Saudi Arabia defied the world by escalating its crisis with Iran over the execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

As tensions escalate between Saudi Arabia and Iran over the Saudi execution of a Shia cleric, countries such as ours will be reluctant to take sides.

Who was Nimr al-Nimr and why does his death matter?

Protesters stormed and torched the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran after the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

Looking back at economies impacted from major world events in 2015.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is preparing to lead a trade mission to Iran amid a thawing of relations between the Islamic republic and the west.

After decades of chanting "Death to America", Iran's rulers have finally embraced a slogan that celebrates life and procreation.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has thanked US Secretary of State John Kerry for his "patient and effective diplomacy" in putting the Iran nuclear deal together.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, has tweeted a graphic that appears to depict US President Barack Obama holding a gun to his head.

Iran's nuclear deal will allow the republic will to replace hundreds of museum-era jets frozen in time by economic sanctions.

Iran and the US have been thrown together in the fight against the Islamic State. Originally reluctant allies, they are now better placed to work in tandem.

President Barack Obama has challenged his critics at home and abroad to back the Iran nuclear deal.

The deal to curb Iran's nuclear weapons programme came at the end of two years of an intricate ballet, involving United States President Barack Obama and leaders of six other countries.

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council says they are monitoring "the potential of opening up of trade with Iran".

While the world is distracted by the Greek saga and China something really important is going on: Iran and oil.

Murray McCully said today the nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers was an “important” breakthrough.

Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday the United States and its negotiating partners "will not rush, and we will not be rushed" into finalising a nuclear deal with Iran.

Oil rose after Iran's nuclear accord with world powers left the timing of increased crude supplies from the Opec member uncertain and as Saudi Arabia raised prices for shipments to Asia.

Iran's Foreign Minister said that Tehran would be able to return to its nuclear activities if the West withdraws from a pact that is to be finalised in June.

Pakistan has test-fired a ballistic missile able to carry a nuclear warhead to every part of India. Yesterday's test was another escalation in Islamabad's effort to keep pace with its neighbouring rival's formidable military advancements.

Hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set off for Washington, a group of 180 retired Israeli generals and former top security officials warned that his address to a joint meeting of Congress....

The site in Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have been born is about to be "buried under marble" and replaced by a huge royal palace.

Shades of Silicon Valley are bubbling up in Tehran, which is home to a growing tech ecosystem, despite significant challenges.

The Nobel Prize of mathematics has been awarded to a woman for the first time, which could encourage more young female mathematicians.

At least 40 people are feared dead after small passenger plane crashed while taking off from an airport near the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that the country is ready to assist Iraq in its battle against extremist Sunni Islamists.

A billionaire businessman that was responsible for the biggest bank fraud Iran has ever seen has been executed, Iranian state media has said.

China carries out more executions than any other country, a new report has estimated.