Iran, Russia move to link banks to evade Western sanctions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and Russia have taken a key step toward linking their banking systems in a move that further boosts their cooperation in the face of Western sanctions, an Iranian official said. At a signing ceremony on Sunday, Mohsen Karami, the deputy...

Report: drones attack convoy in east Syria coming from Iraq

BEIRUT (AP) — Drones attacked a convoy of trucks in eastern Syria Sunday night shortly after it crossed into the country from Iraq, Syrian opposition activists and a pro-government radio station said. There was no immediate word on casualties. The strike comes amid heightening...

Iran says drone attack targets defense facility in Isfahan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bomb-carrying drones targeted an Iranian defense factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight, authorities said Sunday, causing some damage at the plant amid heightened regional and international tensions engulfing the Islamic Republic. The...

Today in History: JAN 28, Space Shuttle Challenger explodes

Today in History Today is Saturday, Jan. 28, the 28th day of 2023. There are 337 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Jan. 28, 1973, a cease-fire officially went into effect in the Vietnam War, a day after the signing of the Paris...

US charges 3 in plot to kill Iranian-American author in NYC

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has charged three men in an alleged plot that originated in Iran to kill an Iranian American author and activist who has spoken out against human rights abuses there, officials said Friday. The men, Rafat Amirov, 43, of Iran, Polad Omarov,...

Fatal shooting at Azerbaijan Embassy in Iran raises tensions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A gunman stormed the Azerbaijan Embassy in Iran's capital Friday, killing its security chief and wounding two guards in an attack that spiked long-simmering tensions between the two neighboring countries. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said it...

Justice Dept. charges 3 in plot to kill Iranian-American author who has spoken out against human rights abuses in Iran

Correction: France-Iran story

PARIS (AP) — In a story published January 26, 2023, about French citizens detained in Iran, The Associated Press erroneously reported that prisoner Olivier Vandecasteele worked for aid group Doctors Without Borders and that the group organized a demonstration in his honor. Vandecasteele worked...

Azerbaijan says it will evacuate embassy in Iran after attack; accuses Iran of not taking threats against post seriously

Analysis: Stakes rise as Iran can fuel 'several' atom bombs

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has enough highly enriched uranium to build “several” nuclear weapons if it chooses, the United Nations' top nuclear official is now warning. But diplomatic efforts aimed at again limiting its atomic program seem more unlikely than ever before as Tehran...