Latest news on the war. WP: US troops to monitor compliance with the Israel-Lebanon agreement on the ground

Tehran has urged France not to further complicate the situation in the Strait of Hormuz by offering to take part in mine-clearing operations, as announced today in a joint Franco-Omani statement. “French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that he intends to work with his partners to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines,” noted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. However, “mine clearance is being carried out by Iran and no other country”, he added, citing the memorandum of understanding concluded between Tehran and Washington to end the conflict in the Middle East. “The situation is delicate and complex. We urge France not to complicate it further with its provocations,” he added, after Paris and Muscat issued a statement calling for “free navigation, without conditions or restrictions” in the Strait and outlining plans for “joint mine-clearing operations”.

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, today called for “free navigation, without conditions or restrictions” in the Strait of Hormuz and agreed to work together to achieve this objective through “joint mine-clearance operations”. This was set out in a Franco-Omani statement issued following their meeting in Paris. “The two heads of state emphasised the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation, without conditions or restrictions, including the right of transit in accordance with the law of the sea,” the statement reads. “They agreed to work with all relevant parties to ensure freedom of navigation in the future and to carry out joint mine-clearing operations,” the statement concludes.

In Lebanon, where Israeli military operations against Hezbollah are continuing, 4,257 people have been killed since 2 March. This has been reported by the Ministry of Health in Beirut, as reported by the Lebanese news agency NNA. In Lebanon, they add, there are also at least 12,196 people injured.

Defence Minister Israel Katz addressed the issue of the Lebanese border villages during a briefing with journalists: “It was clear that the Shia villages along the line of contact had to be wiped out” to protect the Israeli border from Hezbollah. According to the minister, in the western and central sectors of southern Lebanon, “there has been almost total destruction of the villages along the front line”, whilst in the eastern sector “73 per cent of the villages have been destroyed”. Katz stated that around 600,000 “Shiites from the villages of southern Lebanon” had fled and a further 700,000 had been displaced from the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh in Beirut. According to Katz, had it not been for American pressure on Israel, the IDF would have brought about the collapse of Hezbollah in Lebanon, as the army had planned a “massive” air campaign that “would have dismantled Hezbollah”, and the terrorist group was “begging the Iranians to save it”. “When President Trump linked Iran and Lebanon, we stopped demolishing buildings in Beirut. The link between the two areas is in the US interest, and these are the constraints of the partnership with the United States,” he said. Katz went on to add that the IDF still has “more tunnels to blow up”, including a major Hezbollah underground network beneath the Beaufort Ridge, which will be destroyed using “500 tonnes of explosives”.

Israel “has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon”, but the IDF will not withdraw “by a single millimetre” until the terrorist group Hezbollah has been disarmed. Defence Minister Israel Katz made this statement during a briefing with journalists, explaining that this position is accepted by the United States and is enshrined in the military annex to the framework agreement signed last week between Israel and Lebanon. Katz also noted that, during his meeting with Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, it was agreed that “the IDF will not withdraw from the three security zones: in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza”. Katz also stated that he does not believe the Lebanese army “will suddenly turn into lions charging against Hezbollah” and that, therefore, the presence of the Israel Defence Forces in Lebanon will be “long-term”. The Defence Minister confirmed that Israel had attempted to persuade the Lebanese army to enter the Ali Taher ridge area – beneath which Hezbollah has an extensive network of tunnels – and to clear it of terrorists. However, “the Lebanese army refused to do so”, said Katz, noting that around 30 Hezbollah militants are believed to be hiding in the underground passages.

“Italia has welcomed me. Here I feel safe, far from the persecution of Hamas. My family is here with me. I thank Italia from the bottom of my heart.” Moumen Al-Natour, aged 30, a lawyer and human rights activist, is one of Gaza’s best-known dissidents due to his campaigns against Hamas. As founder of the ‘We Want to Live’ movement, he organised the first protest within Gaza itself. Hamas is hunting him down.

From the flat in northern Italia where he now lives, he spoke to ANSA for the first time since being rescued by *La Striscia*. Arrested, tortured and detained by Hamas more than twenty times, he now has asylum-seeker status.

“We do not want to be the ones to stand in the way of the process led by President Trump. There can be no compromise when it comes to defence, neither in Lebanon nor with regard to Iran. We could be at war with Iran as early as tomorrow. If Tehran attacks, it will be Iran’s third war.” Defence Minister Israel Katz made this statement during a briefing with journalists. “I am setting out our policy: if Iran fires missiles at Israel, Israel will strike Iran hard. This could happen within two days.”

“We hope that an agreement can be reached in Doha to bring the fighting to an end. There has been a commitment from both Tehran and Washington to refrain from further attacks on either side. This is a positive sign. I am, however, more concerned about Lebanon, where Hezbollah continues to state that it does not wish to recognise the agreement signed in Washington, and this means that Hezbollah wants to continue the war. This is not good because it also amounts to a provocation against Israel.” So said Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, speaking on the sidelines of the 81st Annual General Meeting of the Parma Industrialists’ Union (UPI) at the Teatro Regio in Parma on the situation in the Middle East. “Hezbollah, however, takes its cues from Iran,” he added, “and if Tehran is willing to commit to ending the war in Lebanon – certainly with a firm stance from Tehran – Hezbollah will stop.”

Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due to travel to Doha today and will meet the Qatari Prime Minister and other officials tomorrow to discuss Iran. Axios reports this, citing sources who say that on Wednesday, Iranian and US technical teams will meet separately with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.

Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the first meeting of the Omani-Iranian Joint Committee, held today in Muscat to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, was aimed at “exchanging views on the future management of the strait and related issues”. The Sultanate’s ministry added, in a statement, that today’s meeting examined “ways to strengthen coordination on issues relating to the Strait in line with the common interests of both countries”, reaffirming “respect for international law”. “Areas of cooperation in the sectors of shipping and maritime services were also discussed,” the statement reads, “given the position of the two states bordering the Strait and in the light of existing bilateral and international agreements”.

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed down once again, after an oil tanker was hit on Saturday in a series of attacks that have thrown the preliminary peace agreement between the United States and Iran into doubt. According to data from the maritime monitoring company Kpler, a total of 29 ships passed through the strait on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. This latest figure marks a sharp drop compared with the period following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington (on 15 June), which had seen traffic reach its highest level since the start of the war in the Middle East. In fact, 70 crossings were recorded last Wednesday, again according to Kpler. The setback was caused by an attack on an oil tanker with an unidentified projectile, which damaged the bridge without causing any casualties, according to the British maritime agency UKMTO. The incident occurred following the first exchanges of attacks between the United States and Iran since the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding. Following the incident, ships continued for several hours to use a southern corridor through Omani waters, before traffic began to slow down again, according to the MarineTraffic website, owned by Kpler. Furthermore, over the weekend, more ships are reported to have entered the Gulf than left it, reversing the trend observed the previous week. However, the total number of crossings through the Strait may still be revised upwards, as some ships are identified retrospectively using satellite imagery.

“As far as we are concerned, we are honouring our part of the ceasefire” with Iran: this was stated by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in an interview with Fox News. Leavitt then reiterated the statement made by US Vice-President JD Vance, namely that “we will respond to violence with violence”, adding: “There have been attacks on merchant ships and the United States has responded.”

“Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.” US President Donald Trump reiterated this in one of a series of posts on his social media platform, Truth. Trump, who stated that “Iran has requested a meeting” and that “it will take place tomorrow in Doha”, went on to write that the cost of oil is “falling” and that “petrol prices are falling rapidly”. “WTI crude – $69, and falling. That’s lower than it was before the start of Iran’s denuclearisation process,” Trump wrote. And on the subject of petrol, he added: “Please report any retail price gouging!!!”. “Poll figures are at an all-time high. Even higher than on election day, 5 November,” he added.

“No meeting” is “scheduled” this week in Qatar between delegations from Iran and the United States. This is according to Tehran, following reports that a meeting could take place in Doha tomorrow or “in the coming days”. “No technical-level working group meetings are scheduled for this week,” said Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, in statements carried by Iranian media, in which he clarified that consultations with Qatar are continuing. Earlier, the satellite TV channel Al Jazeera had quoted a source as saying that “the teams working at a technical level on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding” between the US and Iran “are planning a meeting in Doha in the coming days”. Yesterday, Axios reported on an agreement reached between the United States and Iran to halt the attacks that had recently jeopardised the truce, with plans for a meeting on Tuesday in Doha to discuss the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth today that “Iran has requested a meeting”, adding: “It will take place tomorrow in Doha”.

- French President Emmanuel Macron and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, held a telephone conversation in which they discussed the latest developments between the United States and Iran. The news was reported by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The agency stated that the two leaders discussed “ongoing efforts to reach comprehensive solutions that would ensure the security and stability of the region”. They also emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is on a two-day visit to China. He will be in Beijing tomorrow and on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the Asian giant, which merely stated that the visit is at the invitation of China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. The visit comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

Despite Iran’s statements to the contrary (see post below), a source familiar with the negotiations between the United States and Iran told Al Jazeera today that “the technical teams working on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding will meet in Doha in the coming days”.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied reports that Iranian and US technical teams were due to meet in the coming days to discuss the implementation of the agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. “No technical meetings of the working groups are scheduled for this week,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi – as quoted by state television – referring to the Iranian week ending on Friday.

Iran has announced that the first meeting with Oman on the management of the Strait of Hormuz took place, following the agreement reached with the US. “During the visit to Muscat, the first meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee was held with Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, Oman’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. During the discussion on current issues relating to the Strait, we exchanged views on the future management of the Strait within the framework of paragraph five of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the sovereign rights of coastal states,” wrote Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, on X.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Qatar will unfreeze $6 billion of Iranian assets, whilst negotiations with the United States have been severely strained by this weekend’s attacks in the Persian Gulf. Pezeshkian is the most senior Iranian official to have referred to the unfreezing of funds held by Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations with Pakistan. So far, US officials say that no frozen Iranian assets have been unfrozen.

“Iran does not seek to build nuclear weapons.” This was stated by Iranian President Mahsoud Pezeshkian. “We assure the international community that Iran’s nuclear activities will be carried out in accordance with the country’s needs and within the framework of the policies announced by our country,” he emphasised, according to the IRNA news agency.

“The recent agreement with the United States has been a significant achievement and a great victory for the Iranian people,” I consider the fact that, thanks to this, “sanctions on the oil and petrochemical sectors have been lifted” and “six billion dollars of the 12 billion dollars of our funds frozen in Qatar will be released and returned to the country”. This was stated by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a visit to the holy city of Qom. “We will continue to work to recover the remaining frozen Iranian funds,” he added, stating that, as “the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used to say, we do not intend to acquire nuclear weapons and we continue to reaffirm this position”. Addressing the international community, the Iranian president added that “our nuclear activities will be proportionate to the country’s needs”.

“I think Rutte said some things that were wrong, but he later corrected himself, because Italia has always complied with international treaties and has never provided bases for American attacks against Iran. We have authorised the use of our bases in accordance with the treaties we have with the United States, namely for logistical purposes only and not for military operations. This is what we have done; Rutte certainly cannot know what is going on, not least because it was not an activity involving NATO. Therefore, I repeat, we are fully in compliance with the rules; we also made this clear to the Iranian government during a lengthy conversation I had with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, explaining that no American bombers have ever taken off from Italia to strike Iran”. The Foreign Minister made these remarks on Radio 24Mattino, hosted by Simone Spetia, referring to the comments by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who spoke of 500 flights departing from US bases in Italia. “I believe Tehran has fully understood – we have stated this officially – that Italia has never been at war with Iran,” Tajani continued. “So much so that our embassy in Tehran is still operational. Once the American bombing had ended, it was reopened, so we are active there. Rutte’s statements were incorrect; they have nothing to do with reality, and even the figures are completely inaccurate. Far fewer flights were used, and the landings made by the Americans – including those for technical stopovers – were far fewer, so that is not the case; he did not tell the truth; he was misinformed.”

- The Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that it held its first meeting with Oman on the management of the Strait of Hormuz since Tehran and Washington signed the preliminary agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East. “The first meeting of the Joint Committee on Hormuz took place during a visit to Muscat,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X. “Whilst examining current issues relating to the strait, we exchanged views on its future management,” he added.

“There will be ‘tensions’ in Iran ‘until a final agreement is reached, but the announcement of an additional ceasefire is a positive development; it means that the dialogue is moving forward’.” This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview with Radio24.

Iran has announced that the first meeting with Oman on the management of the Strait of Hormuz took place, following the agreement reached with the US. “During the visit to Muscat, the first meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee was held with Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, Oman’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. During the discussion on current issues relating to the Strait, we exchanged views on the future management of the Strait within the framework of paragraph five of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the sovereign rights of coastal states,” wrote Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, on X.

“There will be tensions between the US and Iran until a final agreement is reached. The announcement of the additional ceasefire alone – the fact that there will be no new attacks – is a positive development. The dialogue continues.” This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview with Radio24. “It is not clear,” he added, “why Iran attacked Kuwait and Bahrain, countries that have nothing to do with US-Iran relations. There are American bases there, it is true, but countries uninvolved in the conflict were targeted.” Regarding the Rutte case, according to Tajani, the NATO leader “said the wrong things and then corrected himself”. He gave “completely inaccurate figures. There were far fewer landings, such as technical stopovers. He did not tell the truth; he was misinformed”. Italia, on the other hand, “has always respected international treaties” and has “never provided bases for attacks, but only for what is provided for in the treaties: logistical use, not military operations”. Moreover, “Rutte cannot know what was happening; it did not concern NATO. We have everything in order; I also told the Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi this: no bombers have ever taken off from our bases. I believe Iran has understood this clearly; we have officially stated that we have never been at war with them”, so much so that “the embassy remains open”.

The United States and Iran are set to suspend the mutual attacks that had marked a resumption of hostilities following the signing of their memorandum of understanding. “Technical discussions on all points of the memorandum of understanding are expected to continue. Both sides will cease (the attacks) for the time being and ships will be able to move freely” within and around the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told AFP, whilst declining to confirm reports in the American media regarding a meeting between Iranian and US officials scheduled for Tuesday in Qatar, with the Strait of Hormuz on the agenda.

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a “serious warning” to Bahrain, threatening to respond with greater force in the event of provocation, following the attacks on a US Navy base in the Gulf kingdom. “A serious warning is being issued to the Bahrainis so that they know their limits and do not play with their own fate, nor force Iran to take drastic measures,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Iran has claimed that the attacks on the US base in Bahrain, which took place on Friday and Saturday, were in retaliation for American attacks on its territory. Tehran has accused Washington of using military bases in the Gulf states to launch operations against Iran, an accusation which the Gulf states reject.

- Flights between Tehran and Dubai are set to resume tomorrow, just a few weeks after Iran carried out drone and missile attacks on targets in the United Arab Emirates. This has been reported by Iranian and Emirati media. “The necessary measures have been taken to reopen the Tehran–Dubai route at Imam Khomeini Airport,” said Ramin Kashefazar, the director of Tehran Airport, according to Iranian state television. Tickets were already available for purchase today on the website of the Iranian airline Sepehran for tomorrow’s flight to Dubai at 10.40 am local time.

- The United States and Iran have agreed to suspend attacks against each other in the Strait of Hormuz and to hold a meeting on Tuesday in Doha. Axios reports this, citing a senior US official.

The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and Hezbollah ally, Nabih Berri, has stated that the trilateral framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel and the United States will not be approved as it does not guarantee Lebanon’s rights. “This agreement will not be passed and will not be implemented in its current form,” Berri said in a statement issued by his party, the Amal Movement, and reported by local media, adding that it is “an agreement based on impositions, not one that safeguards Lebanon’s rights”.

The agreement paves the way for peace between Lebanon and Israel and makes Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon conditional on Hezbollah’s disarmament. Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, warning that it could trigger a civil war.

The Lebanese group Hezbollah has accused the Israeli army of violating the ceasefire in Lebanon by launching several attacks in southern areas last Sunday.

Hezbollah has claimed that Israeli fighter jets targeted residential buildings in the southern town of Nabatieh and the nearby town of Mayfadoun. Among other incidents – according to Al Jazeera – an Israeli drone strike was carried out in open areas in the town of Froun and the district of Bint Jbeil, whilst explosions hit residential buildings in Taybeh and Haddatha. “We are monitoring and observing these violations (of the ceasefire agreement) and reserve the right to defend our homeland and our people,” the statement reads.

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has warned Bahrain that Tehran would strike the country with greater force if provoked. “A serious warning is being issued to the Bahraini people so that they know their limits and do not toy with their own fate, nor force Iran to take drastic measures,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran attacked a US Navy base in Bahrain on Friday and Saturday in response to American attacks. Tehran claims that the United States is using military bases in the region to launch attacks on its territory. The Gulf states deny this claim, and Manama has condemned the latest attacks, stating that they violate its sovereignty and undermine “opportunities for de-escalation and stability in the region”.