Breaking news, history, and security updates from Israel and the Middle East.
Hamas has announced the appointment of Khalil al-Hayya as the terrorist organization's new political leader, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, who was eliminated by Israeli forces in Gaza in October 2024. Al-Hayya, a longtime Hamas official, has played a central role in the group's leadership, hostage negotiations, and ceasefire talks during the war.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any Iranian leader who tries to threaten Israel will face the same fate as former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike during the opening day of the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
Millions reportedly filled the streets of Tehran for the funeral procession of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with mourners waving Iranian flags and chanting threats against President Trump and Israel. Iranian authorities shut metro stations, declared holidays, and closed Tehran’s airspace amid fears of overcrowding.
President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "knows who the boss is" while confirming the two leaders are expected to meet in Washington in the coming weeks. The remarks come after reports of tensions over the Iran conflict, even as the U.S. and Israel continue close strategic coordination.
President Donald Trump said Iran requested time to hold funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei because Tehran was eager to negotiate. Trump also indicated he could meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House as early as next week.
Israel’s customized F-35i Adir fleet is reportedly being upgraded for longer-range missions, strengthening the Israeli Air Force’s ability to strike threats such as Iranian military and nuclear targets without relying solely on aerial refueling.
A new report indicates that North Korea, Iran, Russia, and other entities under U.S. sanctions are increasingly using cryptocurrency to bypass financial restrictions. Blockchain analysts estimate that sanctioned-linked crypto addresses received more than $100 billion in 2025.
Newly analyzed satellite imagery obtained by the BBC indicates that U.S. and Israeli airstrikes caused widespread damage to key Iranian military infrastructure, including air bases, ammunition depots, missile facilities, and naval sites across Bushehr and Isfahan provinces.
Iran has begun a six-day funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the Iran-Israel war. Tens of thousands gathered in Tehran chanting anti-American and anti-Israel slogans, while Iranian officials used the event to project national unity and resistance. The funeral coincides with America's 250th Independence Day celebrations, highlighting the continuing confrontation between Tehran and Washington.
Reports indicate President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in Washington in the coming days, with renewed negotiations over Iran and regional security expected to dominate the agenda. While the two leaders have had occasional differences in approach, both remain focused on advancing stability and protecting Israel's security.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after Fidan described Israel as a “burden” on humanity and suggested confrontation with Israel would not be a problem for Turkey.
Iran issued new threats against the United States and Israel as Tehran prepares for the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes at the start of the war. Iranian commanders also warned oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz to follow Tehran-approved routes or face a forceful response.
IDF forces uncovered an underground shaft and a weapons storage site containing rockets and mortars near At-Tiri in southern Lebanon. Additional explosives, weapons, and military gear were found near Maroun al-Ras.
Negotiations between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked as Tehran refuses to abandon its demand to control transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz. According to The Wall Street Journal, Washington has offered access to billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concessions, but Iranian officials continue to insist that the strategic waterway remains under Tehran's authority.
President Donald Trump said talks involving Iran are moving in the right direction, while U.S.-backed pressure continues over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets, and regional issues tied to Lebanon.
Israel’s Supreme Planning Council has approved 229 new housing units across Judea and Samaria, including a major expansion of Otniel that is expected to double the community’s size. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the move strengthens Israel’s presence in the region, enhances security, and counters efforts to weaken Israeli communities.
A preliminary Israeli humanitarian assistance team has landed in Venezuela following a major earthquake, preparing to support local recovery efforts with Israeli emergency response expertise. A preliminary team from…
A major diplomatic crisis erupted between Washington and Riyadh after Saudi Arabia reportedly refused to allow U.S. forces to use its bases and airspace for “Operation Freedom,” fearing Iranian retaliation against its oil infrastructure. The move forced the U.S. to cancel the operation and led to White House threats to suspend key air defense missile supplies to the kingdom.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed that his government follows the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, insisting no negotiations with the United States would occur without his approval. At the same time, a hardline lawmaker has accused Pezeshkian's allies of attempting to shift power away from the supreme leader through the Supreme National Security Council, exposing growing tensions within Iran's ruling establishment.
Iran’s parliament speaker says Tehran will not allow international nuclear inspectors into bombed or damaged sites, limiting IAEA access to only two approved nuclear locations.
Dozens of senior Iranian clerics affiliated with Iran's Assembly of Experts signed a statement declaring that assassinating U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a religious duty, claiming it would avenge Iran's Supreme Leader. The Assembly's secretariat later said the statement does not represent the body's official position.
An internal IDF presentation reportedly shows Hamas accelerating efforts to rebuild its military capabilities by recruiting young operatives, training its elite Nukhba terrorists, manufacturing rockets and explosives, and expanding smuggling networks. Israeli forces continue operations along Gaza's buffer zone to prevent the terror group from reestablishing positions near Israeli communities.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran will not enter a new round of negotiations with the United States until both sides fully implement the existing memorandum of understanding. His comments came as reports emerged of diplomatic activity in Qatar and after renewed U.S. military action against Iranian targets following alleged ceasefire violations.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced that ships will be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz without fees only during the 60-day period outlined in Iran's ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United States. After that, Iran says it plans to impose transit fees while reaffirming its claim of control over the strategic waterway. The announcement has intensified concerns over global energy security, inflation, and Iran's growing leverage over international trade.
Iran's foreign minister lashed out at the United States after the Iranian national team was eliminated from the World Cup, accusing Washington of mistreating the delegation. U.S. officials defended their security measures, while critics say Tehran is once again trying to shift attention away from its own failures.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday that member states of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) have imposed coordinated sanctions against key elements of Hezbollah's financial network.
President Trump says U.S. representatives are heading to Doha for talks on Iran’s denuclearization, while Tehran denies a direct follow-up meeting is scheduled and continues pressing for control over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. The issue comes as Israel warns that Iran’s terror proxy Hezbollah remains a major threat in Lebanon.
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply after a reported attack on a vessel, U.S.-Iran military exchanges, and Iran’s new warning that ships must use routes approved by Tehran.
Iran’s president says Tehran will honor its commitments if the United States upholds the agreement, while Iranian officials deny that any direct negotiations with Washington are scheduled this week despite President Trump saying a Qatar meeting is planned.
Israeli forces eliminated Zaher Brahim Khalil Abu Salem, an Islamic Jihad military operative who infiltrated Israel during the October 7 massacre and took part in the abduction and captivity of Israeli civilians.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper met with senior Israeli and Lebanese officials during his Middle East trip, discussing implementation of a newly signed framework agreement while reaffirming the U.S. military's commitment to regional security. Cooper also visited American troops deployed in Israel, where more than 50,000 U.S. service members remain on alert across the region.
