Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Reaches Runoff in Iran’s Presidential Election

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New intelligence indicates that Iran may be pursuing a faster route to developing an atomic weapon, despite signals of negotiation from Iran's new president. The intelligence was collected during the Biden administration and relayed to Trump's national security team, warning of Iran's potential to turn their nuclear fuel stockpile into a weapon within months. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to discuss this evidence with Trump, as Iran remains at the nuclear threshold and continues...

A car bomb in Manbij, Syria killed 15 agricultural workers, with no claims of responsibility. The city has seen ongoing violence between US-backed and Turkish-backed groups since December. The attack highlights the challenges facing new interim president Ahmed al-Shara in creating a unified transitional government amidst continued violence and resistance from armed factions. Full Article

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to discuss a second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas during his visit to Washington, where he will meet with President Donald Trump to address "victory over Hamas" and countering Iran. Trump's meeting with Netanyahu marks his first with a foreign leader since his return to the White House, reflecting the strong Israeli-American alliance. The ceasefire discussions will also involve negotiations on releasing hostages and potentially ending the...

The funeral for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli air strike in September, will be held on February 23, along with the burial of successor Hashem Safieddine. Nasrallah will be buried in Beirut, while Safieddine will be laid to rest in his hometown in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah urges Lebanon to pressure Israel to cease ceasefire violations, following an agreement for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by February 18. Full Article

Ahmed al-Shara, Syria’s interim president, visited Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss strengthening relations and lifting international sanctions. The trip signals Syria's shift away from Iran towards the Gulf, with Gulf states increasingly supporting al-Shara's government and aiming to shape a post-Assad Syria under his leadership. Saudi Arabia, seeking to reassert influence in the region, has backed al-Shara's government and called for the removal of...