Members of a top Iraqi delegation expect to reach an agreement Friday with the Biden administration to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, the country’s foreign minister told VOA on Thursday. In an exclusive interview with VOA’s Kurdish Service, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed the proposed nature of …

Iran on Thursday opened its first oil terminal in the Gulf of Oman, a move aimed at making Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s regime less dependent on the Strait of Hormuz, often a source of international tension. The location of the new oil terminal — a project that began in 2019 …

ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN The state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan witnessed multiple exchanges of fire and reported ceasefire violations in recent weeks. Skirmishes since late June have killed one Armenian serviceman, injured five other Armenians (including one civilian), and killed one and wounded three Azerbaijani servicemen. Crisis Group expert Zaur Shiriyev says …