Latest Iran government News

Amnesty: West's 'double standards' fuel Mideast repression

Mar. 28, 2023 10:46 AM EDT

BEIRUT (AP) — A leading international rights group on Tuesday decried what it said were double standards by Western countries that have rallied behind a “robust response” to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but remain “lukewarm" on issues of human rights violations in the Middle East. ...

Iraqi parliament passes controversial vote law amendments

Mar. 27, 2023 04:22 AM EDT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi lawmakers passed early Monday controversial amendments to the country's election law that could undermine the chances for smaller parties and independent candidates to win seats in future polls. The amendments increase the size of electoral districts, a move...

Taliban want control of more Afghan diplomatic missions

Mar. 25, 2023 10:17 AM EDT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban government is trying to take charge of more Afghan embassies abroad, a spokesman said Saturday, amid their continued international isolation because of restrictions on women and girls. The Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule after their...

A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers

Mar. 24, 2023 19:30 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — When an Iranian drone struck a U.S. base in northeastern Syria, killing a contractor and wounding several U.S. troops, it was just the latest in a growing number of attacks on American forces in Syria. But its lethality was rare. In most recent cases, no U.S. forces have been...

Biden: US will 'forcefully' protect personnel in Syria

Mar. 24, 2023 18:37 PM EDT

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that the U.S. would respond “forcefully” to protect its personnel after U.S. forces retaliated with airstrikes on sites in Syria used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard following a suspected Iranian-linked attack...

Yemen: Fighting kills 16, endangering peace efforts

Mar. 22, 2023 16:27 PM EDT

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Renewed fighting has erupted in central Yemen, killing at least 16 forces, security and health officials said Wednesday. The flare-up of violence comes after diplomats and leaders expressed new hope for peace efforts in the war-torn country in the days leading...

Biden pays tribute to Iranian women at Nowruz celebration

Mar. 20, 2023 15:12 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden used a White House event to mark Persian New Year on Monday to pay tribute to Iranian women and girls who took to the streets of Iran to protest following the death last year of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and vowed to keep pressure on Tehran. ...

In Israel, TV's dystopian 'Handmaids' is protest fixture

Mar. 17, 2023 02:53 AM EDT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — It's become an ominous fixture of the mass anti-government protests roiling Israel: a coil of women in crimson robes and white caps, walking heads bowed and hands clasped. They are dressed as characters from Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, “The Handmaid's Tale,” and...

China foreign minister in rare call with Ukraine counterpart

Mar. 16, 2023 22:35 PM EDT

BEIJING (AP) — In a rare phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Thursday, China’s foreign minister says Beijing is concerned about the year-old grinding conflict with Russia spinning out of control and urged talks on a political solution with Moscow. Qin Gang told...

With Saudi deals, US, China battle for influence in Mideast

Mar. 16, 2023 12:44 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a matter of days, Saudi Arabia carried out blockbuster agreements with the world’s two leading powers — China and the United States. Riyadh signed a Chinese-facilitated deal aimed at restoring diplomatic ties with its arch-nemesis Iran and then announced a...