Political and Security Transformations in Middle East in 2025

The year 2025 brought fast-paced transformations that reshaped the region’s landscape. It also saw developments in Gaza and an unprecedented escalation between Iran and Israel.

Key political and security transformations in the Middle East, in chronological order:

January 9: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced the election of Army Commander Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic after the post had been vacant since October 2022.

January 12: Sudan’s Sovereignty Council announced the formation of a new transitional presidential council in an attempt to contain political divisions.

January 16: Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase ceasefire agreement in Gaza, entering into force on January 20, ending a 15-month war.

January 18: An emergency U.S.–Gulf summit was held in Riyadh to discuss the repercussions of the Gaza war, regional escalation, and maritime security.

January 22: Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi resigned over the failure to repel Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

January 23: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Beirut on his first visit in 15 years to strengthen Saudi presence in Lebanon.

January 25: The United States decided to suspend most of its foreign aid, except assistance provided to Egypt and Israel.

February 7: U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus reaffirmed Washington’s opposition to Hezbollah’s participation in the Lebanese government.

February 18: The European Union launched new diplomatic efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and link reconstruction to a political process.

February 23: Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine were laid to rest in Beirut after being assassinated in Israeli airstrikes.

February 26: The Lebanese Parliament granted confidence to Nawaf Salam’s government with 95 votes out of 128.

February 27: The European Union officially announced a new political initiative for the Middle East following the Gaza war.

March 4: Iraq announced the reinforcement of its forces along its western borders amid concerns over regional escalation.

March 10: Cairo hosted a security meeting involving Egypt, Israel, and the United States to discuss post-war arrangements in Gaza.

March 18: Hamas announced that Netanyahu’s government had resumed the war on Gaza, reneging on the ceasefire agreement.

March 28: The Sudanese army announced full control over the capital Khartoum after recapturing the presidential palace.

April 2: The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held a public meeting in Beijing, reaffirming commitment to containing escalation.

April 11: Oman announced it would host indirect talks between the United States and Iran to reduce tensions.

April 15: Jordanian intelligence announced foiling plots by the Muslim Brotherhood targeting national security.

April 23: Jordanian authorities decided to ban the Muslim Brotherhood and close its offices.

May 6: U.S. President Donald Trump announced a halt to U.S. strikes on Yemen after the Houthis pledged to stop maritime attacks.

May 19: A quadrilateral meeting was held in Ankara involving Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Russia to discuss border security and regional balances.

May 21: The Arab League announced the formation of an emergency committee to examine the repercussions of the Iran–Israel war.

May 28: Benjamin Netanyahu announced the killing of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in Gaza.

June 8: The United States announced the deployment of additional naval reinforcements in the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean.

June 13: Israel carried out strikes inside Iran targeting nuclear facilities and military sites; Tehran responded by shelling Israel.

June 22: Trump announced a U.S. attack that destroyed Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

June 23: Iran shelled U.S. bases, including Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

June 24: Trump announced a comprehensive ceasefire between Israel and Iran after 12 days of war.

July 2: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ratified a law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

July 17: Baghdad announced an agreement with the Kurdistan Region to resume oil exports after a halt of more than two years.

July 30: An extraordinary Arab–international summit was held in Doha to discuss the future of Gaza and regional arrangements.

August 5: The Lebanese government decided to place Hezbollah’s weapons exclusively under state control in an unprecedented step.

August 14: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the launch of a security dialogue with Iraq and Iran to enhance regional coordination.

August 22: The Lebanese army began receiving weapons from Palestinian camps under a phased plan.

September 9: The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha.

September 12: The United Nations hosted a high-level ministerial meeting to prevent the expansion of conflicts in the Middle East.

September 18: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement to strengthen military cooperation.

September 22: French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s official recognition of the State of Palestine.

September 28: The United Nations reimposed comprehensive economic and military sanctions on Iran.

October 9: Trump announced Israel and Hamas’s approval of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.

October 16: The Houthis announced the killing of their Chief of Staff, Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, in an Israeli strike.

October 26: The Rapid Support Forces announced control over the city of El Fasher, the last army stronghold in Darfur.

November 11: Iraqi parliamentary elections were held.

November 17: The Independent High Electoral Commission announced the victory of Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s coalition in the elections.

November 20: China announced hosting a round of security dialogue between Gulf states and Iran.

November 23: The Israeli army confirmed the killing of Hezbollah Chief of Staff Haitham al-Tabatabaei in an airstrike on Beirut.

December 3: Direct civilian negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began for the first time in 40 years, under U.S. sponsorship.

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ANHA