Geopolitical
Yemenis Rally in Saada for Armed Forces, Demand Blockade-for-Blockade Response
SAADA, Yemen — Thousands of Yemenis gathered in the northern city of Saada on Thursday to stage a massive rally in support of the national armed forces and to advocate for a reciprocal "blockade-for-b...
South Korea Rules Out Military Deployment Amid US-Iran Tensions
SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced on Thursday that the nation will not deploy military forces in response to escalating aggression by the United States against Iran, a move intend...
Tanker Hit by Unknown Projectile in Strait of Hormuz; Fire Extinguished
MUSCAT — A commercial tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz early Thursday, sparking a fire that was subsequently extinguished by emergency crews. The United Kingdom Marit...
Italy Deploys Navy Vessels to Bab el-Mandeb Strait Without EU Mandate
ROME, Sept. 18 (AP) — The Italian Ministry of Defense announced Thursday the immediate deployment of naval vessels to the strategic Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, marking a unilateral move to safeguard comm...
Thousands March in Tehran for National Unity Under 'Sacrifice for Iran' Banner
TEHRAN — Thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran on Thursday, staging a large-scale march from Imam Hossein Square to Enghelab Square as part of the "Sacrifice for Iran" campaign. The demons...
Iranian Military Units Parade in Tehran to Signal Readiness Against Foreign Threats
TEHRAN (AP) — Iranian military units marched through the capital on Thursday in a large-scale display of force titled "Sacrifice for Iran," explicitly designed to demonstrate the nation's preparedness...
Tusk Warns Russia Waging Hybrid War on Poland, Vows Allied Response to Direct Attack
WARSAW (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned Wednesday that Russia is actively waging a hybrid war against Poland and stated that any direct military attack would trigger an immediate respon...
United States Withdraws from UN Human Rights Council Citing Bias and Hypocrisy
NEW YORK — The United States officially withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday, ending its membership in the Geneva-based body over longstanding concerns regarding institut...
Clashes Erupt in Marib After Shelling of Tribal Leader's Home
MARIB, Yemen — Violent clashes erupted in the streets of Marib city on Wednesday between Saudi-backed Islah forces and members of the Ubaydah tribe, following an artillery strike on a residence belong...
Russian Forces Strike Cargo Ship Delivering Military Supplies to Ukrainian Port of Izmail
ODESSA, Ukraine — The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that its armed forces struck a dry cargo vessel transporting military supplies destined for the Ukrainian port city of Izmail. ...
China and Russia Condemn U.S. Legislation Targeting Russian Oil Buyers
BEIJING/MOSCOW — China and Russia issued sharp condemnations on Wednesday regarding a United States legislative measure designed to sanction purchasers of Russian crude oil, warning that the move coul...
U.S. State Department Approves Potential Sale of 48 F-35 Fighters to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II strike fighters to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion of military cooperation between the two ...
Iran Strikes Vessel in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
TEHRAN — Iran launched an attack on a commercial vessel in the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday evening, marking a significant escalation in maritime security concerns within one...
US Military Convoy Departs Iraqi Kurdistan as Final Withdrawal Looms
ERBIL, Iraq (Sept. 17, 2026) — A US military convoy carrying heavy equipment departed the Kurdish region of Iraq on Wednesday, marking a significant step in the American withdrawal from the country th...
U.S. Grants Visas to Iranian President and Foreign Minister for UNGA
NEW YORK — The United States has granted visas to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, and a delegation of senior officials, clearing the way for their attendance at th...
Trump Announces Major Progress on U.S. Army Base in Poland to Strengthen Alliance
WARSAW, Poland — President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States has made significant strides toward establishing a permanent U.S. Army base in Poland, marking a pivotal shift in ...
U.S. State Department Approves Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has formally approved a proposed sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion of A...
U.S. Prepares to Approve Transfer of German Patriot Missiles to Ukraine
WASHINGTON — The United States is preparing to approve the transfer of 10 Patriot surface-to-air missiles from Germany to Ukraine, a move aimed at bolstering Kyiv's air defense capabilities against on...
Satellite Imagery Reveals Accelerated Reconstruction at Iran's Taleqan 2 Nuclear Site
TEHRAN — Iran has accelerated construction and reconstruction efforts at the Taleqan 2 nuclear facility within the Parchin military complex, according to new satellite imagery analyzed on September 18...
Iranian State-Linked Group Deploys HEAVYGRAM Malware to Target Dissidents
TEHRAN — A sophisticated cyber espionage campaign attributed to an Iran-linked threat actor known as Handala Hack has been identified, utilizing a new Telegram-based backdoor malware designed to extra...
Al-Qassam Brigades Field Commander Killed in Gaza
GAZA CITY — Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Abdullah, a field commander for the Al-Muqadma Battalion of the Al-Qassam Brigades, died on January 20, 2024. The death occurred within the Gaza Strip, where the Centr...
Iran Summons German Ambassador Over Diplomatic Disputes
TEHRAN — Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Axel Dittmann on Wednesday to formally protest remarks made by senior German officials and specific actions taken by the German embassy in T...
Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed Until Trump and Netanyahu Removed from Power
TEHRAN — Iran announced on Wednesday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to international shipping until Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are removed from their respective positi...
Mahan Airline Suspends Flights to Turkey and Oman Amid New U.S. Sanctions
TEHRAN — Mahan Airline, a major Iranian carrier, announced on Wednesday the immediate cancellation of all scheduled flights to Ankara and Istanbul in Turkey, as well as Muscat in Oman, following the i...
Russia Deploys North Korean Workers as Students to Evade Sanctions in Drone Production
MOSCOW — Russia is employing North Korean laborers disguised as students to manufacture military drones, a strategy designed to bypass international sanctions and funnel revenue into Pyongyang's nucle...
Russia and China Veto U.S. Resolution to Extend Iran Sanctions Oversight at UN
NEW YORK — Russia and China exercised their veto power on Wednesday, blocking a United States-drafted resolution aimed at extending the mandate of the United Nations committee responsible for overseei...
Monitoring Group Flags Potential Russia-North Korea Drone Cooperation Threatening Regional Targets
SEOUL — A leading regional monitoring group reported on Wednesday that North Korea and Russia are advancing cooperation in the production of 'Geranium' series drones, raising alarms over potential str...
Zelenskyy Hails US Sanctions Bill as Critical Tool to End War
KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday declared that a new sanctions bill introduced by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, alongside other restrictive measures against Moscow, represents...
Houthi Leader Denies Mecca Targeting Claims as Saudi Tensions Rise
SANAA, Sept. 17 (AP) — Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, on Wednesday condemned allegations by Saudi Arabia that Yemeni forces targeted the holy city of Mecca, dismissi...
Saudi Arabia Urges China to Pressure Iran Over Houthi Seizure of Red Sea Coast
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia formally requested on Wednesday that China exert diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restrain the Houthi movement following the group's seizure of Yemen's Red Sea coastline and the ...