Middle East

French court upholds arrest warrant for Syria’s Assad

A Paris appeals court has upheld an arrest warrant issued for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over alleged complicity in war crimes committed during the foreign-imposed war in the Arab country, according to lawyers.

Canadian university sues  own students over encampment for Gaza

The University of Waterloo in Canada has filed a lawsuit against its students for continuing pro-Palestine encampment, urging the university to disclose and divest from Israel amid the war in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Over 60 percent of Europeans support suspending free trade with Israel: Poll

61 percent of people in Europe believe the European Union should suspend free trade with Israel enabled by the EU-Israel Association Agreement and uphold human rights, a survey released by corporate watchdog Eko showed.

Iran says unconditional withdrawal of US forces necessary for Syria’s peace

Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has stated the full and unconditional exit of US troops from Syria is necessary for the Arab nation’s stability and security, arguing that Washington continues to support terrorist groups instead of fighting terrorism.

Pentagon chief urges diplomacy to avoid Israel-Hezbollah war

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has stressed that a diplomatic solution is needed to avoid a costly war between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

US sanctions dozens of people, entities claimed to be linked to Iran military

The United States has imposed a raft of new sanctions on nearly 50 entities, companies, and people that it claims have been helping the Iranian military transfer billions of dollars between various states.

Russia expects to sign new co-operation pact with Iran in ‘very near future’

Moscow expects to sign a new agreement on comprehensive cooperation with Tehran "in the very near future", Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Russia's RIA state news agency in an interview.

US urges Israel to avoid Lebanon ‘escalation’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Tel Aviv to avoid further escalation in Lebanon during a meeting with Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant as they discussed efforts to reach a deal to free captives in the Gaza Strip.

Saudi Arabia says over 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died in extreme heat

Riyadh has confirmed that more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage which took place during intense heat, and that most of the deceased did not have official permits.

Iran, Bahrain agree to initiate rapprochement talks

Iran and Bahrain have agreed to start negotiations to explore ways of resuming bilateral diplomatic ties.

Biden admin. fears Netanyahu’s visit: Report

The White House is reportedly getting increasingly concerned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could use his upcoming speech at the US Congress to publicly criticize US President Joe Biden and his administration’s response to Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.

Egypt revokes licenses for several tourist agencies following Hajj deaths

Egypt has revoked the licenses of 16 tourist agencies due to "fraud" following the deaths of over 1,000 people at the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Prosecution may follow.

US offers assurances to Israel in the event of full-blown war with Lebanon

Senior American officials have reassured a delegation of top Israeli officials visiting Washington this week that if a full-out war were to break out on the northern border between Israel and Hezbollah, the United States is fully prepared to back its ally, according to a senior administration official.

Senior US official resigns amid Gaza war

A senior official at the US State Department, who served as deputy assistant for Israeli-Palestinian affairs, has announced his resignation from his post, citing family obligations, according to a report by the Washington Post.

UK arms exporters warned of criminal liability over weapons sales to Israel

Campaigners have written to the directors of 20 British arms companies, warning them of potential criminal liability for failing to prevent war crimes if they continue weapons sales to Israel.

Iran’s UN mission says Israel will be the ‘ultimate loser’ in war with Lebanon

Iran has stressed that Hezbollah is capable of defending itself and Lebanon, warning Israel that it would be the “ultimate loser” in an all-out war with the armed group.

Armenia says recognised Palestinian statehood

Yerevan has officially recognised a Palestinian state, the Armenian foreign ministry has announced, the latest country to do so despite opposition from Israel.

Iran interim FM: Israel will sink in quagmire of its crimes

Iran’s acting foreign minister has warned the Israeli regime will perish in the quagmire of its own crimes if it does not stop the months-long genocidal campaign against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

US says killed senior Daesh element in Syria strike

The United States has killed a senior Daesh official during a strike in Syria, according to the US military.

Hundreds of Hajj pilgrims die of extreme heat

Hundreds of Hajj pilgrims have died during the annual Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca in Saudi Arabia amid scorching heat, according to press reports and diplomats.

Biden admin. cancels meeting with Israel officials over Iran

The White House has canceled a high-level US-Israel meeting on Iran that was scheduled for Thursday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video claiming Washington was withholding military aid, two American officials have told Axios.

Netanyahu claims Blinken made secret arms promise to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed to have pressured the United States over weapons supplies that Tel Aviv needs in its war with the Palestinian group Hamas.

US selling dozens of F-15s to Israel amid Gaza war

Two key Democrats in the US Congress have agreed to approve a major arms sale to Israel, including 50 F-15 fighter jets worth more than $18 billion amid pressure from the administration of US President Joe Biden, according to a report.

Iran calls on Muslim states to use all available tools to stop Gaza war

Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri has urged the Islamic countries to use all available tools to stop Israel's war on the Gaza Strip which has so far claimed the lives of more than 37,000, mainly children and women.

US imposes sanction on Israeli group for attacking Gaza aid convoys

The United States has put sanctions on a “violent extremist” Israeli group for blocking and damaging humanitarian aid convoys to the Gaza Strip as the risk of famine increases in the besieged Palestinian territory.

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