Latest Middle East News

AP Month in Pictures: Middle East

Jun. 04, 2023 10:14 AM EDT

MAY 2023 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan in May 2023. This selection shows scenes from across the region, including images of continued violence in the...

From Jordan, Jill Biden arrives in Cairo as part of Mideast tour aiming to empower women, youth

Jun. 02, 2023 08:06 AM EDT

CAIRO (AP) — Jill Biden arrived in Cairo on Friday, on the second leg of her six-day trip across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe that seeks to promote empowerment for women and education for young people. The first lady arrived in the Egyptian capital from Amman, Jordan,...

Jordan's capital turns into open-air party for first major royal wedding in years

Jun. 01, 2023 13:31 PM EDT

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s capital turned into an open-air party on Thursday as crowds gathered to celebrate the desert kingdom’s first major royal wedding in years and bask in the event’s unmistakable demonstration of Jordan’s influence and importance. Jordanians from...

Who are the bride and groom in Jordan's royal wedding?

May. 31, 2023 23:46 PM EDT

He's heir to the throne in one of the oldest monarchies in the Middle East and a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. She's a Saudi architect with an aristocratic pedigree of her own. Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, 28, and Rajwa Alseif, 29, are to be married on Thursday at a...

Israeli army says Palestinian gunmen kills Israeli civilian in West Bank shooting

May. 30, 2023 11:03 AM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinian gunmen shot and killed an Israeli man on Tuesday near the entrance to a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said. The Israeli military said the man was shot near the settlement of Hermesh, in the northern West Bank. Local...

Jerusalem's redesigned Tower of David museum opens after 3-year renovation

May. 29, 2023 11:21 AM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Jerusalem’s iconic citadel has opened its revamped museum after a three-year, $50 million makeover that included a restoration of its signature minaret. The Tower of David, the ancient fortress on the western edge of the Old City, contains remnants of successive...

Former US diplomat Henry Kissinger celebrates 100th birthday, still active in global affairs

May. 27, 2023 13:05 PM EDT

Former diplomat and presidential adviser Henry Kissinger marks his 100th birthday on Saturday, outlasting many of his political contemporaries who guided the United States through one of its most tumultuous periods including the presidency of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War. Born...

After AP report, Iran's nuclear chief says Tehran to cooperate with inspectors on 'new activities'

May. 26, 2023 06:58 AM EDT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The head of Iran's nuclear program insisted Wednesday that his government would cooperate with international inspectors on any “new activities.” His statement followed an exclusive Associated Press report about Tehran's new underground tunnel system near a...

Extremist Israeli Cabinet minister visits sensitive Jerusalem holy site

May. 21, 2023 11:16 AM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A far-right Israeli Cabinet minister visited Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site on Sunday, declaring that “we are in charge,” while the Israeli Cabinet held a rare meeting in Jerusalem’s Old City to celebrate its control of the area. The visit by Itamar...

US and allied naval commanders in Mideast transit Strait of Hormuz, in show of force against Iran

May. 19, 2023 10:45 AM EDT

ABOARD THE USS PAUL HAMILTON IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ (AP) — The Mideast-based commanders of the U.S., British and French navies transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday aboard an American warship, a sign of their unified approach to keep the crucial waterway open after Iran seized two oil...