Iran's foreign minister arrives in Geneva for talks with US | LIVE

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First Somaliland envoy to Israel approved

The Israeli foreign ministry said on Wednesday it had approved the appointment of the first ambassador of Somaliland to Israel, months after the country officially recognised the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa.

In December, the Israeli government became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.

The ministry posted on X that the government had approved "Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel, Dr Mohamed Hagi."

It said Hagi, who currently serves as an advisor to the president of Somaliland, had helped promote the establishment of relations between Israel and Somaliland throughout 2025.

On December 26, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state since its secession from Somalia in 1991.

The ministry also said that Israel would soon appoint its own ambassador to Somaliland.

Araghchi: Iran is ready for war or peace

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that an agreement with the United States remains possible, while emphasizing that Iran’s armed forces “are ready to carry out their mission.” “We know how to defend ourselves and are fully prepared for both options: war and peace,” he said, according to Iranian media reports.

Araghchi recalled that “during the previous round of negotiations, progress had been made and a certain level of understanding reached,” suggesting that a deal or arrangement could be built on that foundation.

The minister also stressed the strictly peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. “There is no military option for our peaceful nuclear program. We are ready to clarify any ambiguities, but we will not give up our right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.”

Modi says India stands with Israel 'firmly with full conviction'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told lawmakers in Jerusalem on Wednesday that his country stood with Israel "firmly with full conviction" following Hamas's attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

"I ... carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7," Modi said in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

"We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond," he added.

Remains of missing man identified in Mais al-Jabal

The remains of a man who went missing during the war have been discovered in Mais el-Jabal, in the Bint Jbeil district, our correspondent reported.

DNA analysis confirmed his identity as Hassan Moussa Khalil Kabalan.

The municipality said that the date of the funeral will be announced at a later time.

Trump favors diplomatic solution with Iran, says VP JD Vance

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that President Donald Trump still prefers a diplomatic solution with Iran and hopes Tehran will take this seriously during Thursday’s negotiations.

"The President has been as crystal clear as he could be, Iran can't have a nuclear weapon ... He's going to try to accomplish it diplomatically," Vance told Fox News in an interview.

US imposes new sanctions on Iran ahead of Geneva talks

The U.S. government on Wednesday announced new economic sanctions aimed at weakening the ruling regime in Tehran and cutting off its oil revenues, ahead of upcoming talks between the two countries in Geneva.

Read more here.

Indian Prime Minister Modi arrives at Knesset amid opposition boycott

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the Knesset to address the plenary session, reported Haaretz.

Opposition parties Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Democrats are boycotting speeches by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, protesting the decision not to invite Supreme Court President Isaac Amit to the event.

However, Knesset members are expected to attend Modi’s address. The Blue and White party is boycotting only Ohana’s speech, while Hadash-Ta’al is boycotting the entire session.

Israeli army says weapons, observation posts, and firing positions found in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army has reported, with supporting images, that its 300th Brigade, under the command of the 91st Division, has spent recent months dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon and thwarting its reconstruction efforts.

“In a series of targeted operations, our forces identified and destroyed combat equipment and terrorist infrastructure, including observation and firing positions where anti-tank missile launchers were located,” the army said in a statement shared on X by its Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee.

The statement accused Hezbollah of a “blatant violation of existing agreements between Israel and Lebanon.”

⚡Hezbollah will not intervene in the event of 'limited strikes' against Iran

Hezbollah will not intervene militarily in the event of "limited" U.S. strikes against Iran, but will consider any attack against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a "red line," a pro-Iranian official told AFP on Wednesday.

Lebanese authorities fear Hezbollah's involvement in a possible regional war triggered by U.S. strikes against Iran.

"In the event of limited U.S. strikes against Iran, Hezbollah's position will be not to intervene militarily," said the official, who requested anonymity.

However, he added, if Washington’s objective is “to provoke the collapse of the Iranian regime or target the Supreme Leader, Hezbollah will then intervene.”

The official emphasized that any harm to Ayatollah Khamenei would constitute a “red line.” He also warned that an offensive against Iran would likely prompt Israel to “launch a war against Lebanon,” recalling that the last conflict between Hezbollah and Israel ended in November 2024.

Iranian president reports 'favourable outlook' ahead of talks with the United States

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian spoke of a "favorable outlook" on the eve of new talks in Geneva with the United States, focusing in particular on Iran's nuclear program, reports AFP.

"We see a favorable outlook," Pezeshkian said, as quoted by state television. "We are continuing the process under the leadership of the Supreme Leader, so as to emerge from this situation of 'neither war nor peace'," he added.

Germany urges Iran to engage constructively in nuclear negotiations in Geneva

Germany is calling on Iran to stop seeking nuclear weapons, restrict its ballistic missile program and end destabilizing actions throughout the region, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday, ahead of new nuclear talks in Geneva, Reuters reports.

"We expect Iran to seize this opportunity to engage constructively in the [Geneva] talks," the spokesman added.

Gaza firm to build UAE-funded housing compound in Israeli-held south, sources say

A Gaza firm has been contracted to build an Emirati-funded housing compound for tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in a part of the territory under Israeli military control, two Israeli officials and two Palestinian businessmen told Reuters.

The plan for a Palestinian contracting firm staffed by Gaza workers to build the compound has not been previously reported.

It appears to signal an aim to begin reconstruction without waiting for Israel to withdraw from Gaza, a step that is meant to accompany the disarming of Hamas fighters in the next phase of a cease-fire under U.S. President Donald Trump's plan.

Employing Palestinians in construction could be a way to reduce local hostility to the project, but it remains to be seen whether large numbers of Palestinians would agree to live or work in an Israeli-occupied area of Gaza.

Israel launches bombs near farmers in Rmeish

An Israeli aircraft fired three bombs toward a number of farmers on the outskirts of the town of Rmeish (Bint Jbeil), our correspondent in the south reported.

Araghchi on his way to Geneva for new talks with the Americans

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team left Tehran on Wednesday to travel to Geneva ahead of new talks with the United States, according to state television reports cited by AFP.

Iran and the United States resumed talks on Feb. 6 in Muscat in an attempt to reach an agreement, particularly on Iran's nuclear program, and have since held two rounds of indirect discussions, mediated by Oman.

Turkey evaluating potential measures in event of Iran-US conflict, source says

Turkey is actively evaluating potential measures it could take if a conflict erupts between its neighbor Iran and the United States, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on Wednesday.

Tehran has warned it could target U.S. bases in the region if attacked, though Iranian officials stressed that a diplomatic agreement remains "within reach" if talks are prioritized.

As a NATO member sharing a border with Iran, Turkey has publicly opposed any military intervention against its eastern neighbor.

A Turkish diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "Naturally, all aspects of the measures that could be taken in the event of a negative development are being evaluated."

The official added that while scenarios to protect Turkish citizens are being considered, any action that would violate Iran's sovereignty is "out of the question."

Demonstrations in Istanbul have highlighted local public sentiment, with protesters gathering outside the U.S. Consulate General to show solidarity with the Iranian people amid the heightened U.S.-Iran tensions.

Australian government recommends that its citizens leave Lebanon and Israel

On Wednesday, the Australian government ordered "the departure of all dependents of Australian officials stationed in Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East," according to the official website Smartraveler.gov.au.

It is calling on its citizens "to reconsider the need to travel to Lebanon." For those already there, it recommends "considering departure while commercial options to leave the country still exist" due to "the unpredictable situation in the Middle East."

"Conflicts in the Middle East could lead to increased tensions elsewhere in the region, including Lebanon, and could result in the closure of airspace, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions. Beirut airport could close without notice," the text continues.

A similar advisory has been issued for Australian nationals in Israel, according to al-Araby.

Read more here.

UNIFIL inspects the Litani River

A patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) inspects the Litani River near Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh), our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.

Israeli armoured vehicle advances towards Wazzani orchards

An Israeli armored personnel carrier, accompanied by several soldiers, advanced from the occupied hills of Hamames, south of Khiam (Marjayoun), towards the western outskirts of the Wazzani orchards, reported our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The United States is deploying F-22 fighter jets to Israel, according to The New York Times

The United States sent F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets to Israel yesterday, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the deployment, quoted by The New York Times. This decision is part of the ongoing U.S. military build-up in the Middle East, one day before a new round of negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program.

Air tracking data and videos posted online suggest that this is the first known deployment of this type of aircraft — one of the most advanced fighter jets in the U.S. arsenal — in the current context of escalating tensions with Tehran.

Images captured by aerial observers show a dozen F-22s taking off from their temporary base in the United Kingdom.

According to these officials, some aircraft have already arrived in Israel. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the military movements in question.

Although these aircraft did not appear on public flight tracking websites — attack aircraft are generally invisible on these platforms — other clues confirmed their movement to the Middle East.

Data analyzed by the New York Times shows that refueling aircraft that left the UK with the F-22s flew over the Mediterranean on Tuesday afternoon.

CIA reaches out to potential informants in Iran amid US military threats

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) yesterday published a message in Persian aimed at potential informants in Iran, detailing secure ways to contact the U.S. intelligence agency, as U.S. President Donald Trump considers possible military strikes, the AP reports.

The message, posted on X, Instagram and YouTube, is part of a series of recruitment initiatives conducted by the CIA in several languages, including Persian, Korean, Russian and Mandarin, to encourage foreign sources to contact the agency.

The message comes at a particularly tense time between Washington and Tehran, as the Islamic Republic faces a new wave of internal unrest.

"Hello. The Central Intelligence Agency hears you and wants to help," the agency wrote in its message, according to an English translation. "Here are some tips for establishing secure virtual contact with us."

Israeli Supreme Court asked to block expulsion of 37 NGOs from Palestinian territories

Seventeen international humanitarian organizations have appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court to block a decision ordering 37 NGOs, including MSF, Oxfam, NRC, and CARE, to cease their activities in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Israeli government demanded a list of Palestinian employees in order to renew their licenses, citing "security" concerns. If the NGOs do not comply, they will have to gradually cease their activities from March 1.

The U.N. has condemned this measure, pointing out that these organizations are "indispensable" for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by over two years of war.

Washington provides consular services in illegal Israeli settlement in West Bank for the first time

The United States will start providing consular passport services in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank this week, a first for U.S. consular officials serving settlers living in the occupied territory, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

Israel committed two-thirds of record press killings in 2025: CPJ

A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Wednesday, blaming Israel for two-thirds of the deaths.

Over three-quarters of all the fatalities in 2025 were in conflict settings, the CPJ said in its report.

More than 60 percent of the 86 members of the press killed by Israeli fire in 2025 were Palestinians reporting from Gaza, it added.

Read more here.

India's Modi visits Israel as US-Iran tensions mount

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit that both countries have cast as a chance to deepen relations, as regional concerns mount over the risk of military conflict between the United States and Iran.

Read more here.

Arrest of the head of the Tehran bureau of Japanese public television NHK, according to media reports

The head of the Tehran bureau of Japanese public television channel NHK has been arrested in Iran, according to Japanese media reports.

According to these reports, which identify him as Shinnosuke Kawashima, the journalist has been transferred to the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, which has been criticized by international human rights organizations.

"For NHK, the safety of our staff is always our top priority. At this time, we cannot comment further," a spokesperson for the broadcaster told AFP.

"The Japanese government has confirmed that a Japanese national was detained by local authorities in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 20," Masanao Ozaki, deputy secretary-general of the Japanese government, told the media.

"Since this detention came to light, the government has been urging the Iranian authorities to ensure the swift release of the person concerned. We are also in contact with this person, their family and other relevant parties, and are providing them with all necessary assistance," he added.

Iran rejects US accusations about its missile programme

Iran has dismissed U.S. claims about its weapons program as "big lies" after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran was developing missiles capable of striking the United States.

"Everything they say about Iran's nuclear program, Iran's ballistic missiles and the number of casualties during the January unrest is nothing more than a repetition of big lies," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said on X.

Trump accuses Iran of pursuing 'sinister nuclear ambitions'

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address last night.

He accused Iran of developing weapons capable of striking the United States and pursuing "sinister nuclear ambitions," while saying he favored diplomacy with Tehran, which claims that an agreement with Washington is "within reach."

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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of events happening in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere in the region and beyond.

Read our Morning Brief for a round-up of the latest news here.

South Lebanon: Israeli night-time infiltration, several houses detonated

Overnight Tuesday, an Israeli army quadcopter drone fired explosives on two houses in the village of Odaisseh (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

In addition, an Israeli army unit carried out a ground incursion in the vicinity of Marwanieh (Sour), where its soldiers blew up a house located in the Jabal Blat area, on the outskirts of the border town.

Israel is violating the cease-fire agreed with Hezbollah at the end of November 2024 on a daily basis.