Fox-news/world/world-regions/middle-east
- Iran in shutdown as protesters storm governor's office, crowds chant 'Death to Khamenei' - Iran security forces clash with protesters in Tehran, Shiraz and Kermanshah as opposition groups report gunfire and demonstrators chant 'Death to Khamenei' during fourth day of unrest.
- UK PM Starmer–praised Egyptian extremist faces counter-terror probe over resurfaced tweets - U.K. counterterrorism police assess controversial social media posts by Egyptian-British activist after his return to Britain sparked political backlash.
- Hamas confirms five leaders killed including 'masked spokesperson' in major blow to terror group - Five Hamas military commanders confirmed dead by terrorist group's armed wing, marking significant blow to Palestinian militant organization's leadership structure in Gaza conflict.
- Iranian protesters clash with security forces as tear gas fills Tehran streets amid nationwide unrest - Iran protests escalated as demonstrators clashed with security forces in Tehran and Mashhad, with tear gas deployed amid nationwide strikes, reports say.
- Iranian president says his country is at 'total war' with the US, Israel and Europe: reports - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country is at 'total war' with the U.S., Israel and Europe, claiming the conflict is more complex than Iran's 1980s war with Iraq.
- Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland, Trump 'not ready' - Israel becomes first country to officially recognize Somaliland as independent nation in historic diplomatic move tied to Abraham Accords framework.
- 'Jesus is Palestinian' billboard in Times Square this week placed by Arab-American rights group - A billboard in Times Square claims Jesus was Palestinian in a holiday message from an Arab-American group amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
- Christmas returns to Holy Land cities as Bethlehem’s Christian population dwindles, Nazareth remains strong - Christmas returns to Bethlehem amid ongoing concerns over Christian population decline from 86% in 1950 to just 10% today, while Nazareth enjoys growth.
- Christmas spirit returns to Jesus' birthplace after more than two years of war - Thousands celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem for the first time since the implementation of the U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
- Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israeli intelligence - Iran executed a man convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, accused of conducting over 200 spy missions across multiple cities, including Tehran.