Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Iran’s Quds Force denies deaths in Israeli airstrikes in Syria The Afghan Fatemiyoun also denied members were hit, but said Syrian army personnel were killed. Israel
Iran to manufacture uranium metal in latest violation of nuclear deal Tehran officials informed the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that assembly equipment is being prepared to produce the nuclear fuel. Iran
Houthi terror designation 'death sentence' for Yemenis, UN officials warn United Nations officials took aim at the US plan to label Yemen's Houthis a foreign terrorist organization that relief groups say will imperil aid deliveries to the war-torn country. Yemen
Rouhani compares Trump to Shah of Iran President Hassan Rouhani said in a recent speech that despite all the pressure, US policy toward Iran has failed. United States
Egypt resumes trade at Sinai port as Islamic State threat regresses Egypt has recently reopened the Al-Arish port in North Sinai as part of efforts to revive the economy in the area that has struggled under years of Islamist insurgency. Egypt
US labels deputy head of Iraq’s PMU a terrorist The United States accused Abu Fadak of involvement in kidnappings and of attempting to align Iraq's security institution's with Iran's foreign policy. Iraq
Iran kicks off naval missile drills in Gulf of Oman, to renew patrols in Red Sea Iran's Navy will resume patrols in the Red Sea, the Chief of Staff of the armed forces said United States
Pompeo, Israel send message to Iran with bold airstrikes in Syria In a rare acknowledgement, a US official said Washington provided intelligence support for the strikes. Israel
Congressional Democrats and Republicans rebuke Trump admin over Houthi terror designation The designation of Yemen's Houthi forces as a foreign terrorist organization has been met with criticism from both the House and the Senate. Yemen
Pompeo dubs Iran new 'home base' of al-Qaeda Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Tehran of enabling the terrorist group by providing safe havens and logistical support. United States
Syria's journalists live in constant fear of arrest, assassination Syria remains one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists, who face repression and violence from the Syrian regime as well as opposition forces. Syria
Biden taps veteran diplomat William Burns for CIA director Burns, a former ambassador to Jordan and Russia, would bring with him decades of experience in the foreign service. United States
