US Defence Secretary Robert Gates flew into the Saudi capital on Wednesday for talks expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme and Washington's push for tough sanctions against Tehran.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates flew into Riyadh on Wednesday for talks expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme and Washington's push for tough sanctions against Tehran.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc said Wednesday it has stopped selling gasoline to Iran, the latest company to cease business with a country that is increasingly targeted by U.S.-encouraged sanctions.

Cindy Hickey had rehearsed what she would say to her son when she finally got to talk to him months after he was detained in Iran. When the time came, the conversation lasted only about a minute, she said, "so it was hard to say a lot."

Three US hikers being detained in Iran for entering the country illegally were allowed to phone their families for the first time since their arrest, their supporters said Wednesday.

The families of three Americans detained in Iran for months say their loved ones have been allowed to call home for the first time.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Saudi Arabia on a mission to show officials in Tehran that their neighbors in the region are closing ranks in opposition to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

Three U.S. hikers who were detained in Iran have spoken by phone with their relatives for the first time since authorities jailed them more than seven months ago, the hikers' families said Wednesday.

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Saudi Arabia on a mission to show officials in Tehran that their neighbors in the region are closing ranks in opposition to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

Three US hikers being detained in Iran for entering the country illegally were allowed to phone their families for the first time since their arrest, their supporters said Wednesday.

The families of three Americans detained in Iran for months say their loved ones have been allowed to call home for the first time.

The families of three U.S. hikers detained in Iran for months say their loved ones have been allowed to call home for the first time.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss efforts to put pressure on Iran, stabilize Yemen and to urge the Saudis to engage with Iraq ahead of the U.S. withdrawal.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates flew into Riyadh on Wednesday for talks expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme and Washington's push for tough sanctions against Tehran.

US defense chief holds strategy talks with Gulf ally Saudi Arabia about response to Iran Saudi Arabia - Iran - Middle East - Arabian Peninsula - Maps and Views

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will discuss military cooperation and Iran’s nuclear program, officials said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was keeping up the pressure on Iran on Wednesday, consulting with the United States' closest and most influential ally in the Persian Gulf about how to respond to Iran's disputed nuclear program.

America's defense chief thanked Afghanistan's soldiers for their service during a tour of a training camp Wednesday as Iran's hardline president arrived in Kabul with a pledge to purge "occupying forces" from the troubled land.

Iran's conservative-dominated parliament has slashed much of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's proposed energy and food subsidy cuts, intensifying a battle over legislation that has the potential of stoking more unrest in the country.

Iran's parliament has blocked the bulk of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's proposed cuts in energy and food subsidies, intensifying a battle over legislation that has the potential to stoke more unrest in the country.