★ IRAN

1. Trump-Pezeshkian Signatures Put Iran Deal in Force

President Trump signed the U.S.-Iran memorandum at the Palace of Versailles, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed the document, according to Reuters. Axios reported the agreement is now in effect, moving the war from battlefield escalation to a 60-day implementation and negotiation track. The memorandum covers cessation of hostilities, Hormuz reopening, sanctions relief, frozen funds, nuclear material, and Lebanon, making enforcement the next strategic test.

2. Iran Claims Victory, Threatens Hormuz Fees

Iranian officials framed the U.S.-Iran memorandum as a battlefield-backed defeat for Washington. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran negotiated from “strength,” would rely on national power rather than trust, and would charge ships crossing Hormuz after a 60-day free-passage period. Iran said its nuclear material will not leave the country, described dilution as an option, ruled out missile negotiations, and said continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon would breach the agreement. Tehran also said sanctions, frozen funds, oil exports, and Hormuz arrangements should begin moving immediately.

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★ ISRAEL

3. Trump Iran Deal Deepens Rift With Netanyahu Over Lebanon

President Trump criticized Israel’s Lebanon campaign and urged Netanyahu to act “calmer,” saying Israel should not destroy buildings whenever a Hezbollah member enters one. Axios reported Netanyahu and his allies are privately furious over Trump’s U.S.-Iran memorandum, which includes the Israel-Hezbollah front and requires Israeli withdrawal under a final deal. Netanyahu says Israel will not leave southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed.

4. Hezbollah Attacks Expose IDF Pressure Inside Lebanon

Israeli media said Hezbollah attacks Wednesday killed one IDF soldier and wounded 12 others in two separate incidents: an explosive device near the Litani killed Master Sgt. Alexander Filin and wounded seven soldiers, while a double FPV drone strike near Kfar Tebnit wounded five. Israel Hayom separately reported that IDF soldiers say narrowed open-fire rules have left forces exposed after advances beyond Beaufort and the Litani, as Lebanon becomes a disputed test of the U.S.-Iran memorandum.

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★ LEBANON

5. Qassem Claims Hezbollah Caused 1,347 Israeli Casualties

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem claimed Hezbollah caused 1,347 Israeli casualties during 105 days of fighting, alongside 3,185 operations, 518 Israeli vehicles targeted, and 85 aircraft targeted. He presented the figures as evidence that Hezbollah remains militarily active despite Israeli pressure, and said any Lebanon track tied to disarming Hezbollah “will not pass.”

6. Lebanon Rejects Syria Role Against Hezbollah

Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar rejected President Trump’s suggestion that Syria take over confronting Hezbollah, saying disarmament is the responsibility of the Lebanese state, not foreign forces. Trump criticized Israel’s handling of Lebanon and its Beirut strike before the U.S.-Iran memorandum, saying Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa could do the job better if Israel cannot act without high civilian casualties.

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★ THE GULF STATES

7. Saudi Arabia Welcomes Deal, Sets Hormuz Test

Saudi Arabia welcomed the U.S.-Iran agreement and praised Pakistan and Qatar’s mediation, while stressing that the next phase must restore security and free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to prewar conditions. Riyadh said any permanent agreement should protect regional security, respect state sovereignty, and prevent interference in countries’ internal affairs.

8. UAE Plans Zero Reliance On Hormuz

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani al-Zeyoudi said Abu Dhabi is pursuing “zero dependence” on the Strait of Hormuz, even if the waterway fully reopens after the U.S.-Iran agreement. The plan includes expanding eastern ports in Dibba, Fujairah, and Khorfakkan, adding new pipelines, rail, and road links, and studying additional routes for oil, gas, petrochemical, and LNG exports.

9. U.S. Replaces Oman In Iran Mediation Channel

A senior U.S. official said Washington removed Oman from its Iran mediation role, accusing Muscat of handling the talks “very duplicitously” and appearing too aligned with Tehran. The official said the United States shifted to Pakistan and Qatar as communication channels as it enters the 60-day negotiation phase following the U.S.-Iran memorandum.

10. Reuters Says UAE-Iran Funds Deal Denied

Reuters reported that four sources said the UAE agreed to unlock $10–20 billion for Iran, allegedly including a $3 billion first tranche, in return for halting Iranian attacks on the UAE. Reuters said it could not determine the funds’ origin. The UAE Foreign Ministry categorically denied any transfer or release of frozen Iranian funds through the UAE.

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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.