Iran

Iran is currently newsworthy due to a recently brokered peace deal with the United States, aimed at ending a conflict that involved US and Israeli air strikes and blockades. While US President Trump hailed the deal as a major success, preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, many Iranians feel they are still in "survival mode" due to the war's impact and prior sanctions. The conflict's end has also seen the US redeploy naval assets, potentially shifting focus away from the Middle East. Furthermore, Iran has been identified as a state-linked actor involved in cyber incidents targeting UK critical infrastructure. Separately, Lebanon's peace talks with Israel are proceeding independently of the US-Iran agreement.