White House

Obama Says He Has 'Legal Authority' To Strike Syria

White House dinner with foreign policy experts hints Obama may reveal Syria airstrikes in Wednesday speech.

ZOA Lashes Out at Obama for Proposed Hamas-Israel Equation

US proposal equates Israel with Hamas - sparking ire from American Jewish groups.

White House 'Ready to Take Action' Against IS in Syria

White House says there is serious consideration of military strikes against IS in Syria, as has already been done in Iraq.

Poll: Most Americans Disapprove of Obama's Israel Policy

54% of respondents disapprove of the White House's stance on Israel, in a poll showing deep sociopolitical divides.

Watch: Kurdish Activists Stand with Israel Against Hamas

Pro-Israel rally outside the White House joined by Kurdish activists protesting their own people's fight against Islamism.

White House Condemns Renewed Rocket Fire

Israel agreed to extend negotiations for a permanent ceasefire but Hamas refused, notes White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

Thousands Rally Against Israel Outside the White House

In anti-Israel protest outside the White House, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is equated with Hitler.

White House Welcomes Ceasefire, Calls for Long-Term Truce

White House says it strongly supports the three-day ceasefire in Gaza, urges "restraint" until it begins.

U.S. Willing to 'Leverage Contacts' to Mediate Ceasefire

White House says it is ready to leverage its relationships in the Middle East to try to bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

White House Condemns Gaza Rocket Fire

White House spokesman reiterates Washington supports Israel’s right to self-defense.

US Manages Only Lukewarm 'Condemnation of Violence'

Upon the news of the murder of three Israeli teens, the US limited itself to a tepid 'condemnation of violence.'

White House: Egypt Death Sentences Deeply Troubling

White House condemns the death sentences handed in Egypt to 683 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

U.S. Criticizes PA Moves, Israel's Sanctions

White House says the PA's unilateral moves hurt peace, as State Department says Israel's sanctions on the PA are "unfortunate".

White House: No Visa to Iranian Hostage Taker

The Obama administration officially informs Iran that Tehran's choice as its next UN ambassador will be denied a visa.

White House: Iran's Pick for UN Ambassador 'Not Viable'

The selection of hostage-taker as Iran's UN ambassador is "not viable", says White House spokesman.

White House Praises Kerry's 'Tireless' Peace Efforts

White House spokesman says Kerry's peace efforts are not a waste of time.

Man Who Shot at White House Given 25 Years

Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, who pleaded guilty to firing an assault rifle at the White House, given 25 years in prison.

U.S. Blasts Saudis for Barring American-Israeli Reporter

White House criticizes Saudi Arabia after it refuses a visa to an American journalist because he works for The Jerusalem Post.

Turkey's Twitter Ban Met with Condemnation

White House, State Department and even Turkey's president criticize Ankara's banning of popular social networking site.

U.S. Condemns Iran Over Weapons Ship

Iran's attempt to send weapons to Gaza is a violation of a UN Security Council resolution, says White House spokesman Jay Carney.

US Official Admits Iran Deal Allows Nuclear R&D

Interim deal does not stop Iran from designing new types of centrifuges, a senior White House official admits.

White House Denies Plans to Release Jonathan Pollard

Spokespeople deny reports that Kerry offered option for Pollard's release, confirms skepticism from activists involved in case.

White House Condemns Assad Over Aleppo Attacks

White House condemns the Syrian government over its recent air raids on Aleppo that have left more than 300 dead.

White House: No Immediate Plans to Release Pollard

President Obama has no immediate plans to release Pollard, despite revelations about U.S. spying on Israel, say White House officials.

White House: We Collect Information Like All Other Countries

White House won't respond to reports that the NSA spied on Olmert and Barak. Israeli officials: We weren't surprised.

Obama Threatens Veto as Senators Promote New Iran Sanctions

White House threatened to use its veto power against legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran.

Susan Rice Hosts Israeli Delegation for Talks on Iran

White House says that Obama's national security adviser hosted meetings with Israeli officials to talk about the deal with Iran.

Report: U.S. May Let Iran Continue Enriching

The White House is examining ways to enable Iran to have its own “domestic” uranium enrichment program.

White House: No New Sanctions, Even if They Are Delayed

White House: Passing new sanctions on Iran, even with a delayed launch date, would give Iran an excuse to undermine the interim deal.

Avigdor Liberman to Meet with John Kerry in Washington

FM flying to US this week after talks resume with PA, as polls show Israeli confidence in US relationship plummeting.

Iran: US Fact Sheet Lies About Deal

Iranian officials accuse White House fact sheet on nuclear deal of being 'one-sided,' misleading and 'not true.'

Kerry: New Sanctions At This Time Are a 'Mistake'

White House, State Department warn lawmakers that toughening the sanctions on Iran at this time would be wrong and lead to war.

White House: Bibi's Criticism on Iran is 'Premature'

The United States rejects Israel’s criticism of a proposed deal with Iran over its nuclear program, says "there is no deal" yet.

U.S.: Iran Showed 'Seriousness' in Geneva Talks

Iran showed a greater level of "seriousness and substance" in nuclear talks, says White House spokesman.

White House: Sanctions Are Affected by Shutdown

U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, Syria and others are inhibited by the government shutdown, says White House press secretary.

White House to Support Retroactive Pay to Federal Workers

White House says it will support legislation that would retroactively pay federal workers who have been furloughed due to the shutdown.

White House 'Understand's Israeli Skepticism on Iran'

Jay Carney, White House Press Secretary responds to Netanyahu's warnings to Iran at the UN.

U.S.: UN Report Bolsters Argument that Assad Used Chemicals

Susan Rice: UN report reinforces our assessment that the Syrian regime was behind the chemical attack.

Man Throws Firecrackers at White House, Causes Alarm

The White House was locked down after a man threw firecrackers over the outer fence, hours after Washington gun massacre.

White House: Syria Intervention Will be Limited

The U.S. is looking at a response to Syrian use of chemical weapons that is "very discrete and limited", says White House spokesperson.

U.S. Denies Aid to Egypt Was Cut Off

Media reports suggesting that the United States has cut aid to Egypt are inaccurate, says White House spokesman.

U.S. Slams Erdogan's Allegations of Israel's Role Ousting Morsi

After Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan made comments about Israel's connection in Morsi's ousting, The White House quickly reprimands him.

U.S.: If Iran is Serious, We're a Willing Partner

Iran will find the United States a "willing partner" if Rouhani is prepared for serious talks on its nuclear program, says the White House.

Top U.S. Officials Meet Over Al-Qaeda Threat

Top U.S. officials are reviewing the threat of a terrorist attack that has led to the weekend closure of 21 U.S. embassies and consulates.

White House: Jimmy Carter Taking 'Private Trip' to North Korea

White House seeks to distance itself from former President Carter's plans to travel to North Korea, calling it a “private trip.”

White House Condemns Egypt Violence, Won't Suspend Aid

The White House condemned the bloodshed and violence in Egypt, but took no steps to suspend military assistance to the country.

Helen Thomas Dies, Aged 92

The veteran journalist who ended her career with an anti-Semitic tirade died at 92

U.S. to Russia: Don't Give Snowden a 'Propaganda Platform'

Letting Snowden stay in Russia is counter to the government's previous declarations, says White House spokesman.

Russia Accuses Syrian Rebels of Using Sarin Gas

Russia's UN envoy says he handed over evidence which indicates that the rebels used sarin gas in March. White House skeptical.

White House Cautious About Saying 'Coup' Happened in Egypt

White House spokesman says the U.S. needs to review what happened in Egypt, when asked if Obama sees the regime change as a coup.

White House Hosts Israel-Hating Radical Muslim

White House officials met this month with Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, a deputy of radical Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi.

White House: Iran's New President Can Find a Partner in the U.S.

Iran's new president will find a partner in the U.S. if he comes clean on the nuclear program, says Obama's Chief of Staff.

White House: No Plans for No-Fly Zone Over Syria

White House says a no-fly zone over Syria would be more difficult to set up than it was in Libya.

Suspicious Letter to White House Being Tested for Ricin

A suspicious letter addressed to the White House and "similar" to one sent to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been intercepted.

Israel to Build in Jerusalem, U.S. Angry

An official in the White House reacts angrily to news report that Israel approves construction of 300 new homes in Jerusalem.

U.S.: Much Work Needed to Confirm Syria's Use of Chemicals

White House spokesman Jay Carney says “much more” work needs to be done to verify assessments that Syria used chemical weapons.

Obama Waiting for 'Facts' About Syria's Use of Chemical Weapons

Obama is awaiting a “definitive judgment” on whether the Syrian regime used chemical weapons, the White House says.

White House on Syria: 'All Options Are on the Table'

A senior White House official says "all options are on the table" should use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime be confirmed.

U.S. Not Yet Sure About Assad's Use of Chemical Weapons

The United States has not yet concluded that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime used chemical weapons, says the White House.

Hackers Post About 'White House Explosions' on AP's Twitter

Hackers who broke into the Twitter account of the Associated Press posted an erroneous treat about explosions at the White House.