Middle East

5,000 crew members set for deployment of at least seven months as US Navy warns of strain from Iran war. Tehran: “US is trying to create illusion of coalition against Iran.”

The sharp reduction in official paperwork recently led government insiders to suspect he finally succumbed to his February combat wounds. According to The Atlantic, a complete lack of visual and audio proof of his survival has fueled rumors of a massive power vacuum, leaving rival factions battling for control.

Following a 19-year media absence, Arab media claims to have visuals from Syria showing the aftermath of the 2007 Israeli operation that leveled the Al-Kibar nuclear reactor. Asharq Bloomberg shared the footage amid the high-profile visit by the IAEA delegation to review what's left of the former regime's program.

Uganda's parliament has cleared troops for the Board of Peace mission, but Burundi, one of the world's poorest nations, has yet to finalize its involvement.

Tehran exploring options to strike American installations in southeastern Europe and subsea cables in the event that President Donald Trump pursues military escalation, according to a Financial Times report.

With most vessels choosing the US-protected Omani route, Iran's grip on the waterway is fading.

Prime Minister's Office says Damascus was about to violate an agreed security status quo. US envoy Tom Barrack: Turkey was not warned in advance and "could have reasonably prepared its own response."

American envoy Tom Barrack warned that strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airfield threaten regional stability as Washington presses for diplomatic restraint.

Israel and the US agreed there would be no further withdrawal from Gaza without Hamas disarming under American supervision. According to an Israeli political source, Netanyahu made clear that until the weapons are destroyed, the IDF will remain on the Yellow Line and retain freedom of action against threats. 

As the White House celebrated a diplomatic achievement, intelligence indicates Tehran used the “window of opportunity” to rapidly rebuild its missile capabilities and place hard-liners in control. Under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran is preparing to sabotage global infrastructure and conduct ground raids: “There is also a widespread view in Iran that the main war has not yet begun,”