Moscow and Minsk agree on deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

Moscow and Minsk have signed a deal on deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, that's according to the statements from both countries’ defense ministries.

Report: Iran and Egypt to exchange ambassadors in 2023

Tehran and Cairo are expected to exchange envoys within months, as part of a process mediated by Oman to normalise relations between the two regional powers, Egyptian officials told The National.

Zelensky to Iran: Why supporting Russia?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Iran to reconsider what he called its supply of combat drones to Russia in order to stop their slide into “the dark side of history”. Tehran has emphatically rejected Kiev's allegations, stressing it has not sold any weapons and drones to be used in the war against Ukraine.

OIC urges action against Israeli violations at al-Aqsa Mosque

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has reaffirmed Palestine’s right to sovereignty over al-Quds, home to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, calling on the international community to force Israel to end its violations in the occupied city.

Pakistan says considering banning Imran Khan’s party

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Islamabad is considering banning former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party for attacking the state,  a decision likely to enrage his supporters and exacerbate his confrontation with the military establishment.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt looking to purchase Chinese weapons

Beijing is reportedly in talks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt to sell the two Arab states a variety of new arms, including the Chengdu J-10C, the fighter jet that forms the backbone of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

President Raisi says Iran seeking cooperation with emerging Asian powers

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has stated that Tehran pursues the policy of economic convergence and multilateralism, while seeking comprehensive and balanced collaboration with the new emerging powers in the Asia region.

Russia denies fire broke out at defense ministry building in Moscow

Russia has rejected reports saying that there was a fire at the Ministry of Defense building, according to state news agency TASS on Thursday.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 456: Ukraine says Wagner withdrawing troops from Bakhmut

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Oman’s sultan due in Iran on Sunday

Heading a high-ranking official delegation, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said will visit Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit, according to a statement issued by the Diwan of Royal Court on Wednesday.

Ayatollah Khamenei applauds Iranian parliament for adopting strategic nuclear act

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has stated that the Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions which was approved by the Iranian Parliament in late 2020 has saved the country from uncertainty regarding the nuclear issue.

China and Russia should upgrade economic, trade and investment cooperation: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that Beijing and Moscow should increase the level of economic, trade and investment cooperation, according to the Chinese state media reports.

Iran defense minister rejects reports on joint warship production with Russia

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani dismissed “baseless” media reports about Tehran's joint production of warships with Moscow. Meantime, he did not rule out cooperation in the research process to that end.

Russia predicts trade with China to hit record $200 billion

Trade between Moscow and Beijing is expected to hit a new record level of $200 billion this year, said Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during a trip to China. The remarks came as Moscow faces growing isolation from the West over the Ukraine war.

Massive rallies held against Israeli PM’s plan to ‘loot’ public money

Thousands of Israeli settlers rallied in the occupied city of al-Quds to protest against the government’s 2023-2024 state budget. Ahead of the budget votes beginning late Tuesday and continuing on Wednesday, the drum-beating protesters marched to the parliament, accusing the ruling coalition of "looting" the state's money.

Iran-Saudi rapprochement to have positive effects on Palestine: Islamic Jihad leader

Secretary General of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement has lauded the recent agreement between Tehran and Riyadh on the revival of ties. Ziad al-Nakhala added the deal has restored normality to the region and will have positive effects on the Palestinian cause.

Houthi chief: Saudi Arabia can ensure peace for itself by stopping hostilities against Yemen

Leader of Yemen's Houthi movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi says Saudi Arabia can only secure peace for itself by stopping its hostilities against Yemen and lifting a blockade that it has been exercising alongside its allies against the war-torn country.

Russian court extends WSJ reporter’s detention by 3 months

The Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow has extended the pre-trial detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich for three months to August 30, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported citing the court.

Report: UK special forces operated secretly in several countries, including Iraq, Yemen

Britain's special forces have carried out secret operations in 19 countries over the past 12 years, according to a report. Eleven out of the 19 target countries were Muslim nations.

Turkey disbands Mossad cell spying on people linked to Iran

Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) announced that it has dismantled an Israeli Mossad cell and arrested 11 agents found to be gathering intelligence on individuals with trade ties to Tehran.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 455

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Germany issues arrest warrant for Lebanon’s central bank governor

Germany's public prosecutor has informed the Lebanese judiciary of an arrest warrant for Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh. It comes after French prosecutors issued a similar warrant for Salameh.

Sourse says no progress in Saudi-Israel détente

A foreign diplomatic source says that there has been no progress in the normalization of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv, as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has rejected a request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting.

Turkey says preparing plan for return of Syrian refugees home

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Ankara is preparing a plan to make Syrian refugees return home. Around 3.5 million refugees from the Middle Eastern country reportedly live in Turkey.

Russian PM in China for business forum, talks with President Xi

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has arrived in China on an official visit during which he will meet President Xi Jinping and sign a series of deals on infrastructure and trade.

Latest news