★USA
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Israel, US Prepare for Possible Renewed Iran Strikes Next Week
Israel and the US are reportedly preparing for possible renewed strikes on Iran as early as next week, with options including intensified bombing, ground commandos securing buried nuclear material, and seizing Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub. Officials say last month’s ceasefire left key goals — weakening Iran’s military and nuclear threats — unfulfilled.
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Trump Says Iran Nuclear Program Could Be Frozen for 20 Years if Compliance Is Real
US President Donald Trump said he would not oppose Iran suspending its nuclear program for 20 years if compliance is genuine, warning that his patience is running out. He said he and China’s Xi agreed Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened amid ongoing regional tensions.
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Suspected Iranian Hack Targets US Gas Station Fuel Systems
US officials suspect Iran-linked hackers targeted fuel monitoring systems at gas stations across several states by exploiting unprotected internet-connected tank gauges. While no physical damage occurred, experts warned the breaches could hide fuel leaks and expose vulnerabilities in critical American infrastructure amid rising regional tensions.
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★IRAN
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Iran Says It Remains Committed to Diplomacy, Blames Strait Tensions on Attacks
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains committed to diplomatic and peaceful solutions, blaming current instability in the Strait of Hormuz on “illegal attacks.” In a message to Pope Leo XIV, he said shipping will normalize once insecurity ends and reiterated Iran’s engagement in talks mediated by Pakistan.
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French Aircraft Carrier Deployed Near Hormuz During Tensions
France deployed the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Arabian Sea ahead of a possible neutral mission to help restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Paris said the operation would be defensive and in line with international law, amid growing international efforts to secure global shipping routes.
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★LEBANON
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US Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire by 45 Days After Talks in Washington
The US State Department announced that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire for 45 days following talks in Washington, with further negotiations scheduled for early June. Officials described the discussions as “productive,” aiming to advance a path toward longer-term political stability amid continued tensions in southern Lebanon.
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Israeli Military Orders Evacuation of Nine Southern Lebanese Villages
Israel’s army issued evacuation warnings for nine villages in southern Lebanon ahead of planned airstrikes against Hezbollah, urging residents to move at least one kilometer away. The warning came despite a US-announced 45-day extension of the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire following talks in Washington.
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★THE GULF
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India and UAE Sign Defense and Energy Deals During Modi Visit to Abu Dhabi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on the first leg of a six-day tour, where he and UAE leaders signed defense and energy agreements, including petroleum and LNG cooperation and a ship repair project. Modi also condemned Iranian attacks on the UAE and stressed keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
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★IRAQ
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Iraq Oil Exports Through Hormuz Drop Sharply During Conflict
Iraq exported 10 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in April, down sharply from about 93 million monthly before the Iran war, Oil Minister Basim Mohammed said. Baghdad aims to raise exports via Turkey’s Ceyhan port and boost production capacity to 5 million barrels per day with OPEC cooperation.
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US Arrests Senior Iraqi Hezbollah Commander Over Global Terror Plot Claims
The US has arrested Iraqi Hezbollah commander Mohammed Baqir al-Saadi, accusing him of coordinating multiple global terror attacks linked to retaliatory violence after the 2026 US-Israeli strike on Iran. Officials say he was extradited to the US, charged with six terrorism-related counts, and allegedly planned attacks across Europe, Canada, and potential targets in the US.
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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.
