Persian Gulf

Two small fishing boats are shown in the near ground with large oil tankers off in the distance.

Iran bypasses Hormuz Strait to export crude oil

Iran Thursday began exporting crude oil for the first time in the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iran bypasses Hormuz Strait to export crude oil
President Donald Trump met with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

The Gulf sees Qatar as 'an outlaw,' but Trump needs everyone to get along

The Gulf sees Qatar as 'an outlaw,' but Trump needs everyone to get along
Iran's national flags are seen on a square in Tehran.

Iran says it has full control of Gulf, US Navy does not belong there

Iran says it has full control of Gulf, US Navy does not belong there
The team in the changing room before a big match. Left to right: Kenneth, David, Binumon, Purna, Umesh, Padam.

They are building Qatar's World Cup stadiums — and dreaming of playing soccer.

They are building Qatar's World Cup stadiums — and dreaming of playing soccer.
Sophia, a robot integrating the latest technologies and artificial intelligence developed by Hanson Robotics is pictured during a presentation at the "AI for Good" Global Summit at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland Jun

Saudi Arabia has a new citizen: Sophia the robot. But what does that even mean?

Saudi Arabia has a new citizen: Sophia the robot. But what does that even mean?
The entrance of Trump International Hotel

Commentary: Americans should demand reforms that ensure government serves the people

Sarah Chayes, a senior associate in the Democracy and Rule of Law Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, says politicians from both sides of the aisle are not taking seriously enough their duty to ensure they're not turning their government role into an opportunity to make a buck.

Commentary: Americans should demand reforms that ensure government serves the people
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was Iran's president from 2005 to 2013.

Iran's notorious Ahmadinejad is running for president again

Iran's former hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took the shock move on Wednesday of registering for next month's presidential election, going against the advice of the supreme leader.

Iran's notorious Ahmadinejad is running for president again
The fake KFC in West Tehran thought it had obtained approval from the country's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Mines.

Iranians tussle over a KFC outlet, but the clash is actually about so much more

A fake Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise was shuttered in Tehran this week, but that doesn't mean Iranians aren't preparing to work with western companies.

Iranians tussle over a KFC outlet, but the clash is actually about so much more
Iranians wave the national flag during celebrations in  Tehran on July 14, 2015, after Iran's nuclear negotiating team struck a deal with world powers in Vienna.

Iranians are celebrating a nuclear deal, some with homemade vodka

A nuclear deal with Iran is welcomed by many around the globe, including two brothers, one in Tehran and another in California

Iranians are celebrating a nuclear deal, some with homemade vodka
People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by an air strike near the Sanaa airport on March 26, 2015.

Yemen's 'turf battle' just got a lot bigger — and a lot more dangerous

The Houthi takeover of much of Yemen has turned into a regional power struggle, as a Saudi-led military coalition has started attacking Houthi targets in Yemen. The intervention could now have far wider implications outside of Yemen, including at the nuclear negotiating table.

Yemen's 'turf battle' just got a lot bigger — and a lot more dangerous
Saudi Arabia's picture of King Abdullah Economic City in 20 years

Saudi Arabia plans a $100 billion mega-city to help end its oil dependence

With oil prices down and the world's supply eventually running out, Saudi Arabia is looking to the future by constructing a massive new city from scratch along the Red Sea. The kingdom hopes it will provide a new source of income and trade, but it's not without its own problems.

Saudi Arabia plans a $100 billion mega-city to help end its oil dependence
Laborers work at a construction site in Doha on June 18, 2012.

Foreign workers face exploitation and death while building Qatar's World Cup sites

As many as 1,000 foreign workers have been killed on construction sites in Qatar since it was awarded the 2022 World Cup four years ago. Poor pay, inhumane conditions, malnutrition and death — all are part of life for the men trying to build the new stadiums and hotels, while supporting their families.

Foreign workers face exploitation and death while building Qatar's World Cup sites
US Navy officers with the laser weapon on the USS Ponce.

Is that a US Navy ship or a Star Destroyer?

For the first time, the US Navy has deployed a laser weapon on the high seas, ready to fry any drones or speedboats that might dare to attack. It's still a prototype for now, but it could be a first step in a new, lethal — and relatively cheap — era of naval combat.

Is that a US Navy ship or a Star Destroyer?
The Royal Opera House in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

Oman is fusing its traditional culture with modern touches... and pulling in tourists

The Sultanate of Oman has always been different than its neighbors in the Persian Gulf. It’s known as a calm, tranquil oasis, and frequent host to high-level secret talks between heads of opposing nations. But the most visible difference is an emphasis on local culture over glitz and glam.

Oman is fusing its traditional culture with modern touches... and pulling in tourists
A screenshot from a video released by four Bahraini men calling on their Sunni countrymen to take up arms against the country's ruling family and Shiite majority.

ISIS looks to spread its recruiting and violence to the Persian Gulf

A recent video from ISIS targeting recruits from Bahrain is part of an apparent new surge in calls for recruits from the Gulf states, where many observers think governments have turned a blind eye to extremism. And these new efforts are calling for people to take up arms at home, not just in Iraq or Syria.

ISIS looks to spread its recruiting and violence to the Persian Gulf