The reports marked a reversal of the previous prevailing assumption, which had been that the Islamic Republic — under heavy international pressure — had given up its initial intention to launch an imminent large-scale attack in response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31...

...Iran had been expected to leave the response to Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group...

But the Axios news site, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the details, reported Sunday that Israel’s current assessment was that Iran would launch a direct attack on the country within days, possibly before renewed ceasefire-hostage deal talks are held on Thursday.

Russia is evacuating residents from a second border region, as Ukraine continues its surprise week-long offensive inside the country.

Some 11,000 people in the Belgorod region have been moved, Russian state media reported, because of "enemy action" near the border.

Belgorod lies next to Kursk - where Ukrainian troops launched their surprise attack into Russian territory last Tuesday. 

Ukrainian forces have since advanced up to 18 miles (30km) inside Russia - the deepest incursion into the country since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv claims thousands of troops are involved.