★USA
-
Trump Threatens To Finish Job Against Iran Peacefully Otherwise
US President Donald Trump said the United States will ‘finish the job’ against Iran if it rejects a nuclear deal, warning action would be “peacefully or otherwise.” He reaffirmed Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons while traveling to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as Tehran rejected US terms and tensions escalated.
-
Pentagon Reveals Iran War Costs Near Twenty Nine Billion Dollars
The Pentagon said US war costs against Iran reached nearly $29 billion, up $4 billion from April estimates, citing rising equipment replacement and operational expenses. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended US military readiness despite concerns over depleted missile stockpiles, while Democrats criticized the administration for lacking transparency and waging war without clear congressional authorization.
===========
★IRAN
-
Iran Holds Tehran Drills During Trump Ceasefire Warning Escalation
Iran’s IRGC conducted military drills around Tehran amid rising tensions after US President Donald Trump warned the fragile ceasefire with Iran is on “life support.” Iranian lawmakers threatened raising uranium enrichment to 90% if conflict resumes, while both sides exchanged warnings as nuclear negotiations stalled and fears of renewed escalation increased.
-
US Intelligence Says Iran Reactivates Seventy Percent Of Missile Launch Sites
US intelligence reports said Iran has reactivated around 70% of its missile launch platforms and most storage facilities, along with 30 of 33 sites near the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times said Iran also retains about 70% of its prewar missile stockpile and mobile launchers, raising concerns over threats to regional shipping and escalating tensions with Washington.
-
US Blockade Pushes Iran Kharg Oil Storage Near Capacity
Satellite images showed Iran’s Kharg Island oil storage tanks nearing full capacity under the ongoing US naval blockade imposed since April 13. No tankers were seen loading at the island between May 8 and 11, while Iran increasingly used oil tankers as floating storage after vessels were blocked from leaving the Gulf. Analysts warn Tehran may cut oil production further if storage capacity is exhausted.
-
Iraq, Pakistan Strike Energy Deals with Iran as Tehran Flexes Hormuz Control
Iraq and Pakistan have reached separate energy agreements with Iran to secure oil and LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters sources. The deals reflect Tehran’s growing control over the strategic waterway, where traffic has sharply declined amid the US-Israeli conflict. Analysts warn Iran’s formalised oversight of Hormuz could reshape global energy flows and drive higher oil and gas prices.
===========
★LEBANON
-
IDF Says It Strikes Forty Hezbollah Sites In Lebanon
The IDF said it struck 40 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon over the past day, including weapon depots, buildings used to advance attacks, and primed rocket launchers aimed at Israel. It also reported killing operatives it described as threats to troops. The military said the strikes were part of continued operations against Hezbollah infrastructure
-
Israel Crosses Litani River To Curb Hezbollah Drone Threats
The Israeli army said its forces crossed north of the Litani River toward the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, escalating operations ahead of Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington. Units including Egoz and Golani conducted days-long raids targeting rocket and drone launch sites. Evacuation warnings expanded across southern and western Bekaa amid fears of a new security buffer zone.
-
IDF Reports Hezbollah Rockets Strike Near Troops In Lebanon
Hezbollah fired several rockets at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, triggering sirens in the border community of Zarit, the IDF said. The military reported the rockets landed near its forces but caused no injuries, and responded with a wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
===========
★THE GULF
-
Saudi Arabia Launched Covert Strikes On Iran During the War
Saudi Arabia carried out covert airstrikes on Iran in late March in retaliation for attacks on its territory during the wider Middle East war, according to Reuters sources. The strikes were followed by a sharp drop in Iranian attacks on the kingdom and later diplomatic de-escalation between Riyadh and Tehran. Officials said both sides maintained communication to prevent escalation into a broader regional conflict.
-
Kuwait Summons Iranian Envoy After IRGC Infiltration Incident
Kuwait summoned Iran’s ambassador and issued a protest after saying IRGC-linked infiltrators entered Bubiyan Island and clashed with Kuwaiti forces, injuring one soldier while others fled. Kuwait’s interior ministry said four suspects were detained and had ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Bahrain separately sentenced 24 people in related cases involving alleged cooperation with IRGC-linked activities and violence.
===========
★ 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.
