US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Hezbollah says it carried out 22 operations targeting Israeli soldiers, military infra

US hails 'productive' talks between Israel, Lebanon military officials

Military officials from Israel and Lebanon held "productive" talks in Washington on Friday, a US official said, adding that the meeting will complement upcoming diplomatic discussions.

"Today at the Pentagon, I hosted military delegations from Israel and Lebanon for the security track supporting the ongoing peace talks between their two countries," Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's second-in-command, said on X.

"We held productive military-to-military discussions which will inform the Department of State-led political track next week," he said.

Hezbollah claims 22 attacks on Israeli troops, military positions

Hezbollah said it carried out 22 military operations against Israeli forces on Friday, targeting troops, armoured vehicles and military infrastructure across southern Lebanon, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The Iran-backed group claimed its fighters used rockets, artillery fire, explosive devices, guided missiles and "Ababil" attack drones during the operations.

Among the reported targets were six Israeli Merkava tanks, a military bulldozer, technical equipment and an Iron Dome launcher at the Ras an-Naqoura military site. Hezbollah said the attacks were carried out in several locations, including Haddatha, Yohmor al-Shaqif, Biyyada, Naqoura and the Khirbet Ma'ar area.

The claims could not be independently verified.

UK maritime agency warns Iran port blockade remains in force

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency has advised commercial vessels that a military blockade affecting Iranian ports remains active, with restrictions continuing on all inbound and outbound maritime traffic.

In an advisory issued by the Royal Navy-linked agency, ship masters transiting the Strait of Hormuz were urged to stay at least 30 nautical miles away from US naval units and be prepared to respond to any radio communications from American forces to avoid being misidentified.

The notice warned that vessels failing to comply with instructions from blockading forces could face enforcement measures. "Enforcement actions include disabling and destructive fires upon vessels who do not demonstrate immediate compliance with blockading forces," the advisory said.

UKMTO also cautioned ships against conducting or participating in ship-to-ship transfers in the area.

The agency stressed that vessels remain free to navigate international waters, adding that the designated warning zone is intended to alert mariners that "dangerous military operations are taking place" in the region.

Netanyahu says forces pushing into Lebanon as delegations meet in US

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country's forces had pushed deeper into Lebanon, even as Israeli and Lebanese military delegations were holding landmark security talks in Washington.

Israel also kept up its heavy bombardment of south Lebanon on Friday, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasising in a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio "the need to exert all efforts to reach a ceasefire" as an essential first step, his office said.

A truce to halt the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group was supposed to have taken effect on April 17, but has never been observed.

Trump seeks Iran deal that satisfies US red lines: White House

Following a meeting in the White House Situation Room to discuss a potential agreement with Iran, a White House official said President Donald Trump would only support a deal that meets his conditions.

"The Situation Room meeting has concluded and lasted approximately two hours. President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The official added: "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon."

US imposes fresh counterterrorism sanctions targeting Iran-linked individuals, entities

The US Treasury Department announced a new round of counterterrorism sanctions on Friday, targeting individuals, companies and networks linked to Iran, as Washington stepped up pressure on what it described as financing channels supporting Tehran's military and regional activities.

Trump's Iran deal meeting has ended: White House official

US President Donald Trump on Friday finished a meeting during which he said would make a "final determination" on an Iran peace deal, a White House official told AFP. The official would not say if Trump had reached a decision on the deal with Tehran during the gathering in the high security White House Situation Room.

US Secy Rubio thanks Pakistan for 'role in advancing peace in Middle East' after meeting Ishaq Dar

In a post on X, Rubio said, "Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and thanked him for the role Pakistan continues to play in advancing peace in the Middle East."

US-Iran War: Trump meeting with aides to make 'final determination' on moving forward with Iran deal

US President Donald Trump said Friday he’s holding a White House Situation Room meeting with his advisers as he looks to make a “final determination” on moving forward with a deal to extend the Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the deal has not been finalized.

Trump confirmed the high-level talks the day after The Associated Press and other news outlets reported that US and Iranian negotiators had come to terms on a tentative agreement. The deal would extend the fragile ceasefire by 60 days as new talks are held on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

Trump wrote on social media that “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.” He said the strait must be reopened for international navigation and all sea mines destroyed.

Iran’s main negotiator said Friday that it has “no trust in guarantees or words,” only actions, underscoring lingering distrust after the U.S. and Israel have twice attacked Iran over the past year while it was engaged in nuclear negotiations.

“No step will be taken before the other side acts,” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote on X. “We do not gain concessions through talks, but through missiles."

US-Iran War: Iran says there is still ‘no final agreement’ with Washington

Iran’s foreign ministry said there is still “no final agreement” with the United States despite reports of progress in talks aimed at extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel-Iran War: Iran pushes for Hezbollah-Israel truce in broader deal

Iran is seeking to include a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of any broader agreement with the United States, reports said.

The push comes as fighting in southern Lebanon intensifies despite an existing ceasefire arrangement.

Iran War: Trump says Hormuz reopening key part of proposed agreement

Donald Trump said any agreement with Tehran must ensure the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened for unrestricted international shipping.

The US president also said Washington’s naval blockade would be lifted if conditions are met, adding that trapped ships could begin “heading home”.

US-Iran War: Donald Trump holds Situation Room meeting as Iran deal decision nears

US President Donald Trump said he is holding a Situation Room meeting at the White House to make a “final determination” on a possible deal aimed at extending the Iran ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump reiterated that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and demanded the removal of sea mines from the key waterway.

Iran War: Iran dismisses Trump’s claims on Hormuz, uranium terms in draft deal

Iran’s Fars news agency, citing informed sources, said Donald Trump’s remarks on a possible US-Iran agreement were a “mixture of truth and lies”.

The report rejected Trump’s claim that Tehran had agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without tolls, saying no such clause exists in the draft understanding.

Fars also denied Trump’s assertion that Iran would coordinate with Washington to destroy its enriched uranium stockpile, calling the claim “fundamentally baseless” and absent from the proposed memorandum.

Iran Israel War: Tehran denies Trump’s uranium stockpile claim amid MOU talks

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that the possible memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington does not include any nuclear-related issues, pushing back against recent claims by US President Donald Trump.

The source also denied Trump’s assertion that Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile would be handed over or destroyed under the proposed framework.

Tehran reportedly maintains that nuclear matters would only be discussed in future negotiations tied to a final agreement, not the current ceasefire and de-escalation talks.

US-Iran War: Centcom calls Iranian strike a ‘ceasefire violation’

US Central Command described Iran’s latest attack as an “egregious ceasefire violation” after Tehran allegedly targeted a US-linked airbase in the Gulf region following American strikes near Bandar Abbas.

Iran War: Iran will not give up ‘legitimate’ nuclear rights, says envoy to India

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Tehran will not compromise on what it called the “legal and legitimate rights” of the Iranian people, including peaceful nuclear energy and uranium enrichment under the NPT framework.

He said Iran had demonstrated its “true power” during the recent 40-day conflict despite sanctions and external pressure.

Fathali also stressed that future negotiations with the US must be based on “mutual respect” and not threats or sanctions. He added that while sanctions have affected Iran’s economy, the country has endured through “willpower, faith and resilience”.

US-Iran War: Greek man allegedly planted ‘camera hidden in a sock’ to spy on journalist critical of Iran's regime

A Greek national traveled to Britain on behalf of a foreign intelligence service to conduct surveillance on a journalist critical of the Iranian regime, prosecutors alleged Friday when the man appeared in a London courtroom to face espionage charges.

Prosecutor Lee Ingham alleged that Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, visited addresses linked to the journalist while he was in Britain, photographing and filming homes and car license plates. During the second visit he “installed a covert camera hidden in a sock” that was “able to send data to persons unknown abroad,″ Ingham said during a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London.

Aidinidis is charged with assisting the intelligence service of a foreign country, believed to be Iran, when he targeted the journalist, who works for Iran International, a Persian-language media outlet critical of the country’s Islamic government. He is alleged to have travelled to the U.K. from April 16-21 and May 12-14.

Israel-Iran War: Lebanese president tells Rubio ceasefire with Israel is key step

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that securing a ceasefire with Israel is essential before any broader political or security steps can move forward.

According to Aoun’s office, the Lebanese leader stressed during a phone call that “all efforts” must be focused on achieving a truce. The conversation came as Israeli and Lebanese military delegations held talks at the Pentagon.

Rubio reportedly reaffirmed Washington’s support for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty and independence, while backing efforts to build on previous Israel-Lebanon negotiations held in Washington.

US-Iran War: 'Meeting now to make final determination': Trump on US-Iran draft truce deal

Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions. All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, numerous such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers. Iran will complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines that are left, which will not be many!). Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of “heading home!” Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President! The enriched material, sometimes referred to as “Nuclear Dust,” which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States (which, it is agreed, is the only Country, along with China, with the mechanical capability of doing so!), in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED. No money will be exchanged, until further notice. Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to. I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

US-Iran War: Donald Trump says Hormuz must reopen immediately, Iran can never have nuclear weapon

US President Donald Trump said Iran must agree to never possess a nuclear weapon and demanded the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted shipping traffic “with no tolls”.

In a lengthy statement, Trump said the US naval blockade on Iran would be lifted and claimed ships stranded in the strait could begin “heading home”. He also said remaining naval mines in the waterway would be removed or detonated in coordination with Iran.

Trump further claimed the US, alongside China, would work with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency to recover and destroy buried enriched nuclear material following previous US strikes. He added that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice” and said he would make a “final determination” after a Situation Room meeting.

Iran War: Abbas Araghchi holds talks with Oman's foreign minister, discusses Hormuz administration

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he held a “very productive” call with Omani foreign minister Badr Albusaidi, discussing the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional tensions.

In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran expressed solidarity with Oman “in face of any threat” and discussed Hormuz “in line with our sovereign responsibilities and international law”.

He also said Tehran welcomed consultations with neighbouring states.

Israel-Iran War: Israeli strikes near Beirut kill woman and two children

Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes near Beirut killed a woman and two children on Thursday, despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that has repeatedly been violated by both sides.

Iran War: Iran says Strait of Hormuz services may no longer remain free

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said the Strait of Hormuz had been one of the world’s safest energy transit routes before the US-Israel conflict escalated tensions in the region.

In an interview with ANI, he blamed the United States and Israel for putting global energy security at risk through “warmongering actions”.

Fathali said Iran and Oman jointly maintain security in the strait and clarified that Tehran does not plan to impose tolls on ships. However, he added that Iran may begin charging fees for navigation services, environmental protection and maritime security under the “new conditions”.

"Before this war started, the Strait of Hormuz was one of the safest routes for energy transit in the world. The main cause of today's problems is the tense and warmongering actions of the United States and the Zionist regime. By imposing this war, they have put not only regional security but also global energy security at risk. However, it must be noted that the Strait of Hormuz is part of the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and its security is maintained by these two countries. We do not believe in charging tolls on ships passing through the strait. Over the past decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has provided extensive services for free in areas such as navigation, maritime rescue, traffic control, and shipping security. But under the new conditions, these services and facilities will no longer be free, and fees will be charged for navigation services, environmental protection, and maritime security. This practice is common in many important international passages and straits, where coastal countries charge fees for transit, technical services, maritime piloting, and securing the area", Fathali said.

Lebanese, Israeli officers to meet in Washington as Israel pursues strikes

Lebanese and Israeli military delegations were due to hold security talks at the Pentagon on Friday as Beirut prepared to demand an end to escalating Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon. The discussions come amid wider negotiations involving the United States and Iran over a possible agreement to end the Middle East conflict, with Tehran insisting Lebanon’s situation must be part of any deal.

Israel intensified military operations this week, issuing evacuation warnings for seven southern Lebanese towns and expanding ground operations near the border. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported fresh strikes and growing displacement as residents fled threatened areas. Israeli troops and tanks were also seen near the towns of Marjayoun and Debbin.

Lebanon’s delegation, led by army operations director Georges Rizkallah, is expected to push for a ceasefire and present plans to strengthen state authority and limit weapons to official forces. Hezbollah, however, criticised the direct talks, accusing Israel of seeking “security coordination to benefit its aggression”.

The violence has continued despite an April 17 ceasefire that both sides accuse each other of violating. Lebanese authorities say more than 3,300 people have been killed since the conflict began on March 2, while UNICEF reported increasing child casualties in recent days.

Israel-Iran War: Lebanon says Israeli strike damaged medieval Beaufort Castle

Lebanon’s culture minister said Israeli strikes directly hit the historic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh region.

Authorities also warned that Unesco-listed heritage sites in Tyre remain under threat from continued fighting.

Iran War: Fate of Iran missile programme remains unresolved in talks

While negotiators appear closer to an agreement on ending hostilities and reopening trade routes, key issues remain unresolved, including the future of Iran’s missile programme and whether Tehran would retain any uranium enrichment capability under a final settlement.

Iran War: Ghalibaf says Iran 'seizes concessions with missiles, not dialogue'

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a fresh warning on Friday, saying Tehran secures concessions “with missiles” rather than negotiations, amid ongoing uncertainty over a possible US-Iran deal to end the war.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said Iran does not trust “guarantees or words” and insisted that “only actions are the measure”. He also warned that “the winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war from the day after.”

The remarks come as Washington and Tehran continue indirect talks through mediators over a potential ceasefire framework and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran War: Donald Trump yet to sign proposed MOU as negotiations continue

Despite reports from US officials suggesting a ceasefire extension deal only needs Donald Trump’s approval, the US president remained publicly silent into Friday morning.

Vance said it was still unclear “when or if” Trump would sign the agreement.

Iran War: JD Vance says US-Iran ceasefire extension deal close, awaits Trump approval

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a deal to extend the ceasefire in the Iran war, but added that President Donald Trump has yet to approve the proposed agreement. Vance said both sides were still discussing “a couple of language points” in the draft memorandum.

Israel-Iran War: Lebanon tensions continue despite ceasefire negotiations

Despite reports of diplomatic progress, violence continued in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and the city of Tyre.

At least 14 people were reported killed in southern Lebanon as negotiations over a broader regional truce continued.

Iran War: US says no sanctions relief unless Tehran gives up uranium reserves

A US official familiar with the talks said Iran would not receive sanctions relief unless it fully relinquishes its enriched uranium stockpile during the proposed 60-day negotiation window, according to the news agency AP.

Tehran currently possesses uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, according to international monitors.

US-Iran War: Iran may surrender highly enriched uranium stockpile under draft framework

Officials involved in negotiations said Tehran could agree to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of the proposed deal. Some material may reportedly be diluted while the rest could be transferred abroad, with Russia offering to store part of the stockpile.

Iran War: Proposed deal could reopen Strait of Hormuz gradually

According to the news agency AP, officials familiar with the negotiations said the emerging agreement could pave the way for a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, alongside a rollback of the US blockade on Iranian ports imposed in April.

The route normally carries around 20% of global oil shipments and its closure triggered major disruptions in energy markets worldwide.

Israel-Iran War: Draft agreement reportedly includes end to Hezbollah-Israel fighting

Regional officials said the proposed framework also includes an end to fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, alongside commitments against interference in regional countries’ domestic affairs.

The provision is seen as targeting Iran-backed armed groups operating across the Middle East.

US-Iran War: US, Iran reach tentative agreement to extend ceasefire by 60 days

US and Iranian negotiators have reportedly reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire in the three-month-long conflict by another 60 days while launching fresh talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Vice President JD Vance confirmed discussions were underway, though final approval from Donald Trump is still pending.

Israel-Iran War: Israeli forces intensify operations near Lebanon’s Nabatieh

Israeli forces have significantly escalated military operations in southern Lebanon, particularly around the city of Nabatieh, with troops reportedly advancing north of the Litani River.

The push is focused on areas including Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, southeast of Nabatieh. Reports suggest Israeli troops are attempting to breach Hezbollah’s second and third defensive lines and isolate the western Bekaa Valley from the rest of southern Lebanon.

The escalation marks a major expansion beyond Israel’s declared “yellow security zone” extending 10 km into Lebanese territory. Civilians are continuing to flee the affected areas amid uncertainty over how far the operation will extend.

Israeli drone strike kills policeman in south Lebanon amid escalating attacks

An Israeli drone strike killed a police officer in the southern Lebanese town of Aabba in Nabatieh governorate, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), as cross-border violence between Israel and Lebanon continued to intensify. The report said the officer was killed after a drone targeted the area earlier on Friday.

Separately, rescue teams recovered the bodies of two people killed in an overnight Israeli strike that hit a house in the town of Tayr Debba in southern Lebanon. The latest attacks come amid escalating Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and ongoing tensions involving Hezbollah along the border region.

Oil prices tumble as hopes rise for US-Iran deal and Hormuz reopening

Oil futures recorded their steepest weekly decline in nearly two months amid growing expectations of a potential agreement between the United States and Iran that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Brent crude futures fell to $92.69 per barrel, marking a weekly drop of more than 10 per cent as markets reacted to signs of possible diplomatic progress in the region.

“The market’s already taking the view that a deal’s going to be done and the Strait is going to be open,” Reuters reported, citing Jason Wong, senior market strategist at BNZ in Wellington. The sharp decline comes after weeks of volatility driven by fears of disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, amid escalating military tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel.

Israeli drone strike kills 3 in Khan Younis; several wounded in Gaza City attacks

At least three people were killed in an Israeli drone strike early Friday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, while several others were injured in separate attacks across the enclave, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

The report said an Israeli drone targeted civilians in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, killing three people and injuring others. Additional Israeli shelling in the same area also left several Palestinians wounded. In northern Gaza, five people were reportedly injured after an Israeli attack struck Yarmouk Street in Gaza City.

The latest strikes come amid continuing Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip as fighting and humanitarian conditions in the enclave remain severe.

Middle East war disrupts global air cargo routes despite 4% rise in demand: IATA

Global air cargo demand rose 4 per cent year-on-year in April 2026, driven largely by strong Asia-linked trade flows, but the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continued to disrupt global shipping routes and squeeze cargo capacity, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA said total cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased 4 per cent compared to April last year, while global cargo capacity declined 0.4 per cent. “Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said. He noted that severe disruption at major Gulf aviation hubs caused by the war in the Middle East had reshaped trade routes and constrained capacity on key global corridors.

Walsh added that dedicated freighters were helping sustain supply chains amid mounting trade disruptions but warned that continued geopolitical uncertainty and rising operational costs would test the industry in the coming months. Asia Pacific carriers led global growth with a 10.5 per cent rise in cargo demand, while North American airlines recorded 5 per cent growth and European carriers posted a 6 per cent increase.

In contrast, Middle Eastern airlines saw the sharpest decline, with cargo demand plunging 18.2 per cent and capacity falling 22.9 per cent as conflict and restricted airspace disrupted operations across the Gulf region. Among major trade corridors, Europe-Asia cargo traffic surged 16.2 per cent year-on-year, while intra-Asia and Asia-North America routes also recorded strong growth. However, routes linked directly to the Middle East remained under pressure, with Europe-Middle East cargo traffic dropping 25.9 per cent and Middle East-Asia traffic falling 22.4 per cent due to rerouting challenges and regional instability.

The report also highlighted sharply rising operating costs, with jet fuel prices soaring 121.1 per cent year-on-year amid supply concerns linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the challenges, IATA said global manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory during April, supporting continued demand for air freight services.

Israeli military intercepts ‘suspicious aerial target’ over southern Lebanon

The Israeli military said it intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” in an area of southern Lebanon where Israeli forces are currently operating, amid rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.

In a brief statement, the military said the object was detected and intercepted after entering the operational zone, though no further details were immediately provided about its origin or nature. Earlier, air raid sirens were activated in parts of northern Israel following alerts of a possible aerial threat.

The developments come as cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah continue to intensify despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire.

Lebanon-Israel security talks begin in Washington as border conflict intensifies

Lebanese and Israeli military officials are set to hold their first direct security talks later today in Washington, DC, amid worsening violence along the Israel-Lebanon border and growing concerns over the collapse of ceasefire efforts. According to the Associated Press, the US-sponsored talks come despite a recent agreement between the two sides to extend a ceasefire first reached in mid-April.

However, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have intensified in recent days, with Israeli forces reportedly pushing deeper into Lebanese territory and issuing evacuation orders for residents in parts of the south. Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar said it remained difficult to predict the outcome of the unprecedented military negotiations taking place at the Pentagon. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israel’s continued attacks, saying “nothing can justify” the ongoing “assaults” on southern Lebanon.

In a post on social media, Salam said the attacks reinforced Lebanon’s demand for “an immediate ceasefire,” a “complete Israeli withdrawal” from Lebanese territory and the extension of state authority across the country.

The talks are being closely watched as regional tensions continue to rise amid ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Hezbollah and Iran-backed groups across West Asia.

Israel orders evacuations in south Lebanon ahead of strikes on Hezbollah targets

The Israeli military has issued fresh forced evacuation orders for residents of Ain Qana village in Lebanon’s southern Nabatieh Governorate, warning civilians to leave the area ahead of impending attacks.

In a statement, the Israeli army told residents to flee “for the sake” of their “safety,” claiming it was preparing operations against Hezbollah fighters allegedly operating in the village. The development marks another escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border amid ongoing regional tensions and repeated cross-border hostilities involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

UN expert urges Israel to prosecute sexual violence perpetrators after UN blacklist inclusion

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism Ben Saul has called on Israel to “sever all ties” with individuals responsible for sexual violence after the country was included on a United Nations blacklist of states accused of perpetrating sexual violence during conflict.

Israel had reacted angrily to its inclusion on the global list, criticising UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and announcing plans to cut ties with the UN chief. Responding to the move, Saul said Israel should focus on holding alleged perpetrators accountable rather than attacking the UN leadership. “Instead of ‘severing all ties’ with the UN Secretary-General for exposing sexual violence by Israeli forces, I urge Israel to sever all ties with any perpetrators in its ranks – and to prosecute and punish them,” Saul wrote in a post on X.

The development adds to growing international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct during the ongoing conflict in Gaza and deepens tensions between the Israeli government and the United Nations.

Iran thanks Pakistan, Malaysia for role in ending US-Israel war, says committed to diplomacy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked Pakistan and Malaysia for their efforts during the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, while reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said he had spoken with the prime ministers of both countries and expressed appreciation to Malaysia for its “humanitarian stance” and to Pakistan for its “initiative and effective efforts to reach an agreement” aimed at ending the war.

The Iranian president said he had emphasised during the conversations that “Iran’s commitment to diplomacy” remains firm despite recent regional tensions. “Iran’s policy is to expand cooperation with Muslim and neighbouring countries in all fields,” he added. The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan, which has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington following weeks of conflict and stalled negotiations over sanctions relief and regional security.

Iran war news: Hormuz exposes China's Indian Ocean vulnerability, new report

China’s greatest maritime vulnerability begins at the Strait of Hormuz rather than the Strait of Malacca, opening a new arena of strategic competition in the Indian Ocean involving Beijing, India, France and the United States, according to a report released by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Published ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, the report titled Asia Pacific Regional Security Assessment says the Indian Ocean Region is once again emerging as a major geopolitical theatre due to China’s growing dependence on energy imports moving through the region. Challenging the long-discussed “Malacca Dilemma,” the report argues that China’s real strategic exposure starts much further west because a large share of its oil imports must first pass through the Strait of Hormuz before entering the Indian Ocean en route to East Asia.

The study says recent tensions around Hormuz, including joint naval drills conducted earlier this year by Iran, China and Russia under the Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercise, highlighted the importance of these sea lanes just before conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel disrupted shipping and energy flows in the region. According to the report, China faces greater operational challenges in the Indian Ocean than near its own coastline because it must contend with established military powers such as India, France and the US, all of which maintain significant bases, naval partnerships and surveillance capabilities across key maritime choke points.

The United States on Thursday imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran's military-linked oil trade network, despite reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran have reached a tentative agreement to extend their ceasefire and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US treasury department said it has sanctioned eight vessels involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to global markets. The vessels include the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Flora, the Comoros-flagged crude carrier Hauncayo and the Panama-flagged tanker Ill Gap, among others, Reuters reported.

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the action is aimed at blocking revenue flows that Iran uses to fund its military and security apparatus.

"We will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenue for the purpose of reconstituting its armed forces and military capabilities," Bessent said in a statement.

NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani slams Iran war, says Americans paying price for ‘conflict no one voted for’

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has strongly criticised the ongoing war involving Iran, saying the conflict has imposed a devastating human and economic cost on civilians abroad and working-class families in the United States.

In a post on X marking three months since the war began, Mamdani said the conflict was launched “without a single vote of Congress” and accused political leaders of forcing ordinary people to bear its consequences. “Three months ago today, a war began that no one voted for — and the cost has been paid by people who had no say in it,” he wrote. Highlighting the toll of the conflict, Mamdani said “thousands of civilians have lost their lives” and noted that “thirteen US servicemembers will never come home to their families.”

He also pointed to the economic impact of the war on American households, saying rising fuel and grocery prices had strained family budgets across the country. “Every life lost abroad and every dollar squeezed from a working family here is part of the same reckless bill, handed to the people who could least afford it by those who will never pay it themselves,” he said. Mamdani’s remarks come amid growing domestic debate in the United States over the military conflict, rising inflationary pressures and the Biden administration’s handling of tensions with Iran in West Asia.

US Iran war news: US unveils fresh sanctions on Iran’s ‘shadow oil economy’ amid pressure campaign

The United States on Thursday (local time) announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran’s so-called “shadow oil economy,” accusing Tehran of using illicit oil revenues to fund the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), regional proxy groups and military operations across West Asia.

In a statement, US Department of state spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the measures form part of Washington’s “Economic Fury” campaign aimed at intensifying financial pressure on the Iranian regime. “The US is targeting the Iranian regime’s dark fleet and illicit oil networks under Economic Fury,” Pigott said in a post on X. “Today’s sanctions cut off billions in revenue that funds the IRGC, proxy forces, and attacks on our partners. Any entity trading Iranian oil faces serious risk of US sanctions.”

The latest sanctions come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent military confrontations in the Gulf region and ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional activities. The US has repeatedly accused Iran of using covert shipping networks and intermediaries to evade sanctions and continue exporting oil to finance its military and allied groups across the region.