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US sanctions on Iran: An instrument for regime change

The second round of U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector -- the country's main source of income -- came into force this week, which could have the effect of reducing Iran's crude oil exports. Some observers fear the move could lead to rising living costs and push a...

Jewish settlers damage Palestinian property in W. Bank

Jewish settlers on Friday morning vandalized Palestinian buildings and vehicles in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Salfit, according to a Palestinian activist. Activist Wissam al-Dik told Anadolu Agency that a group of settlers had entered the city’s Kafr al-Dik district at...

Iran blames US for crimes against humanity in Yemen

On Oct. 30, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for the cessation of hostilities in Yemen. He said in a statement that missile and drone strikes by Iran-allied Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should stop and air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition must cease...

German shipyard suspends production after Saudi export ban

German shipbuilder Luerssen has suspended production of coastguard vessels it was building for Saudi Arabia and placed large numbers of staff on short hours, blaming uncertainty over whether Berlin would grant future weapons export licences. After dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi...

Syrians will decide on their leader: Turkish deputy

If Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad heads a post-civil war Syria, Syrians who are refugees in other countries will not be able to return, according to a leading Turkish parliamentarian. "Of course, the Syrian people will make the main decision on who will replace Assad," Volkan...

Turkish president to meet Qatari emir in Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Friday, the presidential press office said Thursday. The two leaders will discuss bilateral relations and regional issues during the meeting in Turkey, according to a statement from the...

US waivers not enough, painful time ahead: Iran oil minister

Iran's oil minister predicts a painful time for international oil customers as U.S. sanctions take hold, saying waivers Washington granted to eight major oil-importing countries are not enough for market demands. Iranian state TV Thursday quoted the minster, Bijan Zanganeh, as saying he...

Israel approves 640 new settler units in East Jerusalem

The Israeli authorities on Wednesday approved construction of hundreds of new Jewish-only housing units in occupied East Jerusalem, according to Israeli media reports. "Jerusalem’s district committee has approved the construction of 640 new housing units in the Ramat Shlomo...

Sisi pledges Egypt's military support if Gulf 'threatened'

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has pledged military support for Gulf Arab states if their security comes under threat, the state daily Al-Ahram reported Wednesday. "If the security of the Gulf is directly threatened, Egypt will mobilize its forces to support its brothers," Sisi...

Turkey sees US offer of rewards for information on PKK members positively

Turkey takes a positive view of a U.S. move to offer rewards for information on three members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the foreign ministry said Wednesday, adding it expected to see concrete steps in the fight against the militia. The United States offered the...

Qatar announces aid for Gaza amid Israel truce talks

Qatar has announced it will provide temporary support to 50,000 impoverished Gaza families as mediators attempt to broker a truce between Hamas and Israel. The Gulf state will provide $100 each to 50,000 poor families in the "next few days," a statement from Qatar's Gaza Reconstruction...

Israeli minister in Oman to push for rail link with Gulf

An Israeli minister has traveled to Oman to propose plans for a railway linking the Gulf to the Mediterranean via the Jewish state at a world transport summit Wednesday, his office said. Transport and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, who reportedly arrived in Muscat on Sunday, is to...

Iran's Zarif takes to YouTube against 'unlawful' US sanctions

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to YouTube Tuesday to dismiss U.S. sanctions and Washington's demands of change from Tehran as "absurd, unlawful and fundamentally flawed." "The U.S. administration appears to believe that imposing draconian sanctions on Iran will bring...

UN: Over 200 mass graves of Daesh victims found in Iraq

More than 200 mass graves containing the remains of thousands of victims have been discovered in areas formerly controlled by Daesh terrorist group in Iraq, according to a UN report on Tuesday. "The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN Human Rights Office have documented...

Israeli police shoot Palestinian girl in Jerusalem

A Palestinian girl was shot in an alleged stabbing attempt in the occupied city of East Jerusalem on Tuesday, according to Israeli police. Police said a girl carrying a knife had attempted to stab civilians and soldiers near a police station in Jerusalem. “Police border police...

Israel lawmakers to debate death penalty for Palestinians

Israel's parliament will renew debate next week on a bill that would make it easier to sentence Palestinian attackers to death, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday while vowing to have it passed. "After over three years of a stubborn struggle, the death penalty for...

Iran able to sell as much oil as it needs despite US pressure: vice president

Iran has been able to sell as much oil as it needs despite U.S. pressure, Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri was quoted as saying Tuesday. The United States Monday restored sanctions targeting Iran’s oil, banking and transport sectors and threatened more action to stop what...

Swiss talk with US, Iran about humanitarian payment channel for food, drugs

Switzerland is holding talks with the United States and Iran about launching a humanitarian payment channel to help ensure food and drugs keep flowing to the Islamic Republic as Washington re-imposes economic sanctions, the government said. "Switzerland is committed to safeguarding...