Iran unveils what it calls a hypersonic missile able to beat air defenses amid tensions with US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran claimed on Tuesday that it had created a hypersonic missile capable of traveling at 15 times the speed of sound, adding a new weapon to its arsenal as tensions remain high with the United States over Tehran's nuclear program. The new missile...

UN nuclear chief, facing Israeli criticism on Iran, says his agency 'very fair but firm'

VIENNA (AP) — The International Atomic Energy Agency will “never politicize” its work in Iran, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Monday, insisting after Israel’s prime minister accused it of capitulating to Iranian pressure that his agency has been “very fair but firm." ...

Iran to reopen its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia after a 7-year rift, state-run media say

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign ministry announced it would reopen its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia this week, restoring diplomatic ties after a seven-year rift, state-run media reported on Monday. The foreign ministry’s spokesman, Nasser Kanaani said that the Iranian...

US Navy says Iran Revolutionary Guard fast-attack boats 'harassed' ship in Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. Navy said Monday its sailors and the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a ship in the crucial Strait of Hormuz after Iran's Revolutionary Guard “harassed” it. Three fast-attack Guard vessels with armed troops aboard...

Saudi Arabia welcomes Venezuelan leader Maduro, reaching out to yet another US foe

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia has welcomed Venzuelan President Nicolas Maduro on an official visit, reaching out to yet another U.S. foe as the oil-rich kingdom engages in a flurry of diplomacy. Maduro arrived late Sunday in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, where he...

Iran's top leader defends hard-line approach toward West, blames protests on 'thugs and villains'

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's supreme leader on Sunday defended his tough approach to the West, saying compromise would only invite further hostility from Iran's enemies and blaming recent anti-government protests on “thugs and villains.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's...

Iran releases 1 Danish, 2 Austrian citizens in operation involving Oman, Belgium

BERLIN (AP) — Iran has released one Danish and two Austrian citizens, the European countries said Friday, thanking Oman and Belgium for their help in getting the trio freed. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said he was “very relieved” that Kamran Ghaderi and...

US sanctions Iranian firm for helping government censor internet

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed sanctions on an Iran-based technology firm on Friday for its role in facilitating the Iranian government's censorship of the internet as anti-government protests have swept the country since September. A firm known as Arvan Cloud, its co-founders...

Austria's government says two citizens held in Iran have been released, are on their way home

US sanctions Iranians over alleged plots to kill John Bolton and others around the world

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed sanctions Thursday on an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official and others it says took part in wide-ranging plots to kill former national security adviser John Bolton and others around the world, including at least one additional U.S. government official. ...