★ IRAN

1. Limited Progress in Iran Nuclear Talks

US Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that Geneva nuclear talks with Iran made some progress, but Tehran has not accepted U.S. red lines, including a ban on nuclear weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that both sides agreed on “main principles,” though major gaps remain on sanctions relief, nuclear limits, and verification. Leaders on both sides will be consulted before talks resume, with no date set, while Israel expressed skepticism about the outcome.

2. Khamenei Threatens Targeting US Aircraft Carrier in the Gulf

Ali Khamenei warned Tuesday of targeting a US aircraft carrier sent by Donald Trump to the Gulf, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps held drills in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran aired a simulated strike video and briefly restricted parts of the vital shipping route during ongoing indirect nuclear talks.

3. US Deploys Over 50 Fighter Jets to the Middle East

The US military moved more than 50 fighter jets, including F-16, F-22, and F-35 aircraft, to the Middle East within 24 hours, according to Axios. The buildup comes during nuclear talks with Iran and plans to send the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, while USS Abraham Lincoln is already deployed in the region.

4. Satellite Images Show Iran Burying Secret Military Site East of Tehran

Satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security reveals Iran has been covering the Talqan 2 facility in the Parchin military complex. Recent earthworks and concrete capping aim to shield the previously inactive site from airstrikes or ground raids, potentially turning it into a fully concealed underground shelter for sensitive materials, during ongoing nuclear negotiations.

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★IRAQ

5. Maliki’s Premiership Bid Faces Intense Pressure

Iraq’s Nouri al-Maliki confronts mounting internal opposition and potential US sanctions affecting oil revenues. He skipped a crucial Coordination Framework meeting but insists on pursuing his candidacy. Divisions within the alliance over a voluntary withdrawal versus an internal vote persist, while former FM Hoshyar Zebari notes the White House has rejected Maliki’s nomination, leaving government formation uncertain.

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★SYRIA

6. Australia Refuses to Repatriate Citizens From Syria

Australia’s government announced it will not repatriate nationals linked to the Islamic State from Syria, prioritizing national security. The move follows the release of 34 Australians, mostly women and children, from the Roj camp, who were temporarily returned due to procedural issues in Damascus. Authorities stress that anyone implicated in crimes will face prosecution upon return.

7. Israeli Forces Advance in Quneitra Countryside, Set Checkpoint

Israeli forces advanced on Wednesday into Ain Zivan village in southern Quneitra, setting up a temporary checkpoint, searching civilian homes, and blocking students from reaching schools. The incursions in southern Syria reached about 21 in early February, during arrests and land bulldozing, while six rounds of US-mediated talks have failed to yield a security agreement.

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★LEBANON

8. Hezbollah Rejects Lebanese Disarmament Plan, Four-Month Timeline

Hezbollah opposed the Lebanese government’s decision to grant the army four months to advance nationwide disarmament, calling it a mistake serving Israel. The plan aims to bring all armed groups under state control, but Hezbollah officials and Shi’ite ministers reject the approach, while Israel insists on full disarmament near the border for regional security.

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★THE GULF

9. Trump Offers to Resolve The UAE-Saudi Dispute Easily

US President Donald Trump said he has not yet intervened in the UAE-Saudi Arabia disagreement but is ready to do so, claiming he could resolve it “easily.” Tensions between the Gulf states arose over Yemen-related developments, including the UAE troop withdrawal, while regional diplomats emphasize strengthening coordination and preventive diplomacy in the Middle East.

10. Afghanistan Releases Three Pakistanis Via Saudi Mediation

Afghanistan freed three Pakistanis detained during the October 2025 clashes with Pakistan, following Saudi mediation. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the release, ahead of Ramadan, honored Saudi requests and involved handing the detainees to a visiting Saudi delegation, reflecting Kabul’s policy of maintaining positive relations with neighboring countries.

11. Kuwait Foils International Captagon Smuggling Network

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry thwarted an international Captagon trafficking plot in coordination with Iraq, seizing 314,000 pills worth about KD 1 million (USD 3.2 million) from an illegal resident. The suspect, with prior drug offenses, admitted involvement with an accomplice abroad. Authorities emphasized regional cooperation and proactive measures to combat cross-border narcotics networks.

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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.