Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner confirmed that the case of Zainab Al-Khawaja is considered an issue to the US.

The U.S. State Department said on Thursday it had designated Islamic State's branch in Libya as a "foreign terrorist organization."

The U.S. Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would allow families of Sept. 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia's government for damages, setting up a potential showdown with the White House, which has threatened a veto.

The White House strongly condemned on Tuesday the latest string of attacks in Baghdad by Islamic State, which it said specifically targeted civilians.

The New York Times revealed that Jeffrey D. Feltman wrote an urgent email to more than two dozen colleagues informing them that Saudi Arabia and UAE were sending troops into Bahrain to put down anti-government protests.

Islamic State militants killed a U.S. Navy SEAL in northern Iraq on Tuesday after blasting through Kurdish defenses and overrunning a town in the biggest offensive in the area for months, officials said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi is in a strong position despite political unrest in Iraq, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Monday.

Iran asked U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday to convince the United States to stop violating state immunity after the top U.S. court ruled that $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be paid to American victims of attacks blamed on Tehran.

Iran's Supreme Leader accused the United States on Wednesday of scaring businesses away from Tehran and undermining a deal to lift international sanctions.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): A U.S. citizen who had been sentenced in Bahrain to 10 years in jail in 2013 has been granted a royal pardon and was freed on Thursday after paying a fine, he and his lawyer said.

The United States Department of State Spokesperson John Kirby stated that Secretary of State John Kerry discussed with the King of Bahrain a number of issues, including human rights.

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Sayed Ali Khamenei, stated that the United States wants the Iranians to back down from "supporting the oppressed people in Bahrain."

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): An American journalist said on Wednesday she and the three members of her camera crew were safe and in good health after being released from detention in Bahrain, where they had been accused of participating in an illegal gathering in the U.S.-allied Gulf kingdom.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): The United States on Wednesday praised Bahrain's steps toward political reforms but said the country needs to do more, adding that U.S. officials will continue to press concerns over freedom of expression and other related rights.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): An American journalist and her camera crew who were arrested in Bahrain and accused of participating in an illegal gathering have left the country after being released on Tuesday, their families said in a statement.

Bahrain Mirror (AP): Four U.S. journalists arrested in Bahrain while covering the anniversary of the island nation's 2011 uprising were charged, released and heading for the airport Tuesday to fly out of the country, a lawyer said.

Bahrain Mirror (AP): Bahraini prosecutors began questioning four detained American journalists on Tuesday following their arrest in the tiny island kingdom on the anniversary of its 2011 uprising, a lawyer said.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): A U.S. journalist and three members of her camera crew were detained in Bahrain on Sunday, Reporters Without Borders said on Monday, urging Bahrain to release the four American citizens "rapidly and without harm."

Bahrain Mirror (AP): Bahrain has arrested four American journalists covering the anniversary of its 2011 uprising amid a long crackdown on dissent in the tiny Gulf nation, witnesses said Monday.

Bahrain Mirror (AFP): Bahraini authorities have arrested four Americans during protests marking the fifth anniversary of a Shiite-led uprising in the kingdom, US and Bahraini authorities said, drawing condemnation from rights groups.