Syria and Israel are nearing an agreement to de-escalate tensions, with Israel agreeing to halt its attacks and Syria committing not to move any machinery or heavy equipment close to the Israeli border, according to a senior U.S. diplomat.
During a press conference in Damascus on September 16, 2025, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that this preliminary understanding marks an initial step toward a broader security arrangement that the two nations have been negotiating.
Currently, talks focus on securing a ceasefire that would see Israeli airstrikes paused and Israeli forces withdrawn from southern Syria. Although President Donald Trump aimed to finalize an announcement this week, progress has been delayed, partly due to the Jewish New Year holiday. Barrack expressed optimism, noting that all parties are approaching the negotiations sincerely.
The historical rivalry between Israel and Syria persists despite the recent ousting of Syria’s longtime President Bashar al-Assad last December. Ongoing disputes over territory and mutual mistrust remain, with Israel maintaining a hostile stance towards Syria’s government. Israel has pointed to former Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s alleged connections to jihadist groups and continues to support efforts to weaken and decentralize Syria.
Following an escalation in hostilities, Israel abandoned the 1974 truce on December 8, coinciding with a rebel offensive that toppled Assad. Since then, Israel has launched over 1,000 strikes and conducted more than 400 ground incursions into Syria, according to Sharaa last week.
Sharaa, who previously led rebel forces against Assad’s regime, expressed concern that Israel might be intentionally stalling the peace talks, stating, “We are scared of Israel. We are worried about Israel. It’s not the other way around.”
Image depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. — Reuters/File
Xi and Putin criticize Israel’s military actions against Iran.
Both leaders advocate for diplomatic and political resolutions.
The Chinese president urges Israel to halt hostilities.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping jointly denounced Israel for its military strikes on Iran, advocating for a need to reduce tensions, as reported by the Kremlin following their phone conversation.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov informed reporters that both leaders "strongly condemn Israel’s actions, which contravene the U.N. Charter and international law standards."
They emphasized that neither Moscow nor Beijing believes military action can resolve the ongoing issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.
"This situation must be addressed through exclusively political and diplomatic avenues," Ushakov stated.
Without explicitly naming the United States, Xi remarked that "major countries" with "significant influence" in the region should intensify their diplomatic efforts to ease the current tensions, according to China’s state Xinhua news agency.
Xi stressed, "The parties involved, especially Israel, must bring an end to hostilities immediately to prevent further escalation and to avoid a spillover of the conflict."
The Chinese leader also called for measures to protect civilians, urging Israel and Iran to assist in evacuating foreign citizens.
Russia has issued warnings about the potential for catastrophe if the ongoing seven-day conflict between Israel and Iran escalates further and has appealed to the U.S. not to participate in Israel’s military actions.
In recent days, Putin has maintained communication with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, repeatedly affirming that Russia is prepared to mediate between the opposing parties.
To date, there has been no acceptance of Russia’s mediation offer.
During his conversation with Xi, Putin reiterated this proposal, which Xi reportedly supported, seeing it as a way to help de-escalate the pressing situation. However, the official Chinese statement did not highlight Xi’s support for this mediation.
The two leaders agreed to keep in regular contact in the coming days.
China has historically supported Tehran as part of its strategy to bolster its strategic and economic presence in the Middle East. Analysts suggest that China purchases up to 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, particularly in transshipment trades off the coast of Malaysia, providing a crucial financial lifeline to Iran amid U.S. sanctions.
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Individuals gather near a damaged vehicle following missile strikes from Iran that hit a residential building in Tamra, northern Israel, on June 15, 2025. — Reuters
Long lines form at gas stations in Iran amid fears of shortages.
Trump issues a warning of unleashing “full strength and might”.
Cross-border violence continues despite international pleas for calm.
Overnight missile attacks from Iran on Israel resulted in at least ten fatalities, authorities reported Sunday, marking one of the most severe confrontations in their shared history.
A thick plume of smoke was visible over Tehran as Israeli jets targeted two fuel depots. In response, Iranians have been queuing for extended periods at gas stations due to fears of shortages.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the American government “had no involvement” in Israel’s extensive bombardment campaign, which commenced early Friday, aimed at critical military and nuclear installations in Iran.
However, Trump threatened to unleash “the full strength and might” of the U.S. if Iranian actions jeopardized American interests. He mentioned on his Truth Social platform that “a deal between Iran and Israel could be easily arranged to put an end to this bloody conflict!”
According to Israeli police, six individuals died and approximately 180 were injured due to an overnight missile strike in Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv along Israel’s Mediterranean coast.
First responders, equipped with helmets and headlamps, sifted through the rubble of the damaged building at dawn, while authorities indicated that at least seven people were still unaccounted for, likely trapped beneath debris.
“I heard an explosion and thought the entire building had collapsed,” remarked local resident Shahar Ben Zion. “It was nothing short of a miracle that we survived.”
In northern Israel, emergency teams confirmed that a missile strike on Saturday evening demolished a three-story building in Tamra, resulting in four additional deaths and raising the overall count of fatalities in Israel to 13 since Friday.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations reported that 78 people died and 320 were injured from the initial wave of Israeli strikes on Friday. Iranian authorities have yet to update the casualty figures, but have asserted that Israel has targeted prominent military leaders and nuclear scientists.
‘Crossing a red line’
This marks the first occasion that the two nations have exchanged fire with such vigor after decades of animosity and proxy conflict, raising concerns of an extended war that could engulf the entire Middle East.
In Tehran early on Sunday, AFP reporters reported hearing multiple explosions.
Israeli forces claimed responsibility for hitting the Iranian Ministry of Defense’s headquarters, which Iranian news agency Tasnim announced suffered damage. The ministry has not released an official statement.
The Israeli military also indicated that it had targeted nuclear facilities, including the secretive Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) and additional fuel tankers.
According to the Iranian oil ministry, Israel struck two fuel storage sites near Tehran.
An AFP journalist observed a depot ablaze in Shahran, a district northwest of the capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to target “every installation of the ayatollah regime,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned that further attacks would elicit “a stronger and more severe response.”
Israeli airstrikes have hit Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment site, resulting in the deaths of high-ranking military personnel, including Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
On Sunday, the Israeli military urged residents to vacate areas near weapon facilities throughout Iran.
“The Zionist regime has crossed a significant red line in international law” by “attacking nuclear facilities,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a message to foreign diplomats, as reported by state television.
He further claimed that Tehran possesses “concrete evidence” of U.S. support in the Israeli strikes.
“We are defending ourselves; our response is entirely legitimate… If the aggression ceases, our responses will likewise come to an end,” he added.
Support from the UK
Violence continued despite worldwide calls for de-escalation, prompting Iran to withdraw from recent nuclear negotiations with the United States, stating it could not engage in talks while under attack from Israel.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced on Sunday that they had targeted sites utilized by Israeli warplanes for refueling, retaliating against earlier Israeli airstrikes.
The Guards vowed to respond “more aggressively and broadly” if Israel persists in its lethal campaign.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed to have fired several missiles at Israel, coordinating their actions with those of the Iranian military.
The Israeli military reported intercepting seven drones launched toward the country within an hour on Sunday.
Expressing global concern, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautioned against a “devastating war” with widespread regional implications during a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Saturday that the UK would be deploying fighter jets and other resources to the Middle East “for contingency support,” while also calling for de-escalation.
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U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer participate in a meeting with Swiss officials in Geneva, May 9, 2025. — Reuters
GENEVA: The United States and China concluded the first day of crucial trade negotiations in Geneva on Saturday. This was their first direct encounter since President Donald Trump imposed a new set of significant tariffs on Chinese imports.
The private meetings took place at the residence of the Swiss ambassador and reflect both nations’ tentative willingness to ease one of the most intense trade disputes seen in recent years.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at the ambassador’s residence, which Chinese state media described as an “important step” toward reducing tensions.
According to a source familiar with the talks, discussions are set to continue on Sunday.
Currently, Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods average 145%, with some items facing as high as 245%. China has retaliated with tariffs of 125% on American products, putting both nations on the brink of a near-total trade halt.
On Friday, Trump suggested online that an “80% Tariff on China seems right!” However, his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later clarified that any potential reduction would hinge on concessions from China, indicating that both parties must contribute to any resolution.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that Trump is willing to ease tensions but emphasized that any tariff reductions would not come without reciprocal actions from China. “The president is interested in finding a resolution with China,” he noted.
‘The relationship is not good’
According to Bill Reinsch from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “The relationship is not good. We are facing trade-restrictive tariffs in both directions.”
Nonetheless, analysts view the meeting as a positive indication.
Xu Bin, a professor at the China Europe International Business School, pointed out that the mere fact that the two sides are engaging in dialogue is significant. “China is the only nation that has responded in kind to Trump’s tariffs,” he mentioned.
Bessent clarified that discussions would prioritize “de-escalation” rather than seeking a comprehensive trade agreement.
In contrast, China is pushing for the U.S. to lift tariffs before making significant moves. A commentary from China’s Xinhua news agency cautioned that “trade wars and tariff conflicts yield no winners,” underscoring that both nations are facing economic repercussions.
UK deal provides some optimism
Just two days before the Geneva meetings, Trump finalized a separate agreement with the UK—his first trade pact since initiating global tariffs. This five-page deal offers specific concessions on British steel, aluminum, and automotive products in exchange for increased UK access to U.S. beef and agricultural goods.
A baseline tariff of 10% remains on most UK imports, though Trump hinted that it could be waived “if someone did something exceptional for us.”
Meanwhile, China’s latest export statistics revealed an unexpected rise, aided by a shift in trade towards Southeast Asian markets—potentially a sign that Beijing is seeking alternatives to circumvent U.S. tariffs.
While it’s still early days, the Geneva discussions could signal the beginning of a thaw in relations. For now, both sides are exercising caution while navigating these complex negotiations.
US Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur, India, on April 22, 2025. —Reuters
JD Vance emphasizes the need for de-escalation between India and Pakistan.
He states, “we can’t control these countries.”
Recent discussions have been held with both nations.
WASHINGTON: On Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance expressed the importance of reducing tensions between India and Pakistan but stressed that the US cannot dictate actions to these nuclear-capable nations. He remarked that a conflict between them would be “none of our business.”
“We want to see quick de-escalation. However, we can’t control these countries,” Vance stated during an interview on Fox News‘ “The Story with Martha MacCallum.”
“Our role is to encourage dialogue and de-escalation, but we won’t intervene in a conflict that doesn’t involve our interests or have anything to do with our ability to manage it,” he added.
India remains a key ally for the US as they work to counter China’s growing influence, whereas Pakistan, although still considered a US ally, has diminished importance following the US exit from Afghanistan in 2021.
Some analysts and former officials suggest that the focus on diplomacy regarding Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and Israel’s situation in Gaza may lead the US to prioritize these issues over stability in India and Pakistan during their current tensions.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that retaliation was “increasingly certain,” as major clashes continued for a second day, resulting in nearly four dozen deaths.
The renewed escalation in the long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan began on May 7, when an unprovoked Indian cross-border attack killed at least 31 civilians. In response, Pakistan shot down five Indian fighter jets including three Rafales and several drones.
India asserted that it targeted terrorist hideouts within Pakistan, citing an April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 individuals, a move that New Delhi blames on Islamabad, which has denied the allegations and called for an impartial investigation.
“We hope and expect that this will not escalate into a larger regional conflict or, worse, a nuclear war,” Vance stated on Thursday.
In recent days, the US has maintained regular dialogue with both countries, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s calls with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India’s foreign minister, where both were urged to engage in direct conversation to ease tensions.
US President Donald Trump described the rising tensions as regrettable. On Wednesday, he expressed hope that the two countries would refrain from further escalation after their back-and-forth actions. The State Department called on both nations to pursue what Washington considers a “responsible solution.”
