As Iran and Russia deepened diplomatic ties on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin touted the possibility of new nuclear power units in Iran, according to Russian state news agency Tass. Newsweek has reached out to the U.

Lebanon's Hezbollah is trying "to regain strength and rearm with the assistance of Iran," Israel's U.N. ambassador told the Security Council on Monday, declaring that the militants remain a "serious threat" to Israel and regional stability.

The Middle East is witnessing widespread celebrations after the Gaza ceasefire announcement. In Iran, crowds filled Tehran and Tabriz, chanting for Gaza's resistance. Jordan's streets came alive with car parades and Palestinian flags.

Iran's leader made the claim less than a week before the president-elect returns to the White House. In his first term, Trump took a tough line on Iran.

Husainy, a Muslim cleric from Michigan, was reportedly tapped to deliver a benediction at President-elect Trump's inauguration after a series of controversial remarks.

Iran this month launched its most extensive military exercises in decades, flying thousands of drones, parading rocket launchers and ballistic missiles, and thwarting a simulated assault on a nuclear facility that involved “a multitude of air threats,” according to state television coverage.

In Lebanon, many saw the election on Thursday of Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese military, as a crucial step toward bringing stability to the country. It was also seen as a concession by Hezbollah and, some analysts said, an acknowledgment that the group was no longer in a position to paralyze the state.

When Iran carried out its first direct bombardment of missiles and drones toward Israel in April, the IAF deployed its Adir fleet to help thwart the attack. Israel’s F-35s have played an equally significant role in the IDF’s offensive and defensive operations targeting Hezbollah and the Yemen-based Houthis.

A bipartisan advocacy group called United Against Nuclear Iran has provided the Trump transition team with a playbook to reinvigorate U.S. policy toward Iran and use various means to weaken the regime.

Tehran has been carrying out military drills as its leaders are concerned Donald Trump, who will be sworn in for a second presidential term in Washington later today, may empower Iran's arch-enemy Israel to strike its nuclear sites.