The number of executions reached 64 in nearly five weeks

President Barack Obama and leaders of other major industrial powers grappled Friday with options to solidify world resolve against development of an Iranian nuclear bomb and encourage a more forceful response to worsening violence in Syria.

Late last year, Iran issued a series of not-so veiled threats to the West, suggesting it could use its "oil weapon" to show displeasure over toughening sanctions by halting exports or disrupting the Strait of Hormuz.

Opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons is widespread around the world, including in neighboring countries Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, and support for tough economic sanctions is high, according to poll released Friday.

The Republican-led House of Representatives approved Friday the use of US force against Iran if the Tehran regime threatens the United States and its allies with nuclear weapons.

Status of the Processing of the Camp Ashraf Residents: House Oversight and Investigations

Senator Roy Blunt Opens Panel Where Senior Former Military, State Dept., and Judiciary Officials Slam Claim Iranian Dissident Camp Could Hold Weapons, Call for Delisting the Group

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi played down reports that his name and position have been removed from the official website of the Iraqi presidency

Babylon’s Hanging Gardens were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but heritage appears to be no match for Iraq’s booming oil industry in a dispute over a new pipeline.

Lawmakers have pressed a top State Department official on whether the Obama administration believes that a group of Iranian dissidents in an Iraqi camp has given up their weapons.