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The United States and its partner forces have carried out extensive airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria, US officials said, describing the operation as a response to a deadly attack on American forces last month. According to US Central Command (Centcom), the strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump on Saturday under Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched after an IS ambush on Dec. 13 in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Centcom said the operation aims to degrade IS capabilities and protect US and allied troops in the region. An official told US media that more than 90 precision-guided munitions were used against over 35 targets, with more than 20 aircraft involved. The aircraft reportedly included F-15E and A-10 fighter jets, AC-130J gunships, MQ-9 drones and Jordanian F-16s. Details about the exact locations of the strikes and possible casualties were not immediately available. Centcom said the message to militant groups was clear, warning that any attack on US personnel would be met with decisive action. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that stance, saying Washington would not relent in pursuing those who target American forces. Operation Hawkeye Strike was first announced in December. Since then, US forces have killed or captured nearly 25 IS members in multiple missions, Centcom said. The initial phase included large-scale strikes on dozens of IS sites across central Syria. Although IS has been significantly weakened in Syria, it remains active, particularly in attacks against Kurdish-led forces in the northeast, amid ongoing instability following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government late last year. With inputs from BBC  

Violence linked to nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocratic rule has left at least 116 people dead, rights activists said, as demonstrations entered their third week amid an escalating government crackdown. With internet access and phone lines largely cut, assessing the scale of unrest has become difficult. However, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that more than 2,600 people have been detained, a figure the group says is based on verified sources and past tracking of unrest in Iran. State television has focused on security force casualties and portrayed the situation as under control, while avoiding acknowledgment of civilian deaths and increasingly labeling protesters as “terrorists.” Still, authorities admitted that protests continued into Sunday, including in Tehran and the holy city of Mashhad. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signaled a tougher response despite warnings from Washington. Iran’s Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad warned that participation in protests could lead to charges of being an “enemy of God,” a crime punishable by death. He also cautioned that anyone assisting demonstrators would face the same charge. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly voiced support for the protesters, while U.S. officials warned Tehran against testing his resolve. Despite heavy restrictions, videos verified by the Associated Press showed large crowds protesting in parts of Tehran, chanting slogans against the supreme leader. Iranian media close to the Revolutionary Guard claimed demonstrators used firearms and firebombs, while also reporting deaths among security personnel. The protests began on Dec. 28, triggered by the collapse of the Iranian rial amid sanctions pressure, but quickly evolved into a broader challenge to Iran’s political system. Rights advocates warn that the communications blackout could pave the way for a deadly crackdown, recalling past protests where hundreds were killed.

The Israel Defense Forces gives a statement Friday that it killed two top Hamas figures in Thursday's airstrikes, but Gaza health officials reported 14 deaths in 24 hours.  IDF gives a statement that the military killed Kamal Abd al-Rahman Muhammad Awad, identifying him as the head of Hamas' anti-tank missile unit. The military also reported the death of Ahmad Thabet, whom it identified as a central figure in Hamas’ weapons production unit. The military identified a failed rocket launch from Gaza on Thursday toward an area of Gaza City then Israeli troops were operating the mission. WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, confirmed Awad's death but characterized him as a civilian. The IDF also reported targeting a command-and-control compound in northern Gaza on Thursday, killing four militants it said were using the site to store weapons and plan attacks. Hamas yet gives any official statement about the specific deaths, but Spokesman Hazem Qassem said the attacks “demonstrate the Israeli occupation’s abandonment of its commitment to the ceasefire.” Read More: JU students hold 'March for Palestine' on International Solidarity Day Separately, Gaza health authorities said 14 Palestinians, including five children, were killed and 17  wounded in Israeli attacks over the past day. Since a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Gaza's death toll has risen to 439 with 1,223 injuries, according to local health authorities. Rescue teams have recovered 688 bodies during that period. In the broader conflict, at least 71,409 Palestinians have been killed and 171,304 wounded since Israel's military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023.

Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, whose father was overthrown nearly five decades ago, is once again seeking a role in shaping Iran’s future as nationwide protests challenge the country’s Islamic rulers. Pahlavi, 65, has lived in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic Revolution forced his father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, from power after mass uprisings across the country. Though the monarchy was widely despised for corruption, repression and deep inequality, Pahlavi is now trying to position himself as an alternative to Iran’s struggling theocracy. Iran’s supreme leader warns of harsh response as protests continue He recently called on Iranians to return to the streets, helping trigger large demonstrations that began over economic hardship but have evolved into a broader challenge to the Islamic Republic. The protests come after years of unrest and a recent 12-day conflict with Israel that included U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. It remains unclear how much genuine support Pahlavi commands inside Iran. Some protesters may favor a return to monarchy, while others simply want an end to clerical rule. Iranian state media dismissed the unrest as the work of “monarchist terrorists” and accused Pahlavi’s supporters of violence. Born into privilege in 1960, Pahlavi grew up in Tehran’s royal palaces and was educated at a private school inside Niavaran Palace. His father’s rule, strengthened by a 1953 CIA-backed coup, relied heavily on U.S. support and a feared intelligence service known for torturing dissidents. Rising oil wealth in the 1970s failed to prevent widening inequality, and millions eventually took to the streets against the monarchy. As protests intensified, Pahlavi left Iran in 1978 for flight training in the United States. A year later, the shah fled the country and Shiite clerics consolidated power, establishing the Islamic Republic and executing thousands of opponents. After his father’s death in 1980, royalists in exile declared Reza Pahlavi the new shah. Since then, Pahlavi has spent decades abroad, mainly in the U.S., trying to maintain influence. His efforts included a brief clandestine television broadcast into Iran in the 1980s. However, memories of his father’s rule, repression inside Iran and perceptions that he is disconnected from everyday life in the country have limited his appeal. Younger Iranians, born long after the revolution, have grown up under strict social controls, economic crisis, corruption and sanctions. Pahlavi has sought to reach them through social media and foreign-based Persian-language media. In recent years, he has spoken of a possible constitutional monarchy or another system chosen by Iranians themselves. He has also drawn criticism for his ties to Israel and for meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran protests intensify as citizens call for political change Pahlavi argues the Islamic Republic is beyond reform and says only fundamental change can save Iran. Whether he can become a central figure in that transformation remains uncertain.

Tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets across Tehran and other cities, demanding an end to the Islamic Republic and, in some places, calling for the return of the monarchy. The protests, ongoing since late December, have drawn people from all walks of life—young and old, rich and poor—angry at the clerical government that has ruled the country for nearly 50 years. Many protesters expressed frustration over economic hardship, corruption, and lack of political freedoms. A shopkeepers’ strike at Tehran’s grand bazaar on December 28, triggered by the falling value of the Iranian currency, sparked the latest wave of demonstrations. University protests followed, despite authorities ordering closures. Chants such as “Death to the Dictator” and “Freedom, Freedom” echoed through the streets. New chants called for the return of Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah of Iran. Observers say the support for the monarchy reflects anger at the current regime and a desire for change. Independent reporting is limited because of heavy restrictions on media and internet access. Social media videos show clashes and protests spreading to hundreds of towns and cities, particularly in western Iran. Many participants said they were determined and angry, unlike earlier protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. Some even said young people from families connected to the regime were joining secretly. It is unclear how the protests will evolve, but they mark one of the most widespread public demonstrations in Iran in recent years.   With inputs from BBC

Lebanon’s government on Friday signed an agreement with an international consortium to explore natural gas in an offshore block near its maritime border with Israel, in a fresh bid to tap energy resources and ease its deepening economic crisis. The deal covers exploration of the so-called Block 8, located off the southern coast of Lebanon, following a 2022 agreement between Lebanon and Israel that settled their long-running maritime border dispute. It is the latest licence granted by Lebanon to foreign companies to search for gas in its territorial waters. Cash-strapped Lebanon is hoping that potential gas discoveries could help the country recover from the worst financial and economic collapse in its modern history. The agreement was signed at government headquarters in central Beirut by Energy Minister Joe Saddi on behalf of Lebanon and representatives of the consortium made up of France’s TotalEnergies, Italy’s ENI and Qatar’s state-owned oil and gas company QatarEnergy. In a statement, TotalEnergies said the consortium plans to begin with a 3D seismic survey covering about 1,200 square kilometres to assess the exploration potential of the area. Lebanon first awarded offshore exploration licences in 2017 to TotalEnergies, ENI and Russia’s Novatek for two of its 10 Mediterranean blocks, including one that was then partly disputed with Israel. Drilling in the southern block was repeatedly delayed due to the border dispute, while no commercially viable oil or gas was found in a northern block. Following the 2022 maritime agreement with Israel, offshore drilling resumed in August 2023 but did not yield positive results. Despite the setback, TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné said the company remains committed to exploration in Lebanon. “We remain committed to pursue our exploration activities in Lebanon. We will now focus our efforts on Block 8, together with our partners Eni and QatarEnergy and in close cooperation with Lebanese authorities,” he said. In January 2023, QatarEnergy joined the consortium after replacing Novatek, taking over its 20 percent stake and acquiring an additional 10 percent from TotalEnergies and ENI, giving the Qatari firm a total stake of 30 percent. TotalEnergies and ENI each hold 35 percent. Lebanon’s offshore energy plans have also been affected by regional tensions, including the 14-month conflict that began in October 2023 when Hezbollah started firing rockets toward Israeli positions along the border following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel.

Over the past 50 years, Iran has been shaken by a series of protests. Beginning with the demonstrations that led to the founding of the Islamic Republic to now, here's a brief look at the protests and what fueled them. 1979 Islamic Revolution In the lead-up to Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, students, oil workers and others protested, demanding political freedoms. Those demonstrations pressured the fatally ill ruler of the country, the autocratic Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ultimately fled the country. The revolution took hold in February under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who installed a hard-line Shiite theocracy under his ultimate control. The new government executed thousands. The bloodshed of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the crackdown halted mass demonstrations for years. 1999 student protests Angered by the killing of activists, intellectuals and others known as the “chain murders,” students at Tehran University began protesting. A security force crackdown at the campus sparked more demonstrations. At least three people were killed while 1,200 were detained in the protests. 2009 Green Movement protests In the summer of 2009, Iran's reformist opposition raised accusations that the reelection victory of the hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was rigged. Millions nationwide protested over the next months, becoming known as the “Green Movement.” A brutal security force crackdown saw dozens killed and thousands arrested.

Saudi Arabia has accused the United Arab Emirates of secretly helping a wanted Yemeni separatist leader flee the country, deepening an already serious rift between the two Gulf allies over Yemen. In a statement Thursday, the Saudi military alleged that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), escaped by boat to Somalia before being flown to Abu Dhabi by Emirati officials. Saudi Arabia recently expelled al-Zubaidi from Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and charged him with treason, accusing him of undermining unity and pushing for southern secession. The UAE, a key backer of the STC, did not immediately respond. The STC previously said al-Zubaidi remained in Aden. In an unusually direct move, the Saudi statement named a senior Emirati officer allegedly involved and claimed the aircraft used had operated in other conflict zones, echoing past Saudi accusations that the UAE funneled arms through the region, claims Abu Dhabi has denied. Saudi officials said talks were underway with STC representatives in Riyadh to defuse tensions and preserve stability in southern Yemen. The dispute comes amid renewed Saudi airstrikes against separatist forces and risks further destabilizing Yemen, where a decade-long war has killed more than 150,000 people and fueled one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.  

 Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon late Monday and early Tuesday, including an attack in Sidon, the country’s third-largest city. At around 1 a.m. Tuesday, an Israeli strike destroyed a three-storey commercial building in Sidon, just days before Lebanon’s army chief is due to brief the government on efforts to disarm Hezbollah along the border with Israel. An Associated Press photographer reported that the building was located in a commercial area filled with workshops and auto repair shops and appeared to be empty at the time of the strike. At least one person was taken away by ambulance, while rescue teams searched the rubble for possible victims. No fatalities were immediately confirmed. Earlier on Monday, Israel’s military struck several locations in southern and eastern Lebanon, saying the sites contained infrastructure used by Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas. Those attacks came nearly two hours after the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued warnings on social media platform X, saying strikes would target Hezbollah and Hamas positions in two villages in the eastern Bekaa Valley and two villages in southern Lebanon. The later strike in Sidon was not preceded by any warning, and the Israeli military did not immediately comment on it. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that a house hit in the Bekaa Valley village of Manara belonged to Sharhabil al-Sayed, a Hamas military commander who was killed in an Israeli drone strike in May 2024. Following the warnings, residents evacuated the targeted areas, and no casualties were reported from those strikes. However, earlier on Monday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said a drone attack on a vehicle in the southern village of Braikeh injured two people. Israel said that strike targeted two Hezbollah members. Lebanon’s army began dismantling weapons held by Palestinian factions last year, while the government has pledged that by the end of 2025, areas south of the Litani River near the Israeli border will be cleared of Hezbollah’s armed presence. The government is set to take up the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament at a meeting on Thursday, which will be attended by army commander Gen. Rudolph Haikal. Monday’s strikes occurred in areas north of the Litani River and well away from the Israeli border. Moves to disarm Hezbollah and Palestinian groups followed a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that resulted in the killing of much of the Iran-backed group’s political and military leadership. That conflict erupted on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in support of Hamas. Israel escalated its campaign in September 2024 with heavy bombardments and a subsequent ground operation, severely weakening Hezbollah. The fighting ended in November 2024 with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Despite the truce, Israel has continued near-daily airstrikes, mainly targeting Hezbollah fighters. According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 127 civilians have been killed in these post-ceasefire attacks.

Expanding protests driven by Iran’s deepening economic crisis are piling fresh pressure on the country’s clerical leadership, already weakened by war, sanctions and strained regional alliances. Tehran is still grappling with the fallout from a 12-day war launched by Israel in June, during which the United States struck Iranian nuclear sites. Since September, renewed United Nations sanctions over Iran’s atomic programme have intensified economic stress, sending the rial into a sharp decline. The currency is now trading at about 1.4 million to the US dollar. At the same time, Iran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance”, a network of allied states and militant groups backed by Tehran, has suffered major setbacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. US President Donald Trump’s warning that Washington would intervene if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters” has taken on added weight following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Tehran. “We’re watching it very closely,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday. He said Iran would face a strong response if security forces again resorted to lethal crackdowns. Protests have spread to more than 220 locations across 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. At least 19 people have been killed and more than 990 arrested, the group said. Iranian state media has offered little coverage, while restrictions on journalists and limited online footage have made it difficult to independently assess the scale of the unrest. The demonstrations began with merchants in Tehran before spreading nationwide. While initially focused on economic grievances, protesters have increasingly voiced anti-government slogans. Public anger has been building for years, particularly since the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked mass protests. Iran’s economy has been battered by soaring prices for basic goods, with annual inflation hovering around 40 percent. In December, authorities raised prices under a new tiered system for subsidised gasoline, further squeezing households and fuelling fears of steeper hikes ahead as prices are now reviewed quarterly. Regionally, Iran’s influence has weakened. Israel has severely degraded Hamas in Gaza and dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah in Lebanon. In Syria, President Bashar Assad, a longtime Iranian ally, was overthrown in a rapid offensive in December 2024. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have also faced sustained US and Israeli airstrikes. While China continues to buy Iranian oil, it has offered no direct military backing, nor has Russia. Western powers remain alarmed over Iran’s nuclear activities. Although Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, it had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels before the June attacks. Iran has also reduced cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, whose chief has warned Tehran could build up to 10 nuclear bombs if it chose to weaponise its programme. US intelligence agencies say Iran has not yet decided to build a nuclear weapon but has taken steps that could enable it to do so. Tehran recently claimed it had halted uranium enrichment nationwide, signalling possible openness to negotiations, though no substantive talks have followed the June conflict. Relations between Iran and the United States remain deeply strained, shaped by decades of hostility since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the US embassy hostage crisis, years of proxy conflicts and Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under Trump in 2018. Those tensions have only intensified amid the latest unrest and regional turmoil.