U.S. Hails Afghan Forces’ Battlefield Gains, Urges Taliban To Seek Talks With Kabul

The U.S. Defense Department hailed success on the battlefield by Afghan forces and urged Taliban insurgents to embrace "peace and political legitimacy" through a negotiated settlement with the government in Kabul.

Palestinian Authority Calls For 'Angry' Demonstrations To Protest Pence Visit

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas’ Fatah faction has called for an "angry" demonstration on December 20 to protest against a visit to Jerusalem by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

Mattis Emphasizes 'Diplomatically-Led Effort' In Dealing With Iran

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says Washington will deal with Iran through a "diplomatically-led effort," a day after a top U.S. diplomat said Tehran was supplying weapons to the Huthi rebels in Yemen.

Canadian-Iranian Man Sentenced To Prison Over U.S. Sanctions

U.S. prosecutors said Ali Soofi, a dual citizen, "conspired to export military items from the United States to Iran, both directly and through transshipment to intermediary countries, without a license" between 2014 and 2016.

Turkish Banker Denies Helping Iran Evade U.S. Sanctions In High-Profile Case

An executive at Turkey's state-owned Halkbank denied that he helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions as he took the witness stand in his defense in a high-profile sanctions case unfolding in New York.

Trump Says Russia 'Not Helping' On North Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is not satisfied with Russia’s cooperation in efforts to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.

Husband Of Jailed Iranian-British Aid Worker Sees 'Positive Steps'

The husband of jailed Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe says there have been "positive steps" toward her release following British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's visit to Tehran last week.

Israel Questions Iranian Blogger After Giving Her Asylum

Syrian Peace Talks Stall Again Over Assad's Role In Political Transition

An eighth round of Syrian peace talks ended on December 14 in Geneva without progress in what the United Nations mediator called a "big missed opportunity."

U.S. Envoy: 'Undeniable Evidence' Of Iranian Weapon Supplies to Yemeni Rebels

The United States has concrete evidence that Iran was supplying weaponry to the Huthi rebels in Yemen, in violation of United Nations sanctions, the U.S. ambassador to the world body has charged.

IRGC Commander Says After 'Amazing Victories' Yemen 'Victory' Near

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s (IRGC) commander announced in a speech on Thursday that Iran is working to “consolidate” its victories and “in the near future we will witness victory in Yemen.”