★ IRAN
Russia Aids Iran’s Missile Program as Military Pact Deepens
Russia and Iran signed a 20-year military agreement in January 2025, reinforcing defense cooperation as travel records reveal Russian missile experts secretly visited Iran last year. Seven high-ranking Russian military officials, including colonels and air defense specialists, traveled to Tehran on April 24 and September 17, inspecting underground missile sites and a base near the Caspian Sea. Western intelligence reports indicate that these Russian experts played a direct role in advancing Iran’s missile program as Tehran’s conflict with Israel escalates. Both governments declined to comment.
Iran Deploys Upgraded M60 Tanks, 2013 Drones for Military Edge
Iran is modernizing its military forces with the Suleiman-402, an upgraded version of its 1970s U.S.-supplied M60 tanks, and advanced unmanned aerial capabilities. The tank overhaul, launched in September 2024, equips the Cold War-era fleet with enhanced armor, a 120mm or 125mm gun, thermal optics, and electronic warfare systems, resembling Israel’s M60T Sabra. Simultaneously, the IRGC Navy announced integrating the JAS 313, an unmanned stealth fighter derived from the Qaher-313, first unveiled in 2013, into the Martyr Baqeri drone carrier. Two versions took off from the vessel on February 6, with the larger jet-powered variant capable of high-speed missions and a one-hour endurance, supporting reconnaissance and bombardment operations.
Iran-Linked Cyberattack and U.S. Sanctions Disrupt Global Security
A cyberattack traced largely to Iran targeted gaming and telecom networks after Trump’s renewed sanctions, cybersecurity watchdogs reported. The attack, dubbed Eleven11bot, exploited 30,000 hacked security cameras in one of the largest botnet campaigns since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Over 60% of attacker IPs were linked to Iran, though Tehran’s involvement was unconfirmed. U.S. officials accuse Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of cyber warfare, including hacking Trump ally Roger Stone’s emails and infiltrating Kamala Harris’ campaign. Meta reported that Iranian operatives used WhatsApp to impersonate trusted contacts and send malicious links to political targets.
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★ ISRAEL
Haifa Stabbing Adds to Rising Regional Security Concerns
A German-born Druze man, Yitro Shaheen, 20, from Shfaram, fatally stabbed a 70-year-old Israeli Arab and wounded four others at a Haifa bus station before being shot dead by security forces. Hamas praised the attack, calling for more violence during Ramadan, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed intensified counterterrorism measures. Acting National Security Minister Chaim Katz urged public vigilance. Druze leaders condemned the attack as a “heinous crime,” with Shaheen’s relatives claiming he was mentally unstable after returning from Germany. Arabic media emphasized his Druze identity, linking the attack to stalled Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, while Israeli media focused on security implications. Since Hamas’s October 7 attack, Israel has faced at least 17 major assaults, including stabbings, shootings, and vehicular attacks, with the latest deadly incident occurring in Haifa on March 3, 2025.
Knesset Power Grab Follows Uproar Over October 7 Failures
The Knesset passed a bill, 56-48, granting the coalition control over judicial oversight, following violent clashes that left three injured as security forces blocked victims’ families from attending a debate on the October 7 inquiry. Opposition leader Benny Gantz accused the government of avoiding accountability, while a newly released IDF report exposed severe intelligence and operational failures at Nahal Oz base, where Hamas militants killed 53 soldiers and kidnapped 10, including seven female spotters. The report revealed Hamas had spent years gathering intelligence on the base, using surveillance and social media leaks to plan a highly coordinated attack. Despite its proximity to the border, the base lacked defensive protocols, and soldiers were unprepared for a ground assault. Within 15 minutes, 65 Hamas fighters breached the perimeter, exploiting confusion and a lack of leadership. Israeli air support arrived too late to prevent the kidnappings, underscoring critical failures in threat assessment and military preparedness.
Arab Summit Weighs Gaza Future as Israel Expands Military Strategy
As Israel threatens to escalate military operations in Gaza under the so-called “Hell Plan,” Arab leaders convene in Cairo to finalize a reconstruction framework for the devastated enclave. Egypt, which drafted the plan, proposes a temporary governing mission to oversee humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts while sidelining Hamas, warning that global funding will be withheld if the group remains in power. The plan, however, lacks clarity on enforcement and financial backing. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Israel and Egypt over military concerns, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning against any treaty violations after right-wing speculation about Egyptian threats. Hamas, undeterred by Israeli offensives, maintains governance in Gaza, blocks Palestinian Authority influence, and refuses disarmament without a Palestinian state. Israeli intelligence is intensifying counterterrorism efforts, citing that 82% of released prisoners in the 2011 Shalit deal returned to terrorism, including Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Since the latest exchange, at least 30 freed detainees have been rearrested, and three, including Tarek Daoud, have been killed after resuming militant activity.
Erdogan Accuses Israel of ‘Playing with Fire’ in Al-Aqsa
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that Israeli officials are “playing with fire” through provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling Jerusalem a “red line” for Türkiye. He condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza, claiming over 61,000 lives were lost and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of exploiting the ceasefire for territorial expansion. Erdogan criticized Israeli calls to annex the West Bank and vowed that no one would displace Palestinians from their homeland. He asserted that Israel cannot achieve peace without recognizing a sovereign Palestinian state and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Gaza with humanitarian aid.
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★ SYRIA
Israel Expands Military Campaign in Syria With Airstrikes, Ground Incursions
Israeli warplanes struck a weapons depot in Qardaha and an air defense battalion near Tartous, targeting military assets tied to the former Assad regime. Damascus condemned the attacks, rejecting Israeli justifications. Since early 2025, Israel has conducted 16 strikes on Syria, citing security concerns, particularly regarding Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s expansion. Meanwhile, Israeli forces deployed reinforcements, including heavy military vehicles, to central Quneitra, blocking key roads and advancing into Tal al-Mal near Daraa. Reconnaissance drones and helicopters patrolled the area as Israel expanded military bases from Mount Hermon to the Yarmouk Basin. The Israeli Defense Ministry launched a mine-clearing operation near Ein Zivan in the Golan Heights, detonating unexploded ordnance amid escalating tensions. Separately, a fuel tanker explosion in Albukamal killed three and injured 15, while landmine blasts in Latakia claimed three more lives, highlighting Syria’s ongoing instability.
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