US officials in Mideast to reassure jittery allies over Iran
There is growing unease in the region among US allies and partners that America's earnest re-engagement with Iran and other policy shifts in the region could destabilize the Middle East.
Middle East
Abbas declares state of emergency following elections' deferral
Hamas – the Gaza Strip-based terrorist group that would have faced off against Abbas's Fatah party – accused Abbas of perpetrating a "coup" against their partnership.
Syrian court names 2 obscure candidates to run against Assad
Opposition groups and Western countries view the May 26 Syrian presidential election as a farce to keep Bashar Assad in power indefinitely.
Iranian foreign minister apologizes for leaked comments
Zarif said in an Instagram post Sunday he hoped Soleimani's family would forgive him. “I hope that the great people of Iran and all the lovers of General (Soleimani) and especially the great family of Soleimani, will forgive me,” he said.
Iran announces prisoner deal with West, expected to receive $7B in frozen funds
An official quoted by Iranian state TV says a deal made between the US and Tehran involved a prisoner swap in exchange for the release of $7 billion in frozen Iranian funds. State department denies report.
COVID vaccination campaign underway in rebel-held Syria
Vaccines come amid a new surge of infections in the war-torn country, whose hospitals are already overwhelmed and oxygen supplies are dwindling after 10 years of war.
Injuries, explosions reported in Iranian chemical factory fire
Semiofficial news agency ISNA reports Qom fire chief saying that firefighters had kept the blaze away from the facility's alcohol tanks.
With Israel focused on Meron, Abbas postpones Palestinian elections
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh slams decision, says delaying the elections means cancelling them.
Abbas: Israel preventing Palestinian elections
In televised speech, Palestinian Authority president insinuates elections in the Palestinian territories to be called off. Lack of coalition government preventing Jerusalem from allowing Palestinian elections in east of city, he says.
US mulls major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal
As negotiations continue, American officials have become increasingly expansive about what they might be prepared to offer Iran, which has been driving a hard line on sanctions relief, demanding that all US penalties be removed.