(AP) — The hard-line cleric in charge of Iran's judiciary who also took part in a panel involved in the mass execution of thousands of prisoners in 1988 registered Saturday to run for the country's presidency. Ebrahim Raisi has been named as a possible successor to Iran’s 82-year-old...

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that his country is ready for closer ties with its regional rival Saudi Arabia, adding that he hoped recent talks between the two sides would lead to greater stability in the region. Mohammad Javad Zarif was speaking in...

Syria has freed more than 400 civil servants, judges, lawyers and journalists detained this year in a crackdown on social media dissent, a move seen by rights activists and former detainees as intended to win over public opinion ahead of presidential elections. Those released after...

  The head of the Higher Constitutional Court Jihad al-Laham announced Monday that the approved presidential candidates can start their election campaigns as of May 16. Speaking to reporters, al-Laham said the campaigns will start on May 16 until May 24. "The court reminds...