Iraqis began casting ballots on Tuesday in parliamentary elections to choose a new 329-member legislature, state television reported, with nationwide polling set to close at 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT).
The United States has prolonged the suspension of a broad package of sanctions on Syria for another 180 days as President Donald Trump met with the Syrian interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the White House on Monday.
Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh has said that the country’s defense production has improved in both quantity and quality compared to the period before the 12-day war.
Israel continues to commit genocide against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip as an average of eight Palestinians have been killed daily since the ceasefire became effective last month, a Geneva-based rights monitor group announced Monday.
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said that efforts were made to ensure no student was left behind amid the recent exit of foreign nationals, mainly Afghan citizens, who have increasingly come to Iran, especially after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
Syria has foiled two separate Islamic State plots to assassinate President Ahmed al-Sharaa, two senior officials has said, adding a personal dimension to his plans to join a U.S.-led coalition to fight the terror group that he has long battled.
The death toll from Israeli air attacks on Lebanon has exceeded 300 since late November 2024 when a ceasefire accord was signed, Labanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine has stated.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that US President Donald Trump’s admission of involvement in the Israeli regime’s military aggression against Iran is a crime that has been officially documented and recorded at the United Nations.
Former American President Joe Biden reviewed intelligence indicating that Israeli officials were aware their actions in the Gaza Strip might violate US and international law, yet he denied recommendations from his advisers to reduce US involvement, HuffPost has reported, citing former US officials.
EU members Bulgaria and Romania have been working to save refineries owned by Russian oil giant Lukoil following US sanctions on the company, Politico has reported. Lukoil controls Bulgaria’s largest refinery, Neftochim Burgas, and Romania’s Petrotel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told a US Treasury delegation on Sunday that Beirut is strictly enforcing measures to prevent money laundering, smuggling, or the use of funds for terror financing.
Iran has outlined a “maritime deterrence red line” in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, emphasizing that its expanding naval missile systems are central to safeguarding national security and countering extra-regional threats.
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization has announced a major counterintelligence success, apprehending the leader of a hacking group known as "Backdoor".
The White House has claimed that nearly 15,000 trucks carrying commercial goods and humanitarian aid have entered Gaza since October 10, but Palestinians and aid groups have sharply disputed the figures.
The US government shutdown has delayed more than $5 billion in arms exports to European NATO members and subsequent transfers to Ukraine, Axios has reported.
Ukrainian aerial attacks on energy infrastructure have left more than 20,000 people without power in several Russian border regions, local authorities announced.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said that a real and balanced approach from Washington could open the path to renewed agreements, stressing that Iran remains committed to protecting its national interests.
The United Kingdom played a behind-the-scenes role in driving anti-Iran positions at the 21st Manama Dialogue Conference in Bahrain, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser on international affairs to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has stated.
Power will be cut for between eight and 16 hours across most regions of Ukraine on Sunday, state transmission system operator Ukrenergo has announced, after Russian raids targeting energy infrastructure reduced the country’s generating capacity to “zero”.
Iran is experiencing one of the most severe drought periods in the last five decades, the head of the National Center for Climate and Drought Crisis Management said, warning that major cities are under growing pressure due to water shortages.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been talking up the prospects of Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalise ties with Israel, but it is unlikely to happen when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Washington this month.
