★USA

1. US Attacks Missile Sites in Iran, Says it Acted to Defend Troops

US forces struck missile sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran, saying the attacks were defensive despite ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha. The strikes heightened tensions as Washington and Tehran negotiated a broader deal covering Hormuz, sanctions relief, and Iran’s uranium stockpile, while Israel intensified operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

2. US Strikes on Iran Disrupt Markets as Oil Rises and Gold Falls

US “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats reignited geopolitical tensions, rattling global markets and dampening hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough. Oil prices surged on supply fears via the Strait of Hormuz, while gold slipped and the dollar strengthened. Asian currencies and equities came under pressure amid renewed uncertainty and inflation risks.

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★IRAN

3. Iran Warns of Severe Response to Any New US Strikes

Iranian lawmaker Ibrahim Azizi warned that any new attacks on Iranian armed forces would face a “decisive and crushing” response, following US strikes on southern Iran described by Washington as defensive. The escalation comes amid fragile ceasefire talks mediated in Doha, with officials on both sides still pursuing negotiations despite rising tensions.

4. Iran Sends High-Level Delegation to Doha as US Talks Advance

A senior Iranian delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Doha for talks on a possible US-Iran understanding amid reports of progress on issues including Hormuz, frozen assets, and uranium enrichment. While both sides downplayed a breakthrough, Qatar is playing a growing mediation role as negotiations continue over a potential ceasefire framework.

5. Iran Restores Internet After 87-Day Shutdown Order Issued

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the restoration of internet services after an 87-day nationwide shutdown that began with the February war with the US and Israel, according to Tasnim and Fars. Netblocks said most citizens were offline, relying on limited VPN access, while authorities used a domestic network. Details on full reconnection remain unclear.

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★LEBANON

6. Hezbollah Says It Targeted Israeli Military Sites as Border Clashes Escalate

Hezbollah said it carried out multiple drone and missile attacks on three Israeli barracks and a military site in northern Israel in response to alleged ceasefire violations. Israel vowed to intensify strikes on Lebanon as clashes continued despite a fragile truce, raising concerns over wider escalation amid ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

7. Israel Intensifies Lebanon Strikes as Hezbollah Clashes Escalate

Israel carried out heavy strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, hitting dozens of Hezbollah targets as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify operations and “crush” the group. The escalation triggered mass displacement from Beirut’s southern suburbs. Hezbollah responded with drone attacks on northern Israel amid continued US-backed military pressure.

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★IRAQ

8. Iraq Postpones Cabinet Completion Amid Renewed Power-Sharing Disputes

Iraqi political blocs are set to delay finalizing Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi’s cabinet until after Eid al-Adha due to disputes over key ministries, including interior, defense, and planning. The standoff reflects ongoing power-sharing rivalries and persistent reliance on political quotas, raising concerns over government efficiency and its ability to implement urgent reforms.

9. Iraq… 5 Factions Move Towards Disarmament, and 2 Factions Refuse

Reports say five Iraqi armed factions, including Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Badr Organization, are moving toward surrendering weapons to the state, while two groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Nujaba, reject disarmament. The development is linked to US pressure to curb Iran-aligned militias’ influence in government and security structures.

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★THE GULF

10. Saudi Arabia Rejects Normalization Without Palestinian Statehood Path

A Saudi source told CNN that Riyadh will not normalize ties with Israel without an irreversible path toward a Palestinian state, rejecting President Donald Trump’s push to expand the Abraham Accords alongside a potential Iran deal. Trump said regional leaders discussed linking normalization and diplomacy with broader Middle East stability efforts.

11. GCC Condemns Hezbollah’s Remarks on Bahrain as Unacceptable Interference

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi condemned Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem’s remarks on Bahrain as irresponsible interference, defending Bahrain’s arrests of individuals accused of links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and terrorism plots. He reaffirmed the GCC’s designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and backed Lebanon’s ongoing reform efforts under President Joseph Aoun.

12. Qatar Budget Deficit Widens Sharply During Iran War Disruptions

Qatar’s budget deficit surged over twentyfold to 10.3 billion riyals ($2.74 billion) in the first quarter as the Iran war disrupted LNG exports through Hormuz. Government revenues fell 23.5% amid halted gas shipments, while the IMF projected an 8.6% economic contraction. Moody’s maintained Qatar’s Aa2 rating, citing strong sovereign wealth assets.

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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.