Trump Communicates with Khamenei, Ghalibav, and Abdullahi Without Netanyahu’s Knowledge
ARK News.. A U.S. outlet revealed that Donald Trump, in an effort to end the war, has established a direct line of communication with three senior officials in the Islamic Republic of Iran, without coordination with or prior notification to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the American website Al-Monitor, Trump managed to find a point of contact with officials currently holding the reins of power in Iran, namely Mohammad Bagher Ghalibav, Ali Abdullahi, and Mujtaba Khamenei.
According to the source, Israelis believe that these three individuals are currently running Iran’s affairs, but they remain hesitant to reach a final agreement, as they are unable to take difficult decisions to end the war, similar to what Ruhollah Khomeini did in 1988.
The report also shed light on Israel’s sense of frustration. Despite intensifying its airstrikes on Iranian weapons factories and missile depots, Washington has prevented targeting Iran’s economic infrastructure and energy sector. Moreover, the United States has given assurances to Tehran that no attacks will be carried out against the country’s energy sector until April 6.
Israeli diplomatic sources confirmed that Netanyahu had no knowledge of Trump’s intentions to end the war, noting that the number of phone calls from the White House to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has significantly declined.
Meanwhile, the United States, through Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacted regional officials in late March, signaling the adoption of a new diplomatic approach in which Tel Aviv is not the primary decision-maker.
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U.S. and Israel Launch Large-Scale Joint Airstrikes Deep Inside Iran
ARK News.. U.S. and Israeli forces carried out a large-scale joint aerial assault targeting key facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program and strategic military industries deep inside Iranian territory.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that approximately 50 fighter jets participated in the operation, which was conducted in three consecutive waves over several hours.
According to the Israeli military, the strikes focused on three primary sites inside Iran, including direct targeting of facilities associated with the country’s nuclear weapons program.
Among the main targets hit, according to the statement, were:
A strategic heavy water facility
An explosives production plant linked to uranium enrichment activities
Ballistic missile production sites and air defense systems
Military-industrial facilities and a site affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Defense, which Israel accuses of supplying weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah
For its part, Iran acknowledged the attack. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that a “U.S.-Israeli” strike targeted a vital industrial complex at the port of Dair in Bushehr Province.
The agency added that the methanol production facility’s dock in Bushehr was directly struck by two projectiles, causing significant material damage to the control room of the industrial complex.
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U.S. Secretary of State Condoles Kurdistan Region on Peshmerga Losses
ARK News.. On Thursday evening, March 26, 2026, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the conversation, Rubio extended his condolences for the recent deaths of Peshmerga fighters and wished a swift recovery for the wounded.
He also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting the Kurdistan Region and its security forces.
Prime Minister Barzani expressed gratitude for the call and for the continued U.S. support and solidarity with Erbil.
The discussion also touched upon broader relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s federal government, including ongoing economic challenges.
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Tom Barrack: Trump Committed to Continued Support for the Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. U.S. Presidential Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, affirmed that the attacks targeting the Peshmerga forces, which resulted in the killing of six of its members, are “completely unfounded and lack any legitimacy.”
Barrack added: “During my phone call with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, I conveyed President Donald Trump’s commitment to continuing support for the Kurdistan Region in achieving security and stability.”
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Canada Has No Plans to Reopen Embassy in Syria
ARK News.. The Canadian federal government has announced that it has no immediate plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus, which has remained closed since 2012.
According to the Canadian Press, Gregory Galligan, Canada’s ambassador to Lebanon and the official overseeing Syrian affairs, told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee: “There are no specific conditions that must be met” for reopening the embassy.
Galligan added that Ottawa could reconsider the decision in the future if growing numbers of Canadian tourists or companies show increased interest in Syria, potentially prompting an expanded diplomatic presence.
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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Visit Germany Next Week
ARK News.. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Berlin on Monday, March 30, 2026, marking a rescheduled trip after a previous appointment in mid-January was canceled at the last minute.
According to Germany’s Bild newspaper, the visit comes amid anticipation over the agenda of Sharaa’s meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Officials expect the discussion to emphasize the future of Syrian refugees in Germany, following Merz’s invitation in November 2025.
A spokesperson for the German government stated that “official dates for the Federal Chancellor are usually announced on the Friday of the preceding week,” without confirming the exact timing of the meeting.
The visit signals ongoing diplomatic engagement between Syria and Germany, though details of Sharaa’s itinerary and the full scope of discussions remain undisclosed.
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Israel Expands Security Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon
ARK News.. The Israel Defense Forces announced that it has carried out targeted ground operations to expand the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon.
In a statement, the army said that forces from the Golani Brigade, operating under the 36th Division, destroyed approximately 200 pieces of infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah, in addition to locating weapons and killing a number of the group’s members.
The Israeli military stated that these operations are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen control over the border area and prevent threats to Israeli northern settlements.
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Tribal Gathering Delivers Vision for “New Syria” to Kurdish National Council
ARK News.. A delegation from the Gathering of the Sons of the Tay Tribe submitted a formal message outlining its vision for a “new Syria” to the Kurdish National Council in Syria, emphasizing the need for unified national efforts within an inclusive political framework.
The delegation, headed by Sheikh Nawaf al-Sheikh Farhan al-Nayef al-Tai, visited the council’s headquarters in Qamishli, where they met with members of the Council’s Presidential Body.
In the message, the gathering stressed the importance of uniting national forces under a comprehensive vision aimed at building a modern civil state based on a contemporary constitution. It underscored principles of peaceful transfer of power, equal citizenship, and the establishment of state institutions grounded in social justice and equal opportunities.
The statement further affirmed that the envisioned state should guarantee the rights, freedoms, and dignity of all citizens in accordance with internationally recognized human rights standards.
It also highlighted the necessity of cooperation with neighboring countries to achieve stability, security, and sustainable development, particularly in efforts to rebuild what was destroyed during the previous regime and by its regional backers.
The message concluded with a call for a free, unified Syria that belongs to all its citizens.
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U.S. Urges Its Citizens to Leave Iraq Immediately
ARK News.. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent and strongly worded security alert, advising all American citizens not to travel to Iraq and urging those currently in the country to leave “immediately.”
According to the embassy’s statement, recent attacks have targeted diplomatic facilities, international companies, energy infrastructure, as well as commercial airports and hotels frequented by foreigners, raising serious concerns over the risk of kidnappings involving U.S. nationals.
The embassy noted that despite evacuation orders, diplomatic missions will continue to operate on a limited basis for emergency assistance only. However, it strongly warned against approaching or visiting its premises in Baghdad due to ongoing risks posed by rocket attacks and drone strikes.
As a result of Iraqi airspace closures and the suspension of commercial flights, the embassy instructed its citizens to leave the country via available land border crossings with neighboring countries, including Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
The embassy also announced the suspension of all routine consular services, including visa issuance, and issued four urgent recommendations to U.S. citizens:
Immediate departure from Iraqi territory.
Avoidance of gatherings and protests.
Stockpiling sufficient food, water, and essential medications.
Full compliance with security instructions issued by local authorities.
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Hasaka: More Than 1,700 Homes Partially Damaged by Floods
ARK News.. The Syrian Civil Defense announced the evacuation of around 120 families and reported widespread damage caused by floods and torrential rains that struck Hasaka province in northeastern Syria.
According to the Syrian Civil Defense, preliminary statistics showed that more than 1,700 homes were either fully or partially damaged, in addition to over 1,450 affected families, amid difficult humanitarian conditions facing the area.
The Civil Defense also noted that the floods submerged hundreds of hectares of agricultural land, leading to partial damage to crops, raising concerns over further losses in the agricultural sector.
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