Obama ramps up on Syria

The US president is giving new priority to the threat from terrorists in Syria, while calling for increased military support for opposition forces.

Syria

Rouhani mocks his critics, reactionary clerics

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani mocked critics who have publicly reprimanded him for saying that “heaven cannot be forced” onto people, comparing other clerics to the reactionary clerics who were once opposed to private showers and daylight savings on the grounds that it would harm religion.

Iran

Israel launches all-out war against corruption

This week, Israeli police finally raided the Ashdod Port, targeting the members of the trade union, perceived by many as a symbol of corruption and nepotism.

Israel

Saudi king’s sons well-placed for transition

King Abdullah’s sons hold key positions of influence in the government as the kingdom transitions to the next generation of Saudi royals.

Saudi Arabia

Government losing control over veiling, says Khamenei adviser

Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, also a member of the Iranian Parliament, believes that the government needs a united front to address the issue of veiling and recommended subsidies for factories that produce veils.

Iran

Iran official: Revealing extent of corruption could cause 'social shock'

Gholamali Jafarzadeh has said that details of the Iranian Parliament's investigation into Ahmadinejad-era corruption would cause a "social shock" and harm the government if it is made public.

Iran

Iran prosecutor denies summoning Facebook founder

The news, now denied, that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was summoned by an Iranian court in response to privacy complaints originated from a Basij official and an Iranian court.

Iran

Rouhani under fire for saying heaven can’t be forced

Influential Iranian conservative Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami has criticized President Hassan Rouhani for saying that people cannot be taken "to heaven through force and a whip."

Iran

Mofaz: 'Strategic situation worse' on Iran

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz argues that US over-involvement in Israeli-Palestinian talks only alienated both sides, and the only feasible solution is a two-stage agreement with the Palestinians, even while talking with Hamas.

Palestine

Iran businessman hanged for embezzlement

Iran has executed businessman Mehafarid Amri-Khosravi for crimes connected to a $2.7 billion embezzlement scheme, Iran's largest-ever embezzlement case.

Iran

US, Iran cannot afford another missed opportunity

In his new book, Seyed Hossein Mousavian recounts new details of how the chances for US-Iran engagement after 9/11 and the 2003-2005 nuclear negotiations were wasted, at great cost.

Iran

Iran nuclear talks hit snag over sanctions

Lifting US sanctions, as called for in the Joint Plan of Action, would eventually require dealing with Hezbollah.

Lebanon