US and Iran make progress in first talks
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 13, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Saturday, we collected 60 events,
including the US and Iran making
progress during their first talks
in Oman, so let's get started.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi has stated that his country
seeks a ""fair and honorable"" deal
with the United States ahead of
nuclear talks between the two sides.
He emphasized the importance of reaching
an agreement from an equal position,
paving the way for negotiations."
US President Donald Trump's special
envoy, Steve Witkoff, has expressed a
willingness to compromise in nuclear
talks with Iran while emphasizing
that Iran's nuclear program must be
dismantled and that nuclear weaponization
is a non-negotiable ""red line.""
This comes ahead of negotiations in Oman."
US-Iran talks are underway in Oman,
with a focus on de-escalating regional
tensions, prisoner exchanges, and limited
agreements to ease sanctions in exchange
for controlling Iran's nuclear program.
The high-level talks aim to jump-start
negotiations over Tehran's fast-advancing
nuclear program, with US President
Donald Trump threatening military
action if a deal is not reached."
Iran and the US have concluded the first
round of nuclear talks since President
Donald Trump's return to the White House.
The two sides spoke for over
two hours in Oman, with Iranian
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
and US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff
holding brief, direct interactions.
The next round of talks is scheduled for
next week, with the goal of addressing
Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
announced that Tehran and Washington are
near an agreement on the content of future
negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
After a first round of talks in
Oman, Araghchi stated that the two
sides are ""very close to a basis
for negotiations"" and that a second
meeting could lead to significant
progress if a basis is finalized."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF has issued a final warning
to Palestinians in the Khan Younis
area following Hamas rocket fire
from the southern Gaza Strip.
The warning comes after the IDF
shot down three rockets launched by
Hamas, with no injuries reported.
The IDF's Arabic-language
spokesman has published a map
of the area to be evacuated."
"Syria
Syrian government forces, alongside
US-led coalition troops and the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF), have entered
the Tishrin Dam area in eastern Aleppo.
A ceasefire brokered by Turkiye
and the United States has enabled
the joint force to secure the dam,
one of Syria's key power sources,
and ensure uninterrupted operation.
The agreement marks the formal
handover of dam operations to the
Syrian government, ending over four
months of hostilities in the area."
"Ukraine
US President Donald Trump's special
envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg,
has proposed that British and French
troops establish zones of control
in Ukraine west of the Dnipro River
as part of a ""reassurance force.""
This would involve a demilitarized
zone separating them from
Russian-occupied areas in the east."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
Congolese forces, in a joint operation
with Ugandan troops, rescued 41 hostages
held by the Allied Democratic Forces
(ADF) extremist group in North Kivu
province's Lubero and Beni territories.
The hostages, including 13 women
and several foreigners, were
freed after an intense battle."
"Greece
A bomb exploded near the offices
of Hellenic Train in central
Athens on Friday night, causing
limited damage and no injuries.
The explosion comes amid widespread
public anger over a 2023 railway
disaster that killed 57 people.
Authorities received an anonymous
warning call before the blast, and
police are investigating the incident."
"India
Two Indian security personnel, Vishnu
Saini from the CoBRA 203 battalion and
Sunil Dhan from Jharkhand Jaguar were
injured in an IED blast in Jharkhand's
West Singhbhum district on Saturday.
Dhan's condition is
reported to be critical.
Both have been airlifted to
Ranchi for better treatment.
The incident occurred during an
ongoing anti-Maoist operation in
the region, where security forces
have also defused several IEDs."
"India
On April 11, 22 Maoists, including four
Area Committee Members, surrendered to
police in Mulugu district, Telangana.
The surrendered members will receive
rehabilitation support, with amounts
ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh."
"Israel
Hamas has taken responsibility for a
rocket fire attack from southern Gaza,
claiming to have targeted the Israeli
border community of Nir Yitzhak.
However, the Israeli Defense
Forces (IDF) reported that three
rockets were intercepted, and
there are no reports of injuries."
"Nigeria
At least eight people have been
confirmed dead and several others
injured after an explosive device
detonated on the Damboa-Maiduguri
road in Borno State, Nigeria.
The attack is attributed
to Boko Haram terrorists."
"Nigeria
An improvised explosive device (IED)
attack occurred along the MagaryaâRuwa
Wuri axis in Sokoto State, Nigeria.
At least five Nigerian Army personnel
sustained serious injuries during a
routine clearance operation, but all
are currently in stable condition after
being evacuated to a medical facility.
Military reinforcements have been
deployed to the area to maintain public
safety and flush out criminal elements."
"Nigeria
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN
(OPSH) have made significant progress
in Plateau State, arresting two
members of the Islamic State's West
Africa Province (ISWAP) who were
posing as tailors in Shendam Local
Government Area on April 11, 2025.
The suspects are currently in
custody for further interrogation.
Additionally, OPSH troops recovered
an AK-47 rifle and magazine from a
hideout in Barkin Ladi LGA on the
same day, neutralized one bandit, and
recovered a fabricated pistol during an
ambush in Wase LGA on April 12, 2025."
"Pakistan
A terrorist attack occurred in Shangla
District, Pakistan, where the District
Police Officer (DPO) Shah Hassan and
his convoy survived an improvised
explosive device (IED) attack.
Although the blast damaged a private
vehicle, no policeman was harmed.
The police launched a search
operation and cordoned off the area.
The attackers were reportedly from the
banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
and were forced to flee after a four-hour
exchange of fire with the police."
"Pakistan
The Sindh CTD has arrested a suspected
militant linked to the outlawed
Zainebiyoun Brigade (ZB) in Karachi.
The suspect, Syed Mohammed Moosa
Rizvi alias Kamran, was hiding
to avoid arrest and has been
associated with the banned ZB.
During interrogation, he revealed
involvement in sectarian killings,
including the deaths of Qari Khurram,
Sher Khan, and Janat Gul, and the
facilitation of the targeted killing
of Syed Mohammed Abu Hashim."
"Philippines
On Friday afternoon, three soldiers from
the 18th Infantry Battalion were ambushed
in Barangay Dugaa, Tuburan, Basilan.
Two soldiers were killed,
and one was wounded.
The attackers, described as
""lawless individuals,"" used
M-16 rifles and fled the scene.
The military has launched a pursuit
operation to apprehend the perpetrators
and bring them to justice."
"Syria
Unidentified gunmen on a
motorcycle targeted a man accused
of collaborating with the former
regime forces in Tal Aoudah village.
The man was seriously injured and taken
to a hospital, while one of his escorts
was killed and another was injured."
"Syria
A person, identified as a former member
of Jaish Al-Ashaer and a drug dealer, was
killed by ISIS cells in Al-Jarzy Village
in eastern Deir Ezzor, SDF-held areas."
"Syria
A man from the Al-Alayliyat
neighborhood was killed by
four gunshots fired from a car.
The victim was reportedly a volunteer
in the National Defence Forces
during the Assad regime's rule.
In a second incident, an official
responsible for recruitment operations
for the former regime was shot
dead by unidentified gunmen in the
Al-Farayah neighborhood in Hama City."
"Syria
A former director of a religious
school was shot and killed by
masked gunmen near Al-Safirah city
in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
The attackers blocked the victim's
path and then fled the scene."
"Armenia
On April 11, from 20:10 to 23:15,
Armenian armed forces fired on Azerbaijan
Army positions in the Basarkechar
and Gorus regions using small arms.
The Azerbaijan Army took
retaliatory measures in response."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has
completed capturing the Morag Corridor
in southern Gaza, cutting off Rafah from
Khan Younis and surrounding the city.
The IDF will now operate inside Rafah
to defeat remaining Hamas forces
and has expanded its buffer zone in
southern Gaza to over 5 kilometers.
The operation has resulted in the
elimination of dozens of terror
operatives and the destruction of Hamas
infrastructure, including tunnels."
"Gaza Strip
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
has expanded its operation
against Hamas in the northern Gaza
Strip, pushing into the Gaza City
neighborhoods of Daraj and Tuffah.
The goal is to expand the buffer
zone along the Gaza border,
which has been pushed up to 2
kilometers deep in most areas.
So far, the IDF has reported
killing several terror operatives
and destroying observation posts,
tunnels, and Hamas infrastructure.
The IDF claims to be allowing
Palestinian civilians to evacuate
the area for their safety."
"India
Security forces allegedly killed three
Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur
district in a recent encounter.
The incident occurred after Maoists
sent letters appealing for a ceasefire,
which the government dismissed as a
potential ""time-buying tactic."""
"India
The Indian army has confirmed that
troops killed three fighters in a gun
battle in a remote forest in Kishtwar,
and a soldier was killed in a separate
incident along the Line of Control (LoC)."
"Nigeria
The Nigerian military, as part of
Operation Fasan Yamma (OPFY), has
successfully neutralized a notorious
bandit kingpin named Malam and four
of his gang members in Katsina State.
The operation, which lasted over a
week, resulted in the bandits fleeing
the area with gunshot injuries.
Malam was a high-profile target,
responsible for years of terror
in several local government areas,
and his neutralization is seen
as a significant boost to ongoing
counter-banditry efforts in the state."
"Nigeria
The Nigerian military has conducted
operations in Katsina state, resulting in
the death of over 100 suspected bandits.
The operations, carried out on April
10 by the 17th Brigade and 213 Forward
Operating Base of the Nigerian Air
Force, targeted bandit strongholds
in various areas of the state.
The military also killed a terror
kingpin, Gwaska, and destroyed
several firearms, with no
casualties reported on their side."
"Sudan
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
launched a devastating assault on
Zamzam Camp for displaced people,
leaving hundreds dead or wounded,
including many women and children.
The attack is described as one of the
worst violations since the war began.
The RSF denies responsibility for the
attack, claiming a video of civilian
suffering was staged by the Sudanese army,
and accuses its rivals of orchestrating
a propaganda campaign against them.
The humanitarian situation in the affected
area is dire, with famine, a lack of
medicine, and total insecurity reported."
"Taiwan
The Taiwanese defense ministry detected 34
Chinese aircraft and seven naval vessels
around Taiwan between Friday and Saturday.
19 Chinese aircraft crossed the
median line of the Taiwan Strait
and entered Taiwan's air defense
identification zone, prompting a
response from Taiwan's military."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attacked a civilian
car in Kherson's Dniprovskyi district,
resulting in the death of a 27-year-old
man and injuries to two others.
The incident occurred around 16:00
and the injured are currently in
hospital in moderate condition."
"Ukraine
An 86-year-old woman was killed
in Bilozerka, Kherson region,
due to a Russian drone strike.
The Head of the Kherson Regional Military
Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin,
reported the incident on Telegram, stating
that the woman sustained fatal injuries."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,240 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 275 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attack on Kyiv's
Sviatoshynskyi district on April 12 caused
multiple fires and structural damage.
Emergency crews successfully extinguished
fires at three locations, including
a 1,500-square-meter warehouse fire.
Drone debris also damaged buildings,
a sports ground, and private property
in the Darnytskyi district, with
three people previously reported
injured in the Ukrainian capital."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's Defense Forces successfully
shot down 56 Russian drones, with 24
others lost without causing damage.
The air defense operation involved
aviation, anti-aircraft missile
forces, electronic warfare
units, and mobile fire groups."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched 447 attacks
at 12 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia
region over the past 24 hours.
The attacks included four airstrikes
on the town of Huliaipole, 282 UAV
strikes on multiple settlements, 8
MLRS attacks on Stepove, Novodanylivka,
Novodarivka, and Shcherbaky, and 153
artillery strikes across the region.
As a result, private homes and vehicles
were damaged in the attacks, according
to Ivan Fedorov, Head of the Zaporizhzhia
Regional Military Administration."
"Ukraine
Russian strikes on the city of Kharkiv
and the village of Slatyne on April 12
have resulted in injuries to four people.
A 68-year-old man was rescued from
the rubble of a house and is in
stable condition, while two other
men sustained shrapnel wounds.
A separate attack on a facility in
Kharkiv's Nemyshlianskyi district
injured a 57-year-old security guard."
"Ukraine
The Kharkiv region in Ukraine
experienced shelling and drone
attacks throughout the day, resulting
in damage to homes, garages,
vehicles, and civilian enterprises.
The attacks caused one person to
be injured and started several
fires, including a non-residential
building and a pine forest.
Russian aviation also carried
out airstrikes with glide bombs
in the Zolochiv community."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked a vehicle
with a drone in Krasnopillia, Sumy
region, injuring the driver (49 years
old) and passenger (39 years old).
The vehicle suffered significant
damage in the attack."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attack targeted the
Kyiv region, causing damage to nine
private houses, farm buildings, and
two cars in the Boryspil district.
Three people were injured in
Kyiv, with one hospitalized.
The regional air defense forces
successfully shot down Russian
targets, and emergency services
are working to document and address
the aftermath of the attack."
"Ukraine
A Russian artillery strike on the
village of Stepanivka in Ukraine's
Kherson region has injured two men.
A 38-year-old man was transported to
the hospital after suffering a blast
injury and wounds to his back, with
his condition assessed as moderate.
A second casualty, a 35-year-old
man, sustained a blast injury and a
shrapnel wound to his lower leg and
was prescribed outpatient treatment."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have been shelling
villages in the Kherson region, causing
damage to residential homes, civilian
vehicles, and engineering infrastructure.
The affected villages include Zelenivka
and Stepanivka, with reports of
damage to private homes, medical
facilities, and business areas.
Fortunately, no casualties were
reported in the latest incident in
Zelenivka, but residents continue to
face terrorization by Russian forces."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attack on the city
of Sumy has damaged warehouses and
vehicles of a local enterprise.
Fortunately, no casualties
or injuries were reported.
Emergency services are
currently working at the scene.
This incident is the latest in a
series of attacks on the Sumy region."
"Bangladesh
Tens of thousands of protesters,
estimated at 100,000, gathered in
Bangladesh's capital to condemn
Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
The protesters carried Palestinian
flags, chanted slogans, and beat images
of world leaders accused of backing
Israel, including US President Donald
Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The rally was supported by the Bangladesh
Nationalist Party and Islamist groups,
reflecting the country's official stance
in favor of an independent Palestine."
"Hungary
In Budapest, a satirical movement called
the Two-tailed Dog Party organized a rally
to mock the government's decision to ban
the annual Pride march, citing concerns
about its potential impact on children.
The protesters, dressed in
grey, carried ironic banners
denouncing diversity and colors.
The move to ban Pride is seen as part
of a wider crackdown on democratic
freedoms by Prime Minister Viktor
Orban's nationalist Fidesz party ahead
of a general election next year."
"India
A dispute in Khantari village, Uttar
Pradesh, escalated into violence when
locals allegedly pelted police with
stones over the installation of a Dr.
BR Ambedkar statue on government
land without permission.
The police fired tear gas shells
to control the situation, and
several people, including cops
and civilians, were injured.
Talks are ongoing between the two
sides to resolve the issue peacefully."
"India
Violent protests broke out
in West Bengal's Murshidabad
district after the Parliament
passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Three people were killed,
15 police personnel were
injured, and 118 were arrested.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
appealed for calm, stating that the
law will not be enacted in the state.
The Calcutta High Court ordered
the deployment of central forces
in Murshidabad until Thursday."
"Bangladesh
Two locomotives derailed in Lalpur,
Natore district, on Saturday.
The first incident occurred at 4:00 a.m.
when the locomotive of the
Panchagarh Express veered off the
tracks, but a rescue train quickly
put it back on track at 6:00 a.m.
A second derailment happened
near Bawra Bridge at 10:30 p.m.
on Friday, affecting the Rajshahi
Express, and the derailed engine was
removed by a rescue train at 1:00 p.m.
on Saturday."
"India
A college bus carrying 27 students from
Government Degree College Sogam was in an
accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara
district, resulting in the deaths of
two students and injuries to 21 others.
The injured were taken to a hospital."
"Israel
An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
reservist was seriously wounded during
operations on the Lebanon border after
troops mistakenly entered an Israeli
minefield, triggering a landmine.
The incident is under investigation."
"Syria
Three people were injured in
separate explosions of landmines
left over from war in Syria.
The incidents occurred in the Deir Ezzor
Desert, Deir Ezzor City, and Al-Taiba
Town in the eastern Homs countryside."
"Syria
A person has died, and another was
injured in an explosion that occurred in
the Al-Sabkha Desert, east of Al-Raqqa.
The incident was caused by a
landmine from war remnants that
detonated while the individuals
were inside a piece of machinery."
"United Kingdom
A light aircraft crashed into
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the
Isle of Wight, with two people on
board who safely exited the plane
before emergency services arrived.
Despite extensive damage to the
aircraft, two individuals sustained
minor injuries and were treated
by paramedics at the scene.
Fortunately, no patients were taken
to hospital, and the holiday park
remained open with no road closures."
"United States
A 2005 Beechcraft A36
single-propeller airplane
experienced engine failure on Friday.
The plane made an emergency
landing in an agricultural
field, injuring the passenger.
The passenger was transported to Joint
Township District Memorial Hospital.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is
investigating the incident, with no
suspicion of alcohol or drug involvement."
"United States
A small plane crashed in Copake,
Columbia County, and the Columbia County
Sheriff's Office reported the incident.
The sheriff's office is currently
providing limited information,
but New York State Police units
are assisting at the scene."
"United States
A small plane, a Learjet, crashed
at the Crossville Memorial
Airport on Saturday around 8 a.m.
Central.
The aircraft, carrying five people,
experienced a mechanical issue with its
braking system during landing, causing
it to swerve and leave the runway.
No injuries were reported, and
an investigation is underway."
"United States
A small plane has crashed in the Ocoee
Ranger District of the Cherokee National
Forest in Polk County, resulting in
at least three confirmed fatalities.
The plane was reported missing from
radar at McGee Tyson Airport, and
rescue personnel found the wreckage
and victims on Tellico Reliance Road.
The identities of the victims and the
cause of the crash are under investigation
by the Federal Aviation Administration."
"United States
A small plane, a 2019 Saberwing
Lightsport aircraft, crashed near
Propwash Airport in unincorporated
Denton County, southwest of Justin,
on Friday at approximately 7:10 p.m.
The cause of the crash is unknown,
and the number of individuals
on board and the extent of their
injuries are currently being assessed.
Multiple agencies, including the
National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration,
and local law enforcement, are
investigating the incident."
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13, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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