The Independent

Iranian Revolutionary Guards parade in Tehran. The Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the West’s threats of war would not ‘divert Iran from its nuclear course’

Drums of war beat louder as Iran and Israel step up rhetoric

04 February 2012 12:00 AM

Evidence is mounting that Washington believes an Israeli attack on Iran is now only a matter of time.

UN Security Council to vote on Syria resolution as hundreds are killed in Homs

04 February 2012 02:00 AM

The United Nations Security Council will meet today to take up a much-negotiated resolution on Syria, a Western diplomat said.

Diplomats hope Russia will back UN resolution

04 February 2012 12:00 AM

Envoys at the UN Security Council awaited a decision by Moscow yesterday on the latest version of a European-Arab draft resolution endorsing an Arab League plan for Syria, and some diplomats said the Kremlin may go along with it.

Islamists' election success could deepen Kuwait's political crisis

04 February 2012 12:00 AM

Kuwait's Islamist-led opposition took control of the Gulf state's parliament yesterday, making sweeping gains in a snap election on the back of a wave of public anger over corruption and political deadlock.

Israel calls for attack on Iran 'before it is too late'

03 February 2012 12:00 AM

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak issued a stark warning last night that military action may be needed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons before it is "too late" and Tehran puts its programme beyond the reach of external attack.

Kuwaiti snap election set to bolster opposition

03 February 2012 12:00 AM

Opposition candidates were expected to make gains in a snap parliamentary election held yesterday in the Gulf Arab state.

President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been a major customer for Russian arms manufacturers

UN waters down Syria proposals in bid to win Russia's backing

03 February 2012 12:00 AM

Call for Assad's removal is dropped and arms embargo shelved in effort to placate Moscow

The plan calls for Assad to delegate his authority to his deputy

UN may drop 'Assad quit' call

02 February 2012 05:38 PM

UN Security Council ambassadors are considering a revised resolution aimed at stopping the bloodshed in Syria that removes an explicit reference to President Bashar Assad stepping aside.

Israel's military leaders warn against Iran attack

02 February 2012 12:00 AM

Former Israeli defence chief says that a strike on Iran would plunge the Middle East into war

Impasse at the UN as Russia digs its heels in over Syria

02 February 2012 12:00 AM

Russia warned the West it was ready to veto UN action on Syria last night, hardening its stance even as reports indicated special forces had been deployed to crush resistance in the rebel-held town of Zabadani, only 20 miles west of Damascus.

IAEA delegation to plans new trip to Iran

01 February 2012 02:38 PM

A senior UN nuclear expert announced plans to revisit Tehran soon after a “good trip,” indicating progress on his team's quest to probe suspicions that the Islamic Republic is secretly working on an atomic arms program.

Supporters of President Bashar Assad at a rally in Sabe Bahrat square, Damascus

Robert Fisk: Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies

01 February 2012 12:00 AM

Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war. But if the regime should survive, what sort of country will it rule?

Iranians reach out – in Spanish

01 February 2012 12:00 AM

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has launched a Spanish-language satellite TV channel, saying it would hit the world's "dominance seekers" – an apparent jab at the US and the West.

Israel sets up elite command unit to strike behind 'enemy' lines

01 February 2012 12:00 AM

Covert operations on rise amid concern that sanctions may not halt Iran nuclear programme

Stalemate at UN on resolution urging Assad to go

01 February 2012 12:00 AM

A defiant Russia resisted intense pressure from the West and several Arab countries yesterday for a strong United Nations resolution demanding President Bashar al-Assad steps aside to end the political violence in Syria and speed a transition to democracy.