★ ISRAEL
1. Trump Announces Israeli Agreement on Gaza Ceasefire Proposal
President Trump said Israel accepted conditions for a 60-day Gaza truce, urging Hamas to agree via Qatar and Egypt. Talks followed meetings with Israeli Minister Ron Dermer. The deal includes phased hostage releases, but Hamas seeks changes and guarantees against resumed fighting. Netanyahu will visit Washington next week as negotiations continue with cautious progress.
2. Hamas Internal Disputes Over U.S. Mediator Threaten Talks
Senior Hamas figure Zaher Jabarin opposes any deal involving disarmament or exile of Gaza leaders, challenging mediator Bishara Bahbah’s authority. Tensions with Khalil al-Hayya, who leads negotiations, deepen internal rifts between West Bank and Gaza factions. Military leader Ezzedin al-Haddad maintains open channels with Egypt throughout growing dissent.
3. Ben-Gvir Urges Smotrich to Block Ceasefire Deal
MK Itamar Ben-Gvir urged MK Bezalel Smotrich to jointly oppose a Gaza ceasefire linked to a hostage deal, though Smotrich’s allies denied contact occurred. Both ministers oppose ending the war, while opposition leader Yair Lapid offered Netanyahu 23 votes as a “safety net” to secure a deal. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also backed efforts to release hostages.
============
★ IRAN
4. Iran Suspends IAEA Access After Nuclear Law Enacted
President Masoud Pezeshkian enacted a new law halting Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA, requiring Supreme National Security Council approval for future inspections. Tehran accuses the agency of bias and enabling Israeli airstrikes, particularly after being declared in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran also reported severe damage to its Fordow facility following a U.S. bombing.
5. US Strike Heavily Damages Iran’s Fordo Nuclear Site
Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi said US strikes severely damaged the Fordo nuclear facility, though assessments are ongoing. While Trump claimed Iran’s program was “obliterated,” Iran insists enrichment technology remains intact. Araghchi warned talks depend on a halt in strikes, though diplomacy remains possible. Tehran vows to rebuild capabilities as the US and Israel maintain military pressure.
6. Iran Conceals Identity of New Operations Chief
Iran withheld the name of its new joint operations commander after General Ali Shadmani was killed days into the role, succeeding slain General Gholam Ali Rashid. Military readiness is high throughout Israeli threats, with missile capabilities deemed optimal. While Trump predicted a deal with Iran next week, Tehran dismissed imminent talks, demanding security guarantees.
7. Iran Signals 90% Uranium Enrichment Capability
Iranian MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi declared that Tehran may enrich uranium to 90% if needed, rejecting all external conditions and reaffirming that nuclear bomb production remains forbidden by Supreme Leader Khamenei’s fatwa. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that Iran retains parts of its nuclear program despite U.S.-Israeli strikes and could resume enrichment within months.
8. U.S. Says Iran Loaded Naval Mines in Hormuz
U.S. intelligence revealed Iran loaded naval mines onto Gulf vessels in June, raising fears of a Hormuz Strait closure after Israeli airstrikes. Though mines were not deployed, their presence suggested Iran’s readiness to disrupt vital oil routes. The Iranian parliament backed closing the strait, but final authority rests with the Supreme National Security Council.
9. Iranian Oil Shipments to China Undermine U.S. Sanctions
Chinese ports imported nearly 1.4 million barrels per day of Iranian crude from January to June, openly challenging U.S. sanctions. In June alone, terminals received 15.5 million barrels using sanctioned tankers. Despite pressure, Beijing maintains oil trade with Tehran, exploiting enforcement gaps as U.S. efforts focus on vessels, not ports.
============
★ YEMEN
10. Houthis Launch Hypersonic Missile at Israeli Airport
Yemen’s Houthi forces launched a hypersonic “Palestine-2” missile and drones targeting Israeli sites including Ben Gurion Airport, Jaffa, Ashkelon, and Eilat. The Israeli defense system intercepted a missile over southern Israel, triggering alarms in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Negev. Air traffic was temporarily suspended with no casualties reported.
11. Israel Threatens Naval Blockade Against Yemen
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed retaliation and warned Yemen could face the same fate as Tehran. Israel threatened a naval blockade if such strikes persist and reaffirmed its readiness to escalate against regional threats. The United States expressed concern, highlighting growing risks from Houthi missile capabilities.
============
★ SYRIA
12. Kremlin Confirms Syria Will Attend Russia-Arab Summit
Moscow will invite Syria’s leadership to the Russia-Arab summit in October, signaling continued ties despite recent tensions. Russia avoids directly naming President Ahmed Sharaa, reflecting diplomatic caution. Preparations are nearly complete, with most Arab states confirming attendance. Russia maintains military and political coordination with Damascus.
13. Captagon Trade Persists Despite Assad’s Fall
Despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Hezbollah’s weakening grip, Syria remains a hub for Captagon trafficking. UN reports confirm sustained activity, as entrenched local drug networks operate independently of former state and militia sponsors. These criminal systems continue production and export with limited Syrian enforcement.
14. IDF Captures Iranian-Linked Terror Cell in Syria
Israeli forces captured an Iranian terror cell overnight in southern Syria, arresting suspects and seizing weapons and explosives. The operation, led by the Golani Brigade and Unit 504, followed weeks of intelligence gathering. The arrests occurred nine days after the Iran war ceasefire.
============
★ IRAQ
15. Iraq Loses 3,800 Megawatts as Iranian Gas Plummets
Iraq’s electricity ministry reported losing 3,800 megawatts after Iranian gas deliveries fell by half to 25 million cubic meters daily. The sudden cut disabled several gas-fired power plants, forcing Baghdad to use diesel substitutes. The energy shortage threatens Iraqi stability and exposes Tehran’s leverage over U.S.-allied Baghdad government.
16. Two Drones Shot Down Over Northern Iraq
Kurdish Peshmerga forces reported downing two drones in Sulaymaniyah with no casualties. The incident followed overnight drone and projectile attacks targeting Kirkuk Airport and Beiji oil refinery. At least ten explosive drones struck Beiji during the assault, highlighting escalating aerial threats in northern Iraq.
============
★ LEBANON
17. U.S. Ultimatum to Lebanon: Disarm Hezbollah Completely
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack delivered a six-page roadmap to Beirut demanding full Hezbollah disarmament by year’s end in exchange for phased Israeli withdrawal, UN-backed security, reconstruction aid, and prisoner releases. The Quintet is pressuring for a unified Lebanese stance tied to Syria-Iran negotiations. PM Nawaf Salam calls for exclusive state control of arms.
18. Hezbollah Funding Network Collapses After Iran War
Hezbollah faces a deep financial crisis following the Israel-Iran war, worsened by the assassinations of key Quds Force financiers. Iranian funding channels have collapsed, halting reconstruction aid and military salaries. The death of Saeed Izadi and other operatives disrupted cash flows, with residents told: “No funding, wait.”
19. Cash Smuggling Through Beirut Airport Persists
Lebanese airport security seized over $8 million in smuggled goods from Africa, exposing ongoing illicit transfers despite international monitoring. Prior cases involved $2.5 million linked to Iran and $4 million from Syria. U.S.-backed airport restrictions, including bans on Iranian flights, remain in force under post-ceasefire enforcement mandates.
============
Disclaimer: The Early Phoenix is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
