Media: Iran missile against Kuwait base, 5 Americans injured. Unicef: 77 children killed or injured in Lebanon in one week

Lebanese officials, quoted by Arab media, have expressed disappointment with the security talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States and held yesterday at the Pentagon. Officials quoted by the London-based daily Al-Araby Al-Jadeed - relaunched by the Times of Israel - say that "the meeting at the Pentagon did not lead to any progress, particularly with regard to a comprehensive ceasefire". A military source quoted by the Saudi daily Al-Hadath states that the meeting 'did not produce the concrete results desired by Lebanon'. The Pentagon's number two, Elbridge Colby, had hailed yesterday's talks as 'productive military talks that will provide useful information for the State Department-led political process next week'.

Iranian funds frozen in Qatar, worth six billion dollars, are one of the sticking points in the talks between Iran and the United States and are hindering the memorandum of understanding to end the war. This was written by theNew York Post citing well-informed American sources, explaining that the funds derive from a prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States that took place in 2023.

According to an American official, a formula is being worked out whereby Iranian funds would be disbursed gradually in the form of food and medical supplies as Tehran achieves certain goals, including opening and demining the Strait of Hormuz.

Oman's Maritime Security Centre has advised caution after detecting afloating object, suspected to be a naval mine, west of the Coastal Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters. Al Jazeera reports. "The Maritime Safety Centre urges all mariners, fishermen and vessels to exercise utmost caution and vigilance while sailing, to steer clear of any suspicious object and to report it immediately to the relevant authorities," a statement published on X reads.

Although implicitly, the head of Romanian diplomacy referred to Article 4 of the Atlantic Pact after a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in the border area with Ukraine.

Iran may have used a Chinese-made missile to shoot down an American F-15 in the southwest of the country in April. This was reported by Nbc News citing three well-informed sources.

In the early stages of the conflict, which began on 28 February, China may also have provided Iran with a long-range early warning radar capable of detecting stealth aircraft designed to evade detection, according to one of the sources and a US official briefed on the matter. It is unclear when the delivery of the military equipment took place, but Iran's use of Chinese-made weapons complicates relations between the US and Beijing, while President Donald Trump has asked for Xi Jinping's help to end the conflict.

War in shots from the Middle East.

The Lebanese army reported on X that two soldiers were seriously injured in an attack carried out by Israeli forces with a drone against their vehicle in the Aba village, in the Nabatieh district.

The US and Iran want to reach a successful conclusion of the negotiations and an agreement is 'closer than ever'. This was said byTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in an interview with the Japanese daily Nikkei.

"Both sides want to reach a positive conclusion. An agreement is closer than ever," Fidan said. The minister added that Turkey supports the mediation efforts of Qatar and Pakistan.

Iran "is moving in the direction" indicated by the US in the nuclear negotiations and the talks have been "productive". This was said by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

"They are coming in our direction. The talks have been productive. I think they know where it has to go,' said Hegseth, reiterating that President Donald Trump will only accept an understanding that he considers beneficial to the United States and international security.

Flights at Munich airport were suspended for about an hour after two pilots reported sightings of an alleged drone shortly after 9am. A police helicopter was deployed to search for the drone, said the Federal Police spokesman present at the airport, but nothing was found. The temporary closure affected flight operations. Several flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Frankfurt. The Spiegel writes.

In the last 24 hours, 20 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy. This was written by the Fars news agency on its social profiles.

The Iranian Air Defence Forces announced that they shot down"a hostile American-Zionist Orbiter drone" on the island of Qeshm "in the early hours of this morning" thanks to the "integrated air defence network". This is reported by the Tasnim agency. The agency also publishes a video of what would be the remains of the downed drone.

Mohsen Rezaei, adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, accused US President Donald Trump of "betraying diplomacy" for the third time, denouncing the continuation of the naval blockade and excessive demands in negotiations. "As expected, the US president is betraying diplomacy for the third time," Rezaei said on X. "By continuing the naval blockade and making excessive demands in negotiations, he has once again shown that he is not inclined to negotiation and is pursuing other goals, the Iranian Supreme Leader's adviser added.

Three people were killed and more than a dozen wounded by Israeli air raids in the early hours of today, as attacks intensify in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state news agency Nna. Two of the victims were identified as a father and son, killed in their home in the al-Marj neighbourhood of Ansar, north of Tyre. Seven other family members were wounded in the attack. The agency added that Israeli forces also carried out an airstrike this morning on the Sharifa-Habbouch-Nabatieh road, killing one civilian and leaving another in critical condition. An Israeli air raid was also reported this morning on the road leading to the Nabih Berri government hospital in Nabatieh, leaving three people wounded. The NNA also reported that around 8.15 local time, the town of Ansar was hit by an air raid that destroyed the al-Khalil shopping centre in the city centre, while at 09.30 the town of Zabadini was hit by a series of Israeli air strikes.

An Iranian ballistic missile attack on a Kuwaiti airbase caused minor injuries to several Americans and severely damaged two US MQ-9 Reaper drones, writes Iran International, citing Bloomberg. Bloomberg's source said thatKuwaiti air defence intercepted the Fateh-110 missile, but the falling debris hit the Ali Al Salem airbase. About five people, including contractors and active duty military personnel, sustained minor injuries. One MQ-9 Reaper was destroyed and at least one other was severely damaged, according to the report.

According to sources familiar with the facts told Nbc News, Iran may have used a Chinese-made missile to shoot down the US F-15 E Strike Eagle fighter jet last April. According to the same sources, US officials are still investigating the circumstances of the shoot-down. In addition," Nbc explains, "China may also have provided Iran with a long-range early warning radar capable of detecting stealth aircraft designed to evade detection.

Israel has issued a newforced displacement order for residents of Mayfadoun, Choukine and Zebdine, all towns and villages in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon. In a post on X, the Israeli army warned all residents to "immediately evacuate their homes and move north of the Zahrani river", which is about 40 km from the Lebanese-Israeli border. Despite the 'ceasefire' currently in force in Lebanon, Israel continues to intensify its artillery and aerial bombardments, while Israeli ground forces are advancing further into the country, across the Litani river in southern Lebanon.

"In just one week, 77 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon. That's 11 children a day. Children should not have to pay the price of the conflict. They must be protected at all times. The hostilities must end'. This is what Unicef Lebanon writes in X.

The recent visit to Doha of an important Iranian delegation, led by the Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ended in a major diplomatic setback for Tehran, according to a source briefed on the negotiations told Iran International. Despite Tehran's firm demands for theimmediate and unconditional release of $12 billion in cash upon the signing of an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US, Qatari officials rejected the request, agreeing to release only half of the amount with strict restrictions, the source said.

According to a source close to a Qatari official involved in the discussions, Doha has refused to transfer the funds directly or in cash to Iran. The money will instead only be made available to Tehran in the form of credit for the purchase of essential goods and products directly from Qatar. This restriction comes against a background of strong US opposition to granting Iran direct and unrestricted access to liquid financial assets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that Iran is ready to reach a 'dignified framework' to end the ongoing war with the US and regional tensions. According to the Irna news agency, Pezeshkian made this statement during a telephone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, late yesterday evening. "Tehran has consistently demonstrated its commitment to dialogue," Pezeshkian said, urging the other side to "reciprocate by showing real political will and respecting international obligations"

"Trump will only enter into an agreement if it is beneficial to the US and respects its red lines," the White House says. Washington speaks of 'constructive' direct military talks between Israel and Lebanon at the Pentagon, but tonight the Jewish state reported rocket fire by Hezbollah. Trump's doctor meanwhile assures that the US president remains in 'excellent health'

"The era when the US subsidised the defence of rich nations is over. We need partners, not protectorates. We seek alliances based on shared responsibility, not shared dependence'. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking in SIngapore, reserved a warning for Europe whose countries "have not done their part". Alliances should develop 'without drama and without moralising' and 'Europe should take note'. The Trump administration will prioritise 'working with model allies', with those who are 'most capable, lucid and ready to defend their national interests'.

The US is 'more than capable' of resuming the war against Iran. Amid uncertainty over the outcome of the ongoing negotiations to end the conflict with Tehran, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth assured that the US is 'committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon', speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Hegseth added that Washington remains committed to its international security priorities, explicitly stating that 'we still have global obligations to ensure that, for example, Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon'.