Middle East

US president at Davos: "Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do."

Citing recent degradations of Iran’s proxies, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Assad regime, Petraeus labeled the past year as “very very damaging” to Iran.

"We're waiting for President Trump to keep his promise," she said. "Mr. Trump, where are you now?"

The Syrian army said an attack took place as soldiers were securing a captured military base containing explosives, calling it a dangerous escalation.

“He was invited. He’s accepted,” Trump told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland after meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte.

Israeli officials say staying out of Trump’s Board of Peace was never an option, citing influence over decisions, frustration with the UN, and concerns over Gaza and Hamas.

Trump first proposed the board last September when he announced his plan to end the Gaza war. He later said the board's remit would be expanded beyond Gaza to tackle other conflicts worldwide.

"Our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack," Araghchi wrote in his opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would accept Trump’s invitation to join, but did not say whether Jerusalem would pay the $1 billion fee required to become a founding member.

Turkey deployed an advanced radar system at Damascus International Airport, a move Western sources warn could restrict Israel’s freedom of action in Syrian airspace and heighten regional tensions.