★IRAQ

1. Trump Warning Triggers Iraq Coordination Framework Emergency Talks

Following President Trump’s Truth Social warning opposing Nouri al-Maliki’s return as prime minister, Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework convened an emergency meeting at Maliki’s office to discuss Washington’s position. A Framework leader said the bloc has not decided to change its nominee and that dialogue remains open ahead of the scheduled presidential election session. Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, opponent of Maliki’s nomination, postponed the presidential vote for lack of quorum, with 85 lawmakers present, after Kurdish parties were told their candidates could not pass. Separately, President Trump’s envoy said U.S. teams are operating in Baghdad to support government formation, block Iran-backed militias from power, and coordinate with Treasury and OFAC on corruption and militia-financing cases.

2. Iran Halts Electricity Exports To Iraq Citing Political Pressure

Iran cut electricity exports to Iraq to zero megawatts, with Iranian officials citing international pressure, political relations, and regional conditions as the cause. Tehran said electricity exchange projects with Iraq remain in place but have slowed due to negotiations, logistical constraints, and technical issues.

3. Iraq Arrests ISIS Suicide Bomber Before Planned Anbar Attack

Iraq’s National Security Service said it arrested an ISIS operative wearing an explosive belt before he carried out an attack in Anbar province, following intelligence-led surveillance. The arrest was announced by the government-linked Security Media Cell as part of ongoing efforts to prevent ISIS reactivation in western Iraq.

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★SYRIA

4. Trump Calls Sharaa And Erdogan Twice Within Single Week

President Donald Trump held phone calls on January 27 with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, welcoming a Syria–SDF ceasefire as Syrian and Kurdish forces extended a U.S.-brokered truce through February 8, while SDF commander Mazloum Abdi led a delegation to Damascus for U.S.-supported talks on security deployments and force integration following a January 18 framework agreement, according to White House remarks, Syrian presidency statements, Turkish presidency readouts, Reuters, and state media.

5. Russia begins withdrawing forces from bases in northeast Syria

Russia has started pulling its forces from bases in northeast Syria, including a site near Qamishli airport guarded by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the Associated Press reported. Equipment has been removed by transport aircraft, leaving bases largely empty, while Moscow has issued no official statement.

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★IRAN

6. Iran Signals Military Readiness As US Deployments Trigger Regional Warnings

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said U.S. threats would cause regional instability as Washington deployed a carrier strike group. Iran simultaneously issued a NOTAM restricting airspace near the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills January 27–29. An IRGC naval commander warned neighboring states they would be considered hostile if their territory is used for attacks on Iran. Saudi Arabia said it will not allow use of its airspace or territory against Iran, while the EU signaled new sanctions without listing the IRGC.

7. Iran rial hits low as dollar tops 1.55 million

Iran’s rial fell to a new record low on Wednesday as the dollar surpassed 1.55 million rials on the unofficial market, traders said. The slide extends volatility since late December, when currency weakness fueled protests, amid years of sanctions, high inflation, and rising demand for dollars and gold.

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★ISRAEL

8. Netanyahu Sets Gaza Postwar Terms Rejecting Hamas Arms Palestinian State

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “After the mission in Gaza ends, we will focus on two things: disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Strip,” adding, “There are those who say Hamas will keep its weapons — this will not happen,” “There are those who say there will be a Palestinian state in Gaza — this will not happen,” and “There are those who speak of Turkish or Qatari forces — this also will not happen,” according to televised remarks.

9. Abbas decree likely bars Hamas from Palestinian municipal elections

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree requiring municipal election candidates to accept the PLO’s national program, a move expected to exclude Hamas and other armed factions from the April elections. Analysts say the step aims to curb Hamas’s influence and reassure international backers.

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★TURKIYE

10. Turkish intelligence arrests six in Iranian-linked espionage network bust

Turkish intelligence dismantled an alleged Iranian spy network, arresting six suspects in raids across five provinces, local media reported. Authorities said the cell gathered sensitive military information, conducted surveillance on Incirlik Air Base, and planned drone transfers, with suspects charged with political and military espionage.

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★LEBANON

11. Hezbollah turmoil deepens as Safa sidelined, Qassem under pressure

Hezbollah has curtailed senior official Wafiq Safa’s powers as part of an internal restructuring that has fueled leadership tensions, Arab media reported. The move coincides with deep rifts involving Secretary-General Naim Qassem, amid reports Iran is considering replacing him over repeated failures and growing internal dissent.

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★THE GULF

12. Saudi Arabia vows not to allow attacks against Iran

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iran’s president that the kingdom will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Iran. During a phone call, both sides stressed respect for sovereignty and support for resolving disputes through dialogue to boost regional stability.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication 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.