★USA
-
US House Votes to Block Trump Iran War Powers in Bipartisan Rebellion
The US House of Representatives passed a war powers resolution aimed at ending President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran without congressional approval, in a 215–208 vote with four Republicans joining Democrats. Though largely symbolic and likely to face a Senate hurdle and veto, the measure reflects growing bipartisan unease over the three-month conflict and concerns about presidential war powers.
-
Trump Sees Iran Deal Soon as Tehran Rejects Progress
US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are progressing well and could produce a deal by the weekend, including the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Iran, however, denied any significant progress, insisting on its right to enrich uranium and linking future talks to ending regional tensions and the conflict in Lebanon.
===========
★IRAN
-
Iran Warns Beirut Strike Could Trigger Wider War Escalation
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any Israeli strike on Beirut would lead to a renewed, large-scale war in the Middle East, saying Iran would respond militarily if Lebanon’s capital is attacked. He stressed that Lebanon’s war is inseparable from Iran’s conflict with the US and Israel, amid ongoing Washington-mediated talks on regional de-escalation.
-
Iran Tightens Security in Kurdish Region During Rights Concerns
Iran increased military checkpoints in its Kurdish region near the Iraqi border as reports highlighted disproportionate repression of Kurdish communities. The British government noted increased security measures, mass arrests, and executions, with Kurds accounting for a significant share of detainees and death sentences despite representing a minority of Iran’s population.
===========
★LEBANON
-
Israel, Lebanon Renew Truce with Hezbollah-Free Security Zones
Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew their ceasefire and establish pilot security zones in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah will be banned, and the Lebanese army will assume control. The US-mediated deal aims to reduce tensions and advance broader security arrangements, while efforts continue to separate the Lebanon conflict from wider negotiations involving Iran.
-
Hezbollah Threatens Tel Aviv, Haifa Over Future Beirut Strikes
Hezbollah warned it would target Tel Aviv and Haifa if Israel resumes strikes on Beirut, rejecting any arrangement linking attacks on Beirut’s Dahiyeh district to calm along Israel’s northern border. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis also threatened retaliation, saying Israeli forces would remain vulnerable to attacks unless they withdraw from southern Lebanon.
-
Katz Outlines Post-Ceasefire Lebanon Plan, Claims Israel Can Strike Beirut
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said post-ceasefire arrangements with Lebanon preserve Israel’s “freedom of action” to strike as far as Beirut if attacked, alongside maintaining a security zone in southern Lebanon. He said Israeli forces will continue operations against Hezbollah infrastructure and prevent residents’ return to parts of the south under a proposed demilitarised arrangement backed by US-mediated talks.
-
Israel Continues Strikes in South Lebanon Despite Ceasefire
Israeli forces carried out air and artillery strikes across southern Lebanon, including a drone attack on a vehicle in Nabatieh that reportedly killed one person, despite a newly announced ceasefire. Lebanese authorities also reported casualties among medical personnel and urged displaced residents to delay returning home due to ongoing security risks and unexploded ordnance.
===========
★THE GULF
-
Kuwait Intercepts 13 Missiles During Escalating Iranian Attacks
Kuwait said its military intercepted 13 ballistic missiles and 17 hostile drones over residential areas, with falling debris causing damage. Iranian attacks also targeted Kuwait International Airport, killing one resident, injuring dozens, and damaging key facilities.
-
Kuwait Expels Iranian Diplomats After Missile and Drone Attacks
Kuwait summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires and delivered a formal protest over missile and drone attacks on its territory, including strikes on civilian infrastructure such as Kuwait International Airport. The government condemned the violations of sovereignty, downgraded Iran’s diplomatic mission, and expelled two diplomats within 24 hours, following reported interceptions of multiple projectiles and casualties from the attacks.
-
Bahrain Arrests 15 in Iran-Linked “Agents” Case
Bahrain announced the arrest of 15 individuals accused of being field operatives linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, alleging they were involved in incitement and attempts to recruit citizens for illegal activities. The Interior Ministry said the suspects were monitored as part of an ongoing investigation into a wider network tied to Iran-based operatives, with legal proceedings continuing.
===========
★ 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.
