We are now closing our LIVE coverage of the region for tonight. We will be back tomorrow morning with more news updates.
Iranian foreign minister describes talks as 'among most serious' with Washington
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that talks with the United States were among the “most serious” ever held between the two countries.
He added that “in-depth negotiations have now begun on lifting sanctions and the nuclear issue,” specifying that technical discussions would begin in Vienna on Monday.
Israeli strikes: Family rescued in Baalbeck after roof collapse
Civil Defense announced it had rescued a family after a roof collapsed following Israeli strikes targeting the town of Flaway, in the Baalbeck district.
Iran-US talks: 'Significant progress,' discussions to resume next week in Vienna
The round of talks between Iran and the United States concluded after “significant progress,” announced Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
“We concluded today after significant progress in the negotiations between the United States and Iran,” the Omani foreign minister stated.
The two sides will hold “technical discussions” next week in Vienna, he specified, adding that negotiations will resume shortly after consultations in their respective capitals.
Talks with Iran: Kushner, Witkoff disappointed with morning's discussions
White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff said they were "disappointed by the positions expressed by the Iranians" during the morning's negotiations, while the evening session was still underway, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported on his X account.
Israeli strikes on Bekaa: 1 killed, 29 injured: NNA
Israeli strikes on the Bekaa Valley have killed one person and injured 29, according to an upwardly revised toll from the National News Agency (NNA).
Iran: Washington, Tehran could reach agreement if nuclear, non-nuclear issues are separated
The United States and Iran could reach a framework agreement if Washington agrees to separate nuclear and non-nuclear issues, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that differences remain and will need to be addressed during the third round of negotiations taking place in Geneva.
"New ideas have been put forward and need to be examined in Tehran. However, there are still gaps that will need to be bridged," the Iranian official said.
1 killed, 3 injured in Israeli strikes on Bekaa
The series of Israeli raids carried out in the Bekaa Valley killed one person, Hussein Mohsen al-Khalaf, and injured three.
One of the injured is in moderate condition and was transferred to Dar al-Amal University Hospital in Douris, while the other two were hit in the agricultural town of Mazraat Beit Meshik, west of Baalbeck, reports our correspondent.
1 killed, 1 injured in Israeli strikes on Bekaa
The Lebanese Health Ministry confirms that the Israeli strikes in the Bekaa killed a 16-year-old teenager and injured another person.
Israeli tanks fires toward outskirts of Aitaroun, Bint Jbeil
An Israeli Merkava tank fired two shells toward the outskirts of the town of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil district), our correspondent reported.
Israeli army says it struck 8 Hezbollah military bases
The Israeli army announced it had struck eight training camps belonging to Hezbollah's al-Radwan force in the Baalbeck region of Lebanon.
In a statement released on X, Arabic-language Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee indicated that "significant quantities of military equipment, including weapons and missiles belonging to Hezbollah, were stored in the targeted camps."
He added that these camps were used by members of the Radwan unit to "conduct training in preparation for emergency situations, as well as to plan and execute operations against Israeli forces and Israeli citizens," stating that "fire exercises and the use of various types of weaponry were carried out there."
The Israeli army stated that “the activities carried out in these camps and Hezbollah’s attempts to rearm” constitute a “violation of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon” and represent “a threat to Israel’s security.”
Avichay further affirmed that the Israeli army would not allow Hezbollah to strengthen or rearm itself and that it would continue its operations to destroy any threat to Israel.
1 killed in Israeli strikes on Bekaa
Hussein Mohsen al-Khalaf, a 17-year-old, was killed in the Israeli strike that targeted the Bekaa Valley at Kfar Dan near Baalbeck, according to our correspondent in the region.
13 Israeli strikes on Bekaa this evening
According to information from our correspondent, the Israeli army carried out a total of 13 airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley: 4 in Shmustar, 5 in Boudai, 1 in Nabi Sheet, 2 in Harbta and 1 in Hermel.
Israeli strikes on Bekaa Valley: Several shops damaged in Baalbeck Souk
Israeli warplanes conducted new raids on the Bekaa Valley, targeting the areas around Tamnin and Boudai, as well as the Nabi Sheet mountain range, before extending their strikes to the Hermel mountain range.
Several shops were also damaged in the Baalbeck Souk, in Tallet al-Ajami.
Another series of Israeli strikes in the Bekaa, in Tamnin, Boudai and Hermel
An airstrike targeted the outskirts of Tamnin, Boudai and Hermel, our correspondent reported.
Israel aims to impose 'permanent demographic change' in West Bank, Gaza: UN
Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip aim to impose “permanent demographic change” in these Palestinian territories, stated U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
“Taken as a whole, Israel’s actions appear to be aimed at effecting permanent demographic change in Gaza and the West Bank, raising concerns about ethnic cleansing,” Türk said in a speech in Geneva.
He added that military operations conducted for more than a year in the northern West Bank have displaced 32,000 Palestinians.
Second series of Israeli strikes on Bekaa
Israeli aircraft conducted a second series of strikes on the Bekaa Valley, targeting the Boudai district with five missiles intended to destroy fortifications and tunnels.
No deaths or injuries were reported in these bombings, with damage limited to property.
Adraee claims Israel is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Bekaa
The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, claimed in a post on X that the Israeli army is "currently striking terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Radwan unit of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Baalbeck region of Lebanon."
Several Israeli strikes on Bekaa
The Israeli air force carried out three strikes on the Shmustar district, two on Harbta and one on Boudai, in the Bekaa Valley.
Israeli aircraft bomb Shmustar district in Bekaa
The Israeli army has carried out a series of raids in the Bekaa Valley, in the Shmustar district, according to our correspondent in the region.
Iran agrees to freeze enrichment, rejects US demand of permanent stop, official says
A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Tehran is willing to freeze uranium enrichment but rejected the U.S. demand to permanently halt it.
U.S.-Iran talks to resume in about three hours, Iran says
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the talks with the United States in Geneva will resume around 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time, Reuters reported.
The talks on Thursday have been "intense and serious," a senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that they raised "new ideas" that require consultation with the leadership in Tehran.
According to the official, reaching a deal framework is possible if Washington "seriously separates nuclear and non-nuclear issues" in its talks with Iran.
Omani mediator hopes to 'make further progress' after talks resume in the afternoon
"We exchanged constructive and positive ideas today in Geneva, and the American and Iranian negotiators have now suspended discussions for a break," confirmed Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bousaidi in a message on X.
He announced that talks would resume "later today," hoping to "make further progress."
Indirect talks paused, expected to continue later in the day
Iran’s Tasnim news agency has reported that the talks in Geneva have paused and will resume later today.
The Associated Press also reported that a convoy believed to be carrying U.S. diplomats had left the Omani diplomatic reside.
Iranian nuclear program: Negotiations on hold until late afternoon
Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States are set to resume after a break late this afternoon in Geneva, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, as quoted by Reuters.
IAEA chief participates in indirect Iran-US talks in Geneva
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is participating in new indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on Thursday, according to a source close to the negotiations and Iranian state television.
The IAEA chief "joined the talks, effectively acting as a technical observer who could help advance the discussions with greater precision and seriousness," Iranian state television announced, quoted by AFP, confirming information from a source close to the negotiations.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the Omani-mediated negotiations were "focused on the nuclear issue."
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford leaves a US base in Crete and heads for the eastern Mediterranean
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, sent to the Mediterranean this week by the United States as part of a military build-up aimed at putting pressure on Iran, has left the US naval base at Souda Bay, Crete, and is heading for the eastern Mediterranean, an AFP photographer has reported.
Its departure coincided with the new round of indirect talks that began in Geneva. The ship had been at the Souda base in Crete since Monday.
Read Malek Jadah's explanation of the reasons behind the US deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the region here.
Ali Shamkhani: 'It is possible to reach an immediate agreement' if discussions focus on nuclear weapons
"If the core of the negotiations is that Iran does not manufacture nuclear weapons, this is in line with the Supreme Leader's fatwa and Iran's defense doctrine," wrote Ali Shamkhani, advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, recently appointed head of the National Defense Council, on X.
He stated that, if necessary, it would be possible to "reach an immediate agreement." He also highlighted the role of Minister Abbas Araghchi, who "has sufficient support and authority to conclude this agreement."
Read Dany Moudallal's analysis of the reasons behind Ali Shamkhani's appointment as head of the National Defense Council here.
Meeting between Busaidi and US mediators focused on 'Iranian proposals' and 'guarantees' for reaching an agreement
The meeting between U.S. representatives and Omani mediators focused on "proposals from the Iranian side, as well as responses and questions" from the U.S. side "regarding the treatment of key elements of Iran's nuclear program and the guarantees necessary to reach the desired agreement, in all its technical and monitoring aspects," the Omani Foreign Ministry said on X.
Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi gives thumbs up before heading to ambassador's residence
Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP
According to AP, the Omani mediator, Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, gave the thumbs up after a journalist asked him if he was "hopeful" about the outcome of the talks.
Busaidi has met with U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to an image posted on his X account. He stated, according to AFP, that the United States and Iran are open to "new and creative ideas" to reach an agreement.
US leaders should focus on negotiations rather than sending mixed messages, Baghaei criticises
U.S. leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, should focus on negotiations rather than sending mixed messages in the media, said Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, quoted by the AP.
"These contradictions do not help advance the diplomatic process and instead raise doubts about their intentions and objectives," the official added on Iranian state television.
Marco Rubio said yesterday that Tehran's refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program was a "big problem" for Washington.
Third round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States begins in Geneva
New indirect talks between Iran and the United States have begun in Geneva, according to a diplomatic source quoted by AFP.
As a reminder, the United States is represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and the U.S. president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, while Iran has sent its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.
The talks are being held at the residence of Oman's ambassador to the U.N. in Cologny, not far from Geneva.
Iran-US talks: Omani Foreign Minister meets with IAEA Director General
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi this morning, according to the AP.
Busaidi announced the meeting, stating that it was "part of consultations and exchanges of views on technical issues related to the Iranian nuclear dossier and new ideas currently under consideration between the Iranian and American sides," according to the American news agency.
Discussions in Geneva will focus solely on nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions, according to Iranian spokesperson
Iran will enter the third round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States with "seriousness and flexibility," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Press TV on Thursday.
According to him, the talks will focus solely on nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions, despite Washington's insistence on including Tehran's ballistic missile program.
U.S. convoy arrives at Omani residence in Geneva
A convoy believed to be carrying American diplomats has arrived at the Omani ambassador's residence in Geneva ahead of indirect talks with Iran, according to the AP news agency.
A convoy believed to be carrying Iranian diplomats has also arrived at the building where the talks are to be held.
Iranian proposals discussed between Oman and Iran ahead of talks
Last night, Omani and Iranian foreign ministers Badr Albusaidi and Abbas Araghchi discussed the proposals Iran will present to reach an agreement with Washington, according to a statement published on X by the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs and quoted by Reuters.
Albusaidi is due to meet with the U.S. negotiating team this morning to convey Iran's positions and hear those of the United States, according to the statement.
Pezeshkian reiterates that Iran opposes the development of nuclear weapons
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has banned weapons of mass destruction, which "clearly means that Tehran will not develop nuclear weapons," Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said, according to Reuters.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say on Tehran's nuclear program, banned the development of nuclear weapons by fatwa, a religious decree, in the early 2000s.
Trump advisers would prefer an Israeli strike on Iran before American attacks
The U.S. is represented at the negotiations in Switzerland by envoy Steve Witkoff and the U.S. president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Iran and the U.S. resumed talks in early February in Oman, the mediating country, and then met for the first time in Switzerland on Feb. 17.
According to two sources familiar with the discussions contacted by Politico, regarding the possibility of U.S. strikes on Iran, Donald Trump's advisers would prefer Israel to strike Iran before the United States launches its own attack on the country.
These Trump administration officials privately argue that an Israeli attack would provoke Iranian retaliation, which would help rally U.S. voters in favor of a U.S. strike.
US accusations regarding ballistic missiles are 'big lies,' according to Tehran
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sent a massive military force to the Gulf, repeats that he prefers a diplomatic resolution to the dispute, but on Tuesday accused Tehran of having "sinister nuclear ambitions."
Iran has "developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our military bases" and is seeking to develop even more powerful ones, capable of "soon reaching the United States," he said in a speech to Congress.
"Big lies," replied the Iranian Foreign Ministry, while Iran claims to have limited the range of its missiles to 2,000 km.
It has a large arsenal of locally designed missiles, including Shahab-3s, which can reach Israel, its sworn enemy, and some Eastern European countries.
Rubio highlights a 'big problem': Tehran's refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program
However, the talks could prove stormy, as just hours before they were due to begin in Geneva, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised a "big problem," accusing Tehran of refusing to discuss its ballistic missile program – an issue that Washington wants to address alongside the nuclear issue.
"The President wants diplomatic solutions. He prefers them, he greatly prefers them. So I would not describe tomorrow [Thursday] as anything other than a series of discussions, which I hope will be productive, but ultimately, you know, we will have to discuss other issues besides the nuclear program alone," Marco Rubio said at a press conference in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The issue is at the heart of the discord between the two enemy countries: Washington wants to include the ballistic missile program in the discussions, which Iran refuses.
The Islamic Republic wants to limit the negotiations to the nuclear issue and is demanding the lifting of sanctions that are strangling its economy.
Pezeshkian wants to break out of the 'neither war nor peace' limbo with Washington
Iran and the United States are meeting today in Geneva for a third round of indirect talks in Switzerland, with the aim of breaking out of the current "neither war nor peace" limbo, in the words of the Iranian president.
Since January, both sides have said they are open to dialogue but also prepared for military action, leaving the door open to all scenarios.
Iran insists that an agreement is "within reach," according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the delegation to the negotiations, citing a "historic opportunity."
President Massoud Pezeshkian, for his part, spoke of a "favourable outlook," saying he hoped to emerge from "this situation of 'neither war nor peace.'"
But "the success of these negotiations depends on the seriousness of the other party and its ability to avoid contradictory behaviour and positions," Araghchi stressed in a statement early this morning.
Hello and welcome to our live news blog
Welcome to our live news coverage of events taking place in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and elsewhere in the region, particularly where Israeli attacks continue despite multiple cease-fires in place.
We will be following closely the talks taking place in Geneva today between Iran and the United States. While both countries have expressed optimism and a preference for the diplomatic route, the U.S. has nevertheless ramped up pressure through fresh sanctions and heightened threats of military action against the Islamic Republic.
Catch up on our round-up of the latest events in our Morning Brief.
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