The Levant Files

Posts

Trump’s KAAN Engine Gambit: A Strategic Gift Redefines NATO’s Ankara Summit

In a revealing analysis published on June 25, Yetkin Report’s Murat Yetkin outlines a stunning geopolitical realignment ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. During a White House meeting on June 24, US President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that he is traveling to the July 7-8 summit specifically for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. When Rutte pressed whether Trump would attend for him, the President hesitated before responding, "Probably, I could come," explicitly highlighting his strong personal rapport with Erdoğan while underscoring Türkiye’s critical role within NATO due to its powerful military. Trump revealed he would arrive in Ankara bearing a "big gift" intended to delight President Erdoğan. Concurrent media reports confirmed that this gift is the approval for General Electric F-110 jet engines, which are crucial for powering Türkiye’s indigenous National Combat Aircraft, the KAAN. The announcement signals a major diplomatic win...

Israel Denies US Claim of Southern Lebanon Withdrawal, Report Says

Israel has officially denied a U.S. State Department claim that it withdrew from buffer zones in southern Lebanon, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post published Thursday. Two IDF sources flatly rejected the American assertion, while a senior Lebanese security official told the Post that Beirut was also unaware of any such troop movement. The U.S. official had argued that Israel had "already taken a concrete step by pulling back from a part of its buffer zone," calling it a "significant demonstration of good faith toward Lebanon’s legitimate government." The official urged the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to "move in and verifiably clear out terrorist weapons and infrastructure," adding that this model would be repeated across the south to enable the return of displaced families. However, the IDF sources quoted by The Jerusalem Post contradicted this, insisting no pullback has occurred. The report, written by Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters, details tha...

Iran Says Nuclear Talks With US Entering Deeper Phase as Communication Channels Remain Open

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that the two sides have reached an understanding on most of the elements that could form the basis of a nuclear agreement with the United States, following the conclusion of the third round of talks held in Geneva. Speaking to IRNA after the negotiations concluded, Araghchi described the atmosphere as notably serious, noting that the day's session was divided into two rounds — a morning meeting lasting approximately four hours and an afternoon session following internal consultations by both delegations. "This time, the talks were more serious and lengthier," Araghchi said, adding that the two sides had discussed the components that could constitute a final agreement. "There is an understanding on most of these elements, but how to address them requires further detailed discussions." To advance technical aspects of the negotiations, Araghchi announced that Iranian experts would meet with the International Ato...

Turkish Authorities Arrest 35 Over Alleged Extortion of Istanbul's Tiny Greek Orthodox Community

Pro-government outlet Haber7 reports charges against opposition-run Adalar municipality, as Ankara's crackdown on CHP districts widens Turkish prosecutors have arrested 35 suspects, including the mayor of Istanbul's Adalar (Princes' Islands) district, over allegations that the municipality illegally extorted funds from a Greek Orthodox foundation legally exempt from municipal fees — in what critics say is the latest episode in a widening government campaign against opposition-controlled local administrations. The allegations were first reported by Haber7, a pro-government online news outlet with close editorial ties to Turkey's ruling conservative establishment. Founded within the broader media ecosystem aligned with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's AKP-led government, Haber7 has been a consistent platform for coverage targeting municipalities governed by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and its reporting on this case follows a well-establish...

The Levant Files Confirmed: Özgür Özel Shifts Toward a "Turkey Alliance" as CHP Crisis Deepens

The ongoing political turmoil within the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has reached a critical juncture, with new developments finally confirming the intelligence previously released by The Levant Files. Reporting for the Turkish media outlet Nefes, journalist Tarık Işık has validated that the team surrounding the recently removed CHP leader, Özgür Özel, is actively laying the groundwork for a new political movement—a maneuver long anticipated by observers tracking the internal collapse of the party. The shift follows the court-ordered removal of Özgür Özel and the subsequent reinstatement of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP chairman—a decision that has effectively gridlocked the opposition. As legal channels to retain his position within the CHP become increasingly constrained, Özel’s inner circle is finalizing contingency plans, signaling that the formation of an alternative entity is no longer just a rumor, but a strategic reality. Beyond the "Leftist" Label A significant detail...

A New Equation Emerges in the Middle East*

By Muhittin Ataman The U.S.-Iran deal shaped regional dynamics with the rise of a constructive regional bloc and disruptive Israel resisting the shift Iran and the United States signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17 to end the war. The memorandum is a 14-point framework agreement that envisages the end of military strikes, opening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, and the extension of the ceasefire. Unfortunately, the memorandum does not settle major issues between the two sides, including Iran’s nuclear program, the regime of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian ballistic missile program, and Iran’s network of non-state actors in the region. Pakistan has brokered the deal; Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar have played facilitator roles in the negotiations. It was a great success, because it was the first agreement signed between Iran and the U.S. since Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979. It seems that the two sides of the agreement, Iran and the U....

ONLY IN TLF: The Shadow on the Island: How Cyprus Became a Frontline in the Middle East Conflict

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus, long known as a peaceful holiday destination, has quietly transformed into a high-stakes arena for intelligence operations and shadow warfare. According to well-informed sources within The Levant Files, Israeli authorities have significantly intensified their monitoring of the island, identifying it as a critical theater for tracking regional threats. This shift reflects a broader geopolitical reality: the Republic of Cyprus—and the complex security environment of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)—has become a focal point for Iran, its proxies, and Israeli counter-intelligence efforts. The Operational Theater Security sources indicate that the primary focus of Israeli intelligence services lies in detecting Palestinian and pro-Palestinian interest groups, as well as tracking Iranian assets operating across the island. The assessment suggests that these actors are attempting to utilize Cyprus as a staging ground for multidime...

Cyprus Resort to Host Key Gaza Strategy Talks as International Effort Faces Stalemate

A high‑level international meeting on Gaza’s future is set to take place at a resort in Cyprus in late June 2026, as the United States‑led “Gaza Board of Peace” seeks to revive a stalled plan for governance and reconstruction in the territory. The gathering, expected within days of June 23–24, will bring together representatives from the Board of Peace alongside Palestinian officials and international coordinators. It is being described by participants as a crucial opportunity to “reset” and “recalibrate” efforts after six months of limited progress since the initiative’s launch earlier this year. The Board of Peace, established under a US‑backed framework in January 2026, is tasked with overseeing Gaza’s transition from conflict to reconstruction. Its mandate includes establishing a technocratic Palestinian administration to replace Hamas governance, advancing demilitarisation, and coordinating large‑scale international investment in rebuilding infrastructure. Despite initial opt...

The Shadow War on the Bosphorus: Inside the Escalating Intelligence Battle Between Israel and Turkey

A fierce and increasingly intelligence war is unfolding between Israel and Turkey, transforming the bustling streets of Istanbul into a primary battleground for rival spy agencies. In a dramatic escalation of covert hostilities, both nations have recently pulled back the curtain on extensive espionage networks operating within each other's spheres of influence, highlighting a deepening strategic rivalry that extends far beyond traditional diplomatic friction. Israel Exposes Hamas Command in Turkey The latest salvo in this shadow war came on June 21, when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security agency) jointly unveiled a sweeping intelligence operation targeting Hamas operatives based in Turkey. According to Israeli authorities, the exposed network consists of senior Hamas figures who have been utilizing Turkish soil to direct, fund, and orchestrate military actions against targets in Israel and the West Bank. The Shin Bet identified five key op...