Region

The New York Times has reported that Iran is set to be equipped with a powerful Russian defense system, with Moscow beginning the delivery of advanced defensive equipment and systems to Tehran.

Amid rising concerns about the potential for a larger-scale conflict in the region, Washington has announced that it is prepared for any scenario to reduce and manage potential tensions.

Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian Foreign Minister, made an unexpected trip to Tehran and spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to try and change Tehran's stance on actions against Israel. However, Pezeshkian stated that "Israel's audacity will not go unanswered."

The New York Times reported that the intelligence agency of the Revolutionary Guard Corps has arrested 24 senior security and intelligence officers in connection with the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in northern Tehran.

The New York Times, citing Iranian security officials, reported that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has ordered the country's security officials to directly target the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv in Israel with missile attacks in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas, and one of his bodyguards have been killed at his residence in Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently announced that Ismail Haniyeh "was staying at a special residence in northern Tehran when he was martyred by an airborne projectile."

The United States has stated that it does not expect Masoud Pezeshkian's role as the new president of Iran to lead to significant changes in Tehran's policy direction or its adherence to the rights of its citizens.

Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, implied that the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan is no longer tolerable. According to Tarz Press, Sharif made these remarks on Wednesday, July 24, at a cabinet meeting in Pakistan.

Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported that police have arrested and jailed two senior members of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Protests in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued for a second day after police shot at demonstrators on Friday, resulting in five deaths and 23 injuries.