Headlines

Azmoun: Iran's absent talisman unafraid of controversy

Sardar Azmoun is Iran's third top scorer in history with a successful club career behind him but is set to miss out on the 2026 World Cup in an exclusion shadowed by political controversy. Azmoun, 31, is not part of the Iranian squad that has been preparing in Turkey for the

US, Iran near deal but Trump sign-off awaited

The United States and Iran closed in on a framework for a ceasefire extension detail Thursday but President Donald Trump has yet to approve any agreement, US officials said. US sources told AFP earlier that the two sides had reached agreement on a memorandum of understanding

US, Iran agree deal but need Trump approval: sources

US and Iranian negotiators have agreed on a framework for a 60-day ceasefire extension deal but it still needs President Donald Trump's approval, US sources told AFP on Thursday. The sources confirmed a report by the Axios news outlet that the two sides had reached agreement on

Israeli strike near Beirut as Lebanon says raids kill 14

Israel's military said it launched an airstrike in the Beirut area Thursday as a Lebanese source said an apartment was hit, the second such raid since an April ceasefire announcement. The escalation comes as Lebanon and Israel prepare for talks between military delegations at

Israel strikes near Beirut, widening Lebanon offensive

Israel pounded south Lebanon and struck the Beirut area on Thursday, widening its offensive with the first strike near the country's capital in weeks despite a fragile ceasefire. A Lebanese military source said an apartment south of Beirut was hit in the second such raid since