★USA
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Trump Gives Tehran Seven Days to Finalize Nuclear Deal
US President Donald Trump said Iran has up to seven days to finalize a nuclear agreement, with talks reportedly 95% complete. The proposed deal includes limits on Iran’s nuclear stockpile and maintaining pressure through sanctions and maritime restrictions until the agreement is officially signed.
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Pakistan Insists China Guarantee Any US-Iran Agreement Deal
Pakistan has told China it wants Beijing to act as a guarantor in any future US–Iran agreement, according to media sources. The request was raised during talks in Beijing between Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with Pakistan’s army chief also present amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Iran conflict.
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★IRAN
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Tehran Makes Frozen Assets Key Condition in US Talks
Iran has made the release of frozen overseas assets a central demand in negotiations with Washington, insisting on phased guarantees for unlocking funds estimated at $100–120 billion. Tehran says part of the money must be released early in any deal, while disputes over sanctions relief continue to delay a final agreement.
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Report Claims Iran’s Leader Is Isolated in Hidden Location
A CBS News report, citing US intelligence, says Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in an undisclosed, highly secure location with limited external contact, communicating only through a network of couriers. The report suggests this secrecy is slowing Iranian decision-making and delaying responses in ongoing negotiations with Washington.
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Ghalibaf Re-Elected Iran Parliament Speaker During US Talks
Iranian lawmakers re-elected Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as parliament speaker on Monday, according to Fars News Agency. Ghalibaf, also a senior negotiator in Iran-US talks, recently warned Washington of a “crushing” response if conflict resumes.
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★LEBANON
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Aoun Says Full Israeli Withdrawal From Lebanon Non-Negotiable
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon is a non-negotiable national demand to be achieved through US-backed talks next month. His remarks came amid renewed tensions with Hezbollah, which rejected disarmament and criticized the government over negotiations with Israel.
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Israel Intensifies Deadly Escalation Across Southern Lebanon
Israel escalated airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley ahead of upcoming US-backed security talks in Washington, killing civilians and targeting homes, rescue centers, and infrastructure. Hezbollah responded with rocket and artillery attacks, while tensions rose over negotiations and warnings of broader regional escalation.
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Israeli Soldier Killed in Clashes Along Southern Lebanon Border
The Israeli army said one soldier was killed and another seriously wounded during clashes in southern Lebanon on Monday, as cross-border fighting persisted despite a ceasefire. Israel continued airstrikes in Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed over 20 attacks on Israeli targets using rockets, drones, and artillery.
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★IRAQ
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Joint Iraqi Delegation to Visit Tehran Over Kurdistan Attacks
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said a joint Iraqi-Kurdish delegation will visit Tehran to discuss attacks targeting Kurdistan. Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji said the talks will take place within the framework of the Iraqi-Iranian security committee addressing recent regional military escalation.
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★THE GULF
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Financial Times Reveals Secret UAE Network Aiding Iran’s Military
FT investigation says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard used a UAE-based procurement network to acquire advanced Chinese satellite and communications equipment for drones and missile programs. Shipments moved from Shanghai to Dubai’s Jebel Ali port via Ras Al Khaimah free-zone firm, then secretly transferred to an Iranian vessel bound for Bandar Abbas using deceptive navigation. The $36m deal enhanced Iran’s capabilities.
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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.
