IDF Withdrawal

The US launched a 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, while the IRGC claimed two tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz and attacked US air defense systems in Bahrain. Israeli intelligence assessed that Iran moved thousands of centrifuges to an underground facility at Pickaxe Mountain. In southern Lebanon, Israel began a pilot withdrawal under a US-brokered safe-zone plan, and Hamas elected Khalil al-Hayya as its new political bureau chief, signaling continued alignment with Iran.

Finance Minister Smotrich urged the establishment of three Israeli settlements in northern Gaza, while the US and Iran prepared for talks in Doha amid conflicting signals. The full security annex of the Israel-Lebanon deal was published, conditioning IDF withdrawal on Hezbollah disarmament. Iraq ordered pro-Iran militias to dissolve by September 30. The Knesset is expected to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The US Senate approved a war powers resolution limiting President Trump's ability to strike Iran without congressional approval, while direct Israel-Lebanon talks opened in Washington with a partial IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon under discussion. Iran's president ruled out negotiations on its missile program, and the IAEA chief said inspectors would visit Iranian nuclear sites despite Tehran's denials. Moroccan officers arrived in Israel to join an international Gaza force, and a new Israeli national security adviser held an urgent meeting on encouraging Gazan emigration.