Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu (born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2022. Leader of the Likud party and Israel's longest-serving prime minister, he previously held the office in 1996–1999 and 2009–2021.
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu (born 21 October 1949 in Tel Aviv) is an Israeli politician and the leader of the Likud party. He is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, having held the office across three periods: 1996–1999, 2009–2021, and again since December 2022.
First elected in 1996, he became the youngest person and the first person born in the State of Israel to hold the post. Earlier in his career he served as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations (1984–1988).
Since 2020 Netanyahu has been a defendant in a corruption trial on charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery (Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000); he denies wrongdoing, and proceedings remained ongoing as of 2026. According to Wikipedia and Britannica, in November 2025 he submitted a pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, which was under review in 2026.
Iran's Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday evening that negotiations with the United States are at an advanced stage, with most issues already agreed. Officials are currently reviewing a draft MOU, according to the statement reported on Iranian channels. The ministry noted that progress has been affected by contradictory statements from the US side.
IranUnited States
6 sources· 5 developments· 20:37–20:43
The Zioneer Intelligence DeskInitially reportedUpdated2 hours ago
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Friday that a ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran has been reached, posting on X/Twitter: "Peace has never been this close as it is now." No further details on the deal's terms or timeline were provided by Sharif, according to The Jerusalem Post.
PakistanCeasefireUnited States
4 sources· 3 developments· 19:18–20:30
The Zioneer Intelligence DeskInitially reportedUpdated3 hours ago
A senior Israeli official tells The Zioneer that any expected signing between the US and Iran will be a non-binding memorandum of understanding, not a final agreement. The source says real negotiations — on missiles, proxies, and enrichment — will follow the MOU but will not produce a deal, and that President Trump is simply buying time.
3 sources· 2 developments· 12:26–20:20
The Zioneer Intelligence DeskInitially reportedUpdated3 hours ago
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Wednesday that Israel will not withdraw from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and northern Samaria, and that the IDF will continue defending the borders from the Hermon outpost through the Lebanon mountains and the Gaza area. Katz said the IDF will also not withdraw from the evacuated terror camps in northern Samaria, and that operations there may be expanded to additional camps. His remarks came amid reports of ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
IsraelIsrael KatzLebanon
6 sources· 4 developments· 17:25–18:49
The Zioneer Intelligence DeskInitially reportedUpdated4 hours ago
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,' while US VP Vance detailed a performance-based deal requiring nuclear dismantlement before sanctions relief. Defense Minister Katz said Israel has ordered the IDF to prepare for independent military action to preserve its ability to counter future Iranian nuclear threats, and declared Israel will not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and northern Samaria.
IsraelAbbas AraghchiLebanon
10 sources· 8 developments· 17:26–18:34
The Zioneer Intelligence DeskInitially reportedUpdated5 hours ago
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulating Azerbaijan on its Independence Day, according to the Prime Minister's Office. Netanyahu highlighted bilateral cooperation, thanked Aliyev for support including after the October 7 Hamas attack, and expressed interest in expanding ties in AI, aviation, tourism, and education.