Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Middle East

Mikdad says US must end illegal presence in Syria

Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faisal Mikdad warned the United States to pull out its forces from the Arab country before facing similar Afghanistan fate.

Iran-Iraq FMs discuss money transfer, gas and electricity export

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has sat down with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Swedish FM: To end Yemen crisis consultation with Iran a must

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde held talks on bilateral ties and regional issues, including the situation in Yemen and Afghanistan during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Iran FM: UN expected to do more to lift anti-Syria bans

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has discussed the situation in Syria with the UN Special Envoy on Syria Geir Pederson during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Taliban to lodge protest to UN over US killing of Afghans

The Taliban announced their plan to lodge a protest with the United Nations (UN) over US forces shooting at the Kabul international airport during the evacuation of Afghans and foreigners in August, resulting in death of Afghan civilians.

Abbas gives Israel ultimatum to withdraw from Palestinian territory

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave Israel one year to withdraw from the decades-long occupied Palestinian territory.

Erdogan: Turkey-US ties not ‘healthy’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Ankara's ties with the United States are not healthy and that his relationship with US President Joe Biden remains strained.

Power firm warns Lebanon headed for complete blackout

Lebanon's state electricity company warned on Thursday the country could plunge into a total blackout by the end of September as its fuel oil reserves dwindle.

Blinken discusses JCPOA, Afghanistan with Persian Gulf FMs

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has sat down with his opposite numbers from a few Persian Gulf countries, with the Iran nuclear deal, Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian tensions, topping the agenda.

US lawmakers seek to end support for Saudi war on Yemen

The US House of Representatives approved a measure on Thursday that would force an end to maintenance and intelligence support for Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Iraq praises neighbors’ role in crushing Daesh

Iraqi President Barham Salih has praised the role of the neighboring countries in fighting terrorism and defeating Daesh.

UN: Starvation looming in Yemen, 16m in danger

More than half of Yemen's population are "marching towards starvation", and unless the international community steps up support, food assistance could soon run out, the United Nations (UN) warns.

Second Lebanon-bound Iranian oil tanker reaches Syria

Another oil tanker carrying fuel for crisis-hit Lebanon has docked at the Syrian port of Baniyas.

Iran: Serious signs of thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh says the recent talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been useful and that there are serious signs of a thaw between the two countries.

Russia PM, Kremlin spokesman among those banned by US committee

A proposed amendment to the US defense budget is calling on the White House to sanction 35 Russian citizens for alleged human rights abuses, including the prime minister, mayor of Moscow and the Kremlin spokesman.

China, Russia, Pakistan envoys meet Taliban officials

Special envoys of China, Russia and Pakistan held talks with top officials of the Taliban interim government and other senior Afghan leaders to discuss the recent developments in the war-ravaged country.

Saudi Arabia seeks talks with Iran, concrete results

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed hope that Riyadh's talks with Tehran will lead to confidence building, as the two regional rivals are engaged in dialogue following years of heightened tensions.

U.S., Israel hold secret talks over Iran nuclear deal

U.S. and Israels officials held secret talks on Iran last week to discuss a possible “plan B” if nuclear talks do not resume, two senior Israeli officials told Axios.

Poll shows 80% of Palestinians want Abbas to resign

A new poll found nearly 80 percent of Palestinians want President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to quit.

Erdogan calls for political solution to Syria crisis

The international community cannot let the Syrian crisis drag on for another 10 years, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Erdogan called for a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the war-hit country.

Iran denounces Saudi Arabia’s nuclear accusations

Iran has blasted Saudi Arabia over its energy minister’s allegations against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

Lebanon new government wins parliament confidence vote

Lebanon’s new government on Monday won a vote of confidence from parliament, putting an end to the 13-month political deadlock that has gripped the country.

Israel says captured two Palestinian inmates on the run

Israel said on Sunday it had recaptured the last two Palestinian prisoners who escaped from an Israeli maximum security prison more than 10 days ago.

Pakistan PM warns of any conflict between Iran-Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned about the consequences of a confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Biden admin to continue Trump-brokered Abraham Accords

The administration of Joe Biden will build on the “successful efforts” of its Donald Trump-led predecessor to encourage more countries to normalise ties with Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.

Latest news