US Bases

The IDF is preparing a major counterterrorism operation in the West Bank after a deadly clash near Tell left two Israelis and four Palestinians dead. The IRGC claimed attacks on US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, while Iran’s foreign minister met with Russian and Pakistani counterparts at an SCO meeting. Lebanon’s prime minister oversaw a controlled return of residents to Zawtar al-Gharbiya under a ceasefire framework. The US completed a 13th night of strikes on Iran, and Brent crude remained above $100 per barrel.

The IDF struck and killed seven Hezbollah operatives transporting weapons in southern Lebanon, while four Israeli soldiers were wounded in a separate clash. US-mediated Israel-Lebanon talks were extended, with Hezbollah demanding an unconditional Israeli withdrawal. The IAEA chief confirmed initial talks with Iran on nuclear site access, and the US is reportedly considering relocating Gulf military bases to Israel after Iranian strikes caused greater damage than acknowledged.

President Trump suspended Project Freedom naval escorts in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, citing “great progress” toward a US-Iran agreement, while Hezbollah explosive drones wounded three Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and the IDF struck 25 Hezbollah targets. A Washington Post satellite analysis revealed Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 US military assets across 15 Middle East bases, far exceeding official US acknowledgments. A joint World Bank-UN-EU report priced Gaza reconstruction at $71 billion.