US rejected offer as ‘not seeking dialogue’: Iran

Iran said yesterday the US had rejected an offer from Tehran for more robust nuclear inspections in exchange for lifting sanctions because Washington is “not seeking dialogue”.
29 July 2019

Afghan candidate hurt as Kabul blast kills two

A powerful explosion hit central Kabul yesterday, wounding Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s running mate in the upcoming election and killing at least two others, officials said. At least 25 civilians were injured in the blast that occurred on a road near the private Ghalib
28 July 2019

Five doctors killed in Libya air raid: ministry

Five doctors were killed in an air strike by forces of Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar on a field hospital near the capital, the health ministry of the UN-recognised government said. Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive in April to try to wrest Tripoli from
28 July 2019

Iran slams Britain’s bid as ‘provocative’

Iran yesterday slammed as “provocative” a British proposal for a European-led naval mission to escort tankers in the Gulf, amid soaring tensions over the seizure of ships.
28 July 2019

Air strikes kill 15 civilians in northwest Syria: monitor

Regime and Russian air strikes yesterday killed 15 civilians, more than half of them children, in northwestern Syria where ramped up
27 July 2019

103 civilians killed in 10 days

Air strikes by the Syrian government and its allies on schools, hospitals, markets and bakeries have killed at least 103 civilians in the past 10 days, including 26 children, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement yesterday.
26 July 2019

Pompeo ready for Iran visit ‘if needed’

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday he was willing to go to Iran for talks amid tensions between Tehran and Washington, but also called on Japan, Britain and other nations to join a maritime force to guard oil tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
26 July 2019

UAE jails Filipino for 10 yrs for joining IS

A man from the Philippines has been sentenced to 10 years in jail in the United Arab Emirates for being a member of Islamic State and promoting its ideology on social media, Emirati media reported yesterday. State news agency WAM identified the defendant as a 35-year-
25 July 2019

116 missing off Libyan coast

At least 116 migrants are missing and another 132 were rescued by Libyan coast guards and local fishermen after a wooden boat capsized off Libya, Libyan navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem said yesterday.
25 July 2019

Trump vetoes measures blocking arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed three congressional resolutions barring billions of dollars in weapons sales to countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are engaged in a devastating war in Yemen.
25 July 2019

US blocks UN rebuke of Israel

The US on Wednesday blocked an attempt by Kuwait, Indonesia and South Africa to get the UN Security Council to condemn Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes on the outskirts of Jerusalem, diplomats said.
25 July 2019

Make-or-break moment?

Iran’s seizure and continued detention of a UK-flagged tanker deals Boris Johnson an immediate loyalty test: Britain’s new prime minister may have to choose between Gulf escorts led by Europe or by the United States.
25 July 2019

Israel fires missiles into south Syria

An Israeli missile attack targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early yesterday, Syria’s state news agency said.
24 July 2019

Israeli acts amount to ‘war crime’

Amnesty International yesterday slammed Israeli authorities for the mass demolition of Palestinian homes in Sur Baher, and urged the international community to take action.
23 July 2019

Angry Kabul seeks clarification

Afghanistan yesterday called for an explanation of comments by US President Donald Trump in which he said he could win the Afghan war in just 10 days by wiping out Afghanistan but did not want to kill 10 million people.
23 July 2019

Iran to meet nuke deal parties on Sunday

Iran said it will attend a meeting in Vienna on Sunday of diplomats from countries still party to the 2015 nuclear deal, as they try to salvage the landmark agreement. The meeting would be held at the level of deputy ministers and political directors, it said in an English-
23 July 2019

Pak intelligence led CIA to bin Laden: Imran Khan

Pakistan’s main spy agency provided the US with a lead that helped them find and kill al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday.
23 July 2019

A ‘dangerous plot’

Iran’s supreme leader said yesterday that a US plan to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians through development fuelled by international investment was a “dangerous plot” to destroy Palestinian identity with money.
22 July 2019

Britain calls ship seizure 'hostile act' as Iran releases video of capture

Britain denounces Iran's seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf as a "hostile act" and rejects Tehran's explanation that it seized the vessel because it had been involved in an accident.
21 July 2019

Saudi king approves hosting US troops to tackle regional threat

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved hosting US forces in the country to boost regional security and stability, the state news agency
20 July 2019