Fresh protests have erupted across Iran, posing a potentially greater threat to the government than the 2022 unrest. Unlike that earlier wave, Arab states have remained largely silent this time. Their news outlets are giving little coverage, and officials appear nervous and reluctant to comment. The shift contrasts sharply with 2022, when Gulf-funded media showed sympathy for Iranian protesters and Arab diplomats privately welcomed Tehran’s troubles.

Two main reasons explain this silence. First, Iran’s regional power has diminished since October 2023, as Israel’s wars have crippled Tehran’s proxy network, including Hezbollah and Syrian allies. Second, Gulf governments fear instability. They worry that Iran’s collapse could unleash refugees, uncontrolled weapons, and regional chaos. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has also threatened action if Tehran kills protesters, adding to Arab anxiety about potential escalation.

Arab leaders now prefer stability over confrontation. They do not support Iran’s current regime but fear that its fall could worsen regional disorder. Their cautious silence reflects exhaustion from years of conflict and a desire to avoid new turmoil near their borders.

Indian nationals have begun returning home from Iran following widespread anti-government protests. On Saturday night, the first two commercial flights carrying Indian citizens from Iran landed in New Delhi. Several returnees described their experiences of the unrest, with some noting disruptions to daily life and communication difficulties due to internet shutdowns.

A medical student who returned said she had heard about the protests but did not witness them directly, confirming that internet services were suspended. An engineer working in Iran reported that conditions had improved compared to earlier, facing only network issues. Another Indian who spent a month in Iran said protesters often blocked vehicles and that he was unable to contact his family because of the internet outage. One returnee added that while people were worried, the situation in Tehran had since normalized, with fewer protesters compared to government supporters.

According to the report, more than 9,000 Indian citizens remain in Iran as the situation continues to stabilize.

At least 14 people were killed when a truck plunged into a canal in Sargodha, Punjab province of Pakistan, late on Friday night. The accident occurred around 11 p.m., reportedly due to heavy fog that caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. According to Geo News, seven people died on the spot after being trapped under the truck.

Rescue officials said the truck, carrying 23 passengers, fell into the Galapur Bangla canal near Kot Momin city, though the canal contained no water. The vehicle was traveling from Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province toward Khushab. Hafiz Abdul Rashid, an official from the Khushab branch of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, confirmed that they received an emergency call at 11:22 p.m. and immediately launched rescue operations at the site.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the injured or the condition of survivors, and rescue efforts were ongoing at the time of reporting.

Myanmar on Friday dismissed allegations of genocide against the Rohingya minority as “baseless” during proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The government argued that Gambia, which filed the case in 2019, failed to provide sufficient evidence. Myanmar’s representatives claimed the 2017 military operations in Rakhine State were legitimate counterterrorism actions, not acts of genocide, and insisted that the case lacked factual grounding.

Gambia, supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, accuses Myanmar of violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention through mass killings, rapes, and arson that forced over 730,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. A UN fact-finding mission previously concluded that the 2017 campaign included genocidal acts. Myanmar’s minister Ko Ko Hlaing told the court that judgments should rely on verified facts, not emotion or speculation, and said repatriation efforts were hindered by the pandemic, natural disasters, and political unrest.

The ICJ will hear evidence from both sides over the next three weeks before deciding whether Myanmar breached the Genocide Convention. A final ruling is expected by late 2026 and could increase international pressure on Myanmar if it favors Gambia.

Residents of Gaza City have voiced skepticism about the recently announced second phase of the ceasefire agreement, saying that many commitments from the first stage have yet to be implemented. Several Palestinians told Al Jazeera that crossings were supposed to open, prices were expected to fall, and Israeli attacks were to stop, but none of these changes have materialized. Instead, they said, the only difference has been their displacement from the south to the northern parts of the enclave.

A woman interviewed said that Gaza’s situation remains unchanged and urged that the first phase be completed properly before moving to the next stage. Another resident said he was not hopeful because aid and food had not arrived and the ceasefire was not enforced as promised. With ongoing bombardments and killings, many said they could not find shelter or even tents.

The report reflects widespread frustration among Gazans who see little progress on the ground despite official announcements of a new ceasefire phase.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated in Istanbul on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive military policies have left Israel increasingly isolated internationally. He said the ongoing military operations have caused widespread death and destruction in the Middle East and made normalization of relations with Israel practically impossible for Turkey and many other countries.

Fidan emphasized that as long as Israel’s military campaign continues, there is no realistic opportunity to restore diplomatic ties. He noted that European leaders are now reluctant to meet or be photographed with Netanyahu, reflecting growing opposition among European human rights groups and elected representatives. According to him, this reluctance stems from political risks associated with public closeness to Netanyahu.

He added that Israel’s diplomatic isolation is evident, with Netanyahu reportedly losing the ability to travel beyond the United States. Fidan described Turkey’s stance not as emotional or ideological but as part of a broader international response, noting that many countries are either openly criticizing Israel or quietly avoiding high-level contact.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested the United States not to carry out an attack on Iran at this time, according to a report by The New York Times. The report, citing a senior US official, said Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump and asked him to delay any planned military action against Iran.

On Wednesday, President Trump said he had been assured that killings of anti-government protesters in Iran had stopped and that planned executions were suspended. He did not specify the source of this information but described it as coming from a highly important source.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that after lengthy discussions at the military headquarters, Israel informed the US that while it would support any American decision, it did not currently want an attack. The report also noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu for the third time in six days.

A senior Saudi official has revealed that three Gulf countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman—convinced U.S. President Donald Trump not to launch an attack on Iran. The official, speaking anonymously to AFP, said the countries engaged in intense last-minute diplomatic efforts to persuade Trump to allow Iran an opportunity to demonstrate goodwill. He added that discussions on the matter are still ongoing.

Earlier, President Trump had threatened strong action against Iran if protesters were executed. However, on Wednesday, Trump stated that he had been assured the killing of anti-government protesters in Iran had stopped. He said he learned that executions had been suspended, though he did not specify the source of this information, describing it only as coming from a “very important source.”

The report indicates that Gulf diplomacy played a key role in de-escalating immediate tensions between Washington and Tehran, with further talks continuing among the involved parties.

The Indian Coast Guard detained a Pakistani fishing boat and nine crew members after the vessel allegedly entered Indian waters in the Arabian Sea. The incident was confirmed by Gujarat Defence PRO Wing Commander Abhishek Kumar Tiwari through a post on social media platform X. According to his statement, a Coast Guard ship was patrolling the area when it spotted the Pakistani boat within India’s maritime boundary. When ordered to stop, the boat reportedly attempted to flee back into Pakistani waters.

The Coast Guard intercepted and seized the vessel, bringing it to shore for further investigation. The nine individuals on board were taken into custody and are currently being questioned by authorities. The post did not specify the exact location or timing of the interception beyond confirming it occurred in Indian territorial waters.

No additional details were provided regarding the purpose of the boat’s presence or any materials found on board, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The second phase of the US-backed Gaza peace plan has begun despite violations of the ceasefire and unresolved issues from the first stage between Israel and Hamas, according to AFP. On Wednesday, a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee was formed in Gaza to oversee daily governance and reconstruction. The committee will operate under the supervision of a US-supported 'Peace Board' chaired by US President Donald Trump. Mediator nations Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar stated that former Palestinian deputy minister Ali Shath from Ramallah will lead the committee.

The first phase focused on implementing the ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid, and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and allied groups. However, only the body of one Israeli hostage was returned, while full disarmament of Hamas and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza remain unresolved.

The second phase will emphasize disarmament, governance restructuring, and ensuring humanitarian assistance. Yet, the core political challenges—Hamas’s disarmament and Palestinian unity—remain unsettled, posing significant obstacles to the peace process ahead.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first direct meeting between the two countries’ top leaders in eight years. The talks took place at the Great Hall of the People and were viewed as a significant signal toward rebuilding diplomatic relations. Carney also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang before departing for Doha to meet Qatar’s Amir. The visit is seen as a milestone for Canada in rebuilding bilateral ties and exploring new economic opportunities while reducing dependence on the United States.

Relations between Ottawa and Beijing had been strained for nearly a decade, particularly after the 2018 arrest of a Huawei executive in Vancouver at the request of the United States. Both sides now indicate a desire to move past that period, focusing on overcoming the fallout from the Huawei case and the detention of Canadian citizens in China. However, challenges remain, including allegations of election interference, human rights concerns, and limited media access.

The visit could pave the way for practical trade agreements, though managing sensitive issues will remain the key test for both governments.

Europe has deployed troops to Greenland following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to take control of the island. However, the White House stated that this deployment will not hinder Trump’s objective. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that European forces would not influence the president’s decision-making process or his goal of acquiring Greenland.

Leavitt mentioned that Denmark, Greenland, and the United States have agreed to form a working group to continue technical discussions on the acquisition issue, with meetings expected every two to three weeks. Meanwhile, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen wrote on social media that while both sides agree on strengthening Arctic security, they differ on methods. He emphasized that in 2026, trade should involve goods, not people.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has rejected the idea of being sold. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. attempt to forcibly seize Greenland could lead to NATO’s collapse.

A senior United Nations official warned on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s military threats are further destabilizing Iran’s already tense situation. The statement came as large anti-government protests erupted across Iran last week, though the demonstrations have slowed due to internet restrictions and harsh crackdowns. The United States has cautioned that executing detained protesters could trigger military risks.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee told the Security Council that public remarks suggesting possible military action against Iran were deeply concerning and risked worsening the volatile environment. Iran’s representative, Gholamhossein Darzi, accused the United States of exploiting peaceful protests for geopolitical purposes. Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad, invited by the U.S. to speak, said millions of Iranians were united against the religious regime and demanded an end to the diversion of national funds to militant groups.

A U.S. judge in October sentenced two men to 25 years in prison for plotting to kill Alinejad, allegedly under Iranian direction. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz reaffirmed Washington’s support for Iranian protesters, warning that Tehran’s repression threatens international peace and security.

At least ten Palestinians were killed on Thursday in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip as the second phase of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan proceeded. According to the Wafa news agency, Israeli forces bombed two houses in Deir al-Balah city in the evening, killing six people, including a 16-year-old boy. The Israeli military claimed that one of the dead, Muhammad al-Hawli, was a commander in Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili confirmed that a senior Qassam Brigades member was among the dead.

Additional casualties were reported in separate incidents: one person was shot dead near the Al-Alm intersection west of Rafah, another was killed in an Israeli strike on a police post near the Al-Nablusi junction in southwest Gaza City, and two more died in an airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Hamas condemned the attack on al-Hawli’s home as a “heinous crime,” calling it evidence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s disregard for the October ceasefire, though it did not confirm the commander’s death.

European countries have begun deploying troops to Greenland following U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threat to take control of the strategically important Arctic territory. The move comes after talks among Denmark, Greenland, and the United States ended without resolution. France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden have started sending military personnel to strengthen the island’s security.

France has already dispatched 15 soldiers, while Germany has sent 13 as part of an intelligence unit. The Danish Ministry of Defence announced that Denmark is expanding its military presence in Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies. Norway and Sweden have also confirmed their participation in the deployment.

Following Trump’s remarks about Greenland, a group of European Parliament lawmakers called for immediate suspension of the approval process for proposed U.S. trade agreements with several EU countries, urging new measures in response to Washington’s stance.