★ IRAN
“Enrichment Will Continue With Or Without Negotiations”, Says Araghchi
Two hours into the U.S.–Iran nuclear talks in Rome, negotiations remain stalled over three core disputes, according to Arabic media: a total ban on uranium enrichment, the inclusion of Iran’s ballistic missile program, and the removal of enriched uranium from Iranian soil. Tehran rejected all three. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Policy Director Michael Anton are coordinating directly with Israeli Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea, reinforcing a joint zero-enrichment stance. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared enrichment non-negotiable and vowed it would continue regardless of the outcome of the talks. Meanwhile, Iran condemned new U.S. sanctions on its construction and defense sectors, accusing Washington of sabotaging diplomacy.
Iran Condemns Azerbaijan-Israel Ties Over Eurovision Symbolism
Iran’s Fars News slammed Azerbaijan and Israel for “disgraceful ties” after their symbolic Eurovision participation, framing it as a betrayal of Islamic unity. Tehran accused Baku of being a Zionist outpost and condemned joint defense ties. The backlash included propaganda and border threats, as Iranian leaders reinforced their hostility toward the growing Baku-Jerusalem alliance.
EU Probes Iranian Cyberattack on MEP Pushing IRGC Terror Listing
The European Parliament confirmed that German MEP Hanna Neumann was targeted in a cyber espionage operation linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The attack, traced to the IRGC-affiliated hacking group “Charming Kitten,” involved weeks-long contact under a false identity and attempts to install spyware via a malicious link.
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★ ISRAEL
Netanyahu Appoints New Shin Bet Chief, Defying Attorney General’s Directive
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu named Maj. Gen. David Zini as Shin Bet head, ignoring the attorney general’s order and a High Court ruling barring such appointments due to a conflict of interest. Zini’s appointment, during Netanyahu’s corruption trial and Qatargate-linked probe, is expected to trigger legal petitions and deepen institutional tensions after Netanyahu fired previous Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
Islamic Jihad Ambushes Israeli Troops as Israeli Strikes in Gaza Continue
Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades killed and wounded Israeli soldiers by detonating explosives in a building in eastern Khan Younis. An Israeli rescue team was then struck by an anti-tank shell, prompting an air evacuation. Concurrently, A tank commander was critically injured in northern Gaza during rising resistance operations. Meanwhile, the Israeli military struck 75 targets across Gaza within 24 hours, concentrating firepower on Zeitoun, Shujaiya, and Tal al-Hawa in Gaza City. Local medical sources in Gaza claimed Thursday morning that the airstrikes killed 85 Palestinians in Jabalia, Deir al-Balah, Gaza City, Khan Younis, and al-Maghazi.
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★SYRIA
Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and the US form the ISIS detainee committee.
Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and the US formed a committee to decide the disposition of over 9,000 ISIS fighters and 40,000 ISIS-related family members held by the SDF in northeast Syria. President Erdoğan urged Damascus to integrate the SDF into the Syrian army. He welcomed the US and EU decisions to lift sanctions, calling it vital for Syrian stability and reconstruction.
Defections Shake Jihadist Ranks, ISIS Threatens Russia and Syrian Leadership
A jihadist group named Euphrates Volcano issued a one-month ultimatum demanding Russia withdraw from Syria, vowing to target Russian military bases otherwise. This warning follows a renewed ISIS campaign exploiting turmoil within rival factions. Dozens of fighters defected from HTS after accusing interim Syrian president Ahmad al Sharaa of abandoning jihadist principles. ISIS condemned Sharaa’s engagement with the U.S., particularly his meeting with President Trump, and called for mass defections. Meanwhile, Damascus authorities have fueled local tensions by resettling foreign fighters near the capital, especially Uyghur foreign fighters. The presence of the foreign fighters has also strained Damascus’s relations with Russia, especially after a provocative parade in Latakia following a recent attack on Russia’s Hmeimim base.
Power Struggle Within SDF Stalls Kurdish Talks With Damascus
Amid ongoing power struggles within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), senior Kurdish figure Aldar Khalil declared the imminent dispatch of a Kurdish delegation to Damascus to seek autonomous administration for northeast Syria. Khalil condemned the Syrian government’s centralized approach and called for Kurdish recognition and constitutional change, firmly opposing Turkish demands to disarm the SDF. However, sources indicate that influence from the PKK over SDF commander Mazloum Abdi is obstructing the implementation of prior agreements with Damascus, particularly a deal struck in March on institutional integration. Türkiye continues to closely observe these developments, especially those related to the fate of ISIS detainees and the proposed incorporation of SDF units into the Syrian army.
Syria Signs Investment Deal With Chinese Firm for Free Zones
Syria signed a 20-year memorandum of agreement with China’s Fidi Contracting to develop over one million square meters in Homs and Adra free zones. The deal aims to build integrated industrial and commercial hubs, aligning with Syria’s strategy to revive free zones, attract foreign capital, and stimulate post-war economic recovery following the lifting of Western sanctions.
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★YEMEN
Houthis Launch Third Missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport
The Houthis announced they fired a third ballistic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport within 24 hours, claiming it “achieved its goal” and disrupted airport operations, forcing mass sheltering across central Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed intercepting the missile launched from Yemen and temporarily suspended flights at Ben Gurion for ten minutes. This followed two prior strikes earlier Thursday, including missile and drone attacks on Jaffa and Haifa. Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with explosions reported. No injuries occurred.
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★ TÜRKIYE
Erdogan Declares He Will Not Seek Office Again
President Erdoğan announced he will not run for president or any office again, urging a civilian-drafted constitution. He called for unity with opposition parties and emphasized national interest. Meanwhile, Turkish authorities arrested 44 more individuals Friday, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s private secretary and municipal company board members, as part of an expanding corruption investigation.
Türkiye in Talks With Canada’s Candu to Build Two New Nuclear Plants
Türkiye is negotiating with Canada’s Candu Energy and other firms to construct two additional nuclear power plants. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated the projects are part of Ankara’s 2024 energy expansion goals. Russia’s Rosatom is currently building Türkiye’s first plant in Akkuyu, while new sites are planned in Sinop on the Black Sea and Thrace in the northwest.
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★ LEBANON
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Targets, Kills Senior Operatives
The Israeli military launched airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Southern Lebanon, hitting weapons sites in Beqaa and multiple villages, including Toul and Rab al-Talatin. Senior operatives, including elite Radwan Force members and weapons engineers, were killed in targeted strikes. Israel warned that Hezbollah’s actions violate the Nov. 26 truce and vowed to maintain security control until stability is ensured. Lebanon’s PM Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes and called for urgent international pressure on Israel to uphold Resolution 1701.
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★ IRAQ
Iraq Advances Energy, Banking, and Anti-Money Laundering Overhaul
Iraq signed a new strategic agreement with China’s Power China to launch major energy transmission and distribution projects under the existing bilateral framework. The deal includes feasibility studies, technical planning, and full project implementation to stabilize Iraq’s electricity sector, with projections of up to 28,000 megawatts this summer. In parallel, Iraq is restructuring state-owned Rafidain and Rashid Banks in partnership with Ernst & Young. Efforts focus on regulatory updates, governance alignment, capital increases, and integrating foreign branches. Separately, the Central Bank of Iraq announced a new wave of anti–money laundering measures targeting real estate, gold transactions, and electronic withdrawals. These include mandating real estate deals through banks, tightening gold transfer controls, limiting exploitative card withdrawals, and cracking down on fictitious company registrations.
France Assumes NATO Mission Command in Iraq
France took over leadership of NATO’s Iraq mission, with Gen. Christophe Hintzy replacing Dutch Gen. Lucas Schreurs in a Baghdad ceremony. Hintzy emphasized France’s strategic partnership with Iraq and said the mission focuses on advising and building Iraqi military capacity against terrorism. This comes as Iraq shifts from coalition support to bilateral security partnerships.
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★ GULF
Pakistan Picks Saudi Venue, Rejects China for India Talks
Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif suggested Saudi Arabia as a neutral venue for talks with India on Kashmir, water, trade, and terrorism, excluding China as a host. He noted de-escalation after military-level contact and confirmed Pakistan’s NSA would lead future talks. The announcement follows deadly Kashmir violence and a recent India-Pakistan truce brokered by the U.S.
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