Author: Jane Arraf

NPR accompanies UN peacekeepers behind Israeli lines as Israel expands its occupation of South Lebanon following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

U.S. threats erupt into attacks in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran retaliates against U.S. targets in the UAE and Jordan in the first exchange of fire since July 29

Treasure Secretary Scott Bessent said oil pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant in two years. Energy experts say that is unlikely to happen.

Pilgrims came to Iraq from all over the world in August. Many Iraqi and Iranian pilgrims walked hundreds of miles in extreme heat to mark the event. Outside the shrines, the atmosphere is almost festive.

Despite wars ranging across the Middle East, more than 20 million Shia pilgrims gather in Iraq shrine city for Arbaeen festival