Lebanon Abolishes Death Penalty as Syria Sentences Assad to Death (Aug 11, 1604 UTC, 1904 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Leadership Health Denial

Iran’s government denied rumors about Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, stating he is in “perfect health” Al Jazeera. The denial follows speculation after recent leadership appointments.

Military Appointments

President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated new IRGC Navy commander Rear Admiral Ali Ozamayi, IRGC chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi, deputy Major General Mostafa Izadi, Armed Forces General Staff chief Major General Ali Abdollahi, deputy Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, and Basij head Hojjat al-Islam Hossein Taeb. Pezeshkian called for stronger deterrence and national cohesion IRNA.

Diplomatic and Economic Moves

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Iran “won both war and diplomacy” against US-Israeli aggression Al-Manar TV. The Iran-China Chamber of Commerce chief called for ending the US naval blockade “by any means possible” IranWire. Pakistan’s interior minister arrived in Tehran for bilateral talks IRNA.

Nuclear Site Intelligence

Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said Israeli spies “walked around” Fordow nuclear site many times to understand it, calling the US bombing of the site “the fulfillment of all my dreams” Haaretz Jerusalem Post Ynetnews.

Death Penalty Abolished

Lebanon’s parliament voted to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labor. It is the first Arab country to do so, formalizing a moratorium in place since 2004 Associated Press Al Jazeera Arab News The National.

Israeli Strikes

Israeli artillery targeted Al-Mansouri town in south Lebanon Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News. Lebanese media reported an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Nabatieh, wounding two and hitting an ambulance; the IDF denied any strike Times of Israel Manniefabian. Drone aircraft were reported over Beirut and Dahiyeh since morning Bint Jbeil News.

Diplomatic Track

Sky News Arabia reported Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome will resume in early September, with interim talks in Washington, Beirut, and Jerusalem N12 Chat.

IDF Targets Hamas Sniper

IDF troops of the 99th Division identified a Hamas sniper posing an immediate threat near the “Yellow Line” in northern Gaza. Troops fired and confirmed a hit. The IDF said forces remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will act against any immediate threat IDF Official Manniefabian.

Settler Violence

Israeli settler gangs stormed the village of Al-Mughyir Quds News Network. The UN Security Council held an open debate on escalating Israeli settler violence in the West Bank UN News.

Home Demolition

Israeli forces demolished the home of Farouk Ramadan, who opened fire during a July 24 clash in Tell, killing an IDF officer and a civil defense squad member Manniefabian.

Water Infrastructure

Israeli forces vandalized the last remaining water pipeline supplying Al-Ras al-Ahmar and Al-Baqiaa’ plain in the northern Jordan Valley Quds News Network.

UN Security Council on West Bank

The Security Council convened an open debate on Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank UN News.

Mecca Defense Pact Analysis

FDD published analysis calling the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact “toothless but not harmless” FDD. Al Jazeera assessed the combined military capabilities of the three nations Al Jazeera.

US-Iran Deal Prospects

Pakistan’s defense minister told Bloomberg that the US and Iran are close to reaching “some sort of an arrangement” Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News. Qatar said Oman-Iran talks on the Strait of Hormuz are at “an advanced stage” Al-Manar TV.

Nigeria Clash

Ten police and 17 suspected gang members were killed in a firefight in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria Al Jazeera.

Colombia Recognizes Israeli Golan Sovereignty

Colombia officially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, citing its strategic importance to Israel’s security Behold Israel. Syria condemned the move, reaffirming the Golan is Syrian territory Behold Israel.

Washington, DC National Guard

Residents debated safety gains one year into Trump’s National Guard deployment in the capital Al Jazeera.

Canada Protest

Demonstrators gathered outside CBC headquarters in Toronto to condemn Israeli attacks on Palestinian journalists Quds News Network.

Philippine Sailors

Despite wartime risks in the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea, Filipino seafarers continue competing for jobs Al Jazeera.

Syria Death Sentences

A Damascus court sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, and cousin Atef Najib to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the civil war. Crowds celebrated outside the courthouse Associated Press BBC News Al Jazeera SOHR.

Syria-Israel Border Incident

Three Israeli citizens crossed into Syrian territory near Mount Hermon; they were returned by Israeli forces and detained for investigation SOHR.

Syria Condemns Colombia

Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, calling it an inalienable part of Syrian territory Behold Israel.

Turkey’s Military Presence in Syria

Israel updated the US on concerns over Turkey’s growing military presence in Syria, including possible deployment of air-defense systems that could restrict IAF operations Behold Israel.

IAEA Deal on Syria Nuclear Site

The IAEA is prepared to extract nuclear material from a hidden facility in Syria after Israel threatened military action and the US mediated a deal, Axios reported Al-Manar TV.

Yemen

Houthi chief negotiator stressed the right to confront Saudi attacks but said dialogue remains open Al-Manar TV. FDD warned Yemen is on the brink of a return to civil war FDD. Reports indicated a Houthi ballistic missile killed three on a commercial ship in the Bab al-Mandab strait Behold Israel.

Libya

Drone attacks struck the Zawiya refinery for the third time (prior SITREP reference).