Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Iran says 'time not ripe' for negotiations with US Tehran has said Washington's proposed inclusion in negotiations over reviving the Iran nuclear deal cannot work unless the United States lifts sanctions against the Islamic Republic. United States
US sanctions two Houthi military leaders after attacks on Saudi Arabia The administration's revocation of the Houthis' terrorist designation has been met with further missile strikes. Yemen
Nasiriyah tensions ease as pope heads to Iraq Iraq's Nasiriyah has been the scene of violent protests recently, but calm has settled over the city with the prime minister's efforts to calm it. Iraq
Biden under pressure to reverse Trump's aid cuts in Yemen The Joe Biden administration faces growing calls from Democratic lawmakers and aid groups to reinstate funding to Houthi-held northern Yemen. Yemen
Houthi security official in Yemen sanctioned by UN for crimes against women Sultan Saleh Aida Aida Zabin, who heads criminal investigations in Houthi rebel territory, has allegedly played a role in arbitrary detentions, torture and sexual crimes against women involved in politics. Yemen
Biden administration shouldn’t stop with Yemen The United States can also play a key role in diplomacy to end wars in Syria and Libya. Yemen
Israeli-owned cargo ship rocked by explosion in Gulf of Oman The blast came just hours after US airstrikes hit an Iran-linked militia in Syria Saudi Arabia
Congress questions Biden's decision to bomb Syria Some Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill are questioning the justification for the US airstrike against Iran-affiliated targets in eastern Syria. Syria
Iran warns it could halt IAEA cooperation after US criticism Tehran has threatened to call off a recent deal with the United Nations' atomic watchdog that allows for limited inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran
Islamic State recruit Shamima Begum can’t return to UK, court rules Begum, whose British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds in 2019, is challenging the revocation from a displacement camp in Syria. Syria
Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army talks security with HTS in Idlib Sources in the Syrian opposition have revealed contacts between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and some of the Turkish-allied Free Syrian Army factions on security of the areas under the control of the FSA. Syria
Turkish-Iranian rivalry heats up over Mosul Turkey’s increasing focus on Iraq’s Sinjar region is linked to a broader rivalry with Iran for influence over Mosul. Turkey
![Iran's Atomic Energy Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, is seen speaking on a screen as he attends virtually the 64th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria on September 21, 2020. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by JOE KLAMAR has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Ali Akbar Salehi] instead of [Zarif]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2021/02/GettyImages-1228632114.jpg/GettyImages-1228632114.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=wuurG3fv)
