Morning Brief: Iran’s Foreign Minister Meets Saudi Crown Prince, Canadian Police Arrest Four in Alleged Extremist Militia Plot Involving Active Military Members

· Guy D. McCardle

Emergency responders battle flames after a Russian drone strike hit Lutsk. Featured in the SOFREP Morning Brief for July 9, 2025. (Image via X)

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 9, 2025. In today’s Morning Brief, Iran and Saudi Arabia signal cautious diplomatic engagement amid ongoing tensions, while Israel’s military campaign in Gaza intensifies alongside renewed ceasefire efforts with US backing. We’re also tracking major defense developments in Europe, a record drone attack on Ukraine, and growing concerns over domestic extremism in Canada. Here’s what you need to know.

—

 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Meets Saudi Crown Prince Amid Fragile Iran-Israel Ceasefire

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking a significant diplomatic engagement just two weeks after a ceasefire took hold between Iran and Israel.

The Saudi foreign ministry confirmed the meeting early Wednesday, emphasizing Riyadh’s continued push for regional stability through diplomacy.

Prince Mohammed reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for peaceful dialogue to resolve conflicts and expressed hope the Iran-Israel truce would help ease broader tensions.

Araghchi thanked Saudi leaders for condemning Israel’s June 13 airstrikes, which Tehran says killed over 1,000 people, including senior military and nuclear figures. Iran responded with drone and missile barrages that killed at least 28 in Israel.

The United States also struck Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, further escalating the conflict before the June 24 ceasefire. Talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program have since stalled.

The meeting signals continued thawing between Riyadh and Tehran, whose relations were severed in 2016 and restored in 2023 under a China-brokered deal.

Both nations have historically backed opposing sides in Middle Eastern conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen.

Saudi officials also voiced concern over the US strikes on Iran, calling them destabilizing.

According to Iranian officials, Araghchi’s talks with the Crown Prince, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin Salman were “fruitful,” covering bilateral ties and regional developments.

 

Israeli Strikes Kill 40 as Netanyahu, Trump Push for Gaza Ceasefire

At least 40 Palestinians, including 17 women and 10 children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday, according to hospital officials, as ceasefire negotiations intensified.

The Israeli military said it struck over 100 Hamas-linked targets, including tunnels, weapons sites, and militant fighters. One strike in Khan Younis reportedly wiped out a family of 10.

The surge in violence came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time in two days with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump is leading a push for a new US-backed ceasefire deal that would pause the 21-month war, secure the release of remaining Israeli hostages, and allow critical humanitarian aid into Gaza.

On the ground, displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s Muwasi region face dire conditions. Residents described extreme heat, dehydration, and long waits for water trucks. Many expressed skepticism that a ceasefire would last, citing past failed truces.


The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has since killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. The UN considers these figures the most reliable available, though the ministry does not separate combatants from civilians.

Netanyahu said he and Trump are aligned on the goal of eliminating Hamas and described current US-Israel coordination as the strongest in history.

The leaders also celebrated what they called a “great victory” over Iran during the recent 12-day conflict, hinting at broader diplomatic momentum. Netanyahu cited opportunities to expand the Abraham Accords and further normalize ties with Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Doha later this week for continued indirect talks with Hamas. He said most disputes had been resolved, but one major issue remains unresolved.

 

Kenya Charges 37 Protesters with Terrorism After Deadly Anti-Government Demonstrations

Kenya will prosecute 37 individuals on terrorism charges following violent anti-government protests in late June, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced Tuesday.

The protests, initially organized to mark one year since widespread youth-led demonstrations against tax hikes, turned chaotic as demonstrators clashed with police across the capital, Nairobi.

The accused allegedly destroyed public buildings and hundreds of businesses during the unrest.

The DPP emphasized that the charges target individuals responsible for violence and not peaceful demonstrators. The suspects will remain in custody until July 10, when a court will rule on their appeal against the terrorism charges.

Police arrested 485 people during the June protests, citing offenses ranging from murder to rape. Authorities said the unrest resembled an “attempted coup,” while protesters accused the government of deploying armed agitators to undermine the movement. Rights groups have blamed police for numerous deaths and enforced disappearances linked to the demonstrations.

Tensions remain high in Kenya, with continued protests over economic hardship and police brutality.

Fresh marches on Monday resulted in at least 10 more deaths, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

President William Ruto’s administration has faced mounting criticism since taking office in 2022.

 

Canadian Police Arrest Four in Alleged Extremist Militia Plot Involving Active Military Members

Canadian authorities have arrested four men, three of whom are charged with facilitating terrorist activity, in connection with a plot to establish an anti-government militia and seize land in the Quebec City region, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced Tuesday.

Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24; Raphaël Lagacé, 25; and Simon Angers-Audet, 24, all from Quebec, allegedly conducted military-style training, including shooting drills, ambushes, survival exercises, and reconnaissance missions.

Canadian police say the three took “concrete actions” to support terrorism and were planning to build a self-sustained anti-government “community” north of Quebec City.

A fourth suspect, Matthew Forbes, 33, was charged with firearms and explosives offenses. Authorities did not confirm which suspects are active-duty members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The investigation began in March 2023 and led to raids in January 2024 that uncovered 16 explosive devices, approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition, prohibited firearms, and tactical gear.

The suspects also allegedly maintained a private Instagram account used to recruit like-minded individuals with weapons expertise. An image shared by police shows seven armed individuals in military-style uniforms, though identities were not disclosed.

RCMP Cpl. Erique Gasse described the case as “ideologically motivated violent extremism.” He said the suspects were attempting to recruit members and openly discussed training locations in Quebec and Ontario.

The accused face multiple charges related to terrorism, illegal firearms storage, possession of explosives, and possession of prohibited devices.

The investigation remains ongoing, though police say the current phase involving these four individuals is complete.

 

Denmark Warns EU Must Prepare for Russian Threat by 2030, Urges Massive Defense Ramp-Up

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned Tuesday that Russia could pose a credible military threat to the European Union by the end of the decade, urging urgent investment in European and Ukrainian defense industries within the next five years.

Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Frederiksen called Europe’s decades-long cuts to defense spending a “huge mistake” and emphasized the need to build self-reliant military capabilities.

Frederiksen’s address coincided with the start of Denmark’s six-month EU presidency. Her remarks echoed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s recent warning that Europe is “not at peace,” citing Russian cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine.

Despite NATO’s new pledge to push member states toward spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by 2035, the pace of action remains slow. Countries like Spain, Belgium, and Slovenia have already expressed doubts about meeting the target. France and Italy are hampered by economic challenges.

In response, the EU’s executive branch has proposed a €150 billion ($176 billion) loan-based Readiness 2030 plan to boost collective defense capabilities and reduce dependence on US security guarantees. Priorities include missile defense, artillery, drones, electronic warfare systems, and critical infrastructure like air-to-air refueling.

Kyiv’s defense industry is also a key pillar of the plan. Ukraine produces arms and munitions more quickly and cost-effectively than many EU states. Ukrainian officials estimate that industrial output could increase by 40% with European investment.

However, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen warned progress is too slow to meet the 2030 readiness goal. Defense industry leaders say governments remain risk-averse, placing short-term orders that fail to incentivize large-scale production or factory expansion.

Long-term commitments from major players like Britain, France, Germany, and Italy are seen as essential to jumpstart the defense build-up.

Frederiksen closed her remarks by warning that Europe must never again find itself unable to defend its territory.

“Strengthening Europe’s defense industry is an absolute top priority,” she said.

 

Russia Launches Record 728-Drone Barrage on Ukraine as War Intensifies

Russia launched a record-breaking overnight aerial assault on Ukraine, firing 728 Shahed and decoy drones along with 13 missiles, the Ukrainian air force reported Wednesday.

The attack struck 11 regions, with the western city of Lutsk, home to key military airfields and logistics hubs, hit hardest.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike aimed to disrupt western supply corridors that funnel foreign military aid across Ukraine.

Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 296 drones and seven missiles, while another 415 drones were jammed or went off radar. The escalating drone warfare highlights Russia’s growing ability to mass-launch unmanned systems, with analysts warning it may soon reach 1,000 drones per night.

In response to the barrage, Poland scrambled fighter jets and placed its armed forces on high alert.

Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a Kremlin message amid faltering peace efforts, urging tougher sanctions on Russian oil and its buyers. He also noted improved success with Ukrainian interceptor drones and said domestic anti-aircraft drone production is ramping up with Western support.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 86 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including the Moscow area. Airports in Moscow and Kaluga temporarily suspended flights.

In Russia’s Kursk region, a Ukrainian drone strike killed three people and injured seven, including a child.

US President Donald Trump, who recently reinstated paused weapons shipments to Ukraine, expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and signaled more aid could follow.

 

UK Court Convicts Five in Russian-Backed Arson Plot Targeting Ukraine Supply Warehouse

A British court has convicted five men, three on Tuesday and two earlier, for their roles in a Russian-directed arson attack on a warehouse in East London that supplied military equipment to Ukraine.

Prosecutors said Russian intelligence services orchestrated the March 2024 attack, part of a growing sabotage campaign across Europe linked to the Kremlin.

The fire, set near midnight, destroyed half the warehouse’s contents, which included Starlink satellite devices used by Ukraine’s military. A nearby truck driver attempted to extinguish the blaze before police evacuated residents in an adjacent apartment building. Over 60 firefighters responded to the scene.

Dylan Earl, 21, who pled guilty earlier, acted as a recruiter for the operation. He coordinated the attack through encrypted Telegram chats with a handler believed to be linked to Russian military intelligence via the Wagner group.

Messages revealed Earl was eager to carry out further attacks, targeting businesses tied to Russian dissidents who support Ukraine.

The warehouse arson is one of over 70 incidents across Europe linked to Russian sabotage efforts since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to The Associated Press. European intelligence officials say these operations increasingly rely on amateur proxies, including young foreign nationals, due to the expulsion of Russian spies from the West.

Authorities are alarmed by the rising risk to civilian lives. Incidents now include arson, bomb plots, and attempted assassinations. After the London fire, Earl’s handler scolded him for acting without approval, noting he would not be paid, yet reaffirmed future plans: “You are our dagger in Europe.”

The case offers a rare glimpse into Russia’s evolving hybrid warfare strategy and the expanding use of deniable proxies for acts of sabotage on NATO soil.

 

Taiwan Launches Largest-Ever Military Drills Featuring U.S.-Supplied HIMARS to Counter China Threat

Taiwan begins its annual “Han Kuang” military exercises Wednesday, extending the drills to a record 10 days and 9 nights amid escalating threats from China.

The 2024 iteration includes the debut of US-delivered High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and the largest mobilization of reservists in the event’s history.

Approximately 22,000 reservists will undergo a 14-day training cycle, with 10 days dedicated to integrated operations simulating a Chinese invasion and “grey zone” tactics — non-lethal provocations short of war.

The drills will also feature US-made M1A2 Abrams tanks in live-fire events, demonstrating Taiwan’s commitment to asymmetric warfare and self-defense capabilities.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the exercises aim to showcase Taiwan’s readiness and resolve to defend its sovereignty, sending a clear message to both the international community and Beijing.

The drills coincide with President Lai Ching-te’s tour across Taiwan, where he continues to promote national unity and defiance of China’s territorial claims.

Beijing, which views Lai as a separatist and has repeatedly threatened to use force to claim the island, is expected to respond with its own military demonstrations later this month, according to the Eurasia Group.

US defense officials have previously flagged 2027 as a potential timeline for Chinese military action against Taiwan.

 

South Korea Repatriates Six North Koreans After Months of Silence from Pyongyang

South Korea returned six North Koreans across the maritime border on Wednesday, months after they drifted south in wooden boats in March and May.

The repatriation took place despite Pyongyang’s refusal to respond to repeated communication attempts, including two notices sent through the US-led United Nations Command.

According to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, a North Korean patrol boat appeared at the transfer point to receive the individuals, who had consistently expressed a desire to return. The handover, once a routine process, was complicated by the North’s years-long cutoff of inter-Korean communications.

In a separate incident, South Korea is investigating a North Korean man who crossed the heavily fortified land border last week and is now in custody. Authorities have not revealed whether he intends to defect.

Diplomatic and military tensions between the Koreas have worsened significantly since 2019, when Pyongyang suspended nuclear talks with Washington and cut off engagement with Seoul. Since 2022, North Korea has ramped up weapons development and aligned more closely with Russia, reportedly providing military support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Recent months have seen an escalation in psychological warfare, including North Korea’s use of trash-filled balloons and South Korea’s anti-regime loudspeaker broadcasts. However, South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, has moved to deescalate tensions by ending the loudspeaker operations and attempting to ban anti-North balloon campaigns by activists.

 

Sources: News Agencies