Iran says new budget bucks US oil embargo, uses Russian loan

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's president said on Sunday his country will depend less on oil revenue next year, in a new budget that is designed to resist crippling U.S. trade embargoes. Iran is in the grip of an economic crisis. The U.S. re-imposed sanctions that block Iran from selling its crude oil abroad,...

Iraqi officials raise toll to 25 killed in Baghdad bloodshed

BAGHDAD (AP) — Anti-government protesters wielding a blood-drenched flag returned to Baghdad's central plaza on Saturday after a night of bloody attacks that left 25 people dead and more than 130 wounded. Storm clouds gathered over Khilani Square as the protesters surveyed the blackened facade of a...

Iran frees Chinese-American scholar for US-held scientist

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Princeton scholar held for three years in Iran on widely criticized espionage charges was freed Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange that saw America release a detained Iranian scientist, a rare diplomatic breakthrough between Tehran and Washington after months of...

Report: Some 14,000 to run for 290 seats in Iran parliament

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s official IRNA news agency reports that nearly 14,000 people have registered to run for office in the country’s parliamentary elections in February. The Saturday report said the exact number would be announced Sunday but already the number of potential candidates was...

Report: Iranian soldier shot 3 policemen to death

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency is reporting that a soldier has shot three policemen to death in the country's south. The Saturday report said the incident took place at a police station near the port city of Bandar Lengeh, some 1,000 kilometers , or 620 miles, south of the...

Iran’s foreign minister says Chinese-American Princeton scholar to be freed in exchange for US-held Iranian scientist

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister says Chinese-American Princeton scholar to be freed in exchange for US-held Iranian scientist.

15 killed in Iraqi capital as assailants fire live rounds

BAGHDAD (AP) — Gunmen in cars opened fire Friday in Baghdad's Khilani Square. leaving at least 15 people dead and 60 wounded, Iraqi security and medical officials said. At least two of the dead were policemen. Protesters fearing for their lives ran from the plaza to nearby Tahrir Square and mosques to...

World powers press Iran to reverse nuke deal violations

VIENNA (AP) — World powers pressured Iran on Friday to reverse recent atomic activities that violate the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, but stopped short of deciding on whether to proceed with a move that could see the case brought before the UN Security Council and a “snapback” of sanctions...

US considers sending several thousand more troops to Mideast

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is considering sending several thousand additional troops to the Middle East to help deter Iranian aggression, amid reports of escalating violence in Iran and continued meddling by Tehran in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the region. John Rood, defense undersecretary for...

Iran accuses France, Germany and UK of false missile claims

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Iran accused France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Thursday of “a desperate falsehood” for saying its missile program goes against a U.N. resolution calling on Tehran not to undertake any activity related to nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. Iranian officials said...