As officials warn that military escalation is more likely than a diplomatic negotiation, U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News, 'With the amount of seapower and naval power over there, why haven't they come to us and said, "We profess we don't want a weapon, so here's what
Just as observers do not know what Trump will decide or when, in Iran too, working assumptions are mixed with speculation, with all scenarios considered. While a limited American strike might provoke a tit-for-tat response, it could also spark chaos across the Middle East
A Syrian prison warden screams at a group of chained, crouching inmates in a harrowing scene from one of several Ramadan television series this year that tackle the era of former ruler Bashar al-Assad. Talking about Syria's prisons and the torture, enforced disappearances and
Feb 22 (Reuters) - Australia's centre-left government on Sunday rejected a local media report that said it was working to repatriate Australians in a Syrian camp holding families of suspected Islamic State militants. The 34 women and children were released on Monday from the
By Feras Dalatey Feb 22 - Islamic State claimed responsibility on Saturday for two attacks targeting Syrian army personnel in northern and eastern Syria, as the militant group signaled what it described as a new phase of operations against the country’s leadership. The militant
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Saturday that FIFA's support of an investment programme in Gaza was "in keeping with the role" of an international federation. IOC president Kirsty Coventry said on Friday she was unaware that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had
By Andrea Mandala MILAN, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Italy's state broadcaster RAI was forced to apologise to the Jewish community on Saturday after an off‑air remark advising its producers to "avoid" the Israeli crew was broadcast before coverage of the Four-Man bobsleigh event at the
University students protested against the government on the first day of classes, as Iranian President Pezeshkian vowed not to concede to U.S. demands and officials anticipate another U.S. strike on Iran
DUBAI, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Students held protests at several Iranian universities at the start of a new semester on Saturday, some clashing with pro-government groups, according to local news agencies and posts on social media. The protests coincided with ceremonies
Tehran resident Hamid struggles to sleep as fears of renewed conflict haunt the Iranian capital after last year's 12-day war with Israel. "I don't sleep well at night even while taking pills," Hamid told AFP, as he expressed concern for his "family's health... my kids and
Libyans have been enjoying Ramadan with feasts and fireworks -- but soaring prices, a devalued currency and political divisions have left many with little to celebrate. Fifteen years on from the fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, the country remains split between east and
Iranian students chanted anti-government slogans and scuffled with counter-protesters on Saturday in the latest display of anger at the country's clerical leaders, who also face a US military build-up aimed at pressuring them into a nuclear deal. The gatherings at universities,
Hezbollah warned Saturday that it would have no choice but to fight on after an Israeli strike on targets in Lebanon killed eight of its operatives. Lebanon's government has vowed to disarm Hezbollah, but Israel insists it retains the right to defend itself by striking the
"Yellow Letters", directed by German filmmaker Ilker Catak, won the Berlin Film Festival's Golden Bear for best film Saturday, at a ceremony reflecting the controversy over Gaza that has dogged this year's edition. Some award winners spoke out in favour of the Palestinian
"Yellow Letters", directed by German filmmaker Ilker Catak, won the Golden Bear for best film at the Berlin Film Festival on Saturday in a ceremony reflecting the controversy over Gaza which has dogged this year's edition of the event. A political drama, Catak's film tells the
The 76th Berlin Film Festival draws to a close on Saturday after 10 days of what its director called "stormy seas" unleashed by a controversy over the war in Gaza, which often overshadowed discussion of the 22 films in competition. The row erupted at the beginning of the
Feb 21 (Reuters) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that his country would not bow its head to pressure from world powers amid nuclear talks with the United States. "World powers are lining up to force us to bow our heads... but we will not bow our heads
Feb 20 (Reuters) - At least 10 people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Friday, two security sources told Reuters, after the Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in the Baalbek area. The strikes are among the deadliest
Two Israeli officials told Reuters they believe the gaps between Washington and Tehran are unbridgeable and that the chances of a near‑term military escalation are high. 'Both sides are sticking to their guns,' said Alan Eyre, a former U.S. diplomat and Iran specialist
By Kuba Stezycki and Ali Kucukgocmen WARSAW/ISTANBUL, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Maryna Bondarenko says she has three suitcases packed in her apartment in Poland, waiting for the day when peace returns to Ukraine. The 51-year-old journalist fled Kyiv with her son and mother after