Israeli Maneuvers Simulate Raids Against Iran

Israeli soldiers during the Firm Hand drills (dpa)
Israeli soldiers during the Firm Hand drills (dpa)
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Israeli Maneuvers Simulate Raids Against Iran

Israeli soldiers during the Firm Hand drills (dpa)
Israeli soldiers during the Firm Hand drills (dpa)

Recent Israeli military exercises included several unannounced targets, including the implementation of direct raids on Iranian territory and several ground incursions into Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

It was also revealed that a US army force participated in the drills and that the Israeli army leadership set a goal to avoid Russia's mistakes in the Ukraine war.

At the end of the exercise, dubbed the Firm Hand, a senior military source said that an investigation and learning process was conducted throughout the training to improve the army's readiness and performance.

The process involved investigative and learning actions, including Ukraine, where the Russian army entered with massive forces, but the Ukrainian military stopped the attack and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said the Israeli army thoroughly studied Russia's experience and mistakes during the invasion to avoid them if it was forced to invade neighboring lands.

The Israeli army stated that the US army participated in these exercises through the Commander of the US Central Command (Centcom), General Michael Corella, and its affiliated forces.

The US Arcent battalion joined the 7th Brigade of the Gaash division. They played for the first time a substantial role in an Israeli exercise under the leadership of the commander of the 7th Armored Brigade.

The Israeli army launched the 11-day exercises on May 29 and included the participation of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, and the entire cabinet.

Troops from the standing and reserve army, from nearly all units, participated in the exercise too.

The army spokesman said that the forces trained on defense scenarios along the Lebanese front, then the divisions embarked on large-scale attack scenarios.

The Air Force trained on fierce fighting and complex air defense scenarios, including interception operations, strategies for launching strategic raids deep in enemy territory, and heavy and deadly attacks on thousands of specific targets.

During the second week, a multi-arms combat exercise was conducted on a battlefield for the division's forces, including infantry and armored vehicles, in cooperation with the Air Force, intelligence, and communications units.

The Air Force focused on air support and maneuver participation, scenarios for troop transport, air logistics, and fire assistance for maneuver. It also included large-scale raids in depth in several arenas.

The navy practiced in a multi-arena scenario with dozens of naval vessels, focusing on offensive and defensive capabilities, protecting Israel's maritime borders, and securing sea lanes.

The Intelligence Agency trained on collecting and extracting intelligence information and challenging the capabilities of terminating intelligence circles.



Top Trump Iran Negotiator Says Visits US Aircraft Carrier in Middle East

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)
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Top Trump Iran Negotiator Says Visits US Aircraft Carrier in Middle East

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump's lead Iran negotiator Steve Witkoff on Saturday said he visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier currently in the Arabian Sea, with Washington and Tehran due to hold further talks soon.

"Today, Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, Jared Kushner, and I met with the brave sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, her strike group, and Carrier Air Wing 9 who are keeping us safe and upholding President Trump's message of peace through strength," said Witkoff in a social media post.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday he hoped talks with the United States would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran's red lines and warning against any American attack.


Israel’s Netanyahu Expected to Meet Trump in US on Wednesday and Discuss Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)
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Israel’s Netanyahu Expected to Meet Trump in US on Wednesday and Discuss Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, where they will discuss negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Saturday.

Iranian and US officials held indirect nuclear ‌talks in the ‌Omani capital ‌Muscat ⁠on Friday. ‌Both sides said more talks were expected to be held again soon.

A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran on the talks told Reuters Iran insisted ⁠on its "right to enrich uranium" ‌during the negotiations with ‍the US, ‍and that Tehran's missile capabilities ‍were not raised in the discussions.

Iranian officials have ruled out putting Iran's missiles - one of the largest such arsenals in the region - up ⁠for discussion, and have said Tehran wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium.

"The Prime Minister believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and halting support for the Iranian axis," Netanyahu's office said in a ‌statement.


Italy FM Rules Out Joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press during the EPP Leaders’ meeting, in Zagreb, Croatia, 30 January 2026. (EPA)
Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press during the EPP Leaders’ meeting, in Zagreb, Croatia, 30 January 2026. (EPA)
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Italy FM Rules Out Joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press during the EPP Leaders’ meeting, in Zagreb, Croatia, 30 January 2026. (EPA)
Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press during the EPP Leaders’ meeting, in Zagreb, Croatia, 30 January 2026. (EPA)

Italy will not take part in US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Saturday, citing "insurmountable" constitutional issues.

Trump launched his "Board of Peace" at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January and some 19 countries have signed its founding charter.

But Italy's constitution bars the country from joining an organization led by a single foreign leader.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a Trump ally, last month noted "constitutional problems" with joining, but suggested Trump could perhaps reopen the framework "to meet the needs not only of Italy, but also of other European countries".

Tajani appeared Saturday to rule that out.

"We cannot participate in the Board of Peace because there is a constitutional limit," he told the ANSA news agency.

"This is insurmountable from a legal standpoint," he said, the day after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President JD Vance at the Olympics in Milan.

Although originally meant to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the board's charter does not limit its role to the Palestinian territory and appears to want to rival the United Nations.