★IRAN

1. Iran War Plan Aims To Widen Fronts And Prolong Conflict

Khamenei reportedly ordered a regional “ignition” plan if Iran were struck again or he were killed, including a four‑tier succession scheme to avoid a power vacuum. Six Iranian sources describe a three‑phase strategy: first hits on Israel, then U.S. bases in Arab states, then civilian sites such as airports, hotels, and embassies hosting Americans, with adviser Mehdi Mohammadi saying the aim is to expand and prolong the war, and the report says all three phases have been carried out.

2. Iran Claims 200+ U.S. Casualties, 13 Drones Downed, Prisoners

Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbia HQ claims “True Promise 4” strikes over 24 hours killed or wounded more than 200 U.S. troops including 21 from the U.S. Fifth Fleet, and hit a U.S.-owned tanker. Iranian Army Statement No. 16 claims 13 advanced U.S. and Israeli drones shot down in the past day and 82 drones total since the conflict began. Additionally, Ali Larijani claims several American soldiers have been taken prisoner, while U.S. Central Command says no U.S. service members have been captured and calls the statements “lies and deceptions,” with open sources reporting no evidence of captured U.S. troops to date.

3. Pezeshkian Reverses Apology, Alleges U.S. Twisted His Words

Iranian media quote President Masoud Pezeshkian saying Iran “will respond strongly” to U.S.–Israeli attacks and “will not surrender.” He adds that if Iran is attacked “by any country” it will respond. He accuses America of twisting his earlier apology to neighbors into “surrender” to create discord, after he had promised to halt strikes on neighbors unless attacks originate there. Iran International reports he faced pressure and criticism from IRGC-aligned figures and hardline politicians over the apology.

4. Iran Fires Four Missile Salvos At Israel Since Midnight

Times of Israel, citing IDF statements, reports Iran has launched four separate ballistic missile salvos at Israel since midnight; all assessed missiles were intercepted with no reported injuries or impact damage, though fragments fell in unpopulated areas. 

5. Iran drones hit Kurdish opposition in Iraq as US shifts on Kurds

IRGC drone strikes on Iranian Kurdish opposition camps and positions near Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, including Komala and other groups, causing at least one fighter killed and several wounded. 

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★ISRAEL

6. IDF Announces New Wave Of Strikes Across Iran

The IDF says it launched a new wave of airstrikes Sunday against Iranian “military infrastructure” targets across multiple regions of Iran, as part of ongoing operations to degrade Iran’s military capabilities. 

7. Netanyahu Touts Iran Regime Elimination Plan, ‘Doomsday War’ Narrative

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has “an organized plan to eliminate the Iranian regime,” calls the current conflict a “doomsday war,” and claims Israel now has “complete” control of Iranian airspace. He says Israel decided after the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault to conduct “successive attacks” to change regional power balances and is pressuring Lebanon’s government to disarm Hezbollah.

8. Israeli Strike Hits Beirut Hotel, Targets IRGC Quds Force Leaders

Al Arabiya reports Israel says a “precise, targeted” strike hit IRGC Quds Force “Lebanon Corps” commanders operating in Beirut, after a guided missile from the sea struck rooms in the Ramada Hotel in Raouche; Lebanese sources say Hezbollah’s health authority removed three bodies. Another Israeli strike hit Haret Hreik in Beirut’s southern suburbs, while Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli forces and a border town in response.

9. Hezbollah Launches Drone Swarms, Claims Deep Strikes Inside Israel

Hezbollah media highlights “dozens” of rocket and drone attacks, including claimed hits on deep targets like Glilot and Ramla, and amplifies reports of a 200‑rocket barrage plus anti‑tank missiles. It labels Israeli actions only as “aggression,” acknowledges major Israeli strikes and Lebanese casualties mainly via officials, and omits Hezbollah losses, yielding a selective, propagandistic picture rather than a full operational account.

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★THE GULF

10. Saudi Downs 12 Iranian Drones in 8 Hours

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Turki al‑Maliki says air defenses intercepted and destroyed 8 drones after they entered Saudi airspace, then shot down an additional drone east of Riyadh, and later downed 3 more drones over the capital, thwarting targeting attempts in the city. Saudi readouts say Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky phoned Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to condemn recent Iranian attacks on the Kingdom’s territory and security. Both leaders rejected threats to Saudi sovereignty and pledged full support for measures Riyadh takes to protect its land and citizens.

11. Gulf States Report New Iran Strikes After Apology Pledge

Gulf and Kuwaiti outlets report new Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, killing two Land Border Security officers in Kuwait. Kuwaiti defense officials say drones struck fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and the Public Institution for Social Security HQ, causing major fires but no reported casualties there. Additional reported effects include one person killed and damage in Dubai, fires in Manama, a ballistic missile fired toward Prince Sultan Air Base, and at least seven drones intercepted over Kuwait, while Iran’s IRGC claims it struck the U.S. Juffair base in Bahrain with solid- and liquid-fuel missiles.

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★U.S.A. 

12.  Axios: US, Israel Weigh Special Forces To Secure Iran Uranium

Axios reports US and Israeli officials are discussing a contingency to send special-operations forces into Iran later in the war to secure about 450 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium believed buried under damaged facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and especially Isfahan, which intelligence says could yield material for roughly 11 nuclear bombs if enriched to 90%. Trump has signaled he is considering limited ground deployments “for a very good reason,” including possible missions to remove or secure fissile material.

13. US Embassy In Oslo Hit By Small Blast, No Injuries Reported

Reuters reports Norwegian police say an explosion struck the entrance to the US Embassy’s consular section in western Oslo around 1 a.m., causing minor damage but no injuries. Police are searching for the perpetrator and using bomb squad, canine, drone, and helicopter assets; cause and motive remain unknown, with witnesses reporting a loud bang and smoke rising from the compound.

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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.