Middle East

VP J.D. Vance is headed to Pakistan to meet an Iranian delegation as Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz; Trump touts no uranium enrichment and threatens 50% tariffs on arms suppliers. Later, Iran alleges violations.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he secretly visited troops under CENTCOM, recounts missiles intercepted and pilots back in action, reports a drop in Iranian launches, and warns that if Tehran refuses a deal, the 'War Department' will hit harder—adding, 'Trump isn't bluffing and he won't back down.'

In an overnight operation, the Israeli Air Force hit sites tied to Iran's regime across the capital, aiming to blunt its weapons-production network. The IDF says roughly 40 manufacturing, research, and development locations were struck over the past two days.

Tehran issued a statement responding to the U.S. proposal to end the war. Pakistan and Turkey again offered to mediate between Iran and the U.S., and Egypt joined the call on Washington to end the fighting.

About 5,000 Marines have already arrived in the region, with another 5,000 expected this week, according to U.S. reports. President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to authorize broad or targeted ground operations in Iran.

President Donald Trump tells reporters Iran is 'begging for a deal' but says he is not sure it will happen; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vows the 'War Department' will 'keep negotiating with bombs.'

The IDF spokesperson says internal Hamas documents recovered in Gaza detail a coordinated partnership with Hezbollah—directed by Iran. The files indicate Hamas was given the green light to build infrastructure and entrench itself inside Lebanon, without any involvement by the Lebanese state.

The New York Times reports Mohammed bin Salman pressed the White House to keep the war going until Iran’s regime is removed, calling the joint U.S.-Israel operation a "historic opportunity"—as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are "considering" joining and Pakistan floats talks.

Overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, the IDF struck a group of armed Hamas Nukhba operatives during a training exercise in central Gaza. The military said the operatives had recently held multiple drills and posed a threat; Southern Command forces remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement.

Division 36 steps up focused ground raids against Hezbollah infrastructure; depots and command posts destroyed, and several militants eliminated after attempting to flee.

Iranian media report Israeli jets struck the Isfahan nuclear facility; without addressing that claim, the IDF says it hit Iran's main explosives plant and dozens of missile and defense targets in a sweeping operation.

Israel expands its 'Lion's Roar' campaign with overnight waves hitting intelligence headquarters and missile sites across Iran, including in Tehran; the IDF says operations will continue as developments unfold.

Beirut escalates with Tehran, declaring the envoy unwelcome and telling him to leave within days. Amal and Hezbollah reportedly urged him to defy the order, as the government tightens visa rules, bans IRGC activity, and signals a tougher line on Hezbollah's military wing.

Tehran names Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council a week after an Israeli strike killed Ali Larijani, a longtime influential figure once described as a "crisis manager" at the nexus of security, politics, propaganda, and nuclear policy.

In his first interview since the war began, Brad Cooper tells Iran International that Tehran can end the fighting now, accuses it of more than 300 deliberate strikes on civilians, and says U.S.-led pressure is blunting Iran's attacks.

The IDF says Israel’s Air Force carried out a broad overnight wave of strikes around Tehran, targeting production and storage sites and multiple command posts tied to the Iranian terror regime, as part of a push to degrade its core military infrastructure.