Israel orders evacuation of at least 47 villages in south Lebanon | LIVE

Updates from south Lebanon

After 11 p.m., two Israeli airstrikes hit Srifa (Sour), three others hit Sawana (Marjayoun), and one targeted Burj Rahal (Sour).

Israeli airstrikes hit Ansar and Kawthariyet (Nabatieh), and Qabrikha and Touline (Marjayoun). New airstrikes then hit Froun and Shaqra (Bint Jbeil).

Litani Authority calls for a ban on gatherings near Qaraoun Dam

The National Litani Authority called in a statement for a ban on gatherings and movement around the Qaraoun Dam amid repeated Israeli attacks, in order to protect the infrastructure, our correspondent reported.

The institution sent a letter to Bekaa Governor Kamal Abu Jawdeh requesting that he take the necessary measures in cooperation with security forces, including preventing attendance at cafés and tourist facilities near the dam, “to preserve public safety.”

Attempted Israeli advances, fighting in Marjayoun

According to information from our south Lebanon correspondent, the Israeli army attempted to advance from Taybeh (Marjayoun district) toward the Debesh area and the outskirts of Yohmor al-Shaqif (Nabatieh).

According to witnesses, sounds of fighting, machine-gun fire, and shelling could be heard across the area.

Latest developments in south Lebanon

• Shortly before 10 p.m., two Israeli strikes targeted Majdal Selm (Marjayoun district) and Burj Qalaway (Bint Jbeil district).
• Around 10:20 p.m., Israeli attacks hit the outskirts of Nabatieh Fawqa and Tayr Filsey (Sour).
• Shortly before 10:30 p.m., Maaroub and Homairi (Sour) were bombed. At the same time, a significant wave of displacement from Sour was observed.
• Shortly afterward, Israeli strikes hit Rashkanay (Sour), Safad al-Batikh (Bint Jbeil), and Mayfadoun (Nabatieh).
• The municipality of Burj Rahal (Sour) called on residents “to take all possible precautions” in light of Israeli threats made against the village. The statement advised residents against “participating in gatherings and approaching sensitive areas.”

Netanyahu and Trump phone call ongoing

"[U.S.] President Trump is holding a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, per source with knowledge," Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported on X.

Israel denies Lebanese Army from recovering body of person it killed near Qaraoun Lake

The Israeli army, through the cease-fire monitoring committee (the Mechanism), denied the Lebanese Army from entering the area around Qaraoun Lake to recover the body of a person killed by an Israeli strike, our correspondent in the Bekaa reported.

Israel targeted the area around the Qaraoun Dam several times today.

Israeli evacuation order on several villages

The Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued a new evacuation order to residents of several villages in the district of Sour: Majadel, Mahrouna, Jwayya, Derdghaya, Shahour, Halloussiyeh, Barish, Halloussiyeh al-Fawqa, Tayr Filsey, Arzoun, Maaroub, Debaal, Hmairi, and Shehabieh. It also ordered the evacuation of Deir Antar in the Bint Jbeil district.

“For your safety, you must immediately evacuate your homes and head north of the Zahrani River,” Adraee wrote.

Hezbollah claims several attacks against Israeli army

Hezbollah said it launched two drones at Israeli Merkava tanks in Rshaf (Bint Jbeil district) at 10:45 a.m., and later targeted a gathering of invading Israeli soldiers at the same location at 2:50 p.m. It also announced two drone attacks on the Biranit barracks in Israel, at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

In response to the deployment of the Israeli army around Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh), Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli soldiers with artillery shells at 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:35 p.m.

The group also claimed a drone strike targeting a gathering of invading Israeli soldiers in Adsheet al-Qussair (Marjayoun) at 4:30 p.m., as well as two additional drone attacks on Israeli tanks in Odaisseh (Sour), at 9:30 a.m. and 5:50 p.m.

Emir of Qatar and Iranian president discuss regional tensions

Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, held a phone call Tuesday evening with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the two leaders discussed “the latest developments in the region and efforts aimed at reducing tensions in order to promote regional peace and stability.”

The exchange came shortly after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf concluded a visit to Qatar, while the United States and Iran continue discussions on the final details of an agreement intended to end the war that has been ongoing since Feb. 28.

Israeli strike kills Civil Defense member in Bekaa; intensified Israeli attacks on Qaraoun Dam

• An Israeli strike on Sohmor (western Bekaa) around 7:30 p.m. killed a member of the Civil Defense.
• Israeli strikes hit the area around the Omais power station again, near the Qaraoun Dam (Bekaa), around 7 p.m. Another attack took place 15 minutes later.

The second attack targeted rescue workers who had arrived on the scene, wounding a paramedic from the Amal Movement's al-Rissala (Amal).

• Around 8:30 p.m., a new Israeli attack targeted the road to the Qaraoun Dam.

Israeli strike kills 3 in Habboush

• A previous Israeli strike on Habboush (Nabatieh) killed three people: Abdallah Toufaili and his two sons, Ali and Abbas.
• Israeli airstrikes targeted Harouf (Nabatieh), Nabatieh Fawqa, Mayfadoun, al-Hamra neighborhood in Zawtar, and Kfar Sir, all in the Nabatieh district.

Netanyahu says military operating with 'large forces on the ground' in southern Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that his military was operating with "large forces on the ground" in southern Lebanon and taking control of "strategic areas," in a statement, cited by Reuters.

His comments at the opening of a security cabinet meeting came after the Israeli military expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond a demarcation line that Israel had set up several kilometers inside Lebanese territory after an April 16 cease-fire.

Israel invades Zawtar Sharqieh

According to a security source cited by our correspondent, the Israeli army was able to occupy a position on the outskirts of Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh district) in the evening, after fighting with Hezbollah fighters, which began yesterday, ended around noon.

Israeli tanks were seen on the outskirts of the village near the Litani River.

CENTCOM denies media reports that it resumed Project Freedom

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) denied in a post on X media reports that it resumed its Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Project Freedom has not resumed, and U.S. forces are not currently escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz," it wrote.

New Israeli evacuation orders target around 20 towns and villages

Israeli army Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued forced evacuation orders on his X account for

• In the Sour district: Salaa, Froun, Deir Kifa, Srifa, Ghandourieh, Nafakhieh, Qalawieh, Sawana
• In the Nabatieh district: Jibsheet, Qseibeh, Ebba, Kfar Sir, Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr, Adsheet al-Shaqif
• In the Bint Jbeil district: Burj Qalaway, Kfar Dounin, Khirbet Silm
• In the Marjayoun district: Touline, Majdal Selm, Qabrikha, and Bir al-Snasel

Adraee ordered residents to head north of the Zahrani River (Saida).

Israel confirms expanding ground operations beyond 'yellow line' in Lebanon

The Israeli army confirmed Tuesday that it had expanded its ground operations in Lebanon beyond the “yellow line” it established in southern Lebanon in attempts to establish a buffer zone.

It said in a statement that it was “conducting targeted operations beyond the forward defense line (...) in accordance with directives from the political leadership,” following earlier media reports.

Hezbollah claims several attacks

Hezbollah continued its operations against the Israeli army and announced four attacks over the past hour.

The group said it targeted an Israeli army Hummer vehicle in Bint Jbeil at 1:45 p.m. It also fired at two Israeli drones at 3:40 p.m. over Srifa and Deir Kifa (Sour district).

Hezbollah said it launched an attack drone against another Israeli vehicle in Bint Jbeil at 2:20 p.m., and another drone against a separate vehicle in Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh district) at 4 p.m.

Israeli strike on Maarakeh kills 5, attacks on Sour district intensify

• Around 5:15 p.m., Israeli air strikes hit Burj al-Shemali, twice, and Bazourieh (Sour district).

• Shortly afterward, four Israeli strikes hit the surroundings of Beaufort Castle (Nabatieh).

• Around 5:40 p.m., Israeli strikes hit Qana (Sour), Ramadieh (Sour), and Haris (Bint Jbeil).

• Search operations are also continuing in the rubble of an Israeli strike on Maarakeh (Sour district) earlier in the day, which killed at least five people, including a young girl, according to our correspondent.

33 Israeli strikes on Nabatieh district in an hour

Israel struck the Nabatieh district at least 33 times in an hour, according to our south Lebanon correspondent.

• Around 4:20 p.m., a wave of Israeli airstrikes hit Habboush, Deir Zahrani, the city of Nabatieh — particularly the Bayyad neighborhood — and surrounding areas, as well as Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh district). Strikes then hit Mayfadoun and Kfour.

• In Jibsheet, an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle wounded three people.

• Around 5 p.m., Israeli strikes hit Habboush a second time, as well as Kfar Joz, Arnoun, several neighborhoods in the city of Nabatieh, and Zawtar Sharqieh.

Qalibaf returns to Iran

Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqr Qalibaf returned to Iran after consultations with Qatari officials in Doha, Iran's state TV reported, as cited by Reuters.

Security meeting in Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security consultation in the afternoon at the Kirya, Israel’s main military complex in Tel Aviv, with Defense Minister Israel Katz and army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, according to the official X account of the Israeli government office.

Israeli army expands ground operation in southern Lebanon beyond the “yellow line”

Israeli media reported Tuesday that the army had expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond the “yellow line,” without providing further details.

The “yellow line” demarcation in southern Lebanon, established by the Israeli army and modeled on the one used in the Gaza Strip, is intended to create a strip approximately 10 kilometers deep inside Lebanese territory that would serve as a buffer zone.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon kill over 3,200 and injure nearly 9,800

The Lebanese Health Ministry announced in a statement that Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed 3,213 people and wounded 9,737 others.

Litani Authority warns of risks linked to Israeli attacks on Qaraoun Dam

Following multiple Israeli attacks on Tuesday on the surroundings of the Qaraoun Dam, on the Litani River in the Bekaa, the National Litani Authority called on Lebanese authorities to undertake “urgent diplomatic contacts to put an end to these attacks.”

The statement recalled that the site “is civilian and essential in nature,” stressing that international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, prohibits targeting it.

The Authority also warned of the potentially catastrophic consequences of such attacks. Referring to a USAID study on the Litani basin, it cited “scenarios related to a collapse of the Qaraoun Dam” and the risk of flooding in the event of structural failure or a strike on the facility.

More than 15 Israeli strikes hit south Lebanon

According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Muntasser Abdallah, more than 15 Israeli strikes have targeted southern Lebanon in recent hours.

The strikes hit:

• Nine times, areas between Bir al-Salassel, Kfar Dounin and Sultanieh in the Bint Jbeil district;
• Ghandourieh, Froun and Burj Qalaway in the Bint Jbeil district;
• Yohmor al-Shaqif;
• Areas between Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tibnit;
• Areas between Kfar Sir and Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr;
• The outskirts of Mayfadoun, Shoukin and Zawtar al-Gharbieh;
• The city of Nabatieh and surrounding areas.

An Israeli strike also targeted a car in Khirbet Silm, in the Marjayoun district, killing one person.

Other strikes hit Touline, in the Marjayoun district, and Maarakeh, in the Sour district.

Road along Lake Qaraoun bombed again

Another Israeli airstrike struck near the Qaraoun Dam in the Bekaa Valley, according to our correspondent.

The Litani Water Authority said the second strike hit about 500 meters from the first impact site and sent stones and debris into the lake.

As with the earlier strike, no direct damage was reported to the dam’s structure or facilities.

Israeli army orders forced evacuation of Mashghara, Sohmor

The Israeli army has renewed its forced evacuation order for the villages of Mashghara and Sohmor, located in the western Bekaa Valley, which have been heavily bombed in recent days. "For your safety, you must immediately evacuate your homes and head north towards the Bekaa Valley," wrote Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, on X.

An oil tanker was hit by an explosion off the coast of Oman, according to the British maritime agency UKMTO.

Israeli army says overnight strikes targeted 'more than 100 Hezbollah facilities'

The Israeli army said it struck “more than 100 Hezbollah facilities” in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon overnight from Monday into Tuesday.

In a post on X, military spokeswoman Ella Waweya said the strikes targeted “weapons depots, headquarters and observation posts,” among other sites.

Commenting on the strikes on Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley, which killed around 10 people, the Israeli army said it carried out “several strikes in a matter of seconds against buildings” allegedly used by Hezbollah members.

Iranian negotiators demand the release of $24 billion in frozen assets

Iranian negotiators are seeking the release of about $24 billion in frozen assets abroad as part of peace talks with the United States, the Tasnim news agency reported.

The Iranian news agency said Iran is finalizing a 14-point framework for an agreement aimed at permanently ending the war with the United States, which began with a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive on Feb. 28. The issue of frozen assets is among the main points of contention.

“Frozen Iranian assets are to be released during the discussions, and the amount is estimated at $24 billion,” Tasnim said, citing a source close to the negotiating team.

Iran is seeking the release of half of the funds at the time a memorandum of understanding is announced, the agency added.

Iran accuses US of violating cease-fire after airstrikes

Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of violating a cease-fire by carrying out airstrikes in the southern province of Hormozgan, according to a statement cited by Reuters.

“The United States has committed a flagrant violation of the cease-fire in the Hormozgan region over the past 48 hours,” the ministry said, adding that Iran holds the U.S. “responsible for all consequences resulting from these aggressive and unjustified actions.”

The U.S. military carried out strikes in southern Iran on Monday against what it said were boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, describing the operations as “defensive.”

Iranian media reported explosions early Tuesday in Bandar Abbas, in Hormozgan province.

Israeli warplanes bomb road alongside dam on Lake Qaraoun in Bekaa

Israeli warplanes struck a road alongside the dam on Qaraoun Lake in the Bekaa Valley, blocking traffic, according to our correspondent in the region, Sarah Abdallah.

Three missiles were fired, according to available information. The targeted road is the main route linking the village of Qaraoun to Mashghara, which was heavily bombed Monday evening.

No damage was reported to the dam’s structure or infrastructure.

Hezbollah says it continued attacks on Israeli forces in Zawtar al-Sharqieh since dawn

Hezbollah said it has continued attacks “since dawn” against Israeli forces in Zawtar al-Sharqieh, a town in the Nabatieh district north of the Litani River, according to a statement.

The group said it carried out five separate attacks targeting Israeli army vehicles and troop gatherings on the outskirts of the village.

It said it struck a Humvee with an exploding drone at 6:45 a.m., followed by artillery and rocket attacks on troop concentrations at 7 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. It also said it targeted a D9 bulldozer with a drone at 10 a.m. and a telecommunications vehicle at 10:45 a.m.

Earlier in the morning, Hezbollah said it was engaged in close-quarters fighting with Israeli troops it described as advancing toward the village.

Israeli strike kills rescuer in south Lebanon, hits center in Srifa

The Israeli army struck a scout center run by the Islamic Mission (al-Rissala) in Srifa, in the Sour district, killing one rescuer, Ali Najdi, and wounding two others, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Earlier in the day, two other people were killed in separate Israeli strikes: a motorcyclist targeted in Deir Qanoun Ras al-Ain, in the Sour district, and Hassan Khalil Khairallah, known as “Abu Zeinab,” in a strike on Tayr Debba, also in the Sour district.

Israeli artillery and phosphorus shelling also targeted the outskirts of Shwaya, in the Hasbaya district, while the Israeli air force carried out a strike on Tayr Filsey, in the Sour district.

Israeli army orders forced evacuation of entire city of Nabatieh

The Israeli army has ordered the forced evacuation of the entire city of Nabatieh, one of the main urban centers in southern Lebanon, ahead of attacks targeting Hezbollah. Residents of the city have been ordered to move "north of the Zahrani River," according to a message on X from Arabic-language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

This is the first time such Israeli threats have targeted the entire city of Nabatieh.

Hezbollah says it is fighting Israeli troops advancing toward Zawtar al-Sharqieh

Hezbollah said it is engaged in close-quarters fighting with Israeli soldiers “advancing towards Zawtar al-Sharqieh,” a town in the Nabatieh district north of the Litani River.

In a statement, the group said it used missiles, artillery shells and kamikaze drones against what it described as a “composite force,” adding that it engaged it directly in combat after “intense airstrikes and artillery fire” on the village.

Hezbollah said the clashes, which it said were still ongoing, included the destruction of a Merkava tank using an Ababil attack drone.

The Israeli army has not commented on the reported advance or the fighting around Zawtar al-Sharqieh. It separately said a drone launched from Lebanon exploded inside Israeli territory near the border, causing no injuries.

South Lebanon: Israel targets motorcycle in Sour district; wounds 1 in airstrike on Doueir

The strike on Rihan. (Credit: Our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)

An Israeli drone strike targeted a motorcycle in the Deir Qanoun al-Ain nature reserve (Sour district), and ambulances were dispatched to the scene, reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon. No information on potential casualties is currently available.

In addition, another drone strike targeted Doueir (Nabatieh district), injuring one person, according to our correspondent. Israeli aircraft also struck Braasheet, Haris (Bint Jbeil district), and Rihan (Jezzine district).

US strikes in Iran: China calls on 'relevant parties' to respect the cease-fire

China has called on "relevant parties" to respect the cease-fire after the United States announced strikes against missile sites in southern Iran, despite ongoing negotiations.

"We urge the relevant parties to respect their commitments regarding the ceasefire, to resolve their differences peacefully, and to continue seeking a solution through dialogue and negotiation that takes into account the legitimate concerns of all parties," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing, according to AFP.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims detection of hostile aircraft in airspace

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it identified U.S. military aircraft entering Iranian airspace in the Gulf region, according to a statement on Telegram.

The IRGC said it “identified and then shot down an MQ-9 drone” following “precise intelligence surveillance,” and claimed it also “opened fire on an RQ-4 drone and an F-35 fighter jet,” forcing them to retreat from Iranian territorial airspace.

Khamenei says US will have 'no more safe haven' in region

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the United States will have “no more safe haven in the region,” warning that regional powers would no longer serve as a shield for U.S. bases, according to Reuters.

The remarks followed U.S. announcements that it had struck missile sites in southern Iran overnight Monday, despite what officials described as progress in negotiations toward a potential settlement to the war in the Middle East.

Israeli army continues strikes across south Lebanon, shells Nabatieh district

The Israeli army continued strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday morning, shelling several villages in the Nabatieh district with artillery, according to our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah.

Israeli strikes targeted Kfar Sir, Deir Zahrani, and Yohmor al-Shaqif in the Nabatieh district; Kawthariyet al-Rez in the Saida district; Zibqine and Srifa in the Sour district; and Majdal Selm in the Marjayoun district.

Seven strikes targeted Yohmor al-Shaqif alone, our correspondent reported.

Artillery shelling also hit Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr, the area between Zawtar al-Sharqieh and Maydafoun, as well as Arnoun and Yohmor al-Shaqif.

Israeli army mobilizes reservists ahead of 'intensified operations' on Lebanon border

The Israeli army has begun mobilizing reservists after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an “intensification” of the offensive against Lebanon, according to Israel’s public broadcaster.

The report said soldiers demobilized in recent days had been ordered to rejoin reserve units immediately.

WHO chief condemns 'continued attacks on health sector' in Lebanon

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the “continued attacks on the health sector” in Lebanon without directly naming Israel.

“The continued attacks on the health sector further impede the health system’s ability to meet the needs of the population,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X after meeting Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine.

The WHO “will continue to support the delivery of health care and calls for respect for the cease-fire agreement,” he added.

Last week, Nassereddine told the WHO chief that 116 healthcare workers had been killed by Israel in Lebanon since March 2, when Hezbollah entered the regional war alongside Iran. Attacks targeting rescue workers continued throughout last week.

Series of Israeli strikes on Mashghara; death toll rises to 12

Israeli strikes on Machghara, in the western Bekaa Valley, on Monday evening killed at least 12 people, according to our correspondent in the region, Sarah Abdallah. An earlier toll had put the number of dead at five.

Rescue teams were still carrying out clearing operations early Tuesday morning after Israeli warplanes struck the village at least 10 times.

Among those killed was Sheikh Hussein Rizk, a religious education teacher at Sohmor High School in the western Bekaa Valley. His son, Mohammad Ali, was killed in an Israeli strike in 2024.

Israeli army continues escalation in south overnight; two killed in Saida district

The Israeli army continued its escalation in southern Lebanon overnight from Monday into Tuesday, bombarding dozens of towns in the Nabatieh, Jezzine, Sour, Bint Jbeil, and Saida districts.

A strike in Kawthariyet al-Rez, in the Saida district, hit a house, killing two people and wounding another, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Several other strikes also caused injuries. Shortly after 11 p.m., Israeli forces struck near the Slaughterhouse and Nuns’ neighborhoods in Nabatieh, wounding three people who were hospitalized. Around midnight, artillery shelling in Shhour, in the Tyre district, wounded two people.

In Charqiyeh, in the Nabatieh district, rescue teams were unable to reach the site of two airstrikes carried out around 3 a.m. because of intensive and continuous Israeli drone flights, according to our correspondent.

Monday had already seen a major military escalation. Israeli warplanes carried out 76 airstrikes on 44 locations across southern Lebanon, while drones targeted 15 sites in 11 areas and artillery shelling hit 25 villages, our correspondent reported.

Overnight Israeli strikes cause heavy destruction across several regions

Israeli strikes overnight caused significant destruction across several areas of southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army repeatedly bombed Rihan, in the Jezzine district, particularly around the gendarmerie post, damaging the building and several nearby houses without causing casualties.

Around 2 a.m., Israeli warplanes carried out six consecutive strikes targeting a gas station and several houses in Doueir, in the Nabatieh district. After 4 a.m., two strikes hit houses in Srifa, in the Sour district, while another targeted Arzoun, also in the Sour district. According to our correspondent, the strike in Arzoun completely destroyed the home of Mayor Ahmad Mohammad al-Husseini.

The Israeli army also shelled areas between Homeiri and Maaroub, as well as Selaa in the Sour district; Sajed in the Jezzine district; Mayfadoun, Kfar Sir, and Nabatieh Fawqa in the Nabatieh district; Tiri, Rshaf, Yater, Ghandourieh, Froun, Kafra, and Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district; and Majdel Selm and Qabrikha in the Marjayoun district.

Artillery shelling also targeted Habboush, Kfar Roummane, Zibdin, and Ebba, while Israeli forces repeatedly opened sweeping fire toward Zawtar al-Sharqieh in the Nabatieh district.

Rubio says Iran deal still possible in coming days despite recent US strikes

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal with Iran remains possible despite recent U.S. strikes on missile sites in southern Iran.

“There were some discussions in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress. I think the discussions are largely focused on the precise wording of the initial text, so it will take a few days,” Rubio told reporters in Jaipur during an official visit to India, according to AFP.

“The president has expressed his willingness to reach an agreement. Either he will reach an agreement, or there will be no agreement,” Rubio added.

He also said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “one way or another.”

“The straits must be open. They will be opened one way or another,” Rubio said. “What is happening there is illegal, it is illegal, it is unsustainable for the whole world.

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

We are now launching our LIVE coverage of the situation in Lebanon, following Israeli threats to intensify the offensive against Hezbollah and a particularly violent day on the ground.

We will also be following developments in Iran, where the U.S. military conducted airstrikes overnight amid ongoing negotiations.

➡️ Our live coverage from yesterday is available here.