August 4, 2026 — Iran deploys ground forces against Kurds in Iraq. Units from the Iranian Army’s 23rd Airborne Special Forces Brigade took part in a series of raids against Kurdish opposition groups while Tehran was holding talks with the US. During Operation Roaring Lion, Kurdish forces were considered for a possible campaign to topple the regime in Tehran.

August 4, 2026 — Trump slams Iran’s ‘duplicitous’ denial of diplomatic talks. The U.S. president insists that American naval forces are maintaining a strict blockade until Tehran agrees to a deal or total surrender.

August 4, 2026 — Israel-Lebanon talks resume in Rome while Hezbollah chief slams Aoun as ‘biased, divisive.’ Qassem said that the talks would bring “nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises” for Lebanon.

August 4, 2026 — Iran’s hidden war room in Iraq: how Houthis and militias are building a new launchpad against Israel. From a fortified enclave in Babil, Yemeni drone experts and Iraqi factions are merging under Iranian direction — shortening the flight path to Israeli cities and rewriting the threat map

August 4, 2026 — Iranian lawmaker ousted after attacking US talks and threatening Washington. Ebrahim Rezaei and Mahmoud Nabavian lost senior posts on parliament’s security committee after opposing negotiations with Washington, criticizing Iran’s leadership and warning of attacks on US bases

August 4, 2026 — Iran, Oman near deal to control Hormuz traffic and charge ‘service fees. The proposed system would route incoming ships near Iran and outgoing vessels near Oman, while Washington insists Tehran will not control access or collect payments

August 4, 2026 — One seafarer missing as crew members abandon ship hit by unknown projectile in Strait of Hormuz. The ship was near Oman’s coast in the Strait of Hormuz when an unknown projectile hit it, leading the crew to abandon the vessel.

August 3, 2026 — Israel was meant to join major US attack on Iran before Trump decided to call it off – report. According to one official, Israel told the United States that if the attack did not strike Iranian regime targets and sites tied to Iran’s economy, there was no point in striking at all.

August 3, 2026 — Iran fears audio recordings could reveal Mojtaba Khamenei’s location, Iranian media claims – report. The report outlined several ways the recordings could reveal Khamenei’s location and health condition, ranging from acoustic signatures to the supreme leader’s breathing patterns.

July 31, 2026 — Saudis said to gear up for ground invasion against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Saudi forces seen withdrawing from east of Yemen, in possible prep for a campaign, report says, as Riyadh announces 14-country alliance to protect Red Sea shipping

July 31, 2026 — West Bank fuel shortage strands Palestinians at pump with economy running on empty. Cash liquidity crunch and fiscal strains, some stemming from PA’s reliance on Israeli shekel, seen as driving petrol scarcity, leading to long lines at the pump and illicit ‘black gold’ sales

July 31, 2026 — Gazan beekeepers struggle to recover after war wipes out honey production. Practitioner of traditional Gazan livelihood estimates beekeepers producing honey at 10% of prewar rate, with equipment destroyed and no access to trees