Middle East

US official: Iran nuclear talks advancing, no deal likely next week

Ultimately, closing a deal depends on Iranian decisions, official says.

By REUTERS

Turkey: Man faces fine for telling wife 'I don't love you'

Court rules statement to be act of emotional violence, says emotionally wrecked wife must be compensated.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Who was 'Jihadi John?'

Childhood friends describe Mohammed Emwazi, better known as the British-accented ISIS executioner, as ordinary "boy next door."

By JPOST.COM STAFF

UN condemns Islamic State's 'barbaric terrorist acts' in Iraq

Council speaks out against destruction of 7th century BC antiquities by ISIS, says group "must be defeated."

By REUTERS

Lebanon military chief: 'The army has no choice but to win over terrorism'

Lebanon's security forces carried out a maneuver to counter militants near the border, a mission that, according to a source belonging to the security establishment, may prove to be a prelude to more actions in several hilltop positions around Ras-Baalbek.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Iran cleric vows to 'raise flag of Islam on White House' to avenge Israeli attack

The cleric, Ali Shirazi, made the remarks to the official Revolutionary Guards web site.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

'US will be able to detect Iranian sprint to nuclear bomb,' ex-Obama aide says

Dennis Ross told Channel 2 that the agreement being discussed would enable Western officials to perform "anytime, anywhere inspections."

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Iraqi Kurdistan's Texas oil tanker unloads in Israel

Ship-tracking data this week showed the tanker sailing fully-laden towards the Israeli port of Ashkelon before its satellite transponder was turned off on Feb 22.

By REUTERS

Jordan takes no chances in confronting native Jihadis

ISIS burning of Jordanian pilot shakes troubled kingdom as government steps up security crackdown, arrests of jihadis.

By REUTERS

Rawabi, the first new Palestinian city, can finally open its doors

PMO announces that Israel’s Water Authority will hook Rawabi up to its grid.

Iranian military chief threatens to 'wipe Tel Aviv off the map'

General Mustafa Yazdi, the assistant chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, warned that “Iran will flatten Tel Aviv and Haifa if Israel perpetrates an attack on our country.”

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA

Iran nuclear deal, ISIS threat stimulating Sunni powers to unite - even with Israel

Arab leaders and officials have been meeting frequently in past weeks, likely discussing the threat of Islamic State and the Iranian threat.

Banksy film shows new graffiti project in Gaza

"Development opportunities are everywhere" and there is "plenty of scope for refurbishment," the subtitles say.

By REUTERS

Abbas rejects Western push to restore PA rule over Gaza

Western governments sought to advance a United Nations Security Council resolution that would confer upon the Ramallah administration a mandate to rule Gaza.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA

Watch: ISIS fighters destroy ancient sculptures in sledgehammer rampage

"The Prophet ordered us to get rid of statues and relics."

By REUTERS

'Jihadi John' killer from ISIS beheading videos named by media

British citizen is believed to be responsible for beheading of 3 Americans and 2 Britons.

By REUTERS

'Senior ISIS commanders killed in air strikes in Iraq, fate of leader Baghdadi unknown'

Al Arabiya reports that coalition received intel on Islamic State locations; Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was reportedly en route to area.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Syrian Kurds cut ISIS supply line near Iraq; fears for Christians mount

Following Monday's abduction of 90 Assyrian Christians, Kurdish militia launches broadened offensive against IS.

By REUTERS

In holy city, Iran's Rouhani seeks clergy's backing for nuclear talks

Rouhani says Iran "will not accept imposition, humiliation and the continuation of sanctions," in negotiations.

By REUTERS

Fatah: 90% of Gaza’s residents want to leave because of Hamas

"Do you feel any national responsibility toward the Palestinians and their cause?” Fatah spokesman asks Hamas.

Report: General known as 'Libya's Sisi' set to meet Israeli officials in Amman

Libyan president proposed appointing army general Khalifa Haftar as top military commander; Libyan PM criticizes US, UK and EU for failing to supply weapons.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON,REUTERS

WATCH: Iranian cruise missiles blow up life-size replica of American aircraft carrier

Commander of Iran's Navy had previously said that Iran could destroy all of America's warships within 50 seconds.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA

Iran tests naval missiles as part of fresh war games in Persian Gulf

The war games, which were given the moniker “Great Prophet 9,” began with “maritime mine operations by speedboats” and “the firing of coast-to-sea missiles” in the Persian Gulf.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Iranian army chief: Zionists, West created Islamic State

Chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces US, Israel and Britain created and supported Islamic State.

Exiled Iranian opposition: Tehran hiding secret uranium enrichment site

Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said that there is a site hidden north east of Tehran.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Iran smuggled $1 billion in cash to bypass internatioanl sanctions

Diplomatic sources say cash was hand-carried by couriers on flights from Dubai or Turkey, or brought across the Iraq-Iran border.

By REUTERS

Sisi calls on Arabs to field united force against ISIS

"The need for a unified Arab force is growing and becoming more pressing every day."

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Sisi issues decree widening scope of Egypt security crackdown

Anti-terrorism law gives government more power, likely to raise concern with human rights organizations.

By REUTERS

New UN report suggests ISIS liable for genocide of minorities in Iraq

At least 11,602 civilians were killed and 21,766 wounded in 2014, according to UN figures, which also cited January as one of the deadliest months in recent years, with over 1,300 killed in terrorist acts.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

ISIS abducts at least 90 from Christian villages in Syria

Following beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in Egypt, Islamic State kidnaps 90 Assyrian Christians in Syria.

By REUTERS