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Iranian military personnel on a patrol boat in the Strait of Hormuz. File photo: AFP

UK maritime monitor warns of ‘volatile’ situation in Hormuz Strait as US blockade takes effect

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The Persian Gulf. File photo: Fars News

Iran says security of Persian Gulf is ‘either for everyone or no one’

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 12, 2026. Photo: AFP

US to block traffic at Iranian ports as Trump says ceasefire ‘holding well’

US President Donald Trump makes a fist upon arrival at Miami International Airport in Miami, on April 11, 2026. Photo: AFP

Trump orders US Navy blockade of Strait of Hormuz after Iran talks fail

The Latest

Iran

Iranian authorities prepare noose for hanging. File photo: AFP

8 hours ago

Iran sentences four protesters to death in case involving coerced confessions: Monitor

Iraq

9 hours ago

Iraqi security forces bust drug networks using new paper-based smuggling methods

Turkey

10 hours ago

Ocalan's brother censures Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party over Kurdish language

Iraq

Leaders of the Shiite Coordination Framework hold a periodic meeting. File photo: Iraqi News Agency (INA)

10 hours ago

Iraq’s Coordination Framework to resume talks on PM nominee amid divided candidacies

Iran

Demonstrators protest against the execution of an Iranian footballer in front of the Iranian embassy in Mexico City on December 19, 2022. Photo: AFP

13 hours ago

Iran pushes fast-tracked wartime trials amid fears of increased use of executions

Iraq

Iraqi oil tankers depart Iraq for Syria through al-Waleed border crossing on March 31, 2026. Photo: Iraq's General Authority of Customs

14 hours ago

Iraq exporting hundreds of oil tankers daily via Syria amid Hormuz disruptions: Official

Syria

Ismail Sheikmus, a newly-released fighter with the People’s Protection Units (YPG), speaks to Rudaw on April 12, 2026. Photo: Screengrab/ Rudaw

yesterday at 11:47

Freed YPG fighter alleges daily torture, civilian detentions in Syrian prisons

Iran

An undated photo of Kurdish blogger Hadis Haghighi. Photo: Hengaw Organization for Human Rights

yesterday at 10:19

Kurdish female blogger tortured in Iran as concerns over war detainees grow: Watchdog

Iran

Navy ships during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Gulf on February 16, 2026. Photo: Sepanews via AFP

yesterday at 08:18

IRGC warns military vessels in Strait of Hormuz will violate ceasefire

Iraq

9 hours ago

Iraqi security forces bust drug networks using new paper-based smuggling methods

Leaders of the Shiite Coordination Framework hold a periodic meeting. File photo: Iraqi News Agency (INA)

10 hours ago

Iraq’s Coordination Framework to resume talks on PM nominee amid divided candidacies

Iraqi oil tankers depart Iraq for Syria through al-Waleed border crossing on March 31, 2026. Photo: Iraq's General Authority of Customs

14 hours ago

Iraq exporting hundreds of oil tankers daily via Syria amid Hormuz disruptions: Official

Shiite pilgrims arriving from Iran go through border control at the Zurbatiyah crossing in Iraq's Wasit province on August 6, 2025. File photo: AFP

yesterday at 05:26

Iraq's trade with Tehran holds steady amid fragile US-Iran ceasefire: Offical

The new Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Mar Paul Nona III. Photo: Chaldean Patriarchate

yesterday at 02:41

Chaldean Catholic Church appoints new patriarch

KDP rejects Iraq’s presidency vote

Iraqi leaders congratulate Nizar Amedi on Presidency after contested vote

PUK’s Nizar Amedi elected Iraqi president in session boycotted by KDP

KDP, PUK clash over quorum as Iraqi Parliament set to elect president

KDP boycotts Iraqi parliament session to elect president

KDP signals it may skip Saturday vote on Iraq’s president

Flights land in Iraq as airspace opens

Iraqi oil yet to pass through Strait of Hormuz despite US-Iran ceasefire: Official

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Turkey

10 hours ago

Ocalan's brother censures Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party over Kurdish language

People arrested in Turkey in relation to the recent attack on Israeli consulate in Istanbul. Photo: AA

11-04-2026

Nine jailed over attack near Israeli consulate in Istanbul

Tens of thousands of people at Newroz celebration in Diyarbakir (Amed) - Photo Rudaw)

21-03-2026

Kurdish leaders reiterate support for Turkiye’s ongoing peace process with Kurds in Newroz messages

A view of Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. File photo: AA

16-03-2026

Three tourists from Kurdistan Region stranded at Istanbul airport for 18 days amid airspace closure

Turkish soldiers waiting in front of Incirlik military base in Adana on March 12, 2026. Photo: Turkish Ministry of National Defense

13-03-2026

Turkey says it shot down third ballistic missile from Iran

Erdogan praises Kurdistan Region’s neutrality in Iran-Israel-US war

Ocalan backs democratic politics, praises Turkish leaders on peace process anniversary

Erdogan vows military action ‘wherever there is a threat’

Turkish parliamentary vote ‘accelerates’ PKK peace process: Erdogan

Turkey's Kurdish classrooms face teacher shortage amid unemployment

DEM Party delegation meets jailed PKK leader

Turkey among worst countries for lawmakers: Report

DEM Party delegation says meeting with Erdogan was ‘important’

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Iran

Iranian authorities prepare noose for hanging. File photo: AFP

8 hours ago

Iran sentences four protesters to death in case involving coerced confessions: Monitor

Demonstrators protest against the execution of an Iranian footballer in front of the Iranian embassy in Mexico City on December 19, 2022. Photo: AFP

13 hours ago

Iran pushes fast-tracked wartime trials amid fears of increased use of executions

An undated photo of Kurdish blogger Hadis Haghighi. Photo: Hengaw Organization for Human Rights

yesterday at 10:19

Kurdish female blogger tortured in Iran as concerns over war detainees grow: Watchdog

Navy ships during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Gulf on February 16, 2026. Photo: Sepanews via AFP

yesterday at 08:18

IRGC warns military vessels in Strait of Hormuz will violate ceasefire

Iranians walking and browsing their phones on a street in Tehran in September 2023. Photo: AFP

yesterday at 03:46

Iran signals possible easing of internet restrictions after 44-day blackout

Iran says Lebanon ceasefire, asset release conditions for Islamabad talks

Former Iranian FM dies from injuries sustained in US-Israeli strike

Iran claims 10-point proposal submitted to US violated

Continued military activity near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant risks severe accident: IAEA

Iran says IRGC intelligence chief killed

Iran executes protest detainee as more linked to january unrest hanged

Kurdish Iranian opposition groups deny claims of receiving weapons from US

Iran executes two protesters days after co-defendant’s hanging amid rights concerns

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Syria

Ismail Sheikmus, a newly-released fighter with the People’s Protection Units (YPG), speaks to Rudaw on April 12, 2026. Photo: Screengrab/ Rudaw

yesterday at 11:47

Freed YPG fighter alleges daily torture, civilian detentions in Syrian prisons

A Kurdish fighter released from Syrian government custody has alleged systematic torture and arbitrary detentions, saying prisoners were abused daily and civilians were rounded up to be used in negotiations.

Prisoners released as part of a prisoner swap between the SDF and Damascus on April 11, 2026. Photo: Syrian government

11-04-2026

SDF, Damascus swap nearly 500 prisoners

11-04-2026

Damascus begins granting citizenship to unregistered Syrian Kurds

SDF fighters and logos of SDF and Syria. Graphic: Rudaw

10-04-2026

Nearly 400 SDF detainees to be released Saturday after delay: Damascus official

The Iraq-Syria border, January 23, 2026. File photo: AFP

09-04-2026

Iraq to reopen Rabia crossing with Syria: Official

Rojava’s all-female force says 35 members remain in Syrian jails

Syria looks to return to oil production of 380,000 barrels per day

Kurds abused, Kurdish flag insulted in northern Syria during Newroz: officials

Syria, Kurdish-led SDF swap 600 prisoners

SDF’s Mazloum Abdi arrives in Kobane in first visit after siege

Syria, SDF to swap 100 prisoners in latest post-ceasefire deal

Prominent SDF commander appointed deputy Syrian defense minister

First convoy of displaced Afrin families set to return under Damascus-SDF agreement

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Middle East

Iranian military personnel on a patrol boat in the Strait of Hormuz. File photo: AFP

8 hours ago

UK maritime monitor warns of ‘volatile’ situation in Hormuz Strait as US blockade takes effect

The Persian Gulf. File photo: Fars News

20 hours ago

Iran says security of Persian Gulf is ‘either for everyone or no one’

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 12, 2026. Photo: AFP

23 hours ago

US to block traffic at Iranian ports as Trump says ceasefire ‘holding well’

US President Donald Trump makes a fist upon arrival at Miami International Airport in Miami, on April 11, 2026. Photo: AFP

yesterday at 06:52

Trump orders US Navy blockade of Strait of Hormuz after Iran talks fail

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo)

yesterday at 12:38

Tankers carrying Iraqi, Saudi oil transit Strait of Hormuz amid traffic restrictions

US begins mine clearance mission in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s top negotiator voices distrust of US as talks set to begin in Islamabad

Jordan considers Iraqi oil exports via its territory: Ministry

Emirati airspace ‘free’ of threats after nearly 2,900 Iranian attacks intercepted: Defense ministry

Iranian, Saudi FMs hold first call since eruption of Middle East war

Uncertainty looms over Iran-US talks in Islamabad

Peshmerga ministry blames Iran, “terrorist” allied forces for attacks

President Nechirvan Barzani, Sharaa discuss regional war

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Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN, March 12, 2026. Photo: Screengrab/ Rudaw

Iran rules out closing Strait of Hormuz despite new supreme leader’s warning

Preserving peace in the Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s “inherent right,” Tehran’s...

Young thalassemia patient in Qamishli struggles to access treatment

A seven-year-old girl in Qamishli suffering from thalassemia faces severe...

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Photo: Screenshot/Rudaw

UN says it will look into reports of looting near Kobane

The United Nations said Monday it has not yet verified reports of widespread...

Kurdish women kolbars transport goods on the Kurdistan Region-Iran border on January 26, 2026. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaw

Kurdish kolbars continue to struggle with hardships in crossing Iran’s border

On the Kurdistan Region border with Iran, Kurdish kolbars - semi-legal porters...

Afrin family pleads for return following ceasefire

Syrian ‘siege’ on Kobane leaves families in fear for loved ones

Kobane, a Kurdish city in northern Syria, is facing what aid groups warn could...

Iraqi police cracks down on crime in Baghdad

Young, deaf man killed over friendly football match in Baghdad

Over 100 nightclubs shut in Baghdad

Yazidis call on Iraqi govt to speed up process to build houses for Shingal returnees

Skiing with wood; Kurdish villagers in Turkey preserve cultural heritage

A year on from the earthquake, survivors in Turkey's Malatya decry conditions

Iraq exhumes large mass graves of ISIS victims

Iraq’s top leaders warmly welcome President Barzani

Mass grave containing dozens of Kurds unearthed in southern Iraq

Bazaars are bustling in post-Assad Damascus

Syrians search of missing family members after Assad’s downfall