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This photo released Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, by the Iranian Army, shows a missile being fired during a military drill. Iran's military kicked off a ground forces drill on Tuesday along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, state TV reported, the latest in a series of snap exercises that the country is holding amid escalating tensions over its nuclear program and Washington's pressure campaign against Tehran. (Iranian Army via AP)

Iran kicks off ground forces drill on coast of Gulf of Oman

Jan. 19, 2021 8:27 AM EST

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s military kicked off a ground forces drill on Tuesday along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, state TV reported, the latest in a series of snap exercises that the country is holding amid escalating tensions over its nuclear program and Washington’s pressure campaign...

This photo released on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 by the Iranian Army, shows Iran-made warship Makran prior to be joined to the Navy, in Iran. Iran's navy was poised to begin a short-range missile drill in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday, state TV reported, amid heightened regional tensions over Tehran's nuclear program and a U.S. pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. (Iranian Army via AP)

Iran holds missile drill in Gulf of Oman amid tensions

Jan. 13, 2021 4:04 AM EST

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s navy began a short-range missile drill in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday and inaugurated its largest military vessel, state TV reported, amid heightened tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and a U.S. pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. The two-day...

FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2020 file photo, Oman's ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq prepares for a meeting at al-Alam palace in the capital Muscat, Oman. The sultan announced Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, a shake-up of the country’s constitution with changes that include the appointment of a crown prince for the first time and steps to boost government transparency. The move, one year after the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said comes as the government faces growing economic pressures at home. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP, File)

Oman sultan creates crown prince post, changes constitution

Jan. 11, 2021 11:39 AM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Oman’s sultan announced a shake-up of the Gulf country’s constitution on Monday with changes that include the appointment of a crown prince for the first time and steps to boost government transparency, the state-run news agency reported. The move, one year...

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Court, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani upon his arrival to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council's 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Saudi Royal Court via AP)

Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with Qatar

Jan. 5, 2021 4:21 PM EST

AL-ULA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Gulf Arab leaders signed a declaration Tuesday to ease a rift with Qatar, following Saudi Arabia’s decision to end a 3 1/2-year embargo of the tiny energy-rich country that deeply divided regional U.S. security allies and frayed social ties across the Arabian Peninsula....

People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk in a business district in Tokyo Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says he plans to submit legislation that will make coronavirus measures legally binding for businesses, punish violators and include economic compensation as his government struggles to slow the ongoing upsurge.(Kyodo News via AP)

The Latest: Japan's PM seeks to enforce virus measures

Dec. 27, 2020 11:01 PM EST

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says he plans to submit legislation that will make coronavirus measures legally binding for businesses, punish violators and include economic compensation as his government struggles to slow the ongoing upsurge. Japan had a state of emergency in April and May...

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2020 file photo, former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn holds a press conference at the Maronite Christian Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, north of Beirut, Lebanon. In an opinion published Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, a panel of human rights experts working with the United Nations says former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was wrongly detained in Japan in late 2018 and has urged “compensation” and “other reparations” for him from the Japanese government. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, file)

French investigators to question Carlos Ghosn in Lebanon

Dec. 26, 2020 11:14 AM EST

BEIRUT (AP) — A team of French investigators will come to Beirut next month to participate in interrogating former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, a Lebanese justice ministry official said Saturday. The official gave no specific date or details of what information the investigators would seek from...

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020 file photo, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during his meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the State Department in Washington. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has expressed optimism that the ongoing boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations may be nearing an end. Prince Faisal bin Farhan made the comment to the Italy’s annual Mediterranean Dialogues on Friday, Dec. 4.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, POOL, File)

Saudi Arabia says end to yearslong Qatar boycott 'in reach'

Dec. 4, 2020 3:00 PM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia's top diplomat said Friday that an end to the yearslong boycott of Qatar by the kingdom and three other Arab nations “looks in reach” for all involved, though he offered no details on how this feud would be resolved. The remarks by Saudi Prince...