Tehran says no decision is made without Khamenei’s approval
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei oversees all state affairs and that no decision is taken without his approval, according to Nour News cited by Reuters.
Explosions heard near Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island
Several blasts were heard near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, with their origin and exact location still unclear, according to Fars News cited by Reuters.
Separately, explosions were also reported on Qeshm Island, according to Mehr News Agency.
Hormuz: US and Gulf states push at UN to condemn Iran
The United States and several Gulf countries called on the United Nations Security Council to demand that Iran stop “obstructing” navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, amid a draft resolution threatened with a veto.
Iran’s mission to the UN denounced the proposal on X (Twitter) as “politically motivated,” urging council members to act based on logic and justice rather than pressure. According to diplomatic sources, Russia signaled it was ready to block the text.
More on the topic 👉here.
Nighttime Israeli raids in Iqlim al-Touffah
Israeli warplanes carried out several overnight strikes on a valley between Houmin al-Fawqa and Deir Zahrani in the Iqlim al-Touffah region. Explosions were heard as far as the city of Saida, according to a correspondent.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lift restrictions on US military access
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on U.S. military access to their bases and airspace, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing American and Saudi officials.
The measures had been imposed following a U.S. operation aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Death toll rises to three in Harouf strike as bombardments continue
The death toll from an Israeli strike on Harouf (Nabatieh) has risen to three, including a 12-year-old girl, according to an updated count.
Israeli aircraft also bombed a valley between Deir Zahrani and Houmin, as well as Yohmor Shqif in the same district.
Meanwhile, rescue teams attempting to reach the site of a strike in Majdal Selm were prevented from accessing the area due to ongoing bombardment. Another team was dispatched to evacuate the wounded.
Hezbollah claims multiple attacks on Israeli positions in south Lebanon and along the border
Hezbollah said it carried out a series of attacks on Israeli positions in south Lebanon and along the Israel border.
The group said it targeted Israeli vehicles in Shamah (Sour district) at 2:00 p.m. with a salvo of missiles. It also claimed a suicide drone attack at 2:45 p.m. on a Merkava tank in Bint Jbeil, saying it scored a direct hit. At 2:50 p.m., as military vehicles moved in to recover the tank, it fired rockets toward them.
Hezbollah also said it destroyed an Israeli “Iron Dome” system near the Jall al Allam position along the border using a suicide drone at 2:45 p.m.
Between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., the group said it shelled Israeli soldiers with heavy artillery in Khellet el Raj and Deir Siryan (Marjayoun), adding that it also targeted them with a suicide drone at 3:30 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m., Hezbollah said it launched two suicide drones at Israeli soldiers stationed at the Almane–Qousseyr junction (Marjayoun).
The group added that on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m., it struck and hit an Israeli vehicle in Bint Jbeil with a suicide drone.
Israeli army says it killed 20 Hezbollah fighters, destroyed tunnel in south Lebanon
The Israeli army said forces from its 146th Brigade are continuing operations to eliminate threats along the front line in southern Lebanon.
According to military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, targeted airstrikes killed around 20 fighters from Hezbollah who were allegedly involved in attacks against Israeli forces in the area.
The army added that troops destroyed an underground tunnel about 30 meters long in the Labbouneh area (Sour district), along with more than 200 Hezbollah-linked sites in south Lebanon.
It also said that searches conducted by the 401st Brigade uncovered missiles, ammunition, and combat equipment at unspecified locations in the south.
Israeli strikes kill 5 and wound at least 11 in south Lebanon
Israeli air, drone, and artillery strikes killed four people and wounded at least 11 others in south Lebanon on Thursday afternoon, according to our correspondent.
An airstrike on Harouf (Nabatieh) killed a young girl and injured several others. Another strike on the Assafa neighborhood in Doueir (Nabatieh) wounded at least nine people. Additional air raids hit Siddiqin (Sour), Majdal Selem (Bint Jbeil), and Blatt and Debbin (Marjayoun).
Drone strikes killed two people in Kfar Dounin (Bint Jbeil) and targeted two on a motorcycle on the Doueir-Aba road (Nabatieh), killing one and wounding another.
A separate drone strike in Bir al-Salasel near Tebnin (Bint Jbeil) left at least one person seriously injured.
Artillery shelling also struck the towns of Braaasheet and Jmeijmeh in the same district.
Rodolph Haykal in Istanbul: Ankara reaffirms support for Lebanese Army
The commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Rodolph Haykal, met with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu on the sidelines of the SAHA 2026 international defense, aerospace, and space exhibition held in Istanbul from May 5 to 7.
During the meeting, Güler said Turkey would continue supporting the Lebanese army to help it face current challenges and strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He also condemned “ongoing Israeli attacks and strikes targeting different regions of Lebanon,” according to the National News Agency.
For his part, Bayraktaroğlu stressed the need to deepen cooperation between the Lebanese and Turkish armed forces, adding that Turkey would continue to support Lebanon’s military “in all areas.”
Israeli attacks in Lebanon: 2,727 killed and 8,438 wounded
Health ministry said Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 2,727 people and wounded 8,438 between March 2 and May 7.
The ministry added that 103 people in the health sector have been killed and 243 injured. It also reported that 16 hospitals have been damaged, while three have been forced to close due to attacks and threats.
Around 1,500 ships 'trapped' in the Gulf amid Hormuz blockade
About 1,500 vessels and their crews remain “trapped” in the Gulf due to a blockade imposed by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a senior official from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
“We currently have around 20,000 crew members and about 1,500 ships stranded,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said at the opening of the Convention of the Americas in Panama City, as cited by AFP.
Since the start of the war in the Middle East on Feb. 28, Tehran has controlled the strategic waterway, a key route for global hydrocarbon trade.
New Lebanon–Israel talks set for May 14–15 in Washington
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold new talks in Washington next week in an effort to reach a peace agreement, a U.S. official said, according to AFP.
“There will be discussions between Lebanon and Israel next Thursday and Friday in Washington,” a State Department official said on condition of anonymity, speaking a day after an Israeli strike near Beirut targeted a military commander from Hezbollah — the first such strike in nearly a month.
Israeli army said it had intercepted 'fire and aerial targets' from Hezbollah.
It stated on its X account that it had intercepted several projectiles and suspicious aerial targets launched toward areas where its troops are operating in south Lebanon.
It added that Hezbollah launched several explosive drones that detonated near Israeli soldiers.
The army said these attacks caused no casualties.
Two Palestinians killed in strike on Ain Baal; Hezbollah rescuer killed in Majdal Selm
Israeli attacks continue unabated across South Lebanon. A strike on Ain Baal (Sour) killed two Palestinian nationals, while another strike in Majdal Selm targeted a team from Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Committee, killing one rescuer and wounding another.
White phosphorus shelling also hit the Jouawir area near Shwaya (Hasbaya district).
Airstrikes targeted multiple locations, including areas between Tiri and Haddatha, as well as Haris, Kafra (Bint Jbeil), Zebqin, Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr, and Deir al-Zahrani (Nabatieh), which had earlier been threatened by the Israeli army.
Israeli army said it had intercepted 'fire and aerial targets' from Hezbollah.
It stated on its X account that it had intercepted several projectiles and suspicious aerial targets launched toward areas where its troops are operating in south Lebanon.
It added that Hezbollah launched several explosive drones that detonated near Israeli soldiers.
The army said these attacks caused no casualties.
Israeli army said it had intercepted 'fire and aerial targets' from Hezbollah.
It stated on its X account that it had intercepted several projectiles and suspicious aerial targets launched toward areas where its troops are operating in south Lebanon.
It added that Hezbollah launched several explosive drones that detonated near Israeli soldiers.
The army said these attacks caused no casualties.
Israeli army said it had intercepted 'fire and aerial targets' from Hezbollah.
It stated on its X account that it had intercepted several projectiles and suspicious aerial targets launched toward areas where its troops are operating in south Lebanon.
It added that Hezbollah launched several explosive drones that detonated near Israeli soldiers.
The army said these attacks caused no casualties.
Emergency personnel work at the site of an Israeli strike on a building in Habboush, Lebanon, May 7, 2026. (Credit: Reuters)
A reporter for Lebanese channel LBCI lightly injured in Toul
A correspondent for Lebanese broadcaster LBCI, Rana Ftouni, sustained minor injuries on her hand during a strike on Toul (Nabatieh), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah targets Israeli positions in Bayyada
Hezbollah said it attacked an Israeli Merkava tank in Bayyada (Sour) at 10:15 a.m. using a drone-dropped explosive device. The group also claimed it struck an Israeli command center in the same village at 10:18 a.m. with a kamikaze drone.
In addition to drone strikes, southern Lebanon also comes under Israeli artillery fire and bombardment
Over the past two hours, artillery fire targeted Kfar Tibnit and the Ali al-Taher area (Nabatieh), as well as Braasheet (Bint Jbeil), Yater and Kafra (Bint Jbeil).
The Israeli army also fired white phosphorus shells at Yohmor al-Shaqif and Zawtar (Nabatieh), while artillery struck Nabatieh Fawqa.
The Israeli air force carried out further raids on Yater (Bint Jbeil), Kfar Sir, Adsheet and Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr, as well as a house in Qseibeh and Habboush (Nabatieh). The strike on Habboush killed at least one person.
A powerful explosion was also reported in Bayyada (Sour), while interceptor missiles were seen detonating over Bint Jbeil.
Multiple Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon
An Israeli army drone struck the town of Kfar Sir (Nabatieh). Another drone strike on Ain Baal (Sour) killed two people of Palestinian nationality.
A separate attack targeted the outskirts of Selaa (Sour), while two additional strikes hit Shehabieh (Sour), seriously injuring two people.
An Israeli drone also fired three missiles at a car in Blat (Marjayoun), causing injuries. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Another drone strike was reported near Fakih Gallery on the main road of Zifta (Nabatieh).
Hezbollah rescue team targeted in airstrike in Adsheet
A Civil Defense team from the Islamic Health Committee, Hezbollah’s rescue service, was targeted in a strike on the main road of Adsheet (Marjayoun) while responding to a wounded person. The strike did not cause any casualties.
The Amal Movement says one of its members was killed in Nabatieh
The Amal Movement said one of its members, Charbel Tanios Mitri, was killed on May 7, 2026, in Nabatieh.
The man, previously identified as Charbel Assaf and said to be a delivery worker, was killed in a strike on the city of Nabatieh, according to our correspondent.
Radwan commander killed in Israeli strike on Beirut: 'no terrorist has immunity,' says Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “no terrorist has immunity” a day after an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, the group’s elite unit.
In a video posted on X, Netanyahu accused the slain commander — identified by the Israeli army as Ahmad Ghaleb Ballout — of “carrying out a plan to conquer the north” of Israel.
“He thought he could continue directing attacks against our forces and our communities from his hidden terrorist headquarters in Beirut,” he said, adding: “He apparently read in the press that he enjoyed immunity in Beirut. He read it — and it won’t happen again.”
Addressing Israel’s enemies, Netanyahu added: “No terrorist enjoys immunity. Anyone who threatens Israel puts their own life in danger.”
Pezeshkian says he met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment in early March during the war against Israel and the United States.
“What struck me most during this meeting was the vision and the humble and sincere approach of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,” Pezeshkian said in a video broadcast by state television, without specifying when the meeting took place.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who was wounded in strikes on the first day of the war that killed his father and predecessor as supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has communicated only through official statements since his appointment.
Rescue teams still prevented from reaching strike site in Mayfadoun; strikes on Breikeh and Nabatieh kill 2
The strike between Breikeh and Qsaybeh, in the Nabatieh district, killed one person, according to our correspondent. One of the two strikes in the morning on the city of Nabatieh also killed a delivery driver, Charbel Assaf.
Meanwhile, following this morning’s strike on a tow truck in Mayfadoun, Israel has prevented rescue teams reaching the site. Residents of the village are calling on the Lebanese Army to contact the “Mechanism” in order to obtain authorization to deploy there.
Strikes also continued across southern Lebanon. Two strikes were reported in Zawtar Sharqieh and Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh district), while a third targeted Debbine, in the Marjayoun district.
Israel issues evacuation order to 3 villages in the Nabatieh district including a previously spared Christian locality
The Israeli army has called for the forced evacuation of three villages in southern Lebanon, including the Christian locality Bfarweh (also known as Kfarweh) which had never previously been subjected to such threats.
The two other affected villages are Deir al-Zahrani and Habboush, which have been threatened and repeatedly bombed in recent days.
The Israeli army has ordered residents of all three villages to move at least one kilometer away from their homes.
Three killed in Israeli drone strikes in the Sour and Bint Jbeil districts, south Lebanon
Israeli drone strikes killed at least three people in the Sour and Bint Jbeil districts, according to our correspondent.
A strike on a scooter in Hanaway (Sour) killed a Syrian national, while another attack in Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil) killed the two passengers of a motorcycle.
A separate drone strike also targeted Jmaijmeh, in the Bint Jbeil district.
Israel says it killed Hezbollah’s Radwan Force 'commander' in strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs
In a statement released on Thursday, the Israeli army claimed responsibility for the strike carried out Wednesday on Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying it had “targeted and eliminated Ahmad Ghaleb Ballout, commander of the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s elite commando unit, in the southern suburbs of Beirut.”
According to a Hezbollah-affiliated source cited Wednesday by AFP, the man killed was named Malek Ballout.
“Over the years, Ballout held several positions within the Radwan Force, including operations commander. In that capacity, he was responsible for preparing and mobilising the unit for combat against Israeli forces and the State of Israel,” said Arabic-language spokesperson Ella Waweya on X.
She accused the targeted commander of carrying out “dozens” of attacks against Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon and of working on a so-called “Plan to occupy the Galilee” in northern Israel.
The strike on Wednesday evening was the first on Beirut since April 8, when Israeli aviation carried out large-scale and deadly bombardments across Lebanon, including several strikes on the capital and its southern suburbs.
Separately, Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that since the cease-fire came into effect, Israeli forces have “eliminated more than 220 Hezbollah fighters,” including several senior figures such as Mohammad Ali Bazzi, head of intelligence for the Nasr unit, and Hussein Hassan Roumani, a Hezbollah air defense official.
The Nasr unit, mainly deployed south of the Litani River, is described as a strategic force tasked with direct combat operations.
Double Israeli strike near a hospital in Toul (Nabatieh): rescuers injured, ambulance destroyed
Israeli strike on Doueir (Credit: Photo shared with our correspondent)
An Israeli airstrike targeted Toul, near Ragheb Harb Hospital in the Nabatieh district, followed by a drone strike on rescue teams heading to the scene, destroying an ambulance and injuring four paramedics, according to our correspondent in the south. The destroyed ambulance belonged to the Islamic Health Committee, Hezbollah’s rescue service, which had been dispatched to the site of the bombardment.
In the same area, a strike hit the outskirts of Doueir, near the citadel, while a drone attack on a scooter between Breikeh and Qsaybeh seriously injured the rider.
In the Sour district, a drone strike also targeted Deir Kifa.
New Israeli drone strike on Nabatieh
A new Israeli strike, this time carried out by a drone, targeted a building in Nabatieh’s souk, opposite the Evangelical school, according to our correspondent. This is the second strike on the city this morning.
Meanwhile, artillery fire targeted Shaqra and Braasheet in the Bint Jbeil district.
Hezbollah claims drone attack on Israeli bulldozer in Deir Siryan
The Israeli army reported a Hezbollah rocket attack this morning targeting Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, which caused no injuries.
Hezbollah, which has not yet claimed responsibility for a rocket strike, said it carried out a drone attack in Deir Siryan targeting an Israeli army bulldozer.
Israeli strike on Nabatieh completely destroys building
Israeli aviation bombed a building in the “al-Maslakh” (Arabic for “the slaughterhouse”) district of the city of Nabatieh, which was completely destroyed, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon. No information was immediately available on casualties from the strike.
An additional air strike was also reported in Yater, in the Bint Jbeil district.
For more on why Israel is focusing its strikes on the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon, read Yara Sarkis' article here.
Four Israeli soldiers wounded in Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon
Four Israeli soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, in the explosion of a Hezbollah “kamikaze” drone in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army said in a brief statement. The soldiers were evacuated and hospitalized.
On Wednesday evening, Hezbollah had claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting an Israeli armored vehicle in Deir Siryan, saying it “caught fire,” and later said it had struck the evacuation team sent to retrieve the wounded using artillery shells and while they were aboard a helicopter.
Clashes have repeatedly erupted in recent days between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces around Deir Siryan, a village in the eastern sector overlooking the Litani River.
Two other soldiers had already been wounded on Wednesday in separate Hezbollah drone attacks, the army said.
'No way' of lifting 'any sanctions' on Iran as long as Hormuz remains blocked, says Barrot
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot ruled out lifting “any” international sanctions on Iran as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
“Iran — or rather the Iranian regime — is asking the United States, among others, that in exchange for steps on its nuclear programme, which must be contained, sanctions relief could be granted. But there is no question of lifting any sanctions as long as a strait like Hormuz remains blocked,” he said on French radio RTL.
Trump says deal with Iran is 'very possible'
Donald Trump said yesterday evening that a peace deal with Iran was “very possible,” even as he renewed threats of attacks.
““We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal," the U.S. president said during an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump had earlier in the day also suggested ending “Operation Epic Fury” if an agreement is reached, while warning that otherwise Iran could face new strikes at “a much higher intensity than before,” referring to the U.S.-Israeli campaign carried out from Feb. 28 until the April 8 cease-fire.
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Washington was attempting to force Tehran’s “surrender” through a “new strategy” aimed at “destroying the country’s cohesion.”
However, the Islamic Republic stopped short of rejecting talks outright, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying that “Iran is still examining the American plan and proposal.”
One person killed in a nighttime strike on Arzi (Saida), while a house was blown up in Khiam.
Wednesday night was relatively calm, despite a strike on Arzi (Saida) around 10:30 p.m. which killed one person, according to our correspondent.
In addition to this bombardment, the Israeli air force targeted Braasheet (Bint Jbeil) and Nabatieh Fawqa (Nabatieh). Around midnight, a house was blown up in Khiam (Marjayoun).
On Wednesday, Israeli aviation targeted 26 localities in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent, while Israeli drones struck two villages. In addition, 15 localities were hit by artillery fire, including three white phosphorus strikes.
Strikes also targeted the Bekaa, which has been less frequently hit since the cease-fire came into effect.
Israel also struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, targeted for the first time since April 8, and killed a commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit.
Hezbollah, for its part, carried out 17 operations against Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.
Three people killed in 2 Israeli strikes targeting vehicles in the Nabatieh district.
Since dawn today, the Israeli army has killed three people in two targeted strikes on vehicles in the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent in the South.
Early this morning, one of these strikes, carried out by a drone, targeted a pickup truck on the road linking Habboush to Nabatieh, near the building of the Vehicle Management Authority (Nafaa), killing the two passengers. In the morning, a second drone attack on a tow truck, near the Safa gas station on the Mayfadoun road (Nabatieh), killed one and injured another.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of news in Lebanon, where a cease-fire has been in place since April 17 but is being violated daily by Israel, which continues deadly strikes, including a Wednesday evening attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, as well as on Hezbollah positions.
We will also follow regional developments, particularly in Iran, after Donald Trump suggested that a deal with Iran was “very possible.”
➡️ Find our Wednesday live coverage here.
Already have an account? Login here
You have reached your article limit
Iran-US-Lebanon: Everything can change in an instant.
Stay informed for only $6.9/month for 1 year, instead of $12.9.
This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers.
Already have an account? Login here