Pezeshkian: Iran ready to allow verification that it is not seeking nuclear weapons | LIVE

Cardinal Parolin: Holy See will not participate in 'Board of Peace'

The Vatican will not take part in Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza, its secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, said Tuesday, saying Italy’s decision to participate as an observer left him “somewhat perplexed.”

The Vatican “will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States,” Cardinal Parolin told journalists on Tuesday after a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“We have taken note that Italy will participate as an observer,” he added, saying “there are points that leave us somewhat perplexed. There are some critical points that would need to find explanations."

“One concern,” the Vatican Secretary of State explained, “is that at the international level it should above all be the U.N. that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted.”

Iran to allow verification that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, president says

Iran is ready to allow verification that it is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday, a few hours after the end of talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States.

“We are absolutely not seeking to obtain nuclear weapons,” he said in an interview published Tuesday on the presidency’s website. “If someone wants to verify this, we are open to such verification.”

Israeli surveillance device dismantled in Kfar Shuba

Image shared by the Lebanese Army

The Lebanese Army announced that “a military unit discovered an Israeli surveillance device, camouflaged and equipped with photographic equipment, in Kfar Shuba, before dismantling it.”

The army urged citizens “to stay away from suspicious objects, not to touch them, and to inform the nearest military center in order to ensure their safety.”

West Bank: Teenager killed after stepping on a landmine

A 13-year-old Palestinian boy was killed on Tuesday after stepping on a landmine near an Israeli military camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

A source at the Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed the death.

“Our teams received the body of a 13-year-old child killed by the explosion of a landmine in one of the former camps of Jiftlik, in the northern Jordan Valley,” the Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement.

UNIFIL says it disabled 2 unexploded shells inside 2 homes in Odaisseh

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated that it disabled and extracted two unexploded shells inside two homes in the village of Odaisseh (Marjayoun district).

According to the statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency, the Lebanese Army informed UNIFIL last week of the presence of the two shells, weighing approximately 150 kg and 200 kg respectively.

According to the peacekeeping force, the operation "required the use of specialized engineering machinery and equipment, as the two ordnance were embedded at a depth of approximately three meters beneath residential buildings."

"After two days of intensive and continuous work, the disabling and extraction operation was successfully completed, and the two devices were handed over to the Lebanese Army", the statement reads.

"The removal of unexploded ordnance is a crucial step toward restoring stability in affected areas and enabling displaced residents to safely return to their homes," it added.

It further stated that since the November 2024 cease-fire agreement, UNIFIL personnel have discovered approximately 400 unexploded ordnance within their area of operations in southern Lebanon, all of which have been handed over to the Lebanese Army.

Omani foreign minister hails 'progress' in US–Iran talks

Oman’s foreign minister, whose country is mediating the talks between Iran and the United States, welcomed on Tuesday the progress made during the second Iranian-American meeting near Geneva.

“These indirect negotiations … have made good progress in identifying common objectives and technical issues,” Badr al-Busaidi wrote on X. “There is still much to be done, and the parties left with clear objectives ahead of the next meeting,” he added.

US–Iran nuclear talks: Iran to present detailed proposals in two weeks, US official

Iran said it would present detailed proposals in the next two weeks to close gaps in nuclear talks with the United States, Reuters reported citing a U.S. official.

“Progress was made, but there are still a lot of details to discuss," said the official, who declined to be identified detailing discussions in Geneva. "The Iranians said they would come back in the next two weeks with detailed proposals to address some of the open gaps in our positions.”

Israel says FM Saar to attend Trump's 'Board of Peace' meeting

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will represent Israel on Thursday in Washington at the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” convened by U.S. President Donald Trump, his office announced on Tuesday.

The minister will take part in a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York on Wednesday, before traveling to Washington, where he will “represent Israel” at the meeting of the “Board of Peace” chaired by Donald Trump, according to a statement from Saar’s office.

Hamas calls on the Peace Council 'to put an end to violations' of the Gaza truce

Hamas on Tuesday urged the “Peace Council” – chaired by Donald Trump – to take action to compel Israel “to put an end to the violations” of the truce it accuses Israel of committing in the Gaza Strip.

“We call on the members of the Council to take serious measures to force the Israeli occupation to stop its violations in Gaza, as the genocidal war continues” in the Palestinian territory, Hamas spokesman Hazem Kassem told AFP, ahead of the inaugural meeting of the “Peace Council” scheduled for Thursday in Washington.

Israeli army: 2 'operatives from Islamic Jihad in Syria' killed in Sunday's strike on Majdal Anjar

The Israeli army's spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, commented on an Israeli airstrike that killed four people at the Lebanese-Syrian border on Sunday evening, noting that "two operatives from the Islamic Jihad in Syria" were killed in the strike.

"The operatives were targeted precisely while attempting to cross the border from Lebanon into Syrian territory, after having recently carried out and facilitated terrorist operations against Israel from Lebanese soil", Adraee said in a post published on X. "'The operatives’ activities posed an immediate threat to Israeli citizens and to Israeli forces operating in the Syrian area", he noted.

Adraee added that the "Israeli army will continue working to thwart attempts by operatives to cross the border [and smuggle weapons.]"

On Sunday evening, the Israeli army targeted a vehicle in the Majdal Anjar area, in the Bekaa, near the Masnaa border crossing, killing four people. Immediately after the attack, the Israeli army had said that it had targeted members of Islamic Jihad, without providing further details.

According to information from our correspondent in the region, the bombed car was a taxi registered in Syria.

Iran-US nuclear negotiations: Araghchi announces agreement on broad principles

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran and the United States reached an agreement on broad "guiding principles" during the second round of nuclear negotiations held Tuesday in Geneva, but that further work remained.

Following the negotiations, Araghchi told Iranian media that this progress did not mean an agreement would be reached soon, but that the process had begun.

Esmaeil Baqaei: Negotiations with US addressed technical issues

Iranian government spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that "the Geneva talks addressed the details of lifting sanctions [on the regime in Iran], the Iranian nuclear issue, and technical matters."

The spokesperson clarified, however, that the Iranian negotiators conveyed to the other side "their concerns regarding the Iranian nuclear issue and the sanctions imposed on the country."

End of second round of talks between Iran, US

Talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland have concluded, Iranian media reported Tuesday. AFP, for its part, witnessed the two convoys leaving the residence of the Omani ambassador, the country mediating the discussions.

The American delegation left the premises, followed shortly afterward by the Iranian representatives, according to AFP journalists on the scene.

Tehran to partially close Strait of Hormuz as 'security' measure during ongoing military exercise

Iran will partially close the strategic Strait of Hormuz for "security" reasons during the ongoing Iranian military exercise, Iranian state television announced Tuesday.

"Parts of the Strait of Hormuz will be closed in order to comply with safety and navigation principles," said a journalist from Iranian state television, reporting from near the site of the exercises, which began Monday at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The duration of this partial closure of the strait was not specified.

Khamenei rejects any discussion on Iran's ballistic missile program

"The type and range of Iranian missiles are not the concern of the United States," Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated, according to the state-run Fars news agency.

This statement by the Iranian head of state comes as the United States demands the dismantling of part of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, while Tehran seeks to limit the scope of negotiations with Washington on its nuclear program.

Syria: Authorities evacuate relatives of jihadists camp in al-Hol

Syrian authorities began transferring the remaining residents of the al-Hol camp, which houses families of jihadists, to another site in northern Syria on Tuesday, two officials told AFP.

Thousands of relatives of Islamic State (IS) jihadists have disappeared since the northeastern camp fell under government control in January.

"The evacuation began today," the camp's acting head, Fadi al-Qassem, told AFP, adding: "The camp will be completely evacuated within a week, and no one will remain."

Gaza: 3 bodies found amid rubble in Jabalia, Israeli fire kills Palestinian

The bodies of three people killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike were found Monday evening in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, rescue workers told the Wafa news agency.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army stated in a press release that it had opened fire on a Palestinian who had "crossed the Yellow Line," also in the northern part of the enclave.

Meanwhile, medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the south, reported that two people were wounded by further Israeli fire outside of the deployment zones established by the ceasefire agreement.

An additional person was reported wounded in Rafah following an Israeli drone strike, Wafa added.

Despite the cease-fire, at least 603 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army since it came into effect on Oct. 10, and another 1,618 have been wounded.

In total, at least 72,063 people have been killed since the start of the Israeli war against Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, in addition to 171,726 wounded.

Khamenei warns that US aircraft carrier in Gulf could be sunk

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on Tuesday that the U.S. aircraft carrier deployed in the Gulf could be sunk, as new indirect talks began in Switzerland between Washington and Tehran.

"We keep hearing" that the United States "has sent a warship to Iran," he said in a speech. "A warship is certainly a dangerous weapon, but a weapon capable of sinking it is even more so," he insisted.

He also indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump will not succeed in destroying the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"In one of his recent speeches, the American president said that for 47 years America has not succeeded in destroying the Islamic Republic ... I tell you: you will not succeed either," Khamenei said.

Hamas rejects Israel's 60-Day disarmament ultimatum

A senior Hamas official, Mahmoud Mardawi, rejected the ultimatum issued Monday by the Israeli government, demanding that the Palestinian movement lay down its arms within 60 days or face a breach of the cease-fire and a resumption of Israel's offensive against the Gaza Strip.

"The statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ... and relayed by the media are nothing but baseless threats within the framework of the ongoing negotiations," he told Al Jazeera.

This comment follows a threat made Monday by Israeli Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs at a conference in Jerusalem, as reported by the Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel.

Israeli army says it killed Palestinian 'who crossed Yellow line'

The Israeli army said that its soldiers killed a Palestinian "who crossed the Yellow Line" in the northern Gaza Strip and approached Israeli troops, posing an "imminent threat to their safety."

Israel has repeatedly violated the cease-fire agreement with Hamas that went into effect on Oct. 10.

Under this agreement, Israel withdrew to the so-called “Yellow Line,” which is an internal demarcation inside the Strip.

US won't be able to 'overthrow the Islamic Republic': Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asserted on Tuesday that the United States will not be able to "overthrow the Islamic Republic," addressing U.S. President Donald Trump as nuclear talks opened in Geneva.

He also affirmed that Tehran will not yield to pressure and that his regime will remain in power.

Talks begin in Geneva between US, Iran

Talks have begun in Geneva between the United States and Iran, according to Iranian state television.

Outcome of negotiations depends on Washington's ability to 'avoid unrealistic demands': Iranian official

The success of today's talks in Geneva will depend on the United States' ability to back down from its "unrealistic demands" regarding Iran's nuclear program, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The official asserted that Tehran was coming to the negotiating table with "sincere and constructive proposals" and hoped for a "lifting of sanctions."

Israel drops sonic bomb over Aita al-Shaab

An Israeli drone dropped a sonic bomb over Aita al-Shaab.

Iranian Foreign Minister says wants to 'reach just, equitable agreement'

"I am in Geneva with concrete ideas to reach a just and equitable agreement," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed on Monday, on the eve of this new round of negotiations.

"What is not on the table is submission to threats," he nevertheless warned.

The Iranian Foreign Minister also met on Monday in Geneva with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, for "in-depth technical discussions," as well as with his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi, who will act as mediator in the upcoming talks.

Israeli army claims to have killed Hezbollah member yesterday

The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Captain Ella, stated that an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah member who was working on the "reconstruction of infrastructure" for the party in southern Lebanon.

She also indicated that four other Hezbollah members were killed in Israeli airstrikes last week.

Yesterday, an Israeli army drone targeted a car in Tallousseh (Marjayoun district), killing one person.

$5 billion from 'Board of Peace' will fund stability in Gaza and 'other parts of the world,': Trump to NYP

In an interview with the New York Post, U.S. President Donald Trump said that $5 billion from member states of the "Board of Peace" will be used to “make Gaza a reality,” but he was unable to specify whether the money would be used for housing.

He also indicated that the funds would be used to “stabilize [Gaza] and, eventually, I think, other parts of the world where peace can be established.”

Washington hopes for a peaceful resolution in negotiations with Tehran: Rubio

"The president [Trump] always prefers peaceful and negotiated solutions," said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, adding that the U.S. administration still hopes to reach an agreement with Tehran.

"I think that if there is a possibility of reaching a diplomatic agreement that addresses our concerns, we would be very open and supportive. But I also don't want to overestimate or prejudge these negotiations," he added.

Trump says will participate 'indirectly' in negotiations between Washington, Iran to be held today in Geneva

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he will participate “indirectly” in the second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, scheduled to take place this Tuesday in Geneva.

Trump justified his participation in these discussions by stating that they “will be very important” and that “Iran is a very tough negotiator,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Asked about the prospects for an agreement, he said that Iran had learned from its hardline approach last June, when the United States joined the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran, during which it bombed three of its nuclear sites.

He suggested that Tehran was “motivated to negotiate this time.” "I don't think they want to suffer the consequences of a failure of negotiations," he added.

Good morning. We are now launching our LIVE coverage of news from the Middle East.

We will be following the evolving tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as the situation in southern Lebanon and Gaza, which continue to be bombarded by Israel despite cease-fires in place.