Gulf

Unrest in Iran hits 100 days

A hundred days after they began, the longest running anti-government protests in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution have shaken the regime, but at a heavy cost to the people.…

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Iran ready for dialogue at regional summit, little progress made

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi DEAD SEA, Jordan, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Iran signalled its readiness for dialogue with regional states during a conference its arch foe Saudi Arabia attended in Jordan on Tuesday which yielded…

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EU and Iran to continue working on nuclear deal, Borrell says

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday condemned Iran's support for Russia in its war in Ukraine and the ongoing repression of opposition in the country, but said the EU would continue to…

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U.S. leaves door open for Iran nuclear diplomacy

For nearly two years the United States has tried and failed to negotiate a revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal yet Washington and its European allies refuse to close…

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Qatar reiterates denial that its government involved in EU corruption case

DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar reiterated on Sunday that the country denies any involvement in a corruption case being investigated by Belgian authorities involving people linked to the European Parliament. Belgian…

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Iran likely to be ousted from U.N. women’s body

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Iran appears set to be ousted from a U.N. women's body on Wednesday for policies contrary to the rights of women and girls, but…

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Iran carries out second execution linked to wave of popular protests

DUBAI (Reuters) -The Islamic Republic on Monday hanged a man in public who state media said had been convicted of killing two members of the security forces, the second execution…

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UAE asks state entities to buy local in food security push

DUBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has directed government entities such as the armed forces and hospital authorities to buy locally grown produce to support agri-tech efforts…

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Saudi energy minister sees no clear results yet from Russia price cap

European sanctions, price caps did not bring clear results There is uncertainity in implementation of Dec. 5 measures Central Banks still preoccupied with managing inflation Impact of China easing COVID-19…

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Joint UAE-Saudi statement says UAE president, Saudi crown prince led mediation to release Griner

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates president and Saudi crown prince led mediation efforts that secured the release of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap with…

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UPDATED: Iran executes protester for injuring security guard with knife

Iran hanged a man on Thursday convicted of injuring a security guard with a knife and blocking a street in Tehran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said, the first such…

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Khamenei calls for overhaul of Iran’s cultural system

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran’s Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday called for "revolutionary reconstruction of the country's cultural system", state media reported, as nationwide protests kept up pressure on…

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Saudi and China strengthen energy, trade and investment ties

Saudi Arabia will host a China-Arab summit on Dec. 9 attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the leaders of the two countries expected to discuss trade ties and regional…

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Iran executes four men convicted of cooperating with Israel’s Mossad, state media report

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran on Sunday executed four men convicted of cooperating with Israel's spy agency Mossad, Iranian state media reported. The Islamic Republic has long accused arch-enemy Israel of…

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Iran state body reports 200 dead in protests, Raisi hails ‘freedoms

Dec 3 (Reuters) - President Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday hailed Iran's Islamic Republic as a guarantor of rights and freedoms, defending the the ruling system amid a crackdown on anti-government…

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Iran says it has proof that Western states were involved in protests

DUBAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Iran has proof that Western nations were involved in protests that have swept the country, the foreign ministry said on Monday. The protests, sparked by…

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Niece of Iran’s Supreme Leader urges world to cut ties with Tehran

(Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's niece, a well known rights activist, has called on foreign governments to cut all ties with Tehran over its violent crackdown on…

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U.S.-Saudi ties under review despite Khashoggi immunity ruling, Blinken says

The U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia is still under review despite a Biden administration ruling that the Saudi crown prince has immunity from a lawsuit over the murder of Jamal…

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Iran situation ‘critical’ with more than 300 killed -UN rights chief

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday that the situation in Iran was "critical", describing a hardening of the authorities' response to protests that have resulted in…

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Dubai Islamic Bank sells $750 million in debut sustainable sukuk

Dubai Islamic Bank sold $750 million of its debut sustainable Islamic bond on Tuesday, a bank document showed. The sukuk, which mature in five years, were sold at 155 basis…

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Iran to help Russia build drones for Ukraine war, Post says

LONDON (Reuters) - Russia has reached agreement with Iran to begin manufacturing hundreds of unmanned weaponised aircraft on Russian soil, The Washington Post reported, citing intelligence seen by U.S. and…

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Al Qaeda urges Muslims to shun World Cup, stops short of threats

CAIRO, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's regional branch urged Muslims around the world to shun the soccer World Cup in Qatar, though it stopped short of threatening attacks or promoting violence…

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Qatar’s moment of truth has come

(Reuters) - The moment of truth for Qatar's ability to organise the World Cup after years of failed overtures and criticism over labour rights and strict laws has come. Predicaments…

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Iran leader says ‘enemies’ may target workers as protests rage

DUBAI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Protests raged on at Iranian universities and in some cities on Saturday as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the country's "enemies" may try to mobilise workers…

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Iran protests: Social media videos show flames at home of late leader Khomeini

DUBAI (Reuters) - Video clips showing a fire at the ancestral home in Iran of the Islamic Republic's late founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, have appeared on social media, with activists…

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Britain says drone circles vessel in Gulf of Oman after strike on tanker

DUBAI, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Britain's maritime agency said a drone circled a ship in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, three days after an Iranian-made drone attacked a tanker…

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Biden administration says Saudi prince has immunity in Khashoggi killing lawsuit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration ruled that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has immunity from a lawsuit over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, drawing immediate condemnation from…

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Iran accuses Israel and Western intelligence services of planning civil war in Iran

(Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister on Thursday accused Israel and Western intelligence services of planning to divide the country gripped by anti-government protests and start a civil war, a day…

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UPDATED: U.S. Centcom says Iranian-made drone hit Pacific Zircon tanker off Oman

DUBAI, Nov 17 (Reuters) - An attack on a tanker off the coast of Oman on Tuesday was carried out by an Iranian-made drone, U.S. Central Command said in a…

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Iran says several French intelligence agents arrested during protests

DUBAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Several French intelligence agents were arrested in relation to protests in Iran, the country's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state TV on Wednesday, as anti-government…

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UAE bans unapproved price increases for staple goods

CAIRO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has forbidden any increase in the prices of nine basic staple goods without prior government approval, state news agency WAM said…

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Iran’s unrest sounds death knell for once vibrant reformists

(Reuters) - The protests sweeping Iran have sounded the death knell for a once vibrant reform movement, revealing a big divide with Iranians in the streets demanding an end to…

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Italian travel blogger arrested in Iran freed

MILAN, Nov 10 (Reuters) - An Italian travel blogger arrested in Iran has been released and will return home, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday. "After…

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Iran’s security forces struggle to suppress unrest

(Reuters) - Iran's Army Ground Forces Commander said that "rioters" would have no place in the Islamic Republic if the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered a tougher crackdown…

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Iran warns Saudi Arabia ‘our strategic patience’ may run out

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's intelligence minister told its regional rival Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that there is no guarantee of Tehran continuing its "strategic patience," according to semi-official Fars news…

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Qatar minister accuses Germany of ‘double standards’ in World Cup criticism

Qatar's foreign minister has accused Germany of "double standards" over its criticism of the World Cup host's human rights record and has defended its summoning of the German ambassador, in…

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Iran says it tests satellite-carrying rocket, U.S. calls move ‘destabilising’

Recasts with U.S. reaction DUBAI, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards tested a new satellite-carrying rocket on Saturday, state media reported, a move the United States called "unhelpful and destabilising". Washington…

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Pope wraps up Bahrain trip with visit to Gulf’s oldest church

MANAMA, Bahrain (Reuters) - Pope Francis wound up his trip to Bahrain on Sunday by visiting the oldest Catholic church in the Gulf, telling bishops, priests and nuns to remain…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Dubai, UAE

A picture taken from 'The View At The Palm' observation deck shows the Burj Al Arab Luxury Hotel (L) and behind it the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa (Back),…

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Iran’s security forces targeting university students to control protests

Iran’s security forces have launched a series of attacks on university students at campuses across the country with dozens of students being arrested, according to the Students’ Union of Iran.…

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Pope Francis thrills small Gulf Catholic community with big Mass

AWALI, Bahrain, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said Mass for thousands of Catholics in Bahrain on Saturday, thrilling members of the small foreign Catholic community from around the Gulf…

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Saudi Arabia considers new mining index in diversification push

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is considering setting up a new metals and mining stock exchange index as it looks to expand its resources sector to diversify away from hydrocarbons, a…

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Crypto exchange Binance helped Iranian firms trade $8 billion despite sanctions

LONDON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Crypto giant Binance has processed Iranian transactions with a value of $8 billion since 2018 despite U.S. sanctions intended to cut Iran off from the…

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Pope, in Bahrain, condemns rearmament pushing world to ‘precipice’

AWALI, Bahrain, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Friday appealed to religious leaders to help bring the world back from "the brink of a delicate precipice" and oppose a…

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Russia says Western media trying to stir Gulf tensions

MOSCOW, Nov (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday that Western media had launched a campaign that could trigger escalation in the Gulf, his…

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Pope Francis leaves on Thursday for Bahrain

VATICAN CITY, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Pope Francis leaves on Thursday for Bahrain, a trip aimed at improving ties with the Islamic world but which could thrust him into a…

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Photo Story: Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2022

Members of Al Fursan aerobatics demonstration team of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) perform during Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2022 at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab…

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U.S. concerned about Iranian threats to Saudi Arabia

The United States is concerned about threats from Iran against Saudi Arabia and will not hesitate to respond if necessary, a White House spokesperson warned. "We are concerned about the…

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Saudi Arabia signals mining focus as it looks to diversify

SYDNEY, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia plans to award over a dozen mining exploration licences to international investors as it looks to enter the mining sector in a big…

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Iran university students strike, piling pressure on rulers

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian university students pressed ahead with sit-down strikes on Tuesday in support of some of the biggest protests since the 1979 revolution, ignoring harsh warnings by elite…

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Whatever we do won’t be enough, says Henderson on Qatar protests

England's Harry Kane will join other captains and wear 'One Love' armbands at the Qatar World Cup but midfielder Jordan Henderson says some fans will expect players to do more…

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Iran’s Guards seize vessel carrying 11 mln litres of smuggled fuel in Gulf – SNN

DUBAI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized a foreign vessel carrying 11 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Gulf on Monday, according to the Student News Network's…

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Iranians appear to defy warning from powerful Guards with more protests

(Reuters) - Iranian students defied warnings from the feared Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia that nationwide protests must end by Sunday, prompting a fierce response from riot police and militia,…

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Iran’s Guards head tells protesters: ‘Today is last day of riots’

(Reuters) - The commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards Hossein Salami warned protesters that Saturday would be their last day of taking to the streets. "Do not come to the…

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Saudi finance minister says next six months ‘very good’ for Gulf

RIYADH, (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's finance minister said the next six months, and possibly six years, would be "very good" for the Gulf Arab countries but "very difficult" for the…

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Islamic State claims Iran shrine attack, Iran vows response

(Reuters) - The militant group Islamic State said it carried out an attack on a Shi'ite Muslim shrine in Iran on Wednesday which killed 15 people, escalating tensions in a…

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Qatar faced unprecedented criticism as host country of World Cup, Emir says

Qatar has faced unprecedented criticism since it was picked as the host of the 2022 World Cup, some of which has amounted to slander, the country's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad…

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