would damage Israel’s relations with its great ally.

Israel

Netanyahu attacks US over Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal

In his efforts to win the Nov. 1 elections, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to torpedo the American-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon on maritime border demarcation and to attack the Biden administration.

Israel

US urges Yemen's Houthis to extend truce amid fears of renewed fighting

The United States is seeking the renewal of a nationwide truce that brought a much-needed pause in violence to Yemen before it expired on Sunday.

Yemen