Iran’s leaders have invited their regional rival Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdelaziz for an official visit. The move, which is part of a rapprochement between the two countries, was announced by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani in Tehran…
Iran, Saudi Arabia take a step closer to repairing ties
Saudi Arabia and Iran’s foreign ministers have met in Beijing for the first formal gathering since China brokered a deal to restore relations between the top regional powers last month. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and…
Israeli military suspects Hezbollah was behind road blast that left 1 injured
An explosion in which one person was injured in northern Israel on Monday was probably the work of Lebanese political and militant group Hezbollah, say Israeli forces. The attacker — who was armed with explosives — was shot dead near…
Salman Rushdie speaks out after stabbing saying it was ”very difficult” to write again
British author Salman Rushdie said he finds it “very difficult” to write after being stabbed last year, in an interview published on Monday ahead of the release of his new novel “Victory City.” Rushdie, whose “epic tale” of a 14th-century…
Iranian film director Jafar Panahi goes on hunger strike
Iran’s courts voided the dissident director’s sentence last week, but Jafar Panahi is being kept incarcerated in the notoriously harsh Evin prison. “I firmly declare that in protest against the illegal and inhumane behavior of the judicial and security apparatus…
Iran dancing couple given 10-year jail sentence
An Iranian couple in their 20s have been given jail sentences totalling 10 years after posting a video of themselves dancing in the street. They were reportedly convicted for promoting corruption, prostitution and propaganda. The video showed them dancing by…
Iran ‘foils drone attack’ on military facility in Isfahan
The Iranian defence ministry says it has foiled a drone attack on a military facility in the city of Isfahan. The ministry said three drones were involved but there were no casualties. One drone was destroyed by air defence systems…
3 female journalists arrested in Iran amid protests
Iranian authorities have arrested three female journalists in the past two days, local media said Monday, amid months of protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. Iran has been gripped by protests since the Sept. 16 death…
Iranian man who beheaded 17-year-old wife jailed for 8 years
A man who beheaded his 17-year-old wife has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran, the judiciary says. Images of Sajjad Heydari carrying Mona’s severed head in Ahvaz after the so-called “honour killing” last year caused widespread outrage.…
Iran executes British-Iranian ex-politician, Alireza Akbari
Iran executed former British-Iranian top politician Alireza Akbari over espionage charges on Saturday, the Misan judicial website announced. Iran had sentenced the former top politician to death earlier in the week. Akbari, his wife and his brother had vehemently denied…