Middle East

Iran's presidency announced the former chief of the Strategic Studies Center resigned and Ali Rabiei, who already serves as the cabinet spokesman, would replace him.

With tens of thousands of Turks infected with COVID daily, Ankara's puzzling regulations raise questions as to who exactly they seek to serve.

Citing risks, "irreparable damage," Turkey's Central Bank bans cryptocurrency payments. Interest in cryptocurrencies has boomed in Turkey, where double-digit inflation, tumbling lira make them an attractive alternative investment.

Palestinian leaders in both Fatah and Hamas appear to be in agreement that PA President Mahmoud Abbas will postpone the elections and officially pin the blame on Israel for not allowing the Arab residents of east Jerusalem to participate.

"This recording was published by those who are against Iran exactly at the time when we are making the best achievements in Vienna in order to sow discord in our country," Iranian president says in speech to cabinet.

The Navy says the USS Firebolt fired warning shots after three fast-attack IRGC vessels came within 68 yards of it and the US Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Baranoff in the Persian Gulf.

Saudi Arabia claims to have intercepted and destroyed the attack boat, but private security firms suggest commercial traffic near the port may have been hit in the assault.

Of the 36 parties running in the May 22 Palestinian parliamentary elections, 11 have images showing all of Israel replaced with "Palestine."

Iranian agents in 2020 sought to establish business contacts with German companies operating in the high-tech field while dodging US and international sanctions, says a German intelligence report obtained and published by the Washington Free Beacon.