🗞️ The week in 5 minutes
30 Oct – 6 Nov 2026
Between a Limited Strike in Hormuz and Diplomacy: Iran at the Center of the Week
The Iranian file dominated the week's news, with a US strike described by Washington as "limited" and "defensive" on Qeshm Island, fires on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and a diplomatic track through Qatari mediation alongside an Iranian nuclear proposal under US review. In Israel, President Donald Trump announced the halt of about $4 billion in annual aid, while military preparations continue and a decision on Iran is awaited. In Lebanon, the state electricity company began cutting power to public institutions overdue on payments, as the toll of the Israeli offensive kept rising.
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Iran
A US strike on Qeshm, escalation in Hormuz, and a faltering diplomatic track
- The United States carried out a strike described by US officials as "limited" and "defensive" on Iran's Qeshm Island at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, after the Revolutionary Guard fired a missile at a US fighter jet, with five explosions heard on the island and the Guard announcing it downed drones. Read more →
- President Donald Trump discussed with senior national security advisers three options on Iran: military strikes, continued economic pressure, or a deal involving major concessions, with the USS Roosevelt announced to arrive in the Middle East in mid-November. Read more →
- A senior Iranian official said Tehran sent a nuclear proposal to Washington via Qatar, conditioned on not discussing it before seven Iranian demands are met, while Trump said a decision would be taken soon on whether to resume military operations. Read more →
- Iran's navy and then the Revolutionary Guard announced fires on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after they struck naval mines, while Greek company Velos announced a sailor was killed in an attack on one of its tankers and suggested it was hit by an unidentified missile, alongside British reports of an explosion and an incident near Khasab in Oman. Read more →
Israel
A halt to US aid, waiting on an Iran decision, and a government test
- President Donald Trump said in remarks to Fox News that Washington will halt its annual aid to Israel of about $4 billion, saying an agreement to that effect was reached with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid talk of an Israeli plan for a gradual reduction and confusion in the security establishment. Read more →
- Axios quoted US and Israeli officials saying Netanyahu urged strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections, while Trump expressed a desire to give negotiations a chance, as Israel's public broadcaster announced Israel had completed preparations for a possible resumption of the military campaign. Read more →
- Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported that the political level has not yet instructed the army to prepare for a new attack on Iran despite the end of the US midterm elections, and that Trump's advisers remain divided. Read more →
- Opposition bloc leader in the Knesset Gadi Eisenkot said he is making progress in efforts to form a government succeeding Benjamin Netanyahu's, while President Isaac Herzog announced he will name on Sunday the lawmaker tasked with forming the new government. Read more →
Lebanon
Power cuts for institutions overdue on payments as the offensive toll rises
- Electricité du Liban began implementing a decision to cut power to public departments, institutions and municipalities overdue on payments, restoring supply to those that settled or pledged to pay, amid warnings of the cuts' impact on Beirut airport, water authorities, hospitals and schools. Read more →
- Lebanon's Ministry of Health announced that the toll of the Israeli offensive from March 2 to November 5 rose to 4,390 killed and 12,429 wounded. Read more →
- A Lebanese ministerial delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri visited Damascus to discuss Syrian displaced persons, their return and border control, without announcing official results, as the Syrian side postponed discussion of refugee returns and Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar was absent. Read more →
Syria
A military agreement with Saudi Arabia and a US warning on Yemen
- Syria signed a new military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia during the Syrian president's visit to Riyadh, without publishing the agreement's details; analysts see the step as aimed at supporting the rebuilding of the Syrian army and strengthening Damascus's position toward Israel. Read more →
- Reuters quoted a US official warning that any deployment of Syrian forces to help in the Yemen war could drag the country into the wider regional war. Read more →
Palestine
A Palestinian diplomatic push at the General Assembly
- The Palestinian leadership is preparing a new diplomatic confrontation with Israel at the UN General Assembly by pushing a series of draft resolutions this month, including assistance to Palestinian refugees and protection of their property, and condemnation of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. Read more →
👀 What to watch next week
- President Donald Trump's decision on resuming military operations against Iran, and whether the Qatar-mediated negotiations and the Iranian proposal lead to an understanding.
- The implementation of the halt to about $4 billion in annual US aid to Israel and its impact on Israeli security preparations.
- Whether Lebanon's power cuts will expand to reach Beirut airport, water authorities and hospitals if payment delays continue.
Written by AI from the week's reports on this site; every point links to its sources.