★ISRAEL

1. EU Proposes Sanctions, Trade Cuts Targeting Israel, Disrupting €15.9 Billion Exports

The European Commission unveiled plans to suspend preferential trade access for €15.9 billion in Israeli exports and freeze €20 million in bilateral support, citing Gaza war violations of human rights. The proposal includes blacklisting far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, along with violent settlers and Hamas leaders, under the EU’s human rights sanctions regime. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and hostage release. The proposal requires a qualified majority for trade suspension and unanimous consent for sanctions in the Council, making it the EU’s most consequential pressure on Israel in decades.

2. Israel Denies Entry to Two British MPs on West Bank Delegation

Israel barred Labour MPs Simon Opher and Peter Prinsley from entering as part of a parliamentary delegation to the West Bank, their offices confirmed Tuesday. The visit, organized by the Council for Arab-British Understanding, aimed to assess medical and humanitarian conditions. Opher’s office called the move “deeply regrettable,” marking another recent case of UK lawmakers denied entry.

3. SKDK Ends Israel Contract, Citing Work “Run Its Course”

Top Democratic-affiliated PR firm SKDK ended its $600,000 contract with the Israeli government early in August 2025, initially set to run through March 2026. SKDK promoted Israel’s Gaza narrative through media outreach and pitching pro-Israel guests, working with European firm Havas for the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The firm cited the work “had run its course” and denied involvement in bot-driven social media amplification. This marks a significant U.S. PR retreat amid criticism of Israel’s media strategy in Gaza.

4. Israel Seizes 187 Crypto Wallets Linked to Iran’s IRGC

Israel’s counter terror financing bureau ordered the seizure of 187 crypto wallets it says belong to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, though details on funds were undisclosed. Blockchain firm Elliptic said the wallets had processed $1.5 billion in Tether transactions over the past year, with 39 already blacklisted. Most wallets now hold little, under scrutiny of crypto’s role in illicit finance.

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★SYRIA

5. Druze Reject Roadmap While Israel Advances Border Security Talks

Sweida’s Supreme Legal Committee, led by Druze cleric Hikmat al-Hajri, rejected Damascus’s U.S.- and Jordan-backed roadmap, calling July’s events “crimes against humanity” and denouncing Syrian courts as politicized. The statement dismissed proposals for local councils and joint police as regime control attempts, instead affirming the Druze right to self-determination, including secession, while urging international recognition and independent accountability. The roadmap outlined aid deliveries, detainee releases, security patrols, and reconciliation measures. Israel simultaneously armed and funded 3,000 Druze fighters in Sweida, aligning fragmented factions as Syria, Israel, and the U.S. advance talks on a limited border security pact modeled on the Sinai precedent. The move follows U.S.-pressured security talks between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Baku, intended to accelerate bilateral security understandings.

6. Turkish Intelligence Chief Meets Syrian President Al-Sharaa In Damascus

Turkish intelligence head Ibrahim Kalin made an unannounced visit to Damascus Wednesday, meeting President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Anadolu reports talks covered bilateral and regional security. Yeni Şafak said Kalin previously coordinated with U.S. officials, Sharaa, and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt on Sweida de-escalation. Turkey’s Defense Ministry pledged readiness to support Syria against Israeli raids, calling them provocations while stressing Syria’s sovereignty.

7. Russia Expands Patrols And Bases In Northeastern Syria

Russia increased its footprint in northeastern Syria, deploying air and ground patrols across Hasakah and the Turkish border. Qamishli sources confirm expanded base facilities, radars, helicopters, and air defenses, with supply flights arriving from Hmeimim. Analysts told Syria TV the moves signal Moscow’s intent to revive the 2019 Sochi Agreement with Turkey, counter U.S. and Kurdish forces, and reassert influence in Syria’s northeast.

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★IRAN

8. Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Global Oil Network, Blocks IRGC Funding

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iranian nationals and over a dozen Hong Kong and UAE entities for transferring oil sale proceeds to IRGC-QF and MODAFL, including $100 million in cryptocurrency, under Executive Order 13224. Under Secretary Hurley stated Iranian “shadow banking” networks abuse financial systems and fund missile programs threatening U.S. forces, pledging U.S. commitment to maximum pressure disruptions. All U.S.-linked assets of designated parties are blocked, and U.S. persons are barred from transactions. Official statements verified Chabahar Port sanctions waiver was revoked earlier, not in September as some outlets claimed.

9. China Deepens Iran Oil Discounts, Undermines Sanctions Revenue Goals

China’s record crude inventories and tighter quotas have forced Iran to deepen oil discounts, weakening Tehran’s ability to generate hard currency under U.S. sanctions. This dynamic reduces Iranian cash flows that fund regional proxies and sanctioned entities, aligning with U.S. national security objectives to constrain Iran’s destabilizing activities. However, it also highlights persistent Chinese willingness to undercut U.S. efforts by absorbing most Iranian exports, indicating ongoing challenges for U.S. sanctions enforcement and secondary pressure options.

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★THE GULF

10. Saudi Defense Minister, CENTCOM Commander Discuss Military Cooperation

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met US Central Command Commander Brad Cooper in Riyadh to discuss defense cooperation and regional security. The Saudi Press Agency said talks covered defense partnership, regional developments, and joint efforts to maintain stability. Saudi participants included Chief of General Staff Fayyadh al-Ruwaili and Joint Forces Commander Fahd al-Salman; US attendees included Chargé d’Affaires Allison Dilworth.

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★YEMEN

11. Houthi Drone Intercepted Near Israel After Hodeidah Strikes

Following Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, the Houthi group launched a drone toward Israel, which was intercepted near Ramon Airport. Spokesperson Yahya Sarea vowed continued attacks “until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted.” Israel has intensified operations against Iranian-backed Houthis, causing hundreds of casualties in recent weeks.

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★TURKIYE

12. Netanyahu Declares Jerusalem “Forever Israel’s,” Targets Erdoğan

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, facing global criticism over Gaza assaults, asserted Jerusalem will “never be divided again” and directly challenged President Erdoğan. Türkiye, advocating a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, condemned the statement, warning of Israel’s ongoing “genocidal” actions. Tensions persist regionally, with Türkiye opposing Israeli strikes in Syria and supporting Palestinian rights diplomatically and legally.

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★IRAQ

13. United States Designates Four Iraqi Militias As Terrorist Groups

The U.S. State Department designated Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata’ib Imam Ali as foreign terrorist organizations. Washington accuses these Iranian-backed groups of targeting U.S. interests and forces in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi political forces are divided: some welcome limiting militias, others denounce interference. Analysts warn the decision could escalate Iranian-American tensions and provoke retaliation by armed groups, threatening Iraq’s security and stability.

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★ 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.