Middle East

The US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey discuss next steps in Gaza ceasefire and postwar governance at Miami summit, despite Israeli objections to the deployment of Turkish troops in the Strip.

The source added that the Paris-led discussions on establishing a mechanism to disarm Hezbollah failed to set a date and host city, or produce any concrete results. 

Speaking with academics, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian voiced deep frustration, saying, “I don’t know what to do, please don’t curse me.” He blamed Iran’s problems on corruption and what he described as the “crazy” conduct of state institutions, rather than on the US or Israel. Referring to Operation Rising Lion, Pezeshkian acknowledged Israel’s military edge, saying, “Israel had better missiles, more accurate missiles and more of them.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised with his Russian counterpart the possibility of returning the S-400 air defense systems to Moscow. The United States is holding ongoing talks with Turkey over its desire to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was expelled in 2019 following its purchase of the Russian systems.

Iran was given, but rejected, a final off-ramp before US firepower joined Israel's bombing, Washington Post reports. The report discloses a secret, final diplomatic offer from the Trump administration to lift "all sanctions" if Tehran ended proxy support and replaced nuclear facilities.

"Israel has not destroyed even 3% of our missile launchers," Iranian Revolutionary Guards officer says. "We did not think that they would target our commanders and scientists in their own homes along with their families. We miscalculated and admit that we were wrong."

Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is reportedly studying Russian and retraining in ophthalmology as he settles into exile in Moscow, with sources suggesting that members of Russia’s elite could one day become his patients.

Turkey is continuing to push for a role in the international force planned for the Gaza Strip, despite Israeli opposition. Ankara is trying to exploit the situation that has emerged after more than two months have passed since the end of the war without the force being established, and is now pressing aggressively to join it.

US President Donald Trump says world leaders, including kings and prime ministers, seek roles in the upcoming Gaza Peace Council

Network chief Peyman Jebelli told students the false claims about downed stealth fighters devastated credibility during Israel strikes.