Middle East

Iran, France Discuss Ways to Resolve Syria Crisis

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari and France’s Special Envoy for Syria Franck Gellet have held talks on the latest developments in the Arab country.

‘US Sees IRGC as Main Reason behind Its Regional Failure’

An Iranian general says Washington regards the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as the key contributor to US failures in the Middle East.

Iraqis Celebrate Recapture of Kirkuk from Kurds

The Iraqi central government forces have retaken the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk on Monday in an operation launched on Sunday in response to Kurdistan’s independence referendum.

Christian Snipers in Syria, Pain in the Neck for ISIS

A group of Assyrian forces is playing a key role in the Syrian troopers’ operation to retake the city of Raqqa, the self-proclaimed capital of ISIS in Syria.

Iraqi PM Appoints Arab Acting Governor for Kirkuk

Iraqi premier has reportedly appointed an Arab politician as the new acting governor of Kirkuk, which is the scene of conflict between Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmarga since the beginning of the central government’s operation to retake the oil-rich city.

‘Trump’s Remarks Only to Increase Popular Support for IRGC’

A senior advisor to Iran’s president says Trump’s comments will only increase the Iranian people’s support for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

Iraqi Forces Retake Kirkuk’s Biggest Military Base

Iraqi forces have taken full control of the largest airbase of Kirkuk, known as K1, after recapturing vast areas of the city from Kurds in an operation started on Sunday night.

Iraq’s Internal Divisions Impacting Global Oil Market

While Iran’s nuclear deal is grabbing the international headlines, oil market experts are mainly concerned with the internal divisions in Iraq, particularly the conflict over the secession of Iraqi Kurdistan as the main element which can influence the global oil prices.

Iran Dismisses Reports on Closing Land Border with Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran has denied reports that the country has closed its land border with the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region in response to last month’s independence referendum in the region.

Saudis Banned from Wearing Casual Outfit in Stadiums

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed new rules on sports fans, banning them from wearing casual clothes to games as such dress is 'inappropriate'.

Baghdad’s Deadline for Kurdistan Gov’t Coming to End

Iraqi central government in Baghdad has set a deadline for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces to leave and hand over the areas which had been under the control of the army before the ISIS attack.

‘US Creating New ISIS along Iran’s Borders’

A Middle East expert says during the past three years, the US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria has run with the hare and hunted with the hound to provide ISIS with new opportunities to continue its operation along borders of regional countries.

Shiite Cleric Hails Saudis’ Behaviour towards Iranian Hajj Pilgrims

A top Iranian Shiite cleric says Saudi Arabia has decided to adopt a different policy on Iran and this was evident in their recent behaviour towards Iranian Hajj pilgrims.

Iran Responds to Trump’s New Strategy

As the US president is expected to deliver a speech on Friday night and declare the country’s new strategy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, an informed source at the Iranian foreign ministry has outlined the main themes of Tehran’s response to Trump and his country’s new policies.

Ban on Kurdistan Airports Causing Daily Loss of $60,000

Baghdad’s ban on the arrival and departure of foreign flights at/from Kurdistan airports has reportedly caused a loss of 50 to 60 thousand dollars a day.

Russia Ready to Host Talks between Iran, Saudi Arabia

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister has announced that the country is prepared to mediate in normalising ties between regional arch-rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.

IRGC Popular in Baghdad, Erbil, Damascus, Beirut: Iran President

Iranian president has highlighted the role played by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in saving regional states from terrorism, saying the IRGC is now popular not only in Iran, but also in Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan region, Syria, and Lebanon.

Top Iranian, Egyptian Officials Discuss Bilateral, Regional Issues

A senior Iranian advisor has held a meeting with the head of the Egyptian Interest Section in Tehran.

Iran, Turkey to Use National Currencies in Bilateral Trade

Iran and Turkey have signed a draft agreement to carry out trade activities based on their own local currencies instead of traditional foreign currencies such as the euro and the dollar.

‘Iran Should Adopt Independent Policy towards Kurdish Secession’

An Iranian analyst says Tehran and Ankara cannot pursue a totally similar policy towards the issue of Iraqi Kurdistan, and Iran needs to adopt its own independent policy in this regard.

Iran Has Been Unfairly Maligned: FM Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in an article published in The Atlantic, has rejected the ‘myths’ about Iran’s aggression in the Middle East, and argued that his country has been unfairly maligned.

Is Barzani Ready for Conditional Suspension of Kurdish Referendum?

An Iraqi Vice President, after meeting with the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, has announced that he is ready to ignore the referendum results in return for the lifting of sanctions against Erbil.

‘Tehran Best Place for Talks between Baghdad, Erbil Officials’

A Kurdish Iranian parliamentarian says Tehran would be the best place for talks between the Iraqi government and authorities of the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Saudi Women Granted Right to Drive but Still Denied Individual Identity

The pace of reforms in Saudi Arabia has long been so slow that when the country’s king announced that women in the kingdom have been granted the right to drive, his statements grabbed the headlines across the globe. This comes as many rights activists say despite the latest reforms, the condition of women in Saudi Arabia is not acceptable yet.

US Problem with Iran Not Nuclear Program but Regional Influence: Hezbollah Chief

Secretary General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah Movement, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, says Washington’s main problem with Iran is not the country’s nuclear program but its regional role which thwarts the US plots in the Middle East.

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