Iran to host Pakistani interior minister as border security, trade talks advance Iran is finessing its relations with Pakistan, seeking to bolster border security and increase trade in response to sanctions. Iran
‘No one wants to return to war,’ Lebanon’s Aoun tells US general overseeing ceasefire Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire that ended last year’s war with Israel to pressure the latter to end its daily attacks on Lebanon. Lebanon
Iraq's security chief visits Iran, steps up border and railway cooperation: What to know Iraqi national security adviser Qasim al-Araji’s trip to Iran focused on efforts to deal with Kurdish groups on the border and a much-delayed railway linkage between the two countries. Iraq
Israel launches heaviest wave of strikes in south Lebanon since ceasefire The Israeli escalation came just a day after the US military praised the Lebanese army’s progress in disarming Hezbollah. Lebanon
Armenia's Pashinyan drops Mount Ararat from border stamps in 'concession' to Turkey Armenia’s government will stop using Mount Ararat on border stamps starting in November, a move that has stirred outrage at home and fueled debate over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s outreach to Turkey. Turkey
Iran says 13 militants in Baluchestan killed as insurgents exploit postwar weakness The large-scale operation in Sistan-Baluchestan underscores persistent instability in the volatile, impoverished province, where Sunni militants have intensified attacks since the Iran-Israel conflict. Iran
Syria says six soldiers killed in Israeli drone strike as US pushes for security deal There have been signs of progress in Israel-Syria talks, though tensions are flaring in the south and Syria has condemned a number of Israeli actions. Syria
Iran’s Pezeshkian seeks assurances in Armenia as Yerevan, Baku nominate Trump for Nobel Tehran is concerned that the new Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor, announced in an agreement brokered by Washington earlier this month, threatens its access to regional trade routes and could invite a foreign military presence. Iran
Iran border clash kills 3 militants, police officer in Baluchistan: What to know Iranian forces have prioritized targeting Jaish al-Adl and other groups in the southeast, and are seeking cooperation with Pakistan on the issue. Iran
On first visit to Paris, Lebanon's Salam secures $88M reconstruction pledge During discussions with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Beirut must implement economic reforms before an aid conference can be organized to support Lebanon's reconstruction. Lebanon
2 Iranian border guards killed in Kurdistan province: What to know Iraq agreed to move Iranian Kurdish groups farther from the border in 2023, but some clashes have occurred since then. Iran
Turkey on edge as clashes continue in Syria's Suwayda, Kurds weigh next move Turkey fears a deepening ethnic fracture in Syria could redraw the regional map — and embolden its own Kurdish population. Turkey
Analysis Will Israel's airstrikes in Druze city derail Syria normalization talks? The violent clashes in Syria and subsequent Israeli attack have pushed a potential bilateral security agreement further off. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UNIFIL patrol in southern Lebanon comes under attack: What to know A group of men blocked a UNIFIL patrol in southern Lebanon, citing the absence of a Lebanese army escort, leading to brief clashes in the latest incident involving local residents and the UN peacekeeping mission. Lebanon
Turkey ramps up Iran border security as Ankara, UNHCR monitor refugee risks UNHCR stands ready to support Turkey, though no major refugee movement has been observed along the Iranian border, the international body’s Turkey spokesperson told Al-Monitor. Turkey
Sudan army loses border control to RSF after clashes with Libya’s Haftar Sudan’s army withdrew from a volatile border zone after clashes with Libyan forces tied to Khalifa Hifter, who is accused of supporting Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Sudan
