Iran successfully launches Sorayya satellite - Iranian media

Iran released a tanker on Wednesday, five days after seizing it in the Gulf in its first such action since it curbed its regional military activity following Israeli-U.S. airstrikes this year.

President Donald Trump welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to further rehabilitate his global image after the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington.

Syria on Tuesday began the first trial of suspects in a wave of bloodshed in March during which pro-government fighters killed hundreds of members of the Alawite minority - a case seen as a test of President Ahmed al-Sharaa's promise of accountability.