Explosion in Damascus leaves 5 people dead, 16 injured, state media reports
An explosion was heard in Damascus on Thursday afternoon. State media reports that the cause is still unknown.
Middle East
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, other world leaders to attend Khamenei's funeral
Palestinian Authority prepares for first election in two decades, as Abbas preps final date
Gaza’s post-war architecture exists on paper, but can it be implemented? - analysis
CENTCOM considers relocating US bases from Gulf States to Negev after painful Iran strikes - report
One option is to establish a new base in the Negev big enough to hold the American army’s forces, or to expand one of the Negev’s air force bases and allocate an American compound there.
Syrian FM visits Beirut after Trump suggests Damascus should fight Hezbollah
The Syrian minister, Asaad al-Shibani, met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his first stop, and then headed for a meeting with the parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah.
Iran increases attacks on Kurdish opposition following days of clashes
The centrist and nationalist KDPI is a historic Kurdish Iranian opposition group, which Iran has targeted for many years, assassinating its leaders decades ago.
Syria forms first post-Assad parliament to kickstart new era of 'managed democracy'
The new parliament has 140 elected seats and 70 appointed by the president.
US resumes transfer of American currency to Iraq after Iran-related suspension - report
The report cited an Iraqi Kurdish official who attributed the measures as a response to the smuggling of US dollars by Iran-backed Iraqi militias.
Hamas ceasefire meetings in Cairo continue into third day, Tehran prepares for Khamenei's funeral
Israel launches pilot program for returning Gaza residents, COGAT announces • US-Iran talks 'going well' Vance claims, Iran's deputy FM says monitoring of MoU discussed
Araghchi threatens to ‘school’ Israel if US unsuccessful in ‘muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv’
Araghchi’s threat was made in response to Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been "marked for death."
Iraq PM's anti-corruption raids test resolve against Iran-backed power networks - analysis
That gap between optics and substance could become decisive ahead of Al-Zaidi’s expected Washington visit.
US-Iran talks 'going well' Vance claims, Iran's deputy FM says monitoring of MoU discussed - report
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told Iranian state media that talks included an initial meeting of a monitoring group to ensure implementation of the recently signed US-Iran MoU.
Iran's past shows regime needs to develop a nuclear weapon to have chance at survival, expert says
According to Zisser, Iran now believes nuclear weapons are essential for regime survival after repeated Israeli and US strikes, while Washington's push for a new deal may reinforce Tehran's strategy.
