Tehran, United Arab Emirates: In a rare attack targeting the judiciary, two prominent hard-line judges were fatally shot in Iran’s capital on Saturday. The victims, clerics Mohammad Mogheiseh and Ali Razini, were allegedly involved in the mass execution of dissidents in 1988.

While major ruptures are not expected, Gulf states are urging a tougher stance on Israel and a softening toward Iran, positions that differ greatly from the president-elect’s first term.

The agreement is focused more on trade than military issues, but it will bring two countries with a shared desire to challenge the West closer together.

Russia and Iran plan to sign a new 20-year treaty, and it is missing a key element in its territorial integrity clause: Crimea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting his Iranian counterpart President Masoud Pezeshkian for the signing of a broad partnership pact

A mysterious airstrip being built on a remote island in Yemen is nearing completion, according to satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a broad cooperation pact Friday as their countries deepened their partnership in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet on Tuesday in an area near the Nepalese border and Mount Everest, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188 more. Rescue efforts remain ongoing to find survivors trapped under debris from more than 1,000 buildings damaged or destroyed in the quake.

The runway is likely built by the United Arab Emirates, which has long been suspected of expanding its military presence in the region.

In yet another piece of the jigsaw puzzle of a new Middle East, Mr. As-Sudani sees reining in the Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite militias as key to preventing Iraq from being sucked into Israel’s wars. Mr. As-Sudani, like the United States, views Iran’s weakening as a window of opportunity.