★ IRAN

1. US Bombs Kharg Island, Trump Claims Iran ‘Totally Defeated’

US President Donald Trump said US forces “totally obliterated every military target” on Iran’s Kharg Island, sparing oil facilities but warning they could be hit next. Trump separately claimed Iran is “totally defeated and wants a deal — but not one that I’d accept,” as concurrent Iranian and Hezbollah missile and rocket attacks struck Israel without reported casualties.

2. Iran Security Chief Mocks Trump, Says Pressure Strengthens Iranian Resolve

Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani told Quds Day crowds Trump “lacks wisdom” and underestimates a “strong, determined” Iranian people, saying more pressure only hardens their will. He said Israel’s reported strikes on Quds marches reflect “fear and despair,” and accused Washington of seeking to “fragment” Iran and sacrificing US interests for Israel by trying to influence Tehran’s next leader.

3. Iranian Cluster Bombs Ignite Fires Across Central Israel, No Injuries

Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles with cluster warheads at central Israel, sparking fires in Shoham, Holon, and an empty school in Rishon Lezion but causing no casualties. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said the 45th wave of Operation True Promise 4 fired 30 “super‑heavy” Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles with one‑ and two‑ton warheads at Israeli targets. IRGC aerospace chief Majid Mousavi said the salvo disabled and destroyed key Israeli air‑surveillance systems, declaring a “new part” of Israel’s airspace now under Iranian control.

4. US Puts Bounty On Khamenei Circle As Missiles Still Fly

The US offered up to 10 million dollars for information on 10 senior Iranian security officials including Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

5. Hamas Vows Iran Will Back Palestine Under New Supreme Leader

Hamas’s Ezzedine al‑Qassam Brigades said Iran, led by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, will continue Ali Khamenei’s pro‑Palestine “resistance” path despite US‑Israeli strikes. Spokesman Abu Obeida praised millions joining Quds Day rallies and lauded IRGC missile salvos on Israeli targets as lifting “bereaved” Palestinians’ morale and “lighting up” Tel Aviv’s skies.

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★ IRAQ

6. Explosions Rock Baghdad, Strikes Kill Iran-Aligned Militia Figures

Two pre-dawn strikes hit Baghdad, one missile hitting a house used by Kataeb Hezbollah, killing a key figure and wounding two others. A later strike destroyed a vehicle in eastern Baghdad, killing a Popular Mobilization Forces member linked to Kataeb Hezbollah, as PMF units cordoned the sites and withheld casualty details. A security source said the Popular Mobilization Forces’ security arm has taken over the investigation, after recent strikes on militia sites linked to US–Iran regional escalation. Unconfirmed media reports say several Popular Mobilization Forces leaders in Iraq have been added to Israel’s “target bank” as regional tensions escalate. 

7. Drone Strike Hits US Embassy Compound In Baghdad, Smoke Visible

Iraqi security officials said a drone struck the US Embassy compound in Baghdad early Saturday, with black smoke seen rising from inside the diplomatic complex. No casualties have yet been confirmed. The attack follows earlier US Embassy warnings that Iran and allied militias pose a significant threat to US personnel and facilities in Iraq, urging Americans to consider leaving the country.

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★LEBANON

8. Israel Plans Gaza‑Style Ground Offensive Across Southern Lebanon

Israeli and US officials said Israel plans to expand ground operations to seize all territory south of the Litani River and dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure there. A senior Israeli official told Axios, “we will do what we did in Gaza,” adding that a Hezbollah–Iran rocket barrage this week ended prospects for a ceasefire and set conditions for a potentially prolonged occupation. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said the group is prepared for a long confrontation, rejected disarmament, and framed the conflict as existential. He warned Benjamin Netanyahu that assassination threats are “worthless” and he “should fear for himself.” 

9. Deadly Strikes Devastate Iran-Aligned PMF Brigade Near Syrian Border

Airstrikes hit three Ansar Allah al‑Awfiya PMF 19th Brigade sites in Akashat near al‑Qaim, killing around 100 and injuring more than 120, with dozens missing. Later attacks struck Baghdad’s Saqr Camp and Iraqi army assets in Makhmur, as Iraqi officials condemned “indiscriminate” targeting and factions blamed US‑Israeli forces for violating Iraq’s sovereignty.

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★ GULF STATES

10. Saudi Arabia Intercepts Iranian Missile and 12 Drones 

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday that its air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile targeting Al-Kharj and destroyed 12 drones heading toward the Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and the Empty Quarter. Authorities activated early warning systems for residents as Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states continue.

11. Strait of Hormuz Disruption Costs Gulf $15 Billion

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz since the Feb. 28 war have cost Gulf states about $15 billion in lost energy revenues, according to Financial Times citing data from Kpler. Nearly $1.2 billion in oil and gas usually passes daily through the strait, while shipments worth $10.7 billion remain stranded as exports stall.

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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.