EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini will visit Iran and Saudi Arabia next week following the agreement she helped broker with Tehran on its contested nuclear program, her office said Thursday.

The talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday will cover "regional issues, in the aftermath of the agreement reached on 14 July on the Iranian nuclear issue, as well as international issues of common interest," a statement said.

Pentagon chief Ashton Carter flew to Baghdad Thursday for talks on Iraq's war against the Islamic State group, whose "caliphate" is shrinking but is ramping up deadly car bombings.

Carter was to meet Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Sunni Arab tribal leaders from Anbar, the province where much of the fighting has taken place in recent weeks.

Thousands of protesters packed into Times Square on Wednesday evening to demand that Congress vote down the proposed U.S. deal with Iran.

As the crowd loomed behind police barricades, chants of "Kill the deal!" could be heard for blocks. The event, billed as the "Stop Iran Rally" consisted mainly of pro-Israel supporters, though organizers said it represents Americans of all faiths and political convictions.

The Washington Post filed a U.N. petition Wednesday seeking the release of its correspondent Jason Rezaian by Iran, as the dual-national journalist began a second year behind bars.

The U.S. daily said it hopes the petition filed with the U.N. Human Rights Council's working group on arbitrary detention will help secure the release of the reporter, who has been accused of espionage.

A team of American humanoid robots defeated foes from Iran on Wednesday in the final of an annual football tournament for intelligent sporting machines held in China.

In a tightly fought final, a team designed by the University of Pennsylvania and named THORwIn scored five goals compared to four from Iranian team Baset Adult-Size, organizers said.

Saudi leaders on Wednesday sought reassurance from U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter over a deal curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for an easing of economic sanctions.

Carter held talks in the Red Sea city of Jeddah with King Salman and his powerful son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is defense minister and second-in-line to the throne.

Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea accused Iran of thwarting the presidential elections in Lebanon through its ally Hizbullah, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Wednesday.

He told the daily: “The presence of a president will weaken Hizbullah's role in Lebanon.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stated that Lebanon should await the outcome of the meeting between Iranian officials and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to determine whether the election of a president will be facilitated, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Wednesday.

He told the daily: “If the Iranian side does not show flexibility regarding the elections and the cabinet's upcoming session, then it would therefore be attempting to alter the Taef Accord.”

The White House launched a new Twitter account Tuesday to defend the Iran nuclear deal, as U.S. lawmakers prepared to debate the long-negotiated agreement.

In its inaugural tweet, @TheIranDeal linked to a resource page about the agreement between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program. 

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to thank him for Beijing's work on the deal to curtail Iran's nuclear program, the White House said Tuesday.

In a conversation Monday, the two leaders also agreed it was important to keep working together to ensure implementation of the historic accord reached last week in Vienna, the White House said in a statement.