Trump announces extension of cease-fire, pending Iranian proposal | LIVE

Cargo ship seized by the US: Iran calls on UN to condemn ‘violation’ of cease-fire

Iran has called on the U.N. to condemn the U.S. seizure on Monday of the Iranian cargo ship Touska, describing it as an act of "piracy" and a "clear violation" of the cease-fire between Tehran and Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. Navy had fired on the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska, which is subject to US Treasury sanctions, in the Sea of Oman and had taken control of it.

“Such behavior bears the hallmarks of piracy and represents a dangerous escalation that seriously jeopardizes the security of crucial shipping lanes,” wrote Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, in a letter to the Security Council and the Secretary-General on Tuesday.

“Furthermore, this illegal act constitutes a clear and serious breach of the April 8 cease-fire” and an “act of aggression” under the U.N. Charter, he added.

Iran is therefore calling on “the United Nations, in particular the Security Council and the Secretary-General, to take an immediate, firm and principled stance by condemning this act of aggression, ensuring that those responsible are held to account, and demanding that the United States release the vessel, its crew and their families,” the letter insists.

Trump announces extension of cease-fire pending Iranian proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was extending the cease-fire with Iran until an Iranian proposal had been put forward and the ongoing talks had concluded.

According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump said: “We were asked to suspend our attack on Iran,” referring to the Pakistani mediator. “We have therefore decided to extend the cease-fire in Iran until their proposal is submitted, and they clarify whether or not they agree to continue negotiations,” he said.

Iran: JD Vance’s visit postponed ‘until further notice’

U.S. Vice-President JD Vance’s visit to Pakistan for talks with Iran has been postponed until further notice, a U.S. source told Axios journalist Barak Ravid. Several U.S. media outlets have reported similar information.

Iran announces 'final' decision not to take part in negotiations

Iran has taken its “final” decision not to take part in the negotiations that were due to take place on Wednesday in Pakistan with the United States, reports Iranian news agency Tasnim.

“The Iranian delegation has informed the American side, via Pakistan, that it will not be traveling to Islamabad in Pakistan on Wednesday, as the negotiations currently have no prospect of success,” according to the agency, which described them as “a waste of time because the United States is preventing any form of appropriate agreement.”

The Iranians accuse the Americans of failing to honor their commitments, and of having made “excessive demands” during the first round of negotiations, which led “to a complete deadlock.” According to the report, “the United States was forced to implement a ceasefire in Lebanon for fear of Iranian missile attacks against Israel.”

Iran threatens to destroy its Gulf neighbor's oil production in event of attack launched from their territory

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Force has warned Gulf states against using “enemy facilities” to attack Iran, and has stated that they should “say goodbye to oil production,” in comments made to the Iranian media outlet Mehr News.

Powerful explosion in Khiam following another Israeli airstrike

A powerful explosion was heard a short while ago in Khiam (Marjayoun), following another Israeli airstrike, our correspondent reports. The blast was heard from several kilometers away.

Hezbollah claims it attacked northern Israel in response to 'flagrant' violations of cease-fire by Israel

Hezbollah issued a statement shortly before 10 pm claiming responsibility for launching, at around 6.50 pm, a barrage of rockets and a swarm of drones against an Israeli artillery position in the Kfar Giladi area in northern Israel, which it claims is “the source of shelling against the village of Yohmor al-Shaqif,” in the district of Nabatieh.

It claimed to be responding to “the flagrant violations recorded by the Israeli enemy — more than 200 since the start of the cease-fire — including attacks on civilians and the destruction of homes and entire villages in southern Lebanon."

Aoun thanks Mohammad bin Salman for Saudi support for Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun contacted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on Tuesday evening to thank him for “his personal support and that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Lebanon,” according to a statement from the Presidency.

Aoun praised “the constant support provided to the Lebanese people, particularly in the difficult circumstances they are facing,” whilst the Crown Prince reaffirmed “Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon and the brotherly Lebanese people” and his commitment to “working to put an end to their suffering.”

The Israeli ambassador to Washington accuses Hezbollah of violating truce: 'We will defend ourselves against those who seek to prevent peace”

Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, who met his Lebanese counterpart last week as part of the start of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, wrote on X: “Whilst Israel and the United States are working tirelessly towards a better future for Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah is violating the ten-day cease-fire announced by President Donald Trump.”

He added: “We will defend ourselves against those who seek to maim, kill and prevent peace.”

Araghchi states that 'the blockade of ports is an act of war'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that “the blockade of Iranian ports is an act of war and therefore constitutes a violation of the cease-fire.”

Whilst negotiations were scheduled to take place in Islamabad between the Iranian and U.S. delegations, the Iranian minister asserted that “striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even more serious violation,” referring to the seizure of an Iranian vessel by U.S. forces.

He concluded: “Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests and how to resist intimidation.”

For his part, the commander of the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned the Arab Gulf states against using “enemy facilities” to attack Iran, and asserted that they should “say goodbye to oil production,” in comments to the Iranian media outlet Mehr News.

Suspending EU-Israel agreement is ‘legitimate question’ if status quo persists, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that there is a "legitimate question" regarding the possibility of suspending the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel, should the latter "continue this policy that runs counter to its history," particularly in Lebanon.

“It is not at a time when, a few days ago, Israel accepted a cease-fire for Lebanon and has engaged in discussions that we should rush into a confrontation,” said the French president, preferring to bide his time before clarifying France’s position. “But things clearly cannot continue as they did a few years ago,” he added during a press conference at the Élysée Palace with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Macron: France ready to assist Lebanon in negotiations with Israel, even without taking part

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that France will assist the Lebanese authorities in preparing for negotiations with Israel, even if Paris does not participate directly in the talks.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Macron said it was “secondary” for France to be at the negotiating table, stressing that it was in Lebanon’s interest for everyone to contribute to helping it in this process.

France has sought to play a role in these discussions but has been met with reluctance from Israel and the United States.

Iran–US truce: 'Do not let war take over again,' warns Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron called for allowing time for Iran–U.S. negotiations despite the precarious cease-fire, warning against “letting war take over again.”

It is “essential” that the truce — which remains “very fragile” — is allowed to continue, because “these issues will not be resolved in a few hours or a few days,” Macron said during a press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

Negotiations with Israel: Lebanon wants the ‘total withdrawal’ of Israeli forces, says Nawaf Salam.

Lebanon needs €500 million to address the humanitarian crisis, Nawaf Salam tells Emmanuel Macron.

Israel must 'renounce its territorial ambitions,' Hezbollah must be disarmed 'by the Lebanese,' Macron says

French president Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Israel must “renounce its territorial ambitions” in Lebanon, adding that Hezbollah must “stop” firing toward Israeli territory and be disarmed “by the Lebanese themselves.”

The ongoing truce “must be extended to allow the beginning of a genuine stabilization process,” the French president told the press alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who was received at the Élysée. He called for a “political agreement between Israel and Lebanon that guarantees the security of both countries, Lebanon’s territorial integrity, and lays the groundwork for the normalization of their relations.”

Macron also said France was “ready to maintain its commitment on the ground” following the departure of UNIFIL, the U.N. mission, scheduled for the end of the year.

JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad suspended amid lack of Iranian response

U.S. Vice President JD Vance's trip to Islamabad, where he was due to meet Iranian negotiators and push for a nuclear agreement, has been suspended after Tehran failed to respond to U.S. negotiating positions, the New York Times reported, citing a U.S. official.

The American newspaper reported that Vance was due to leave Tuesday morning for the Pakistani capital, where talks were scheduled to resume on Wednesday, the same day the fragile cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire. In the absence of an Iranian response, the diplomatic process has been effectively put on hold, the source said, although the trip has not been cancelled.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of firing rockets at Israeli forces on Lebanese territory

The Israeli army said that Hezbollah had fired several rockets at its troops in southern Lebanon, describing this as a “flagrant violation” of the cease-fire agreement. It added that “within minutes,” it had “struck the launcher from which the rockets had been fired.”

It also said that the sirens activated in towns in northern Israel were likely due to the interception of a drone launched from Lebanon before it entered Israeli territory, correcting an earlier report that referred to a possible identification error.

“These are flagrant violations of the ceasefire agreement,” the Israeli army accused.

Cease-fire in Iran set to expire at midnight GMT

The two-week truce between the United States and Iran is set to expire at midnight GMT, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday, amid growing uncertainty over whether talks aimed at permanently ending the war will go ahead.

“The cease-fire will end at 03:30 Tehran time on Wednesday [00:00 GMT],” the channel said.

The truce, which entered into force on April 8, was initially expected to expire in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday in Iran. However, U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt on Monday by stating that it would instead end a day later, on Wednesday evening Washington time. He added that it was “very unlikely” he would extend it.

Latest developments in southern Lebanon: More Israeli house demolitions

• ⁠A powerful explosion caused by an Israeli army blast was heard in Houla, and another in Taybeh, Marjayoun. The Israelis are setting fire to houses and buildings in the Ras al-Dahr area, west of Mais al-Jabal (Nabatieh).
• Shortly after 6 pm, the Israelis continued to demolish houses in Tayr Harfa and Jibbayn (Sour).
• According to witnesses in the area, a shepherd was abducted in Shouaya, Hasbaya, by the Israeli army whilst leading his flock to the edge of the village. He was released shortly afterwards.

Vance has not yet left Washington for Iran talks, according to the White House

U.S. Vice-President JD Vance has not yet left Washington for the Iran talks, and is still attending policy coordination meetings, a White House official quoted by Reuters said.

From Ain al-Tineh, Jumblatt speaks of 'return to armistice agreement with certain adjustments'

“We must find the appropriate means to consolidate the cease-fire,” Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said on Tuesday from Ain al-Tineh, where he was hosted by the Speaker of Parliament and leader of the Amal Movement, Nabih Berri.

“One way to consolidate the cease-fire is to negotiate according to a clear agenda, based on withdrawal and the return of land,” he added. “For Berri and myself, the most Lebanon can offer is a return to the armistice agreement with certain developments. A new formula is therefore needed.”

The 1949 Armistice Agreement was a cease-fire negotiated by the United Nations between Lebanon and Israel following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, or Palestinian Nakba. Signed on March 23, 1949, the agreement established a demarcation line between the two countries, bringing hostilities to an end and laying the foundations for peacekeeping through the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).

“I insist on the continued presence of UNIFIL in the South, as the decision to withdraw UNIFIL forces is a mistake, and I call for these forces to be preserved without being attacked,” Jumblatt also stated.

UNIFIL, which is due to begin a phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon by mid-2027 ahead of the expiry of its mandate at the end of the year, comprises around 8,200 peacekeepers from 47 countries. It currently finds itself caught between Israel and Hezbollah. On Saturday, a French UNIFIL soldier was killed and three others wounded in southern Lebanon in an ambush, the blame for which France pointed to Hezbollah.

Salam arrives at Élysée Palace for talks with Macron

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has arrived at the Élysée Palace, where he is due to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Earlier today, the French presidency stated that the s0-called "buffer zone" imposed by the Israeli army in Lebanon territory is "temporary," but fell short of calling for it to be dismantled. He also affirmed that Lebanon’s "territorial integrity" must be respected "following negotiations" between the two countries.

Death toll: Israel's war on Lebanon has killed 2,454 people

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 2,454 people and injured 7,658 injured since March 2, according to the latest toll released by the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Aoun meets with families of 13 State Security officers killed by Israel in Nabatieh

Director General of State Security Edgar Lawandos, accompanied by the families of the 13 State Security personnel killed earlier this month in an Israeli attack on Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, traveled to the Presidential Palace in Baabda to meet with President Joseph Aoun.

Aoun offered his condolences to the families of the soldiers, stating that “the state will not abandon its resilient sons and stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the martyrs.”

Lebanon: 15 bridges damaged; damage estimated at $7–8 billion, according to the Minister of Public Works

Minister of Public Works & Transport Fayez Rasamny stated in an interview with LBCI that “the damage caused to infrastructure as a result of the war is considerable,” adding that “more than 15 bridges have been totally or partially damaged.”

He estimated the total cost of the destruction at between 7 and 8 billion dollars, emphasizing that the ministry’s current budget “is very limited and does not match the scale of the challenges."

Rasamny explained that his ministry had prepared an action plan in advance, which was immediately implemented as soon as the cease-fire came into effect. Ministry teams were thus deployed as quickly as possible, with priority given to clearing the rubble and reopening the roads, he said, noting that several major routes had been reopened, notably the Qasmieh Bridge and the Burj Rahhal motorway.

Southern Lebanon: Education Minister condemns destruction of schools in Khiam

In a statement, Education Minister Rima Karameh condemned the fact that “the Israeli aggression is continuing its crimes against educational institutions.”

She added that “Israel has today wiped out the remains of the Martyrs of Khiam Technical Institute, located at the southern entrance to the town [Wadi al-Asafir].” She also recalled that the public school in Khiam, in the northern part of the town, had been destroyed at the start of the war, as had the Ali Hussein Abdallah public school, situated in the center of the village.

In this context, she called on the international community, and in particular the U.N., to “protect civilians, educational institutions and pupils, who continue to pay a heavy price, with dozens of deaths, injuries, and casualties.”

Finally, she affirmed that “educational establishments are safe spaces dedicated to learning, knowledge, social development and peace-building,” calling for “an end to this series of barbaric acts of destruction and the preservation of what remains of these institutions, whilst the Ministry strives to ensure the continuity of education even under the most difficult conditions.”

Trump calls on Iranian leaders to 'release' several women he claims are facing execution

Donald Trump has called on Iranian leaders to “release” several women whom he claims are facing execution, stating that this would be a “very good start to negotiations” set to resume between Washington and Tehran.

AFP was unable to immediately confirm these threats of execution, nor the identities of all the women whose photographs the U.S. president shared in support of his request.

“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be negotiating with my representatives: I would be very grateful for the release of these women... Please do not harm them! It would be a very good start to the negotiations!!!” the U.S. president wrote on his Truth Social network, in a comment on a post he shared.

Iran condemns ‘baseless’ arrests in UAE

On Tuesday, Iran condemned the arrests announced the previous day by the United Arab Emirates, which claimed to have dismantled an "Iran-linked terrorist group" planning attacks in the Gulf state.

These arrests are “baseless,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai, urging the UAE in a statement “to respect the rights and human dignity of individuals and to refrain from any ... reprisals.”

Israel carries out first air strike on Lebanon since cease-fire

Israel carried out a strike on southern Lebanon on Tuesday, the first since the cease-fire began. According to our correspondent in the region, an Israeli air strike targeted the Wadi Houjeir valley, one of the geographical boundaries of Israel's imagined "buffer zone" north of the Blue Line.

The Israeli army had previously carried out several drone strikes, including one yesterday that injured six people in Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr (Nabatieh).

Latest developments in southern Lebanon: Israeli army sets fire to houses in Shamaa and Tayr Harfa

Israel targeted Shamaa and Tayr Harfa with gunfire and set alight to homes in these two villages in the district of Sour.

In Ain Baal, the body of Khayriyeh Abdel Hussein Baalbaki was found in her home, which had been attacked by Israeli shelling before the cease-fire came into effect, according to reports from our correspondents in southern Lebanon.

In the district of Hasbaya, Israel targeted the outskirts of Kfar Shuba with artillery fire.

In the district of Nabatieh, Israel targeted Kfour with strikes, and Yohmor al-Shaqif with artillery fire and phosphorus.

In the district of Marjayoun, Israeli artillery fire targeted the village of Houla.

Salam in Luxembourg: ‘Choosing diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, but a means of regaining sovereignty’

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam defended on Tuesday the decision to engage in direct negotiations with Israel with a view to ending the ongoing war in Lebanon. “The choice of diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of national responsibility aimed at exploring all means to restore our country’s sovereignty and save our people,” he said in a speech to the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council in Strasbourg.

“Through this diplomatic process, we seek to end the occupation of our lands, secure the release of our detainees and ensure the return of displaced persons to their homes and villages,” he continued. According to him, “the Lebanese state’s objective is not merely symbolic involvement, but rather a firm determination to seize this opportunity to work towards a definitive solution” with Israel, whilst also emphasizing efforts to ensure that the state retains a monopoly on the use of force.

Vance and Ghalibaf to attend talks in Islamabad

Pakistani mediators have received confirmation that the lead negotiators, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will arrive in Islamabad early on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by AP.

Arab ministers have condemned Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz

Arab foreign ministers, meeting via video-conference at Bahrain’s initiative, have condemned Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, calling for Tehran to be held liable for any resulting economic damage and losses. The meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Joe Rajji, also addressed Iranian attacks deemed “illegal” against Arab countries, as well as the obligations imposed on Iran by international law in this context, according to a statement from the Lebanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

The Arab ministers condemned Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, calling for Iran to be held liable for any resulting economic damage and losses. They also expressed their categorical rejection of Iran’s continued funding, arming, and activation of militias affiliated with it in several Arab countries, in pursuit of its own agendas to the detriment of regional stability.

US military head says 'ready to resume fighting at any time'

"We are ready to resume fighting at any time," said General Dan Kane, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to Axios.

The temporary 15-day cease-fire agreement between Iran and the United States is set to expire tonight at midnight (Tehran time).

'Iran has violated the cease-fire many times!' Trump exclaims on Truth Social

U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran on Tuesday of having “violated the cease-fire many times” in a message on his Truth Social network, as the holding of a new round of negotiations in Islamabad remained uncertain.

No confirmation has been obtained from the U.S. side that President JD Vance will travel to Pakistan. Iranian state television indicated that “no delegation” was going there, specifying that Tehran was expecting a “change in behavior” from the United States.

Aoun: Direct negotiations with Israel 'mean neither surrender nor capitulation'

President Joseph Aoun declared on Tuesday that direct negotiations with Israel “mean neither surrender nor capitulation, but aim to resolve the problems,” calling on the Lebanese people “who are exhausted by wars” to stand with their state during “this period,” amid a fragile 10-day cease-fire that came into effect on Friday after a month and a half of war between Israel and Hezbollah.

These remarks were made during a meeting at the Baabda Presidential Palace with a delegation of members of parliament and mayors from the Jezzine district. The president defended the choice of the diplomatic route, stating that “diplomacy is war without bloodshed, while war brings destruction and devastation.”

He thus justified engaging in negotiations between the conflicting parties, while emphasizing the need to preserve Lebanon's rights, to achieve "an end to the aggression, an Israeli withdrawal, and the return of prisoners," a prerequisite for any prospect of peace after "decades of violence."

He added that "his duty and responsibility are to do everything possible to ensure security and peace in Lebanon."

'Hezbollah launched this war for the Islamic Republic,' claims a senior Iranian official

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf stated on Monday during a press briefing that Hezbollah entered the regional war against Israel on March 2 “for the good of Iran.”

“There has always been a war; Hezbollah has been fighting the Zionist regime for many years. But in reality, this latest war was launched by Hezbollah for the Islamic Republic. The Resistance Front mobilized for the good of Iran,” he declared at a press conference held in Tehran and broadcast on Monday by the Saudi channel al-Hadath.

Despite the daily Israeli strikes it endured in southern Lebanon for 15 months, the Islamic Resistance party-militia had ceased all attacks against Israel between the ceasefire of Nov. 27, 2024, which marked the end of the open war of autumn 2024, and the night of March 1-2, when it decided to launch six missiles against settlements in northern Israel.

“In retaliation for the pure blood of His Eminence Imam Sayyed Khamenei, unjustly and treacherously shed by the Zionist enemy, and in defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance targeted … the Mishmar al-Karmel missile defense site, south of the occupied city of Haifa,” it wrote in its statement at the time, justifying its entry into the regional war triggered on Feb. 28 by the Israeli-American strikes against Iran.

Sadeq Chaito, in Kfar Sir: 'We managed to recover my brother’s body before the Israelis took it'

The brother of one of the Kfar Sir residents killed by Israel spoke to our journalist, Emmanuel Haddad.

“When my brother was martyred, we managed to recover his body before the Israelis took it. This happened during the recent wars, when they take the remains of combatants. He was then buried in a wadiaa [cemetery] in Choueifat. The importance of burying him here is primarily so that my parents can pay their respects. But for me, his spirit is still present and accompanies us in what we feel, a desire for revenge that seems endless.”

He and his family are from Tiri, in the Bint Jbeil district, but live in Kfar Sir.

Amina Chaito, the mother of Sadeq and Hassan, says she is "proud": "We raised our children to fight those who violate our land, and we will continue until it is all liberated." The port is proud, but faces remain sad. Many women, sobbing, come to comfort her. Each carries a picture of her martyr.

Kfar Sir buries about 30 of its inhabitants killed in south Lebanon

(Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

In Kfar Sir, in the Nabatieh district of south Lebanon, the entire village is preparing for the funerals of 29 people who have already been buried, report our journalists on the ground, Emmanuel Haddad and Mohammad Yassine.

Hezbollah flags adorn the village's main street, while songs in honor of Hussein echo through the air.

In the main square, a poster illustrates the ongoing war, with a caricature of Donald Trump holding bags of dollars amidst the rubble.

UN maritime agency is appealing for help for sailors stranded in Hormuz Strait

The head of the U.N. maritime agency has launched an appeal for assistance for the approximately 20,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for, among other things, better access to Wi-Fi for these isolated crews.

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), nearly 20,000 sailors and about 2,000 ships have been immobilized since traffic was halted in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for the global supply of hydrocarbons. Speaking at a maritime conference in Singapore, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stressed that the sailors are suffering from extreme stress and fatigue.

Dominguez indicated that some countries have set up 24-hour helplines for the sailors, while others are providing them with food. But more could be done on a personal level, such as "providing them with Wi-Fi access so they can contact their families and let them know they are okay," he stressed.

Israel orders residents of south Lebanon not to return home or approach the buffer zone

In a message posted on the X account of its spokesperson Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army called on residents of southern Lebanon and ordered them not to move south of the line demarcating the buffer zone established in southern Lebanon, despite the cease-fire that has been in place for almost a week.

A map with a red line, roughly parallel to the border between Israel and Lebanon, running from Mazraat Byout al-Sayad in the Sour district to the east of Ain Ata (Hasbaya), was shared with the message.

The Israeli army also prohibited residents from approaching the Litani River area, Wadi Slouqi, and Wadi al-Salhani.

It finally prohibited the inhabitants of 47 localities from returning to their homes: Bayyada, Shamaa, Tay Harfa, Abu Shech, Naquoura, Jabbayn, Dhaira, Matmoura, Yarine, Zalloutieh, Oum Touteh, Beit Lif, Boustan, Shihine, Marwahine, Ramaya, Salhani, Aita al-Shaab, Hanine, Tiri, Rshaf, Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, Bint Jbeil, Ainata, Kounin, Aitaroun, Blida, Maihabib, Mais al-Jabal, Qalaat al-Dibbeh, Houla, Markaba, Tallousseh, Bani Hayyan, Robb Thalathin, Odaisseh, Kfar Kila, Taybeh, Deir Siryan, Qantara, Aalman Marjayoun, Odaisseh al-Qasr, Labbouneh, Iskandarouna, and Maissat.

Two French UNIFIL soldiers wounded in the Lebanon attack to be repatriated 'today'

Two of the French soldiers wounded this weekend in Lebanon will be repatriated on Tuesday "today," and the third "is no longer hospitalized," announced Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin this morning.

The minister was speaking before members of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, where a revision of the 2024-2030 military spending bill is being examined this week.

Following the other members of parliament, she again paid tribute to Sergeant Major Florian Montorio, killed on Saturday in southern Lebanon in an ambush against U.N. peacekeepers, an attack attributed by France and the U.N. to Hezbollah.

Israel dynamites sites in Rshaf, including a mosque and a shrine

The Israeli army dynamited a complex located in the public square of Rshaf (Bint Jbeil) on Monday evening, including the village's old mosque, the Abu Zirr shrine, and the village's martyrs' cemetery, reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

More houses dynamited by Israel in south Lebanon; a public school in Khiam completely destroyed

The Israeli army carried out further dynamiting of buildings and houses in the villages of Robb Thalathin and Qantara (Marjayoun). Similar destruction was reported this morning in Beit Lif (Bint Jbeil), Shamaa, Bayyada, and Naqoura (Sour).

In addition, Israeli artillery fire targeted the outskirts of the village of Shebaa (Hasbaya), while another Israeli shell landed near Kounin and Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil).

Furthermore, the Martyrs Public Vocational School in Khiam, located in Wadi al-Asafir at the southern entrance to the city, was completely destroyed by the Israeli army last night. She placed explosive devices inside the building before detonating it.

'Israel’s behavior in Lebanon is completely unacceptable,' denounces Belgian diplomacy

Israel’s actions in Lebanon are “totally unacceptable,” declared Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on Tuesday, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, which Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is expected to attend.

“Israel’s behavior is completely unacceptable. Of course, we must strongly condemn Hezbollah’s initial attacks, which, in seeking to demonstrate their solidarity with Iran, dragged Lebanon into a war it did not want, as well as Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate response.”

He also stated that Belgium was calling for at least a partial suspension of the EU’s association agreement with Israel, adding that Belgium was “aware that a total suspension is probably out of the question given the positions of the various European countries.”

No Iranian delegation has yet departed for talks with the United States in Pakistan, according to state television

Iranian state television announced Tuesday that no delegation from the country had yet departed for Pakistan to participate in talks with the United States, as the ceasefire between the two adversaries approaches its expiration.

"So far, no Iranian delegation has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan, whether a main or secondary delegation," state television stated, refuting reports claiming otherwise.

The cease-fire between Iran and the United States, which came into effect on April 8, is scheduled to end "Wednesday evening, U.S. time," according to Donald Trump.

Israel continues its destruction in southern Lebanon despite truce, including the demolition of a major sports complex in Mais al-Jabal

Overnight, the Israeli army continued its demolition operations in the western and eastern neighborhoods of Khiam, reaching the vicinity of the prison, reports our correspondent. Israeli helicopters also continued to fly over the village, as far as the town of Debbine, heading towards Jdeidet Marjayoun until dawn.

Furthermore, after setting fire to ambulances last night at the Amal Movement's civil defense center, Israeli troops detonated the Imam Sadr sports complex in Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun) overnight.

This complex was a major sporting facility for the region, certified to host basketball, volleyball, and other sports. It was built by the Southern Council and inaugurated under the patronage of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, with Amal MP Qabalan Qabalan also in attendance.

It comprised an indoor arena with a wooden floor, stands with a capacity of several hundred spectators, as well as several gyms, locker rooms, restrooms, administrative offices, a cafeteria, and commentary rooms.

The Israeli army is continuing its strategy in southern Lebanon, the same strategy it deployed in the Gaza Strip, which consists of destroying all public and private infrastructure in the villages it occupies in order to prevent any long-term return of the population.

Tehran executes man accused of leading Mossad-linked network

Iran executed a man on Tuesday accused of leading a network linked to Israeli intelligence and setting fire to a mosque in Tehran during the January protests, the Mizan judiciary website reported, as cited by Reuters.

According to Mizan, the man had been convicted of setting fire to the Qolhak mosque in Tehran and for activities deemed contrary to state security. His death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court and carried out Tuesday morning, the judiciary added.

Macron and Salam meeting scheduled for later today

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris on Tuesday, as part of a visit aimed at demonstrating France's support for Lebanon's "territorial integrity," the Élysée Palace announced on Monday.

'Iran will respond firmly to any further hostile action,' says senior military official

Iranian armed forces are ready to deliver an “immediate and decisive response” to any resumption of hostile action by the United States and Israel, a senior Iranian military commander said Tuesday, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

A two-week truce between Iran and the United States is set to expire overnight Tuesday to Wednesday. The two countries accuse each other of violating the cease-fire and have tightened their control over maritime traffic in the Gulf.

Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, asserted that Tehran maintains the military advantage, particularly in controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and will not allow the U.S. president to “create false narratives about the situation on the ground.”

Katz threatens Qassem and Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Hezbollah's leadership with serious consequences on Tuesday, reiterating Israel's goal of dismantling the movement despite a fragile cease-fire, according to reports by Ynet and The Times of Israel.

Speaking at the official ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, commemorating Israel's Day of Remembrance for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, the minister asserted that Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem "will pay with his head" if he attacks Israel again.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have ordered the Israeli army to act forcefully, even during the cease-fire, to protect our soldiers in Lebanon from any threat… Our duty to the people of northern Israel remains clear and unequivocal: to provide them with security,” he continued, promising to also act against threats north of the Litani River in Lebanon.

“Hassan Nasrallah destroyed the Shiite community in Lebanon, and Naim Qassem will destroy it in turn and pay with the loss of homes and territory — as Hamas did in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza — until he too pays with his life,” added Katz.

False evacuation order last night in Haret Saida

The owner of a pharmacy located across from the Haret Saida municipal building received a call overnight ordering him to evacuate within 10 minutes, reported our correspondent.

The municipality quickly informed the army's intelligence services, and the building was evacuated as a precaution. Warning shots were fired at the scene to alert residents.

It later turned out that the call was not serious.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes flew over southern Lebanon, dropping thermal flares into the sky.

Syrian army occupies abandoned houses on Syrian side of Lebanese village of Musharrafeh, in the Bekaa Valley

The Syrian army has taken possession of abandoned houses located on the Syrian side of the Lebanese village of Musharrafeh, in Hermel, north of the Bekaa Valley, reports our correspondent.

She adds that residents of the rest of the village became frightened and evacuated women and children for fear of an incident between civilians and military forces, before the Lebanese Army deployed to the border opposite Syrian soldiers.

The Syrian army also erected new earthworks in the area.

This incident comes two days after Damascus accused Hezbollah of attempting to launch rockets at Israel from Syrian territory, an accusation the Shiite movement categorically denies.

During the war, the United States repeatedly pressured the Syrian government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, who overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad, to enter the war against Hezbollah.

Trump says it will be 'long and difficult' to exhume Iranian uranium

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that it would be “long and difficult” to exhume Iran’s uranium stockpile, the location of which remains uncertain since U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

On Friday, however, he had declared that the Iranian uranium would be brought back to the United States “soon.” “We’re going to get it, we’re going to bring it back to the United States soon,” he told a crowd of supporters in Arizona.

“Operation Midnight Hammer led to the complete and total annihilation of the nuclear dust sites in Iran. That is why digging it up will be a long and difficult process,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network Monday evening.

The U.S. leader uses the term "nuclear dust" to refer both to Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium and sometimes to nuclear material buried during U.S. airstrikes in June 2025.

Iran has denied any transfer. "Iran's enriched uranium will not be transferred anywhere," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai, quoted by state television.

French UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon: UN Security Council members condemn attack

The members of the U.N. Security Council condemned on Monday the attack that killed a French UNIFIL soldier and wounded three others in Lebanon two days earlier.

Expressing their “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims, the 15 members of the Council reiterated in a statement that “peacekeepers must never be the target of attacks” and called for those responsible to be “brought to justice without delay.”

Sergeant Major Florian Montorio was killed on Saturday in an attack attributed by France and the U.N. to members of Hezbollah.

The militia party denies responsibility for the attack, which targeted French peacekeepers and in which three other soldiers were wounded.

On Saturday, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also "strongly condemned" the ambush, the second deadly attack against French soldiers attributed to groups affiliated with Tehran since the start of the war against Iran on Feb. 28. Another French soldier was killed in Iraq.

Iran 'prepared to unveil new cards on the battlefield,' Ghalibaf declares

In a message on X last night, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who participated in the first round of Islamabad talks with Washington, declared that the Islamic Republic “will not negotiate under duress.”

“President Donald Trump, by imposing a blockade and violating the cease-fire, seeks to transform this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a capitulation table, or to justify a resumption of military escalation. We will not negotiate under duress, and over the past two weeks, we have been preparing to unveil new cards on the battlefield,” Ghalibaf wrote.

Vance to depart for Pakistan today, according to Axios

The main news this morning is Vice President JD Vance's planned departure for Pakistan on Tuesday, according to Axios, citing three U.S. sources.

The top U.S. official will arrive in Pakistan as the cease-fire is about to expire and President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a new bombing campaign targeting Iranian bridges and power plants if no agreement is reached.

According to Axios, Trump could extend the deadline for negotiations if progress is made, after having already effectively pushed back the cease-fire deadline from Tuesday to Wednesday evening.

According to Axios, citing an official White House source, President Donald Trump is not expected to extend the cease-fire with Iran when it expires on Wednesday.

Good morning. We are now launching our LIVE coverage of the region.

We are now launching our live coverage of the 10-day cease-fire established last Friday in Lebanon, after a month and a half of war between Hezbollah and Israel.

Despite the truce, the Israeli army is systematically demolishing villages along the border strip in southern Lebanon in order to establish a "security zone," the boundaries of which it defined on Sunday.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for its first attack, while a new Lebanese-Israeli meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Washington to potentially extend the truce.

➡️ Find our live coverage from Monday here.