★ YEMEN
Saudi Arabia Strikes Yemen Bridge As Houthi Conflict Escalates
Saudi Arabia struck Yemen’s Al-Barh bridge twice in two days, Ynet reported, citing Houthi-linked media. IRIB reported 40 Saudi airstrikes across Yemen within 24 hours. The escalation follows heightened Saudi-Houthi clashes and rising regional tensions.
Fighting Intensifies Around Bab al-Mandeb and Taiz
Yemeni government-aligned forces reported fresh fighting with Houthis at Kahbub near Bab al-Mandeb, where Southern Giants forces said they destroyed Houthi vehicles and a heavy weapon and struck Houthi positions and concentrations. Local reporting said three government-aligned fighters were killed while repelling a Houthi assault there. Separately, fighting erupted at Hayfan and Al-Ahkum south of Taiz, where military sources said government forces thwarted Houthi infiltration attempts and advanced at several positions.
Houthis Pledge To Spare American, Israeli Ships
Yemeni Houthi representatives told U.S. officials during secret talks in Oman that they would not target American or Israeli ships and would honor their May 2025 ceasefire, Reuters reported. The Houthis retained the right to attack Saudi vessels, while Washington declined to confirm the meeting. Oman mediated the talks amid escalating regional tensions.
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★ IRAN
Iranian MP Calls Nuclear Weapons “Unavoidable”
Iranian lawmaker Hossein-Ali Haji Deligani called possession of a nuclear weapon an “unavoidable necessity” and said Iran should conduct the necessary nuclear-weapons tests “as soon as possible,” arguing that the country now needs an atomic deterrent. He told Iranian outlet Entekhab that lawmakers have prepared a three-urgency bill for Iran to withdraw immediately from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has been signed by a group of MPs and could be brought to the parliamentary floor for a vote with approval from the presiding board.
Beijing Presses Iran on Hormuz, Yemen, U.S. Talks
China delivered a pointed de-escalation message to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, urging Iran and the United States to resume substantive negotiations, calling for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen quickly and backing direct Iranian dialogue with Gulf states based on respect for sovereignty and national security. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also warned that Beijing does not want regional tensions spreading further into Yemen and the Red Sea. Mehr News said Araghchi blamed current tensions on U.S.-Israeli actions, called for a new regional order without foreign forces, and said Tehran seeks restored regional calm and peaceful relations with its neighbors while remaining prepared to defend Iran.
Bafel Talabani Pledges Iran Border Security in Tehran
PUK President Bafel Talabani told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran that his party is working to strengthen security along Iran’s border with Iraqi Kurdistan and implement the Iran-Iraq security agreement by removing Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from border areas. Talabani, who brought an economic delegation and has met several senior Iranian officials during the visit, has also urged regional de-escalation and pledged that Iraqi Kurdistan will not become a platform for threats against Iran. Pezeshkian publicly credited Talabani with playing an active role in reducing regional tensions.
IRGC Rejects U.S. Account of Iran Airman Rescue
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi rejected the U.S. account of the April rescue of an F-15E airman inside Iran, calling the recently aired 60 Minutes story a “Hollywood-style” narrative assembled to offset U.S. battlefield setbacks. Mohebbi pointed to images of wreckage from the downed F-15 as evidence of Iran’s battlefield success but offered no evidence disproving the rescue.
Hormuz Traffic Plunges to Four Ships
Only four tracked vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, down from seven Monday and a 10-day average of 18. None was a very large crude carrier or LNG tanker, underscoring continued disruption through a waterway that carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies before the war. Saudi Arabia is meanwhile increasing crude shipments through Oman after attacks damaged its East-West pipeline, offering Asian refiners cargoes loaded through ship-to-ship transfers off Sohar.
Iran Faces Difficulties Overcoming The Blockade of The Strait of Hormuz
Iran is struggling to offset the Hormuz blockade as alternative land and sea routes face logistical and administrative obstacles, The Wall Street Journal reported. Trucks remain stranded at border crossings, while longer routes through Türkiye, Pakistan and Central Asia raise transport, insurance and storage costs. Iran is also expanding Caspian Sea and rail links to China.
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★ GULF STATES
Saudi Crown Prince, Macron Discuss Regional Security And Maritime Navigation
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed regional developments, efforts to strengthen security and stability, and ensuring maritime navigation security and freedom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The leaders also reviewed several issues of mutual interest during a phone call received by the crown prince from Macron.
Trump Expected To Meet Gulf Leaders Over Iran War
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders or foreign ministers next Tuesday in New York to discuss the Iran war and postwar strategy, Axios reported, citing three sources. The meeting, held alongside the UN General Assembly, could expand to other Arab and Muslim leaders. Invitations were reportedly sent Wednesday, while the White House declined comment. Trump said Wednesday that he hoped the war was nearing its end and reiterated that Iran wants a deal.
EDGE, Hanwha Expand Cooperation On Integrated UAE Air Defense
UAE-based EDGE and South Korea’s Hanwha signed a term sheet to expand cooperation on an integrated UAE air defense network, including L-SAM, M-SAM and Chunmoo systems. The companies will explore establishing a UAE joint venture, local production, technology transfer and phased localization, subject to government approvals and required procedures.
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★ LEBANON
IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon After Warning Northern Israeli Residents
The IDF warned northern Israeli residents about loud explosions before striking southern Lebanon, with reported strikes hitting Al-Mansouri, Qantara, Nabatiya and Wadi Saluki. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the military remains determined to eliminate Hezbollah forces south of the Litani River and disarm the group entirely.
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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.
