★IRAN

1. Khamenei Funeral Procession Continues As Mojtaba Remains Absent Third Day

Iran continued the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for a third consecutive day, drawing massive crowds that prompted authorities to extend the ceremonies ahead of his burial in Mashhad on July 9. The procession began in Tehran and will continue through Qom before reaching Iraq’s Shiite holy shrines and concluding in Mashhad, where millions of mourners are expected to participate.

Three of Khamenei’s sons attended the funeral prayers alongside senior Iranian officials, while his son Mojtaba Khamenei remained absent throughout the ceremonies. Conflicting reports attributed his absence to injuries sustained during the war or strict security measures preventing his appearance over fears Israel could target him or expose his location. His continued absence has intensified speculation over Iran’s future leadership as key political appointments are expected after the funeral.

The funeral also became a platform for political messaging, with speakers and mourners chanting threats against U.S. President Donald Trump and condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran peace talks remain suspended during the mourning period as Tehran seeks to reinforce domestic unity and project regional influence while preparing for the post-Khamenei political transition.

2. US-Iran To Hold New Pakistan Talks On July Eleven

Sources told Al Arabiya that Pakistan will host a new round of US-Iran talks on July 11. Discussions will focus on US sanctions, Iran’s frozen assets, and the nuclear program. Iran’s delegation level will be decided after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral, as both sides seek to revive diplomatic negotiations.

3. Satellite Images Show Iran Nuclear Site Construction Despite US Agreement

Satellite imagery indicates construction activity near Iran’s secret Pickaxe Mountain tunnel complex adjacent to Natanz, despite a US-Iran memorandum requiring a nuclear status quo during negotiations. Analysts said Natanz’s main enrichment halls remain damaged, while Fordo and Isfahan show no new activity. The report also said Iran is rapidly restoring underground missile facilities damaged during last year’s conflict.

4. Global Oil Surplus Weakens Iran’s Leverage In Ongoing US Nuclear Talks

A growing global oil surplus and recovering crude inventories are weakening Iran’s negotiating leverage with the United States as energy markets stabilize after the conflict. Oil prices have returned to prewar levels, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is recovering, and Gulf producers have resumed output, reducing Tehran’s ability to pressure global markets during ongoing nuclear negotiations.

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★ISRAEL

5. Netanyahu Makes Gaza Demilitarization Prerequisite For Postwar Reconstruction Efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Gaza’s reconstruction will not proceed without dismantling its military infrastructure and full demilitarization. He said residents may choose to stay or leave if they pose no threat, claimed Gaza’s security threat has been removed, and added Israel has the legitimacy to remain along southern Lebanon’s “Yellow Line.”

6. Israeli Army Says Two Hamas Field Commanders Eliminated In Gaza

The Israeli military said it killed Hamas field commanders Mohammed Najib Ashour, a Nukhba unit commander, and Tamer Saeed Abu Nakhl in precision strikes after accusing them of planning attacks against Israeli forces. It said troops remain deployed under the ceasefire arrangement and will continue eliminating immediate threats. Israel provided no details on when or where the strikes occurred.

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★TURKIYE

7. Erdoğan, Sharif Hold Istanbul Talks Advancing Strategic Partnership Across Key Sectors

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held wide-ranging talks in Istanbul to strengthen strategic ties through expanded trade, defense cooperation, energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity. The leaders also reviewed Middle East tensions, Afghanistan, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Senior officials joined follow-up discussions focused on investment, defense industries, and boosting bilateral trade toward the longstanding $5 billion target.

8. Erdogan Presses Trump To Halt Planned US-Israeli Iran Ground Offensive

Western sources said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged President Donald Trump, with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s support, to cancel a planned US-Israeli ground operation against Iran during Operation Roaring Lion. The sources said the mission, backed by CENTCOM, was canceled, Saudi Arabia opposed the conflict’s outcome, Israel considered targeting Mojtaba Khamenei, and a subsequent US-Iran ceasefire ended hostilities.

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★LEBANON

9. Israel Says It Controls Hezbollah Tunnel Network Beneath Beaufort Ridge

Israeli Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israeli forces have gained operational control of Hezbollah’s underground tunnel network beneath Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon. He urged the Lebanese Armed Forces to remove Hezbollah infrastructure under the ceasefire agreement and warned Israel is prepared to resume offensive operations if violations occur, saying any threat to Israeli forces or civilians will be immediately eliminated.

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★THE GULF

10. France And Britain Prepare Hormuz Naval Force With Omani Support

France and Britain are preparing a multinational naval force to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz with Omani cooperation. President Emmanuel Macron said about 50 countries are involved, with deployment dependent on security conditions. Iran rejected the initiative, warning against foreign military presence, as US-Iran postwar negotiations over Gulf security and maritime arrangements continue.

11. Iran And Qatar Resume Maritime Trade Following Interim US Agreement

Iran and Qatar resumed maritime trade after a nearly five-month suspension, with shipping restarting between Iran’s Dayyer Port and Qatar’s Al Ruwais Port following bilateral coordination. The move follows last month’s interim US-Iran agreement ending hostilities and restoring pre-war Gulf maritime traffic. Iran also reported cargo clearance at the UAE’s Jebel Ali Port, signaling a broader recovery in regional trade.

12. Houthis Threaten Saudi Arabia Over Alleged Iranian Plane Landing Blockade

Yemen’s Houthis threatened to target Saudi airports and vital infrastructure, accusing Riyadh of attempting to block an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying more than 200 stranded and wounded passengers from landing in Sanaa. The group warned of retaliation for any airspace violations, while tensions resurfaced despite a 2022 UN-brokered truce and recent Saudi-Houthi prisoner exchanges.

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★IRAQ

13. Iraq Rejects Iranian Requests To Shield Corruption Suspects From Arrest

Iraq rejected Iranian requests to exempt corruption suspects from judicial arrest lists and insisted Tehran use official diplomatic channels instead of unofficial meetings. Iranian officials also reportedly sought changes to Baghdad’s plan to disarm armed groups by September 30, but the Iraqi government reaffirmed its commitment to both anti-corruption measures and state security reforms.

14. Iraq Approves Qatari American Oil Pipeline Studies Through Syria and Turkey Routes

Iraq’s Cabinet approved preliminary agreements with a Qatari company and two U.S. firms to study strategic oil export pipelines through Syria and Türkiye. The consortium will assess technical and financial feasibility for both routes without binding commitments. Baghdad also authorized a consultancy contract with KBR for the Basra-Haditha pipeline, supporting plans to expand oil production to seven million barrels daily.

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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.