The United States has approved major arms sales worth several billion dollars to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, citing heightened tensions surrounding Iran in the Middle East. Washington announced the decision on Friday. According to the US State Department, the deal with Israel includes 30 Apache attack helicopters valued at $3.8 billion, along with $1.8 billion in joint light tactical vehicles. The approval came shortly after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department reaffirmed that ensuring Israel’s security remains closely tied to US national interests.

In a separate agreement, the US also authorized the sale of about $9 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, including 730 Patriot missiles designed to intercept aerial attacks. The move follows last year’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and widespread protests in Iran that led to heavy casualties. While Saudi Arabia is not a close ally of Iran, it has maintained a cautious stance to avoid direct conflict. Gulf nations fear that escalating instability could harm their business-friendly image.

Efforts by Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel have stalled amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Palestinian territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new military strategy aimed at inflicting heavier losses on Russian forces as the war enters its fourth year. In a January 26 address to military personnel, he said Ukrainian units must ensure that Russian casualties each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. Zelensky mentioned a target of around 50,000 Russian losses per month, calling it the optimal level to weaken the invading forces.

Citing video analyses, Zelensky claimed that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October. Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, separately stated that more than 33,000 Russian troops were confirmed killed in December. Ukraine estimates that since the war began, 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed or disabled, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar figures. Al Jazeera noted that none of these casualty numbers could be independently verified.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize additional territory despite heavy losses.

A US military ship is preparing to anchor in the Gulf of Aqaba, south of Israel’s port city of Eilat, as part of enhanced military readiness amid growing regional tensions and the possibility of an attack on Iran, Israel’s state broadcaster KAN reported on Thursday, citing Anadolu Agency. According to unnamed security sources, the move is part of US-Israel military and security coordination, which includes naval deployment and increased defensive and offensive preparedness.

The report said Israeli security agencies are closely monitoring US movements, anticipating potential actions related to Iran. Concerns have also been raised about possible regional reactions if the situation worsens. During Israel’s weekly military security review on Thursday, the Iran issue was discussed in detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss Iran. Axios reported that Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings with Pentagon, CIA, and White House leaders, while Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to emphasize diplomatic solutions in his meetings with US officials.

Azerbaijan has declared that it will never permit its territory or airspace to be used for any attack against neighboring Iran. The statement came from Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Thursday during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a release from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. Bayramov expressed concern over the recent rise in regional tensions and emphasized the need for all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize Iran or its surrounding areas.

He highlighted that Azerbaijan consistently advocates for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means in accordance with international law and principles. The statement reflects Baku’s cautious stance amid growing geopolitical strains in the region.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that time was running out to reach a deal over its nuclear program, threatening that any future attack would be even more severe than the previous one on Iranian nuclear facilities in June of the previous year.

US President Donald Trump has warned that strengthening relations or signing agreements with China would be 'very dangerous' for the United Kingdom. His remarks came in response to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ongoing four-day visit to China. Trump made the comments on Thursday during the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, when asked whether Britain was expanding its business relations with China.

Trump did not elaborate on his concerns about the UK-China relationship but also cautioned Canada, saying that any deal with China would be even more dangerous for that country. Earlier in the week, he had threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada if it proceeded with an economic agreement with China.

During his visit, Prime Minister Starmer said the UK aims to take bilateral relations with China to an unprecedented level. On the first day of his trip, he held an 80-minute meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of improving ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

After a 14-year hiatus, direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed as Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its first Dhaka-Karachi flight on Thursday night. Flight BG-341 departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8 p.m. and landed in Karachi at 11 p.m. local time, where it received a traditional water cannon salute. The inaugural flight carried 150 passengers, according to Geo News.

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka described the resumption as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties, communication, and connectivity between the two nations. Bangladesh’s Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism said the new route would enhance regional connectivity, boost tourism, and improve people-to-people contact. He added that flight frequency would gradually increase and fares would be reduced to make travel more accessible.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider recalled that both governments agreed to restore direct flights during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka in August last year, emphasizing that stronger connectivity was a shared leadership goal.

Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss issues related to Iran, amid growing concern over recent U.S. attacks on Iranian targets. According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday with senior leaders at the Pentagon, CIA, and White House. The main purpose of his visit was to provide information on potential Iranian attack targets at the request of the Trump administration.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is also in Washington for meetings on Thursday and Friday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Pentagon officials. The Saudi Defense Ministry said the delegation aims to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and resolving regional issues through diplomatic means. Saudi Arabia, which has been mediating messages between Washington and Tehran, reiterated that it would not allow the U.S. to use its airspace for attacks on Iran.

The visits come as tensions remain high following U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Tehran in June.

Bangladesh has been elected vice-chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2026. The election took place on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York during the first meeting of the commission’s 20th session. Morocco was chosen as chair, while Bangladesh, Germany, Brazil, and Croatia were elected as vice-chairs. Bangladesh formally assumed its new role in a brief ceremony attended by the UN General Assembly president’s chief of staff, who emphasized the importance of the PBC’s role.

The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. It consists of 31 member states selected from the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and top troop- and financial-contributing nations. Bangladesh has been a member since the commission’s establishment in 2005 and previously served as chair in 2012 and 2022, and as vice-chair in 2013 and 2023.

In a statement, Bangladesh’s delegation thanked member states for their confidence and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UN’s peacebuilding initiatives and future plans.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia will suspend attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine for one week. Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin made this decision after Trump personally requested him to do so. He made the remarks on Thursday during a cabinet meeting, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

The day before, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko told the media that Kyiv and Moscow had reached an understanding to stop attacks on Ukraine’s power sector. Hours before Trump’s comments, journalists contacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, but he declined to comment on the matter.

The announcement suggests a temporary pause in hostilities, though no official confirmation from the Kremlin was available at the time of reporting.

The European Union’s 27 member states have designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, prompting strong condemnation from Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the move illegal, politically motivated, and a violation of international law, describing it as interference in the country’s internal affairs. The announcement was made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a post on social media platform X.

According to the EU, the decision follows Iran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests, during which demonstrators were reportedly killed and subjected to widespread repression. The EU Council stated that targeted individuals include Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad.

Iran warned that it reserves the right to take appropriate measures within international law to protect its sovereignty and national interests, holding the EU and its member states responsible for any consequences of the decision.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the US military is prepared to implement any decision by President Donald Trump to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that it would be wrong for Iran to pursue nuclear power and that the Defense Department stands ready to fulfill the president’s expectations.

According to the report, the United States has already deployed significant military strength in the Middle East. US officials said Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided to launch an attack on Iran. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following Iran’s recent crackdown on anti-government protests, which resulted in numerous casualties.

The developments underscore growing regional instability as both nations maintain a cautious stance. The Pentagon’s readiness signals that the situation could escalate further if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.

The European Union’s 27 member states have unanimously designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The decision was announced on Thursday by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas through a post on social media platform X, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The move serves as a punitive response to Tehran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests and the killing of demonstrators.

Kallas stated that the EU cannot tolerate any form of repression, adding that a government that kills its own citizens to maintain power is undermining itself. France and Italy had supported the proposal earlier, while Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said the decision was taken in protest against the bloodshed in Iran. Israel, a long-time adversary of Iran, welcomed the EU’s move, with its Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calling it historic.

According to an unnamed senior Israeli official, the EU’s sanctions will make it easier to bring IRGC members to justice.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that time is running out to reach an agreement over its nuclear program. He threatened that if talks fail to progress, the United States could launch a more severe attack than before. Iran has rejected the threat outright. A BBC analysis outlined several possible outcomes if Trump orders a military strike on Iran.

The report suggests that U.S. forces could carry out limited, precise strikes targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij bases, and nuclear facilities, potentially leading to democratic transition. Another scenario envisions Iran’s current regime surviving but forced to alter its policies, including reducing support for regional armed groups and easing domestic repression. Other possibilities include the regime’s collapse leading to military rule, retaliatory Iranian attacks on U.S. bases and allies in the Gulf, or even the sinking of U.S. warships.

The analysis also warns of potential nationwide chaos in Iran, with risks of civil war and ethnic conflict that could destabilize neighboring countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour has called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and an end to any attempts to control the enclave’s future. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he said that achieving a permanent ceasefire requires Israel’s full departure. Mansour emphasized that resolving the Palestinian issue is as urgent as addressing other global conflicts.

Welcoming the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, Mansour said the plan could end killings, famine, and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians. He questioned the lack of accountability for victims, citing families still searching for loved ones killed or missing under rubble. Mansour also condemned Israeli actions against humanitarian organizations, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and NGOs, saying repeated attacks on UN facilities have weakened their operations.

He reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, and described the occupation as illegal and without any legitimate right.

US Senator Marco Rubio commented on the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to lose power. Speaking in the Senate shortly after President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Tehran, Rubio said it was unclear who would lead Iran in such a scenario. He cautioned that any forced regime change in Iran would be far more complex than the situation in Venezuela and noted that the aftermath of a government collapse would not have simple answers.

Rubio also mentioned that the United States might take preemptive defensive measures to protect its troops and allied facilities in the region if necessary, though he expressed hope that such a situation could be avoided. Meanwhile, Trump announced on social media that a large naval fleet was moving toward Iran and urged Tehran to return to negotiations to halt nuclear weapons development.

Iran rejected the US warnings, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that no talks could occur under threats and warning of an immediate and strong response to any military action. Both sides have maintained their positions, with Washington seeking a nuclear deal and Tehran insisting on continuing peaceful nuclear activities.