Night of fighting in the Gulf: missiles and drones on Iran, Bahrain and Kuwait. Israeli attacks in Lebanon

US forces fired a missile at a ship attempting to head towards an Iranian port in violation of the US blockade, disabling the vessel. This was stated by the US Central Command, pointing out that the ship, the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie, had 'ignored repeated warnings' over a 24-hour period. An aircraft then intervened and disabled the vessel by 'firing a Hellfire missile at the ship's engine room'.

The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions against Iran's digital asset sector, specifically targeting Nobitex, the country's main cryptocurrency exchange platform, along with three other exchanges. The measures, taken by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (Ofac), are part of the strategy of 'maximum pressure' on Iran and are aimed at disrupting alleged financial flows linked to terrorist financing, sanctions evasion and links with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. According to the Treasury, Nobitex allegedly handled more than half of Iran's cryptocurrency inflows in 2025 and facilitated transactions attributable to individuals linked to the regime's military and cyber activities, as well as operations to circumvent international restrictions. The platforms Wallex, Bitpin and Ramzinex were also sanctioned, along with executives and founders. Washington reiterated that it will continue to target traditional and digital financial channels used by Tehran, warning that foreign entities involved in such operations also risk further sanctions.

Dozens of Hezbollah militants are reportedly hiding in a Christian neighbourhood in the coastal city of Tyre in southern Lebanon. This is claimed by the Israeli military, which says the area was not included in evacuation notices issued last week after what Israel calls ceasefire violations by the Shiite group. "We have recently identified activities of dozens of Hezbollah operatives inside the Christian quarter," said Israel Defense Forces Arabic-language spokeswoman Ella Waweya. "This is not the first time we have discovered Hezbollah activities in Christian areas, based on the belief that these neighbourhoods offer a safer haven," Waweya added, calling on residents to "demand the removal of the terrorist organisation's operatives from their areas." Addressing the group's members directly, the spokeswoman warned: 'You are not safe there. If you continue to remain and operate in this area, the Israel Defence Forces will issue instructions to evacuate the Christian neighbourhood and will take the necessary measures against you."

According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, at least four people were killed in the latest Israeli attacks on the southern Lebanese district of Tyre. An attack on Burj Shamali left two people dead and fourteen wounded, while two people were killed in an air raid on Shehour.

"False reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States broke off talks a few days ago are unfounded and incorrect. Our talks continued without interruption, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, yesterday and today." So wrote the US president, Donald Trump, on his Truth profile.

"You never know where they will lead," he added, "but as I said to Iran: 'It is time, one way or another, for you to reach an agreement. You have been doing this for 47 years and it cannot be allowed to continue any longer!'"

"The two compatriots participating in the land flotilla and detained in Libya appeared today before the Libyan prosecutor, who ordered the continuation of the pre-trial detention until the next hearing. The Consul General in Benghazi has submitted a new formal request for a consular visit to the two Italians'. This was reported in a note by the Italian Foreign Ministry.

"The Farnesina, the Italian Embassy in Tripoli and the Consulate General in Benghazi," the note goes on to say, "continue to follow the matter in liaison with the local authorities in order to allow the return of the compatriots to Italy as soon as possible. The families of the compatriots are informed of the status of the detention and of the diplomatic steps taken to protect the two relatives,' the ministry concludes.

Negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme would be 'highly technical in nature' and could drag on for months, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The top US diplomat made it clear that this step would be conditional on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The fragmented Iranian regime 'is experiencing communication problems. It can take more than six days to receive a response from Iran'. This was said by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Senate hearing, during which he stressed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is increasingly active and committed. (ANSA).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US will not ease sanctions against Iran simply in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

'No, it has not been discussed, it has not been proposed,' Rubio said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responding to a question about the possibility of such an agreement.

The toll of Israeli attacks against Lebanon since 2 March has risen to3,468 dead and 10,577 injured. This was stated in an update published by the Lebanese Health Ministry's Centre for Emergency Health Operations and reported by NNA.

Iran has been cutting off communication with mediators for days after Israel threatened to bomb Beirut. The reports by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both believed to be close to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, come as Iran insists that the fighting in Lebanon is part of broader ceasefire negotiations with the US over the war. Israel and the US, however, maintain that the fighting in Lebanon is separate from the war negotiations with Iran. A regional official involved in the mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, said thatIran did not communicate at all today after stating that a ceasefire needed to be imposed in Lebanon for negotiations to continue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Iranian regime is "destined to disappear" and promised that Israel will help make this happen, speaking at the installation ceremony of the new head of the Mossad, Roman Gofman, who officially took office after a long series of legal challenges over his appointment.

"This terror regime, whose destiny is to disappear from the world - and we will help it achieve that destiny - will no longer threaten us with nuclear bombs and thousands of lethal ballistic missiles. This is my directive," Netanyahu told those present, reiterating similar concepts already expressed during the farewell ceremony of the outgoing Mossad director, David Barnea.

DAMASCUS - Despite Donald Trump's astonishing reassurances, the same bitter feeling and fears prevail among many Lebanese: this will not be a hit and run. The Israeli soldiers have arrived to stay, the displaced risk being refugees indefinitely. Finally, Lebanon will be stripped of a slice of its territory. How large, and for how long, cannot be predicted today.

It has been almost half a century, since 1982, since the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) advanced this deep into Lebanon. In this military operation, which theoretically took place under a 45-day ceasefire extended in mid-May, the IDF crossed the Litani river, the waterway that divides the southern regions of Lebanon from the rest of the country and is 15 to 30 kilometres from the Israeli border.

Iran induced Donald Trump to 'save Hezbollah. By threatening negotiations, the regime pushed the US to tie Israel's hands'. This was stated by the Wall Street Journal editorial board, pointing out that by intervening with Israel and Hezbollah, the president "chose to avoid escalation and continue dialogue". If Trump "does not send a different message, it will be difficult to get the regime to abide by an agreement regardless of Tehran's promises".

The new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon has begun in Washington. The talks follow the tensions of recent days and Donald Trump's intervention to stop Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Spain will not take part in any military operation in the Strait of Hormuz that could lead to further escalation in the region. This was stated by the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares.

"We will not participate in any action that could lead to escalation. And above all, we believe that there is no military solution to this crisis," Albares said in an interview with the Financial Times, responding to a question about the country's possible participation in a NATO mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz in case the US and Iran fail to reach a peace agreement.

The words of the Head of State on the occasion of Italian Republic Day.

A member of Benjamin Netanyahu's staff admitted to Channel 12 that the Israeli premier had a tense phone call with Donald Trump last night about Israel's plan to attack Hezbollah targets in Beirut, but he disavowed an earlier report by the broadcaster thatthe US president insulted Netanyahu and personally attacked him during the conversation.

The new reconstruction made it clear that between the two leaders there were two phone calls in the evening, one at 7pm local time and one around midnight, the latter being the most tense.

Yesterday's Israeli attacks on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre resulted in the death of four people and injured 127 others, including 39 staff members of a hospital. This was announced by the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

The attacks severely damaged the Jabal Amel hospital, one of the city's main hospitals, the ministry indicated in a note. "Four doctors, 27 nurses and eight staff members were injured, four of whom are in intensive care in critical condition," it specified.

A Lebanese state media announced that an Israeli attack killed a man and his two children who were travelling in a car in southern Lebanon. "A dentist from the village of Qlayaa (...) was killed along with his son and daughter" when an Israeli drone "hit their car" on a road in southern Lebanon yesterday, the Ani agency indicated.

The Christian village of Qlayaa, on the border with Israel, is under crossfire between Israel and the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah, but some of its inhabitants have chosen to remain despite the advance of the Israeli army.

Israeli arms exports have reached arecord level for the fifth consecutive year, exceeding $19 billion (around €16.5 billion) in 2025, thanks in particular to anti-aircraft defence systems. This was announced by the Ministry of Defence of the Jewish state.

According to the ministry, this is the highest figure ever recorded by Israel in this sector, with a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year. Missile, rocket, and anti-aircraft defence systems accounted for 29 per cent of the contracts concluded by Israel, according to the same statement. European countries accounted for 36 per cent of Israeli arms exports in 2025, followed by countries in the Asia-Pacific region (32 per cent) and the Middle East and North Africa (15 per cent).

Israel has obtained US approval to strike the southern outskirts of Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold, in the event of an attack by the pro-Iranian group on its territory. This was indicated by the Defence Minister of the Jewish state, Israel Katz, according to a statement released by his office.

"The prime minister and I conducted, together with the Israeli army, an action aimed at establishing an equation according to which the fate of Dahiyeh (the southern suburb, ed) of Beirut would be linked to that of the northern Israeli localities. If the Israeli locations continue to be attacked, we will evacuate and hit the Shia neighbourhood of Dahiyeh in Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold,' Katz said.

Msc confirms that its ship MSC Sariska V was hit by two shells yesterday in the port of Um-Qasr, in Iraq. The first impact occurred while the pilot was on board during the ship's departure from the port; the second hit the crew area shortly afterwards. All crew members are safe, unharmed and acted with exceptional professionalism throughout the incident to secure the ship and its cargo, Msc reported in a note, recalling that, according to local media reports, the Guardians of the Revolution claimed responsibility for the attack in response to US actions against the Lion Star ship. "This retaliatory action is completely unjustified on the basis of the accusations made by the Pasdaran, since Msc is a neutral commercial carrier and has no affiliation with the United States or Israel," the group points out. Founded by Italian citizen Gianluigi Aponte, the company is headquartered and operational in Switzerland and is wholly owned by his children, Diego and Alexa Aponte, both of whom have no other citizenship in Italy. Msc expresses 'deep concern about these unprovoked attacks and the risk they pose to its innocent seafarers and essential maritime trade in the region'.

"The Italia government cannot solve world peace, the United States and China cannot. The Italia government is not the panacea of the universe. Above all, it is the United States that must stop Israel. We are doing our part'. So said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the end of the parade at the Fori Imperiali, regarding diplomatic efforts for peace in the Middle East.

In the air raid on Marwaniyé, in the Saida district of southern Lebanon, where six members of the same family lost their lives, three children were also among the victims. Some rescuers were injured in a second attack in the same area. This was reported by the Lebanese daily L'Orient-Le Jour, according to which in the south the first raid, carried out with two missiles, completely destroyed the building, which collapsed on the family of , Mountasser Abdallah, killing six of its members. When rescue teams arrived on the scene, the site was hit a second time and several people were injured, including rescue workers from the Islamic Mission Scouts (al-Rissala, affiliated with the Amal movement).

This bombing took place despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which did not prevent the Israeli army from continuing to strike in southern Lebanon.

Six more dead in Lebanon in new Israeli raid. The Beirut Civil Defence announced that it had recovered the bodies of six people from the rubble of a house hit in an Israeli attack on a southern village last night. In a statement, the Civil Defence pointed out that rescuers managed to "extract six bodies, as well as three wounded" from the rubble in the village of Marwaniyé, near Sidon.

An urgent evacuation notice has been issued by the Idf for residents of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. "The repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah are forcing the Idf to respond. The Israeli army does not wish to harm the civilian population. For your safety, we strongly urge you to move away from operational areas by moving north of the Zahrani River. Anyone who is in the vicinity of Hezbollah operatives, its infrastructure, or its weapons is putting their lives in danger," the IDF wrote.

The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, who acts as an intermediary between Hezbollah and the United States, will ensure that the pro-Iranian movement adheres to a 'comprehensive ceasefire' with Israel. His advisor told France Presse.

US President Donald Trump announced last night that Israel had promised not to strike the southern suburbs of Beirut and that, in return, Hezbollah would 'completely cease fire'. Neither side officially confirmed this.

The Israel Defence Forces claim to have killed "5 terrorists who were carrying out terrorist attacks against IDF troops in Gaza". They are four Hamas militiamen and an Islamic Jihad commander. The IDF spoke of "an immediate threat" and "terrorist plans" against the army.

A resumption of the war against the United States is 'inevitable'. This is the view of a senior Iranian military official as the stalemate in talks between Tehran and Washington continues. "The US demands our total surrender and the Iranian nation will never surrender," said Mohammad Jafar Assadi, deputy of the Khatam al-Anbiya military command, quoted by Irib TV - Without surrender, war is inevitable. So we wait and war does not frighten us'.

One person was killed in a drone attack on a car in Ansar in southern Lebanon. L'Orient Le jour writes, reporting other Israeli attacks with two air raids on Hanniyé and a drone strike on Srifa in the Tyre district while a fighter plane bombed the outskirts of Kfarremmane in Nabatiye. Last night Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that in the south 'operations continue'. According to the Lebanese newspaper, artillery fire targeted Haris, Tebnine, and Aïta el-Jabal in the Bint Jbeil district.

Iran has not yet responded to the proposed final agreement with the United States aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries, and discussions on the final text are still ongoing in Tehran, according to a source close to the Iranian negotiating team told Mehr News. The source said Iran is examining the proposal with caution due to what it sees as a history of non-compliance by the US and a deep-rooted distrust of them. "Based on previous experience, Iran is looking for tangible and concrete benefits," the source said.

According to Axios reports, the recent phone call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was stormy, to say the least. Two US officials and a third source with knowledge of the conversation reportedly revealed to the news site that during the call Trump allegedly called Netanyahu 'crazy' and accused him of ingratitude. One US official claims that Trump allegedly told Netanyahu things like: 'If it wasn't for me, you'd be in jail' and 'Now everybody hates you. Everyone hates Israel because of this." Yesterday, Iran threatened to abandon negotiations with the US because of Israel's actions in Lebanon.

The agreement with Iran to extend the truce and reopen the Strait of Hormuz could take place during 'next week'. US President Donald Trump said this in an interview with Abc News, stressing that a peace deal could be better than a military victory. "It seems to be looking good," he added. A few hours earlier Trump had told Cnbc that he found the talks "very boring" and that he could not care less about their outcome.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that its navy hit the merchant ship Msc Sariska V with a cruise missile 'in retaliation for a US military attack on the Gambian-flagged merchant ship Lian Star bound for Iran in the Sea of Oman', describing the ship as belonging to the 'Sraeli-American enemy'. This was reported by Iran International. The explosion occurred about 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr, Iraq.

Hezbollah deputy Hassan Fadlallah argues that the cease-fire accepted today by his movement and Israel covers the whole of Lebanon, not just Beirut.

The US president, Donald Trump, was the first to announce the cessate-the-fire, stating that the IDF would not enter Beirut and that Israel and Hezbollah would cease attacking each other.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. "If Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and our citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut," he wrote on X - Our position remains unchanged. In parallel, the Israel Defence Forces will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese embassy in Washington hasconfirmed the mutual cessation of attacks agreement between Hezbollah and Israel brokered by the United States. "As part of the efforts undertaken by the Lebanese state to preserve stability and prevent Lebanon from further escalation - and following the talks that took place between President Joseph Aoun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - the Lebanese authorities have received confirmation of Hezbollah's acceptance of the US proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks," a statement read. "Under the proposed agreement, Israeli attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs would cease in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from carrying out attacks against Israel, with the scope of the ceasefire subsequently extended to encompass the entire Lebanese territory," Beirut reports. "Subsequently, President Donald Trump telephoned Lebanon's ambassador to the United States, Nada Maawad, informing her that he had obtained Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assent to the proposed agreement. Ambassador Maawad reported the outcome of these discussions to President Aoun, who, in turn, relayed this information to Hezbollah'.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has for the time being refrained from commenting on US President Donald Trump's announcement regarding a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The US announcement caused concern in the Hebrew-language Israeli media and among some Israeli parliamentarians, who criticised Prime Minister Netanyahu for apparently hanging back on plans to strike Beirut at Washington's request.

Following US President Donald Trump's announcement of an imminent new cease-fire in Lebanon, an Israeli source told the news site Ynet that Israel, at the request of the US, has postponed planned attacks on Beirut, adding that Washington is pursuing a cease-fire initiative and has asked Israel to wait.

An Israeli official had earlier told Ynet that Israel had coordinated the planned attack with the Americans. The news site notes the possibility that the purpose of the attack was to pressure Hezbollah into agreeing to a cease-fire.

"I had a very fruitful telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu: there will be no deployment of troops in Beirut and all units already on the march have been withdrawn. Likewise, through high-level representatives, I had an excellent conversation with Hezbollah, which agreed to cease all forms of firefighting: Israel will not attack them and they will not attack Israel". US President Donald Trump announced this on Truth.

An American source revealed to Al-Arabiya-Al-Hadath thatLebanese President Joseph Aoun received in the last few hours "assurances from Hezbollah on the cessation of escalation". A move that helped advance diplomatic efforts to contain tension on the Israeli-Lebanese front. According to the source, this Lebanese position allowed the US to conduct intensive contacts with the Israeli side, through which it managed to convince Netanyahu to reduce the level of military escalation and not to proceed, at the moment, with the broader measures proposed in recent days. Washington has been working for several days to prevent the failure of the negotiating path it is leading between Lebanon and Israel, considering that any further escalation would threaten the planned fourth round of talks between the Lebanese and Israeli sides, scheduled for tomorrow at the US State Department.The source also confirmed that the United States does not expect to reach a final agreement during Tuesday's meeting, but hopes to make progress that will build common ground from which to start subsequent rounds, stressing that the success of de-escalation efforts in recent hours has helped create a more positive atmosphere for the planned talks.

"Talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran continue apace." US President Donald Trump writes this on Truth, the social media outlet he owns.

NATO should help the United States in the conflict with Iran. This was reiterated by the US President, Donald Trump, in a telephone interview with Cnbc. "We do not use the Strait of Hormuz. We don't need it. We have plenty of oil," Trump said according to the journalist he spoke to. Asked if he had discussed this with anyone in the transatlantic alliance, Trump replied, "We don't need them. They have been very weak and sad."

The US president, Donald Trump, downplayed the possible failure of peace talks with Iran, telling Cnbc: "Honestly, I don't care if they end." "I really don't care. I couldn't care less," Trump said, responding to a question about Iran's decision to break off negotiations. Trump then said he was not worried about oil prices. 'I think the price of oil is going to collapse, you know, in the very short term,' Trump concluded.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are holding a telephone conversation, following Iran's threat to break off negotiations with Washington due to Israeli escalation in Lebanon. This was reported by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.

Mohammad Mokhber, advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, met Abdullah Safi al-Din, Hezbollah's representative in Tehran. This was reported by Iranian media, reported by Iran International. During the meeting, Mokhber stated that any ceasefire involving Tehran that does not take into account Lebanon and regional groups allied with Iran is "irrelevant".

Donald Trump has not heard from Iran about suspending the talks. This was said by Donald Trump in an interview with Nbc, stressing that if it were true it would be fine. "I think we've talked too much. A little bit of silence is fine," he added.

Iranian state television stated that "the probability that the ceasefire between Iran and the United States will break down is high if Israeli attacks on Lebanon do not cease". This was reported on X by the Arab media Al Arabiya.

Saudi Arabia has condemned "Israeli aggression" against Lebanese territory and called on the international community to take responsibility for ending it. The Kingdom "condemns Israeli aggression against the lands of the sister Lebanese Republic and categorically rejects Israeli penetration of Lebanese territory and the violation of its sovereignty," reads a statement on X from Ryad's Foreign Ministry. Riyad also called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities to put an end to this aggression and curb Israeli military movements aimed at expanding into Lebanese territory". The Kingdom also reiterated "the importance of protecting the sovereignty of Lebanese lands

The "crucial" importance of continuing the negotiation process between the United States and Iran was reaffirmed in a conversation between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar. The phone call, the Egyptian ministry said, was part of the ongoing consultations and coordination between the two countries on regional developments and efforts to support security and stability in the region. Together, they called for negotiations that would lead to "mutually acceptable agreements that promote de-escalation and strengthen security and stability in the region", and "reiterated the need to prioritise political and diplomatic solutions to resolve the current crisis and prevent an escalation of the conflict and the worsening of its repercussions for the countries and peoples of the region". An understanding - the note adds - "that takes into account the concerns of all parties, brings an end to the war and supports security and stability in the region".

A cargo ship sailing in the Persian Gulf was hit by a projectile of unidentified origin. This was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (Ukmto), the British maritime safety monitoring centre, stating that the incident occurred about 40 nautical miles southeast of the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. The Ukmto reported a loud explosion after the impact on the right side of the vessel.

The words of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has assured that hewill facilitate the passage of Japanese ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked by Iran since the start of the US-Israeli conflict on 28 February.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to facilitate maritime traffic" through the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a phone call between the two leaders.

"The IDF strongly urges all residents of the Dahyeh neighbourhood (in southern Beirut) to move for their own safety. If Hezbollah continues to launch attacks against our towns and communities, the Israeli army will respond by striking terrorist targets in Dahyeh." The Arabic-language spokesman of the IDF wrote this on social media, stressing that "Israel is not at war with the Lebanese people, but with the terrorist organisation Hezbollah".

Images of armed speedboats on Tehran TV.

There will be no talks between Tehran and Washington until Iran's demands on the cessation of Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza are met. This is reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, which points out in X that "Iranian officials and negotiators have stressed the immediate cessation of the Zionist regime's army's aggressive and brutal operations in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the need for the regime's complete withdrawal from the occupied areas in Lebanon." In addition, "the Resistance Front and Iran have decided to pursue the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the activation of other fronts, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as part of their plan to punish the Zionists and their supporters," the agency further writes, according to which Tehran has stopped "exchanging messages with America in protest against Zionist crimes." The continuing Israeli attacks in Lebanon are in fact considered by Iran as a violation of the ceasefire.

Iran stops exchanging messages with the US in 'protest over Israel's escalation in Lebanon'. Bloomberg news agency reports this, citing Iranian Tasnim.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that negotiations with Israel are continuing. "Negotiations may be hindered or delayed in achieving their goal, but they are nevertheless proceeding," his words reported by Al Jazeera. According to Aoun although negotiation is 'safer than war', it will not 'solve the problem in a few moments and we have no other choice'.

The US has put forward a proposal to favour a gradual de-escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, in an attempt to achieve a complete cessation of hostilities along the Lebanese border.

The US military has coordinatedover the past three weeks the transit through the Strait of Hormuz of some 70 commercial vessels, despite the stalemate in negotiations to end the conflict with Iran. This was reported to theNew York Times by US officials, who said that most of the vessels passed through the passage with their transponders deactivated to avoid detection.

The US authorities did not specify the type of ships involved nor the exact routes, but industry analysts pointed out that at least one of the ships stayed closer to the Omani coast and further away from the Iranian coast.

The Israeli army announced the withdrawal of the 146th Division from South Lebanon after three months of operations against Hezbollah.

At the height of the military offensive against Hezbollah, five Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) divisions were operating in South Lebanon. Currently, notes the Times of Israel, only two remain, the 91st and 36th.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei says a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a precondition for any agreement with the US.

"Not even the Europeans are safe from the evil" of Israel. This was stated by Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim. "Israel has no fear of manifesting its colonialist and racist ambitions in areas such as 'Greater Israel' and has explicitly stated so," the spokesman added.

Iran's Revolutionary Guardians allegedly urged Hezbollah to increase tension in Lebanon in order to gain a negotiating edge in the US-Iran talks. This was stated by a Lebanese official quoted by Axios. The same official stressed that neither Hezbollah nor Israel wants a ceasefire and accused the US of not taking any decisive action to prevent an escalation by Netanyahu.

'Mossad's hidden army in Iran': this is how the daily Ynet headlined today, reporting on the operation conducted by Iranian civilians trained in Israel during Operation Rising Lion, launched on 13 June 2025. "Iranian agents trained in Israel who, having returned to their country, had resumed their normal civilian lives and had been waiting for their mission," Ynet reported, pointing out that it was in the spring of 2025 that it was decided that "this team would neutralise an Iranian air defence installation, in order to obtain freedom of air action over Tehran.

Subsequently, 'the head of the team of agents in Iran received a message via secret encrypted communications informing them that they would soon be activated to launch a missile against a critical target' and that to prevent leaks 'they would receive the coordinates of the target, the location and time of their deployment to the field shortly before the operation'. Equipment and combat gear for the mission had been flown to Iran 'disassembled into small components and hidden inside objects that would not arouse suspicion'. But according to Ynet, 'these were not the only agents operating on behalf of Mossad'.

Further reading

Emirates-Israel: the axis of steel challenging Saudi domination

07 May 2026

"The ceasefire between Iran and the United States is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is tantamount to violation of the ceasefire on all fronts'. This was written on X by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. "The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation," Araghchi added.

"The US administration has given the go-ahead for a stronger Israeli operation in Beirut after Israel made it clear to the US that it will no longer tolerate Hezbollah attacks". This was reported by Israeli media, while Saudi Al Hadath TV, citing a US source, said that "Washington has informed Lebanon that the Israeli escalation is the consequence of the Lebanese government's refusal to disarm Hezbollah''. "Lebanon is in a position to defend Beirut if it arrests prominent Hezbollah figures. This would give the impression that the government is intent on confronting Hezbollah,'' the US source said

Tehran against the EU, which it accuses of having a "hypocritical" stance, condemning only the Iranian response to US raids in violation of the ceasefire. "The EU's communiqué accusing Iran of exercising its right to self-defence in the face of US aggression from bases in neighbouring countries is a masterly lesson in selective moral indignation," denounced Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, "It is hypocritical and thoughtless. Tehran therefore calls on Brussels to 'remain true to the rule of law and the principles of the UN Charter that it has long claimed to uphold' and to 'stop appeasing the aggressors while blaming those who respond to illegal attacks'. "Iran's attacks against those bases and assets used to launch illegal attacks against Iran constitute a legitimate exercise of self-defence," the Foreign Ministry spokesman further argues, recalling that "states have a legal obligation not to allow their territory or assets to be used to invade other countries." The EU, therefore, he insists, 'cannot remain silent in the face of the blatant aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran and adopt a selective stance'. Finally Baghaei argues that 'Iran is aware of the kind of cooperation, actions and support of some neighbouring countries in the cowardly war launched by the US and the Zionist regime: we hope that these neighbouring countries will reconsider their behaviour, correct their past and take positive steps to improve the situation'.

"We will not hesitate to act in any way to help Lebanon and the Lebanese resistance against the illegal aggression and interference of the Zionist regime." This was said by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, quoted by Irna. (

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Israel and the Hezbollah militia to respect the agreed ceasefire. "The further advance of the Israeli army into southern Lebanon is a cause for great concern," the German politician said on the sidelines of his visit to the UN. "Any further escalation further aggravates the already tense situation and causes new refugee flows inside Lebanon," Wadephul warned. Dpa reported.

"We have stressed and continue to stress that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an integral part of any ceasefire and any final agreement to end the war." This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei quoted by Irna. "It is not only the Zionist regime (Israel) that violates the ceasefire; the US also violates the ceasefire in our region in a widespread manner," he further charged.

Further reading

War in Iran, Gulf diplomacy? Dictated by frustration

20 May 2026

Tehran has the right to impose an environmental tax on ships for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This was argued by Arman Khorsand, head of the Iranian Centre for International Affairs and Environmental Conventions, adding that oil pollution, the activities of foreign military fleets and damage to sensitive ecosystems in the Gulf have 'doubled the need to provide resources for environmental restoration' and that the fees collected could be used to compensate for the damage caused to the Gulf environment. Under the 'innocent passage' system, he said, countries bordering the strait can collect fees for maritime services and compensation for damages caused by violations of regulations, 'and this issue has a precedent in international law'. Khorsand dismissed criticism of the measure, explaining that 'the claim that the collection of environmental fees from passing ships is illegal has no legal basis' and that the action could be taken 'within the framework of recognised international norms'.

"Iran really wants to reach a deal, and it will be a good deal for the US and those with us. But don't the Democrats, and some seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH harder for me to do my job properly and negotiate when the politicos keep "chirping" negatively, at unprecedented levels, repeatedly, that I should move faster, or slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever? Sit back and relax, it will all work out in the end, as it always does!" US President Donald Trump writes this on Truth.

Tehran will try to introduce new amendments to the draft agreement with the United States. This was reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, which is considered close to the Revolutionary Guards, citing a 'source familiar with the details'. According to the agency, Tehran's decision was made after US President Donald Trump first made changes to the proposed text.

In a video on X, the official Iranian news agency Irna shows President Masoud Pezeshkian rewarding an athlete. The images come after rumours bounced around the international media in recent hours that the president of the Islamic Republic had sent the supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, a letter of resignation. Irna published the denial of the deputy spokesman of the Iranian presidency who speaks of 'shameless foreign network speculation' and the video in which Pezeshkian awards the world wushu champion, handing her the title of 'Lady of Iranian Sport'.

"CNN, a source of fake news, claimed today as usual that my Iran nuclear deal does not talk about nuclear power, when in fact it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have nuclear weapons. He then goes on, in great detail and depth, to discuss various other aspects of nuclear power. In fact, that is the main theme of the agreement'. Thus on Truth US President Donald Trump. "CNN, and so many other media outlets that spread fake news, is a disaster with very low ratings. Even with new ownership, things are unlikely to ever improve."

US President Donald Trump has circulated the draft peace agreement for the war with Iran among allies, including Israel, while attempts are underway to prevent new ceasefire violations from escalating and derailing any agreement. Meanwhile, in an effort to accelerate negotiations, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, will be in Washington today to meet with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio.

Yesterday, Tehran targeted a US air base in Kuwait after Washington struck what it called an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the fragility of the situation as both negotiating parties refuse to give in on the final points of disagreement. On Wednesday, Trump's cabinet was scheduled to discuss the deal, but Axios - which reported on the terms of the deal reached - reported that the US president needed a few more days to reflect on the eventual go-ahead.

"Aerospace forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck and destroyed the airbase from which US forces had launched an attack on a telecommunications tower on Sirik Island in Hormozgan province." This was written in X by the Mehr news agency.

This weekend, the US conducted self-defence attacks against Iranian radar and drone command and control sites in Goruk, Iran, and on the island of Qeshm. This was announced by the Central Command (CentCom) on X.

The targeted and controlled attacks took place on Saturday and Sunday in response to aggressive Iranian actions, including the shooting down of a US MQ-1 drone operating over international waters. US fighter jets responded promptly by taking out Iranian air defences, a ground control station and two attack drones that posed a clear threat to ships intruding in regional waters. No US military personnel were injured. CENTCOM will continue to protect US assets and interests in response to unwarranted Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire.

The US has submitted a proposal for the de-escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, a US official told Al Jazeera, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to the 'roadmap', Hezbollah would cease all attacks against Israel in exchange for Israel refraining from further escalations in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, the official said.

"CNN, with its usual statements, declared today that my Iran nuclear deal does not talk about nuclear power, when in fact it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have nuclear weapons. He then goes on, in great detail, to discuss various other aspects of nuclear power. In fact, that is what most of the agreement is about. CNN, and many other media outlets that spread fake news, are a disaster in terms of ratings. Even with new ownership, the situation is unlikely to ever improve'. US President Donald Trump writes this on his social media 'Truth'.