Iran’s civil aviation refutes claims of missile strike on Ukrainian plane

Iranian experts have dropped a possible missile strike version as cause for the crash of a Ukrainian Boeing 737 near Tehran, Chief Executive of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization Ali Abedzadeh citing preliminary results of the investigation.

US Officials Believe Ukrainian Plane Was 'Most Likely' Accidentally Shot Down by Iranian Air Defence

A Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Boeing 737-800 crashed minutes after taking off from Tehran International Airport, claiming the lives of 167 passengers and nine crew members. Iranian officials reported that the pilots did not report a malfunction, but witnesses claimed the jet was engulfed in fire prior to its crash.

Up to 4,000 US Troops Could Deploy to Mideast amid Protests in Iraq

Following angry protests by Iraqi people outside the US embassy over Washington’s airstrikes on the Arab country, up to 4,000 American troops will be deployed to Kuwait, according to three US defense officials.

Iran supreme leader threatens to block all Gulf oil exports if its own are stopped

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that no country in the region will export oil if Iran’s exports are stopped. The same threat was earlier voiced by President Hassan Rouhani.

Turkey, US start talks on sanctions against Iran

Turkish and American officials on Friday started to discuss forthcoming US sanctions against Iran, as Turkey is one of the main importers of Iranian oil.

Iraq: Protests rage over poor public services, unemployment

Iraq has placed its security forces on high alert after protests against high unemployment and a lack of basic services in the country's southern provinces spread to the capital, Baghdad.

France Says Europe Should React to US Extra-Territorial Sanctions

The US has rejected a French request for waivers for its companies operating in Iran that Paris sought after Washington re-imposed sanctions on Tehran, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said, adding that Europe needs to defend itself against such extra-territorial sanctions.

South Korea denies stopping Iran's oil imports

The South Korean embassy in Tehran on Saturday denied that the country has stopped oil imports from Iran, IRAN Daily reported.

Iran reaffirms commitment to nuclear deal, parties agree to act without US – Lavrov

Three European parties to the Iranian nuclear deal, as well as Russia and China, have agreed to create a special mechanism to maintain trade with Iran independently from Washington, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

India insists on energy security needs despite US request to cut Iranian oil imports

India on Thursday reiterated that its priority was to ensure its "energy security" requirements, in an apparent indication that it will not shy away from importing oil from Iran despite US sanctions.

Russian Envoy Blames UN Chief for Overlooking US Violation of Resolution on Iran N. Deal

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said that he was surprised to see that the UN chief has ignored Washington’s violation of its resolution 2231 in his latest report on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

Israeli Missiles Land Near Damascus Airport - Reports

According to reports, two Israeli missles landed in Damascus International Airport in Syria late Monday afternoon.

French Initiative on 'Iran Deal 2' Unacceptable to Tehran – Senior Lawmaker

Paris is trying to convince signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to work out a new deal with Tehran, retaining the arrangements of the JCPOA while creating a more complete document which all parties, including the US, can agree on. Senior Iranian lawmaker Hossein Naghavi-Hosseini told Sputnik why the French idea is unacceptable.

Iran: Oil prices could jump to $140 on US sanctions

Putin: Moscow, Tehran successfully cooperate to settle the crisis in Syria

US Sought Saudi Oil Support before Iran Move

A day before US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, one of his senior officials phoned Saudi Arabia to ask the world’s largest oil exporter to help keep prices stable if the decision disrupted supply.

Syria not ‘immune’, Israel will destroy Assad’s forces if attacked, says Netanyahu

Israel will “destroy” any Syrian forces that attempt an attack against Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned. He also cautioned President Assad against inviting Iranian troops into Syria.

Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment capacity may push Europe to US side

Amidst controversies over the 2015 international nuclear deal, Iran's recent decision to prepare grounds for boosting enriched uranium capacity is likely to propel European vessel to the US shore.

Israel Seeking ‘Military Coalition’ against Iran

An Israeli minister proposed that “a military coalition” be formed against Iran in case Tehran pursues “military-grade” uranium enrichment, suggesting that the military force would comprise of the Israeli regime, the US, Western countries and their Arab allies.

NATO ‘security guarantees’ do not apply to partner Israel – Stoltenberg

NATO is not obliged to come to the rescue should a hypothetical war break out between Iran and Israel, Jens Stoltenberg has told Germany’s Der Spiegel, amid increased tensions between the bitter Middle East rivals.