RFE/RL

Dozens Of Gays Reported Arrested In Azerbaijani Police Crackdown

Human rights groups have voiced severe concern and sought ways to help after activists said dozens of gay people had been jailed following raids by the authorities in Azerbaijan in recent weeks.

U.S. Says Russia Trying To 'Shield Iran' From Some Nuclear Inspections

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on September 28 said Russia is trying to "shield Iran" from inspections by the UN's nuclear watchdog of some activities that could contribute to developing a nuclear bomb.

Telegram CEO Durov Says Russia's FSB Demands Messenger's Encryption Keys

Russia's main security agency has demanded encryption keys to the popular Telegram messaging app, according to the company's founder, as authorities ratchet up pressure on what has grown into a vibrant platform for political discussion in the country.

Artillery Warehouses Explode, Evacuations Ordered Around Vinnytsya In Ukraine

Russian Regulator Threatens To Block Facebook In 2018

Taliban Threats Force Health Facilities In Southern Afghan Province To Close

Most of the health facilities in Afghanistan's isolated Uruzgan Province have closed due to threats from the Taliban, local officials said.

Trump's New Travel Ban Targets Iran; Adds North Korea, Venezuela

President Donald Trump has issued new restrictions on people trying to enter the United States from eight nations -- adding North Korea and Venezuela to a list that also includes Iran -- to replace his expiring travel ban.

Iran Launches Military Exercises Near Iraqi Kurdish Region Ahead of Independence Vote

Iranian military forces on September 24 launched military exercises in an area near the border with Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region, a day before a controversial independence referendum in the northern Iraq region.

Afghan Police Chief In Helmand Province Killed In Taliban Attack

Afghan officials say Taliban militants have killed a district police chief in the southern province of Helmand.

Trump Questions Nuclear Deal After Iran Tests New Ballistic Missile

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran’s test launch of a new ballistic missile underscores his doubts about a landmark nuclear deal over the issue and accused the Middle Eastern country of colluding with North Korea.

Iran Tests New Ballistic Missile Despite U.S. Warning -- State TV

Iran says it has successfully tested a new ballistic missile despite warnings from Washington that it was ready to ditch a landmark nuclear deal over the issue.

Top Diplomats From Armenia, Azerbaijan To Meet In New York

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in New York on September 23 and discuss organizing a meeting between the two countries' presidents, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian said.

Rohani Vows Iran Will Push Ahead With Missile Program

Iranian President Hassan Rohani has said that Tehran will continue its missile program and boost the country's military capacities, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's demand that Iran stop developing "dangerous missiles."

Turkey, Iran, Iraq Warn Of 'Countermeasures' If Kurdish Independence Vote Goes Ahead

Turkey, Iran, and Iraq have threatened unspecified "countermeasures" if Iraq's Kurdish leaders go ahead with a planned referendum on independence.

Reports: Trump Campaign Chairman Offered To Brief Russian Oligarch Close To Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign manager offered to provide briefings about the progress of the campaign last year to a Russian billionaire with close ties to the Kremlin, media reported on September 20.

Tillerson Hopeful Iran Will Negotiate Changes In Nuclear Deal - Tough Meeting At U.N.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he is still hopeful that Iran will agree to negotiate changes sought by the United States in the 2015 nuclear deal, despite the Iranian president's rejection of new talks.

Changes Needed In Iran Nuclear Deal To Win U.S. Support, Tillerson Says

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that changes are needed in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal before the administration of President Donald Trump will agree to continue supporting it.

Trump Singles Out North Korea, Iran, As 'Threats' In First UN Speech

Western Countries Say No Syria Reconstruction Without Political Transition

Countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad say they will not support the reconstruction of the war-torn Middle Eastern country until there is a political transition there.

French Leader Raises Possibility Of Reopening Iran Nuclear Negotiations In 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron in talks with his U.S. and Iranian counterparts has raised the possibility of renegotiating provisions of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal after their scheduled expiration in 2025, French officials said.