Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba head Akram al Kaabi threatened on December 3rd to attack US Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya in response to Savaya’s alleged interference in Iraqi government formation, Iraqi media reported on December 2nd. The Institute for Science and International Security assessed on December 2nd that Iran likely sought Russian assistance in 2024 for developing laser-based conventional military systems, potentially for anti-drone and anti-ballistic missile capabilities, rather than for nuclear weapons testing. Over the past hour, it was reported that all forces under the US-led International Coalition in Iraq have relocated to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as part of a broader US withdrawal. Approximately 250 to 350 "military advisors and support personnel" remain at Ain al Asad Airbase in Anbar Province to support operations against ISIS in Syria. This development follows a separate report on December 3rd where Israel and Lebanon sent diplomatic representatives to hold direct talks at a ceasefire monitoring committee meeting, marking the first direct engagement between the two nations since 1983. These discussions between Israel and Lebanon are seen as a positive step for dialogue, particularly amid recent Israeli warnings regarding potential escalations in operations. The previous report indicated that these talks aimed to establish a basis for economic cooperation and address border security issues, building on prior discussions concerning economic ties and Hezbollah's disarmament. Lebanese sources confirmed on December 3rd, 2025, that a "mechanics meeting" specifically addressed the future economic situation in southern Lebanon following potential weapons withdrawal, despite reservations from Hezbollah concerning the appointment of Ambassador Simon Karam to the "mechanism."
