'A terrorist in a suit': Syrian leader's evasive answers spark backlash
Al-Sharaa's responses to Fox anchor about his al-Qaida past draw social media criticism following his meeting with President Trump.
Middle East
C130 Turkish air force plane crashes; 20 missing
Radar lost shortly after plane entered Georgian airspace; no emergency signal transmitted before crash. Regional cooperation mobilized as Turkish, Georgian, and Azerbaijani authorities launch coordinated rescue operations.
Round 3? Iran reportedly preparing 2,000-missile strike against Israel
Tehran works around the clock on massive barrage as regional sources warn another war round is inevitable.
Tehran on the brink as officials warn of catastrophic water shortages
The head of Iran’s Water Industry Federation says most of Tehran’s reservoirs are empty or nearly depleted and criticizes President Pezeshkian for reacting too late to a looming ecological disaster.
US planning secret Damascus airfield toward historic Israel-Syria deal
A US official tells Reuters Washington is “regularly reviewing” the military presence needed in Syria to fight ISIS and support a bilateral agreement.
Iran's FM boasts of expanded missile arsenal following war
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi boasted that the Islamic Republic now possesses more ballistic missiles than it did during Operation Rising Lion, the 12-day war with Israel that took place in June.
Israeli captive breaks silence on 903 days of torture in Iraq
Elizabeth Tsurkov details brutal treatment by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in first interview since September release secured through Trump administration pressure.
Iran frees French nationals who 'spied' for Israel
Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held since 2022 on espionage charges, head to French Embassy in Tehran as Iranian prisoner walks free in Paris.
Middle East celebrates Mamdani's NYC victory
The editor-in-chief of a Qatari newspaper wrote, "Victory for the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, capital of the Zionist lobby, which represents the largest stronghold of the Jewish community in the world!"
Saudi push for F-35 Jets nears breakthrough
The Pentagon has advanced Riyadh’s multibillion-dollar bid to buy up to 48 F-35 fighter jets ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit, a move that could redefine US policy and challenge Israel’s regional military dominance.