Iran court upholds lashes sentence for singer who performed without hijab

Parastoo Ahmadi was convicted of "offending public decency" after singing while wearing a sleeveless dress during a livestreamed concert.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 12:15 pm

Inside Yemen's front-line city as Houthis battle for control

In rare access to Yemen's conflict zone the BBC travels to the front line with pro-government soldiers.

Posted on: 27 September 2026 | 4:16 pm

Watch: BBC reports from the front-line of an escalating war in Yemen

In rare access to Yemen's conflict zone the BBC travels to the front line with pro-government soldiers.

Posted on: 27 September 2026 | 4:00 pm

Iranian minister says only negotiation can end conflict after Trump rejects Hormuz deal

The foreign minister says Tehran is waiting for an official rejection of a deal, despite the US President's comments.

Posted on: 27 September 2026 | 2:44 am

Trump rejects Iran deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz in seven days

Iran's foreign minister acknowledges Trump's comments, but adds that Tehran is waiting for the "definitive views" of mediators.

Posted on: 26 September 2026 | 5:15 pm

Why an international arrest warrant didn't stop Netanyahu's US trip

The BBC's Nada Tawfik explains why Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu was not arrested after speaking at the UN, despite an ICC arrest warrant.

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 1:41 pm

Netanyahu defends Israeli military action as delegates walk out before UN speech

The Israeli leader labels those who left his speech at the UN General Assembly as "moral cowards". 

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 6:44 am

Miliband tells Iran minister UK will not tolerate 'hostile activity' on British soil

The foreign secretary stresses "the UK's unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups in UK soil, including attacks on the British Jewish community".

Posted on: 24 September 2026 | 9:51 pm

Who are the Houthis and what do they want?

A rapid military advance down Yemen's Red Sea coast has put the spotlight on the Iran-backed group, amid growing concerns about the global energy market.

Posted on: 24 September 2026 | 8:58 am

Trump's Board of Peace unveils $2.45bn Gaza recovery plan

The figure was announced during a meeting of the group's board at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Posted on: 24 September 2026 | 5:11 am

Iran's president tells Trump it will never 'bend the knee'

Masoud Pezeshkian's defiant speech to the UN comes after the US president threatened to "annihilate" Iran if a peace deal is not agreed soon.

Posted on: 23 September 2026 | 1:15 pm

US and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump's 'annihilation' threat

The talks are the first since a ceasefire collapsed in June, with the sides exchanging fire intermittently.

Posted on: 23 September 2026 | 1:12 am

Reports of violence against women in Gaza surge, UN agency finds

The UN Population Fund also says there has been a "severe escalation" in the number of early and forced marriages.

Posted on: 23 September 2026 | 12:02 am

Watch: Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran if no deal reached

US President Donald Trump presented Iran with a stark choice: reach an agreement or face the rapid “annihilation” of the Islamic Republic.

Posted on: 22 September 2026 | 12:35 pm

Iran must stop arming Houthis in Yemen, G7 says ahead of UN General Assembly

The G7 also condemns "in the strongest terms" Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying that the escalation in fighting in Yemen jeopardises global energy security.

Posted on: 22 September 2026 | 8:39 am

Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important?

The BBC's Frank Gardner explains why the narrow waterway is key to oil transportation and the world economy.

Posted on: 22 September 2026 | 7:57 am

UK to help refuel Saudi jets countering Houthi attacks

The UK says it will provide air-to-air refuelling for "defensive" operations following a request from Saudi Arabia.

Posted on: 22 September 2026 | 3:53 am

Yemenis flee across Red Sea as Houthis and Saudi-backed forces escalate war

The BBC's Frank Gardner speaks to some of those who have fled the war by crossing the Red Sea to Djibouti.

Posted on: 21 September 2026 | 9:14 am

Inside Djibouti refugee camp for thousands fleeing Houthi advance in Yemen

Fighting on Yemen's west coast has prompted thousands of people to flee by boat across the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Posted on: 21 September 2026 | 5:00 am

Houthis say they targeted Saudi capital with ballistic missiles

A reported strike on a fuel depot at Riyadh airport caused delays on Saturday, as Saudi Arabia says it shot down a ballistic missile aimed at the capital.

Posted on: 19 September 2026 | 6:49 pm

Cultural treasures are being destroyed worldwide - so why is no-one being punished?

A cauldron of conflicts is bubbling across the world, with cultural monuments being destroyed. These people are fighting against it.

Posted on: 19 September 2026 | 6:18 pm

Why US plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia is controversial

Saudi Arabia has lobbied the US for years to buy F35s, the world's most advanced fighter jet.

Posted on: 17 September 2026 | 8:31 pm

UN experts say grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran strikes

The US has not acknowledged carrying out February's deadly strikes on a primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd.

Posted on: 17 September 2026 | 3:34 pm

Algae bloom that crippled Israel's desalination plants raises water security concerns

The "carpet" of microalgae stopped five of Israel's six desalination plants from working.

Posted on: 17 September 2026 | 3:40 am

AI 'SpongeBob' parody of problems in Egypt draws scrutiny of authorities

A take on the hit US TV series has become an unlikely tool for Egyptians to complain about life amid strict surveillance.

Posted on: 15 September 2026 | 1:02 am