Middle East News

TEHRAN, Iran - The Iranian defense minister criticized Russia Thursday for banning all sales of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran. Full Story »

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The Palestinian militant Hamas group has convicted a Gaza man on charges of spying for Israel and sentenced him to death. Full Story »

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's intelligence minister says the group behind the bombing that killed 12 people in the country's remote west has been identified. Full Story »

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A UAE-led investigation into the UPS 747-400 that crashed in Dubai this month is now focusing on risks posed by freight carried aboard the plane after flight data recorder indicated smoke or fire was coming from areas where cargo is stored. Full Story »

JERUSALEM - Crowds of Palestinian youths violently rampaged in east Jerusalem Wednesday following the shooting death of a local man, clouding fragile peace efforts even as the Palestinian president signaled he may back away from threats to quit negotiations if Israel resumes West Bank settlement construction. Full Story »

SAN'A, Yemen - Al-Qaida militants holed up in a village in south Yemen on Wednesday fought off repeated attempts by government troops backed by tanks and heavy artillery to retake the besieged town, officials said. Full Story »

TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian newspaper says a court has sentenced a prominent human rights activist to six years in prison on security charges. Full Story »

BAGHDAD - Several dozen Iraqis who failed to gain asylum in Europe returned to Iraq on Wednesday despite concerns the country is still too dangerous, the U.N. refugee agency said. Full Story »

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has displayed an advanced missile capable of reaching Israel at a military parade on the 30th anniversary of the start of the Iran-Iraq war. Full Story »

BEIRUT - A senior Pentagon official says the Obama administration is "working closely" with members of the U.S. Congress to help restore military aid to Lebanon's army. Full Story »

NEW YORK (AFP) - US President Barack Obama will on Thursday tell world powers at the United Nations they can help seal a deal within a year to welcome a new member -- Palestine -- by backing his Middle East peace drive. Full Story »

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran is ready to enter 'fair' negotiations with major powers over its nuclear activities, state radio quoted Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as saying. Full Story »

GENEVA (AFP) - A UN probe said there was clear evidence to back prosecutions against Israel for killing and torture when its troops stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May. Full Story »

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The US and Iranian leaders took their rivalry to the UN General Assembly on Thursday after six world powers said they were seeking an "negotiated solution" to its nuclear standoff with Tehran. Full Story »

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - ThyssenKrupp said it would freeze all new business with Iran with immediate effect and terminate existing contracts there as soon as possible in response to ever-harsher sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Full Story »

NEW YORK (AFP) - Russian immigrants to Israel are a key obstacle to reaching peace with the Palestinians, according to ex-US president Bill Clinton -- words that elicited a terse reaction from Israel's leader. Full Story »

VIENNA - Iran is seeking a seat on the decision-making board of the same U.N. nuclear agency probing its activities for evidence that Tehran may be interested in making atomic weapons, officials said Thursday. Full Story »

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Most Palestinians support the decision to renew peace talks with Israel and oppose armed struggle, but few expect the negotiations to lead anywhere, according to a poll published on Thursday. Full Story »