Netanyahu rules out creation of Palestinian state
Israel will not allow the creation of a Palestinian state, since its true purpose is the destruction of “the one and only Jewish state,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
Mediators Egypt, Qatar, others ‘concerned’ about Israel opening one-way Gaza exit
Gaza mediators Egypt and Qatar and six other Muslim-majority countries said on Friday they were concerned about Israel stating it would open a one-way crossing for Palestinians to exit the Strip.
Lebanon, Israel hold first direct talks in decades: source to AFP
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks Wednesday in decades, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with militant group Hezbollah, a source close to the talks told AFP.
Iran Re-Edits Its Revolution
A new quiet resistance is emerging, one that honors lives over slogans and truth over heroism, as Iranians increasingly refuse to participate in the state’s staged remembrance.
Why Iran Missed Out on Central Asian Connectivity
Iran’s geographic advantage has been offset by sanctions, regulatory instability, and logistics concerns, leading Central Asian states to quietly pivot toward more predictable trade networks.
Exclusive: Saudi Arabia to open more alcohol stores as curbs ease
Saudi Arabia plans to open two new alcohol stores, including one serving non-Muslim, foreign staff at state oil giant Aramco, as the kingdom further eases restrictions, according to people briefed on the plans.
Iran publicly executes man convicted of rape
Iran on Tuesday publicly executed a man after convicting him of raping two women in the northern province of Semnan, the judiciary said.
Iranian spy chief accuses US and Israel of plotting to assassinate Khamenei – media
Iran’s intelligence chief has accused the US and Israel of plotting to kill Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an effort to destabilize the country, the ISNA news agency has reported.
Israeli military sacks several generals over October 7 attack
Israel's military announced the dismissal of three generals and disciplinary actions against several other senior officers over their failure to prevent the October 2023 assault by Hamas, the deadliest attack in the country's history.
UN endorses Trump-backed ‘stabilization force’ in Gaza
The UN Security Council has adopted a US-drafted resolution endorsing a Gaza peace plan and authorizing an ‘International Stabilization Force’ in the enclave.
Women riding the streets of Tehran on motorbikes is the latest sign of Iran’s societal change
When Merat Behnam first gathered enough courage to ride her yellow scooter through the gridlocked streets of Iran ‘s capital to the coffee shop she runs, traffic wasn’t her main worry.
Saudi belly dancers break taboos behind closed doors
In a fitness studio in Saudi Arabia, dozens of women sway to Arabic music as they practise belly dancing -- an activity that many feel compelled to keep secret.
