Against the backdrop of the dramatic Wall Street Journal report on a secret Israeli military base that operated in the heart of Iraq, tensions in the country show no sign of subsiding. A parliamentary source revealed that the Iraqi army approached the alleged base and assessed that the forces there were American.
The heavy exchanges of fire in southern Lebanon continue. Hezbollah is launching explosive drones at IDF soldiers, while the military has yet to provide an adequate defensive solution. The IDF is operating with “one hand tied behind its back” because its activity is limited to what has been defined as the “yellow line.”
EU foreign ministers gather Monday as hostile member states see their opening: settler sanctions, trade restrictions, and a multibillion-euro agreement all on the line at once.
The US president says he rejected Iran's response after Tehran reportedly offered a 30-day negotiating window, sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while refusing to dismantle its nuclear facilities.
Iran is demanding a temporary ceasefire and the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, citing severe shortages of food, medicine and cash, and warning of the risk of hunger in parts of the country. The US is prepared to partially ease the naval blockade and release frozen funds, but is conditioning this on guarantees regarding the nuclear issue and the consent of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well.
