Iran media reported clashes overnight between armed militants and security forces in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan after a percussion bomb caused a scare but injured no one. Police have sealed off the area around the blast and Zahedan Governor Hassanali Nouri said police were pursuing those behind the …

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Iran today, his country’s closest regional ally.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Friday he hopes to form a new coalition government with Fatah in less than three weeks. On Thursday, Haniyeh and his government resigned and President Mahmoud Abbas appointed him to form the new cabinet, based on last week’s understandings in the Saudi city of Mecca.