★UNITED STATES

1. Trump Rules Out Extending Iran Ceasefire Talks

US President Donald Trump said he does not plan to extend the Iran ceasefire, despite signaling that the war may be nearing an end. He suggested the coming days will be “busy,” reiterated that an agreement would be preferable for Iran, and said negotiations for a second round of talks remain unconfirmed.

2. US Military Says It Has Enforced a Full Naval Blockade On Iran

The US military said it has successfully imposed a naval blockade on Iran, halting maritime trade in and out of the country within 36 hours, according to Central Command. It reported intercepting multiple oil tankers and deploying naval destroyers, as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran following stalled talks and ongoing regional tensions.

3. US Ends Iran Oil Waivers During Escalating Pressure Campaign

The US will not renew sanctions waivers allowing Iranian oil shipments to reach global markets, Reuters reported, as part of a broader pressure campaign on Tehran. The move follows the expiration of similar exemptions for Russian oil and comes amid heightened US enforcement actions targeting Iran’s energy exports and financial networks.

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★IRAN

4. Iran’s President Says No War But Rejects Surrender

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek war or instability but rejects surrender, amid expectations of renewed US-Iran talks in the coming days. He reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue while criticizing international double standards and insisting Tehran will resist external pressure and coercion.

5. Chinese Spy Satellite Reportedly Guided Iranian Strikes On US Bases

A Financial Times investigation claims Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used a Chinese-built spy satellite, the TEE-01B, to support missile strikes on US military bases across the Middle East. The report says the satellite provided intelligence on key American facilities in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Djibouti ahead of attacks.

6. Mossad Chief Declares Mission In Iran End Regime Change

Mossad Director David Barnea said Israel’s operations against Iran will continue until the current Iranian regime is overthrown. Speaking at a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, he described the campaign as a long-term struggle aimed at neutralizing what Israel considers an existential threat and vowed continued intelligence and military pressure on Tehran.

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★LEBANON

7. Israel, Lebanon And US Announce Direct Talks Process

Israel, Lebanon, and the United States announced the launch of a direct negotiation process following a high-level meeting in Washington, marking the first such engagement in over three decades. The parties agreed to begin structured talks at a later date, with the US backing Lebanon’s efforts to assert state control and Israel supporting steps to address armed groups and stabilize the border.

8. Israel Orders Evacuation South Of Lebanon’s Zahrani River

Israel’s military on Wednesday issued an urgent evacuation warning to residents south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River, urging them to move north amid ongoing airstrikes, saying Hezbollah’s activities were forcing intensified military operations in the area.

9. 14 Killed In Israeli Strikes On Southern Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon killed 14 people on Wednesday, according to local media, hitting several villages and areas, including Nabatieh, Tyre, and coastal towns south of Beirut. The attacks came amid ongoing cross-border fire with Hezbollah, which also launched rocket barrages toward northern Israel, further escalating regional tensions.

10. One Lightly Wounded In Hezbollah Rocket Strike On Tamra

One person was lightly wounded when a rocket fired by Hezbollah struck the Arab-Israeli city of Tamra in northern Israel on Wednesday, medical officials said. A 61-year-old man suffered shrapnel injuries and was hospitalized, while another person was treated for shock after a barrage of rockets targeted the Galilee region.

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★GULF STATES

11. Pakistan Prime Minister Begins Tour Of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began a four-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey to boost bilateral ties and support potential US-Iran talks. He will meet regional leaders and attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, as Islamabad pushes for renewed negotiations after recent inconclusive discussions.

12. Saudi Arabia Urges US To End Hormuz Blockade

Saudi Arabia is urging the United States to end its Strait of Hormuz blockade and resume negotiations with Iran, warning of regional escalation risks, including threats to Red Sea shipping and oil exports and possible Houthi retaliation in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

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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.