Persian Gulf nations try to devise ways to protect vessels sailing through strategic Strait of Hormuz in wake for rising tensions in the area. US sees European maritime security effort in Gulf as "complementary"
"We need to reach an agreement regarding the safe zone as soon as possible because we have no patience left," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu says. US Embassy in Ankara: Both sides committed to accelerating progress on the Manbij roadmap.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: Iran will use its best efforts to secure the region, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, and will not allow any disturbance in shipping in this sensitive area. Almost a fifth of the oil consumed globally passes through the strategic waterway in the Gulf.
Iraq declared victory against ISIS in 2017, but the extremists have continued to carry out attacks, including ambushes and kidnappings. Dragnet is part of operation called "Will to Victory."
Amnesty International says activists recently released from prison must spend every night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at their local police stations or risk new charges and possible re-imprisonment.
Commander of Iranian navy tells local media Iran is watching all enemy ships in the Persian Gulf "at every moment."
As tensions rise along one of the world's most strategically important waterways, US seeks to promote multinational security initiative to protect commercial vessels. Ships are asked to register with UK Marine Trade Operations so naval forces can come to their aid.
Meeting with Hamas delegation in Tehran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows to continue backing Palestinian terrorist group's goals. Khamenei denounces President Donald Trump’s peace plan, calling it a dangerous conspiracy.
Turkey, US holding talks to build buffer zone across Turkey's border with northeast Syria, where the US supports the Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara sees as a terrorist organization.
Reporters from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Egypt to meet Israeli officials, visit Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum, Knesset, Jerusalem's holy sites on trip.
