Trump to decide whether Tehran can keep limited uranium enrichment capabilities; Israel says it killed a Hezbollah member in Aita al-Shaab | LIVE

JD Vance: Trump will determine whether Iran is allowed to maintain limited uranium enrichment capabilities

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Monday that President Donald Trump would make the “ultimate decision” on whether Iran would be allowed to maintain limited uranium enrichment capabilities under an agreement between the two countries. He made the remarks in response to a journalist during a press conference alongside Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, broadcast live on social media.

“I think the president will make the ultimate decision on where we draw a red line in the negotiations,” he said, adding that Trump does not usually reveal his positions publicly in order to “preserve his decision-making space.”

Asked whether guarantees regarding human rights and the safety of protesters in Iran were part of the discussions, Vance said that Trump had made a “firm demand” and that this was “part of the conversation,” according to Israeli media reports.

“We support the Iranian people,” Vance added. “We support the right to protest peacefully worldwide — and of course in Iran.”

Hezbollah mourns member killed in morning strike

Hezbollah mourned Ahmad Ali Salameh, one its members who was killed in an Israeli airstrike this morning in the village of Yanouh (Sour district).

The Israeli army earlier said that it killed Salameh, noting that he is “one of Hezbollah’s artillery commanders.”

The strike killed two other civilians; a Lebanese Internal Security Forces officer and his 3-year old son.

Qassem: Lebanon must emerge from the 2019 crisis

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem also praised “the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to southern Lebanon,” describing it as “positive and an important step toward the country’s reconstruction.” He noted that the most significant aspect of the trip, in his view, was the Prime Minister’s statement that reconstruction would proceed without waiting for an end to Israeli attacks— “which we have always demanded,” he emphasized.

According to Qassem, Lebanon must “focus on two main objectives: first, to put an end to aggression in all its forms; and second, to emerge from the financial, economic, and social crisis.”

Amal and Hezbollah 'form a single body,' says Qassem

Naim Qassem also denied any discord between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, following recent incidents that suggested possible cracks within the Shia duo.

“Hezbollah and the Amal Movement form a single body, share the same vision on major national issues, and act together,” he said.

He added that the recent coordination meeting between the two parties focused on elections, mechanisms of cooperation, speeding up reconstruction, and responding to aggression.

Qassem warns against any attempts to sow discord between his movement and the president.

“Do not attempt to sow discord between us and the president of the Republic,” Naim Qassem said. He added that the visit by the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc to the president of the Republic had been "positive, contributing to follow-up, coordination, managing differences, and addressing challenges."

He continued: “Know that this phase shapes the future: through national unity and cooperation between the state, the army, the government, the people, and the Resistance, we are shaping Lebanon’s future.”

Qassem also claimed that Israel and its allies “have been preventing the reconstruction of southern Lebanon under the pretext that the country must first achieve a state monopoly on arms, when in reality, blocking reconstruction is aimed at creating a rift between the Resistance and its people.”

He also accused Israel of “bombarding civilians, destroying equipment and civilian infrastructure, and poisoning agricultural lands” to create chaos and force residents to abandon their land.

Commenting on today’s abduction of an al-Jamaa al-Islamiya member by the Israeli army, he said that such actions “aim to increase pressure and to eliminate any presence, force, or voice that says no to Israel or that could contribute to the revival of Lebanon.”

Qassem calls on Lebanon to reject pressure to disarm the Resistance

“Lebanon has the human, geographic and natural resources needed to become a developed country … Its main problem lies in the American-Zionist enemy,” he said. “Israel harbors expansionist ambitions in Lebanon, covets its economic, social and demographic potential, and only force can prevent it from realizing these projects.”

He added that “the enemy was expelled from Lebanon through force, resilience and great sacrifices, which protected the Resistance, its people and those who stood by it, and preserved Lebanon for 42 years.”

He further stated that when Israel failed to achieve its objectives by force, the United States resorted to other means — including political and economic pressure — to try to “subjugate” Lebanon, notably by demanding the disarmament of the Resistance.

According to him, Lebanon must “reject pressure aimed at disarming the Resistance.” He also said that pressure exerted on President Joseph Aoun, including by some Arab countries, seeks to drive a wedge between him and the Resistance over the issue of Israel’s withdrawal.

Israeli army says it killed a 'Hezbollah member' in Aita al-Shaab

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the Israeli military had “eliminated a Hezbollah member” in southern Lebanon.

“Based on intelligence gathered over recent months, forces from the 300th Brigade, operating under the Galilee Division, eliminated earlier today a Hezbollah operative in the Aita al-Shaab area of southern Lebanon,” the army said in a statement.

According to the statement, the man had recently been involved in intelligence-gathering activities against Israeli forces and in efforts to rebuild Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Earlier, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that Israeli gunfire on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, in the Bint Jbeil district, killed a municipal employee, Abdallah Nasser.

Qassem speaking in televised address

The secretary-general of Hezbollah is speaking in a televised address delivered on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Lebanon Medical Center, a new university hospital in Hadath (Baabda). Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine also addressed the ceremony.

Naim Qassem said he would begin by discussing the inauguration of the center before turning to political and security developments in the country.

Municipal employee wounded by Israeli fire dies of his injuries

Israeli gunfire on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, in the Bint Jbeil district, fatally wounded municipal employee Abdallah Nasser, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported

Meanwhile, the Israeli army surrounded residents in the same village and fired stun grenades around them, our correspondent added. Israeli drones and an Apache helicopter are also flying over Aita al-Shaab.

A unit of the Lebanese Army rescued two citizens who were trapped and hiding near a cemetery in Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil district) after they were targeted by an Israeli drone with sound grenades, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.

Man seriously injured by Israeli fire in southern Lebanon

A municipal employee was seriously injured in the shoulder by gunfire from the Israeli side on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, Bint Jbeil district, and was taken to a local hospital, the village mukhtar told our correspondent.

Iran’s Araghchi says ‘deep mistrust’ remains with US despite resumption of talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “deep mistrust” remains between Iran and the United States, despite the resumption of talks last week in Oman.

“We want concrete negotiations to achieve results, provided the other side demonstrates the same seriousness and is also ready for constructive talks,” he told ambassadors gathered in Tehran.

“Unfortunately, a deep mistrust persists, due to U.S. behavior in recent years,” added Araghchi, who is leading the negotiations for Iran.

EU condemns Israel’s recent measures to tighten control over West Bank

The European Union “condemns” the measures recently announced by Israel to strengthen its control over the West Bank, a spokesperson said.

“These measures represent a further step in the wrong direction,” Anwar al-Anouni told reporters, noting that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is “illegal” under international law.

On Sunday evening, Israel announced that its security cabinet had approved a series of decisions intended to “fundamentally alter the legal and civil reality” in the West Bank, territory occupied by Israel since 1967.

Iran ready to 'dilute' highly enriched uranium if all sanctions lifted: nuclear chief

The head of Iran’s nuclear agency, Mohammad Eslami, said Iran is ready to dilute its highly enriched uranium in exchange for the lifting of all sanctions, Reuters reported, citing the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.

Larijani to visit Oman on Tuesday following indirect US-Iranian talks there

Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and secretary of its national security council, will visit Oman on Tuesday following indirect U.S.-Iranian talks there, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

U.S. and Iranian diplomats engaged through Omani mediation in the Gulf Arab state last week in an effort to revive diplomacy amid a U.S. naval buildup near Iran and Tehran's vows of a harsh response if attacked.

"During this trip, [Larijani] will meet with high-ranking officials of the Sultanate of Oman and discuss the latest regional and international developments and bilateral cooperation at various levels," Tasnim said.

The date and venue of the next round of talks have yet to be announced.

Iran and the U.S. held five rounds of talks last year on curbing Tehran's nuclear program, with the process breaking down mainly due to disputes over uranium enrichment inside Iran. In June, the U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign.

Tehran has since said it has halted enrichment activity, which the U.S. views as a possible pathway to nuclear bombs. Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

The U.S. wants to include Iran's ballistic missile arsenal in the negotiations, but Tehran has ruled this out.

Larijani has served in a wide range of senior influential positions under Khamenei over the past few decades, including speaker of parliament and chief negotiator in past negotiations on Iran's nuclear activity with world powers.

In a televised statement aired on Monday, Khamenei called on Iranians to participate in the coming anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, whose 47th year will be celebrated on Wednesday.

"The presence of the people in the march and their expression of loyalty to the Islamic Republic will cause the enemy to stop coveting Iran," Khamenei said.

Israeli army says it killed Hezbollah member in Yanouh strike

The Israeli army said it carried out a strike in Yanouh, in the Sour district of southern Lebanon, during which it killed Ahmad Ali Salami, described as “one of Hezbollah’s artillery commanders.”

According to the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, Salami had “participated in numerous rocket attacks against Israeli forces and territory during the war” and had “recently worked on rebuilding Hezbollah’s artillery capabilities from populated areas in Lebanon.”

Earlier this morning, three people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a van. The army said it had taken “measures to reduce risks to civilians, including the use of precision weapons and aerial reconnaissance,” and expressed regret for “any harm to uninvolved persons,” adding that it is “doing everything possible to prevent further civilian casualties.” An investigation is underway, according to the statement.

Arkoub residents’ association condemns Israeli abduction of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya official

The Arkoub Regional Residents’ Association condemned Israel’s abduction of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya official Atweh Atweh, calling the act “blatant piracy and a flagrant and outrageous violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability.”

The association emphasized that “this type of operation requires urgent action of a different kind, beyond mere condemnation, denunciation, or statements.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader calls for ‘resilience’ on anniversary of Islamic Revolution amid US tensions

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday called on citizens to show “resilience” on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, amid rising tensions with the United States.

Referring to the overthrown Pahlavi dynasty – a key U.S. ally – he said, “Since 1979, foreign powers have always sought to restore the previous order.” Khamenei added: “The strength of a nation lies not in its missiles or planes, but in the will and resilience of its people. Show it again and foil the enemy’s plans.”

Protest in Hebbarieh to condemn Israeli abduction of Atweh Atweh

Photo shared by our correspondent

Residents of Hebbarieh and the Arkoub Regional Municipalities Union organized a protest condemning Israeli abduction of resident Atweh Atweh, in front of the Union’s building in Hebbariyeh, according to our correspondent in the South.

Participants questioned how the incursion was able to take place in an area where UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army are deployed, and deep inside a densely populated zone. They demanded that Atweh's whereabouts be disclosed and that efforts be made to secure his immediate release.

Israeli drone orders Lebanese farmers to leave southern farms

An Israeli drone flew low over farmland in Sarda and Amra, southern Lebanon, broadcasting a pre-recorded message ordering farmers to evacuate, our correspondent reported.

8 Muslim countries condemn ‘illegal’ Israeli measures tightening control over the West Bank

Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim-majority countries, including Qatar and Egypt — mediators in the Gaza conflict — have condemned new Israeli measures aimed at tightening control over the West Bank and paving the way for further expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey had “strongly condemned the illegal Israeli decisions and measures aimed at imposing illegal Israeli sovereignty.”

Abduction of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya member: Hebbarieh municipality meets with UNIFIL

A meeting was held at the Hebbarieh municipality between its members and a delegation from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to convey a message of protest over the incursion by an Israeli force into the town early this morning to abduct its former head, Atweh Atweh, a member of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, according to our correspondent.

He also reported that an Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb on the town of Kfar Kila, in the Marjayoun district.

Lebanese army denies report claiming one of its officers met with Israeli officer in Florida

The Lebanese army denied on Monday a report that claimed that one of its officers met with an Israeli officer in the United States, in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar had reported earlier today that the Lebanese army's Director of Planning, Georges Saqr, held an "unprecedented military meeting" with an Israeli officer at the Tampa U.S. base in Florida under the sponsorship of a senior U.S. army officer.

“One of the local newspapers published an article containing false information about a meeting between an officer from the Lebanese Army and an officer from the Israeli army in the United States ... The Army Command categorically denies this news and affirms that what was stated in the article is completely unfounded and not based on any facts. It also clarifies that all its meetings are conducted within the legally and officially approved frameworks, in a manner that preserves Lebanon’s sovereignty and its supreme national interest," the statement reads.

The army also called on media outlets to "exercise accuracy and responsibility when addressing matters related to the military institution, and to refrain from publishing fabricated information at this sensitive stage.”

Read more here.

Spokesman for Iran’s reformist camp arrested

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Republic’s ideological army, have arrested Javad Emam, spokesman for the Reformist Front — the main coalition of Iran’s reformist camp — Iranian media reported on Monday.

Read more here.

Larijani to visit Oman on Tuesday to follow up on Tehran–Washington talks

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, will travel to Oman on Tuesday accompanied by a delegation, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, cited by Reuters.

U.S. and Iranian diplomats held indirect talks in Oman last week aimed at reviving diplomacy amid a buildup of U.S. naval presence near Iran and Tehran’s pledges to respond forcefully to any attack.

Lieberman joins far-right Israeli protest against delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza

Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman joined far-right activists from the Tzav 9 group at the Gaza border on Monday morning, along with Knesset members Sharon Nir and Yulia Malinovsky, to protest the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Haaretz reported.

Tzav 9, which has repeatedly blocked aid convoys and confronted drivers since the start of the war in Gaza, says its actions aim to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas. The group is also facing sanctions for harassment and property damage, the newspaper noted.

Amal MP denounces Israeli abduction of Lebanese citizen in Hebbarieh

Reacting to the abduction this morning of citizen Atweh Atweh by the Israeli army, MP Kassem Hashem, a member of the Amal Movement’s parliamentary bloc, which is allied with Hezbollah, called on the prime minister to take the necessary steps to secure the return of Atweh, as well as that of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons.

“Statements of condemnation and denunciation are no longer sufficient in the face of the daily aggressive practices carried out by the Israeli enemy in all their forms,” he added.

Hashem also questioned whether the abduction could be “a response to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit to southern Lebanon over the weekend and the success it achieved,” saying that “this development raises serious questions about the timing and objectives of the attack” — a question also raised earlier in the day by al-Jamaa al-Islamiya.

Kfarshouba municipality urges Lebanese state to secure release of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya official abducted by Israel

The municipality of Kfarshouba, in the Hasbaya district, condemned in a statement the abduction in Hebbarieh of Atweh Atweh, a member of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya. It called on the Lebanese state and all international bodies to act immediately to secure his release and to protect villages in south Lebanon.

"As soon as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam left following his visit to the Marjayoun – Hasbaya area and the Arkoub region, an Israeli force ... abducted Atweh from his home," the municipality said.

"This shows that the Israeli enemy neither respects nor seeks Lebanon’s sovereignty or security, and continues to terrorize peaceful civilians in their homes and on their land," the municipality added. "We condemn this violation of our national sovereignty and this infringement on Lebanese homes."

Gaza: Israel says it killed 4 Palestinian fighters emerging from a tunnel in Rafah

The Israeli army said this morning that it killed four Palestinian fighters who were emerging from a tunnel in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, after they opened fire on Israeli soldiers.

"A short while ago, four armed terrorists exited an underground tunnel shaft and fired towards soldiers in the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip. ... Following identification, the troops eliminated the terrorists," the army said in a statement, denouncing a "blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement" between Israel and Hamas.

Israel abducts an al-Jamaa al-Islamiya official in Hebbarieh (southern Lebanon)

Overnight, Israeli soldiers infiltrated southern Lebanon and abducted an al-Jamaa al-Islamiya official in Hebbarieh, near the eastern border. The kidnapping took place around 2 a.m. when the Israeli army stormed the man’s home and attacked his family.

The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the operation, stating that the man, Atweh Atweh, was taken to Israel “for questioning.”

Southern Lebanon: Israeli strike on van in Yanouh kills 3

Three people, including a child, were killed this morning in an Israeli drone strike on a van in Yanouh, in the Sour district, according to our correspondent. The vehicle was targeted in front of the village’s municipal headquarters.

Among the victims were the driver of the targeted van, a retired Lebanese army serviceman, and a child who was present at the scene. The child’s father, reportedly the son of Yanouh’s municipal president and a Lebanese Internal Security Forces officer, was seriously injured and later succumbed to his wounds.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the latest news from Lebanon and the region.

Catch up with the Morning Brief here.