★ IRAN

1. Iran Open to Nuclear Inspections, Rejects Excessive Demands

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is ready for any verification of its nuclear program and reiterated it is not pursuing atomic weapons. Speaking on the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, he emphasized Iran will not yield to “excessive demands” while continuing dialogue with neighbors to promote regional peace and security.

2. Report Alleges Iranian Diplomats Smuggled Cash to Hezbollah

Iran International reported that six Iranian diplomats, allegedly including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Ali Larijani, smuggled hundreds of millions of dollars in cash to Hezbollah via Beirut using diplomatic passports to avoid inspections. The funds were reportedly meant to help rebuild Hezbollah after its war with Israel, though the claims remain unverified, and some sources have denied them.

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★ISRAEL

3. Netanyahu Meets Kushner and Witkoff Ahead of Trump Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington to discuss Iran and regional security, meeting White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff before upcoming talks with President Trump. The meetings focused on renewed U.S.-Iran diplomatic contacts, with Netanyahu emphasizing Iran as the top agenda item while Trump warned of serious consequences if diplomacy fails.

4. US May Allow Hamas to Retain Some Weapons

According to a New York Times report, the U.S. plans to require Hamas to hand over weapons capable of harming Israel while allowing the group to keep light arms initially. The proposal, prepared by envoys Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Nikolay Mladenov, is expected to be shared with Hamas in the coming weeks, though details remain subject to change.

5. Venezuela to Resume Oil Exports to Israel After Years

Venezuela plans to export its first crude oil shipment to Israel since 2020, following the U.S. detention of President Nicolás Maduro. The shipment, reportedly destined for the Bazan refinery, signals shifts in Venezuelan oil flows previously dominated by China. Israeli and Venezuelan officials have not confirmed the deal, and Venezuela’s communications minister called reports “fabricated.”

6. Mekorot Signs Major Water Infrastructure Deal with Kazakhstan

Israel’s Mekorot signed a multimillion-dollar agreement to upgrade and operate water infrastructure in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan Region, marking a key outcome of Kazakhstan joining the Abraham Accords. The project will deploy advanced Israeli technologies to cut water loss and improve supply, strengthening Israel’s global leadership in water innovation.

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★LEBANON

7. US Treasury Sanctions Hezbollah-Linked Gold Exchange

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Lebanon-based gold exchange Jood SARL and an international procurement network linked to Hezbollah and Iran, aiming to cut off funding for the group’s operations. Jood converts Hezbollah’s gold into cash, while the network spans Russia, Turkey, Syria, and Iran, facilitating weapons and commodities transactions. Violating sanctions could trigger civil or criminal penalties.

8. Hezbollah Civilian Wing Continues Indoctrination Efforts

Despite heavy Israeli blows in 2024, Hezbollah continues radicalizing Shi’ite youth through religious events and social services, the Alma Research Center reported. The group links messianic beliefs to “resistance” and sustains community programs to bolster legitimacy and recruitment. Alma says Hezbollah’s civilian wing enables its military arm, preserving influence despite financial strain and leadership losses.

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★IRAQ

9. Iraq Captures ISIS Leader Abu Ayman al-Rawi, Dismantles Terror Network

Iraqi security forces arrested ISIS Anbar governor Abu Ayman al-Rawi wearing a suicide vest and dismantled his network, capturing five other militants, including logistics and drone experts. Confessions led to desert raids seizing explosives and military equipment. Concurrently, Iraq received 4,583 ISIS detainees from Syria under U.S.-supervised transfers to enhance security and containment of fighters.

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★SYRIA

10. Saudi and U.S. Firms Join Forces for Oil and Gas Exploration in Syria

Two Saudi and three American companies plan a joint venture to explore and produce oil and gas in northeastern Syria. The project targets four to five hydrocarbon-rich sites, reflecting growing Syrian energy investments after partial U.S. sanctions relief. Saudi-Syrian investment agreements worth over $11 billion further support regional economic and energy cooperation.

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★TURIYE

Turkish and Greek Leaders to Meet on Migration, Maritime Disputes

Turkish President Erdogan will host Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis to discuss migration, maritime boundaries, and regional issues including the Middle East, Iran, and Ukraine. The talks follow tensions over Aegean territorial claims and a recent migrant shipwreck, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation and maintain open communication to prevent crises between the NATO allies.

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★THE GULF

11. Qatar’s Emir Urges Trump to De-escalate; Larijani Heads to Doha

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim called U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss reducing regional tensions and promoting diplomatic solutions ahead of a planned Trump-Netanyahu meeting. Meanwhile, Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani traveled from Muscat to Doha for talks on regional developments, continuing Iran’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties and dialogue with Gulf states.

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★EGYPT

12. Egypt Sends Military Forces to Somalia to Support Security

Egypt deployed troops to Somalia under an African Union mission to bolster security, assist Mogadishu in counterterrorism, and strengthen national control. The deployment, including training exercises and advanced equipment, reflects Cairo’s commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and regional stability, reinforcing bilateral military cooperation under agreements signed in 2024 and 2025.

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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.