Washington suspends sanctions on Iranian oil until Aug. 21 | LIVE

Israel kills more than 4,100 people and injures more than 12,100 in Lebanon since 2 March

The cumulative toll from Israel's war on Lebanon, from March 2 to June 22, now stands at 4,175 people killed and 12,164 others injured, the Health Ministry announced this evening.

Israel killed 130 members of Lebanon's local emergency services, the statement said.

Local sources in Marjayoun report a call attributed to the Israeli army asking that displaced people not be allowed to return

Local sources in the district of Marjyoun have indicated that a voice call, attributed to the Israeli army, was received by local authorities in several towns within the district, notably Burj al-Moulouk, Jdeidet Marjayoun and Qlayaa, reports our correspondent, Mountasser Abdallah.

The mayor of Qlayaa, Hanna Daher, stated that the call asked the local authorities not to allow residents who had been displaced during the previous period to return to their villages and localities, including several villages in the Marjayoun district.

He pointed out that those displaced from these villages have not yet actually returned, suggesting that the content of the message was likely a warning or cautionary message intended for residents considering returning to their homes.

Rajji advocates a negotiated solution and the strengthening of state sovereignty in Amman

Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Rajji, reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to a negotiated solution to end hostilities during meetings with his Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts on the sidelines of the 165th session of the Arab League Council in Amman.

During a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, Rajji stated that “Lebanon has taken a courageous decision by engaging in a negotiation process,” adding that “stability can only be restored if the state assumes responsibility for this process and safeguards its independence.”

“The aim of the negotiations is to achieve a permanent cease-fire and ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories, in order to consolidate security and stability in the long term,” he added. “Extending the state’s sovereignty over its entire territory means that weapons must be held exclusively by the Lebanese Armed Forces.”

For his part, Safadi reaffirmed Jordan’s “full support” for “the Lebanese government’s decisions regarding the state’s monopoly on arms” as well as “the importance of extending the state’s sovereignty over its entire territory."

During a separate meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdelatty, Rajji reiterated his commitment to “the path of negotiations as the only means of restoring stability and consolidating the state’s sovereignty."

He also emphasized “the importance of continued support from the international community and Arab partners for the Lebanese army to enable it to fully carry out its duties.”

The Egyptian foreign minister gave assurances that his country stood “shoulder to shoulder with Lebanon” and that Cairo was prepared to “propose an initiative likely to contribute to ending the war and devising a lasting solution.”

Pakistan’s ambassador to Lebanon holds talks with Lebanese ministers

Pakistan’s ambassador to Lebanon, Salman Athar, held talks with the Information Minister Paul Morcos and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar, at a time when Pakistan is acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.

“We welcome any assistance that could bring an end to the war, including the establishment of a lasting cease-fire, whilst preserving the efforts being made by the Lebanese state through the negotiation process led by President [Joseph] Aoun,” Morcos said following the meeting.

For his part, the Pakistani ambassador said he had briefed the minister on his country’s efforts to end tensions in the region. “Pakistan, which believes in peace, will continue its efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” he said, adding that his country believed “in diplomacy and dialogue” and that its initiatives had “borne fruit in this regard.”

Athar also reaffirmed his country’s support for Lebanon. “Pakistan has always supported Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty over its entire territory. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lebanese people and their government and will continue to offer our support by all available means,” he assured.

During a separate meeting with Hajjar, discussions focused on Lebanese-Pakistani relations and ways of strengthening them. The two officials also discussed “the role played by Pakistan in the context of the Iran-U.S. negotiations,” as well as ongoing regional developments and their implications for Lebanon and the region.

Baghaei: Iran did not negotiate on its nuclear program and did not accept any new commitments in Switzerland talks

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, told the official IRNA news agency that Tehran did not negotiate on its nuclear program and did not accept any new commitments in yesterday's talks with the U.S. in Switzerland, according to Reuters.

He added that Iran's interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue in accordance with current procedures, subject to the approval of Iran's parliament and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.

Rubio to visit UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23-25 to discuss MoU with Iran, Hormuz, and regional stability

The U.S. State Department stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23–25.

According to the statement, the Rubio will discuss a "range of regional priorities including the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region."

In Bahrain, Rubio will also meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss shared priorities across the region, the statement adds.

Israel claims it killed 'Hamas member' who 'participated in Oct. 7 attacks'

The Israeli army has claimed it killed Sabai Abu Hasna, a Nukhba Force member who, according to the Israeli statement, infiltrated Israel during the Oct. 7 attacks and "took part in holding [Israeli hostage], Omer Shem Tov, in Hamas captivity." The Israeli army did not precise when or where Hasna's assassination took place.

The Nukhba force is the primary special forces unit of Hamas' military wing.

According to the Israeli army statement, Hasna had planted explosives and attempted to advance attacks against Israeli troops recently.

The statement added that in an additional strike on northern Gaza, Israel killed three armed members in Hamas’ military wing who allegedly "attempted to advance attacks against Israeli troops."

Damage to buildings in southern Lebanon totalling more than $1.38 billion, according to UNDP

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in coordination with the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS-L), has estimated the value of direct damage to buildings in southern Lebanon at $1.38 billion, with a volume of rubble of approximately 3.1 million cubic meters, as of April 29, 2026.

This rapid assessment covers areas south of the Litani River, notably the districts of Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, Nabatieh, Sour, and Saida, and follows on from a previous report on Beirut and Mount Lebanon, the UNDP states in its report.

A total of 11,095 buildings were completely destroyed, affecting 17,891 dwellings; 2,242 buildings sustained partial damage, affecting 5,219 dwellings; and 9,311 buildings sustained minor damage, affecting 18,282 dwellings.

The cadastral sectors hardest hit in terms of total building destruction are Aitaroun (1,658 buildings) and Bint Jbeil (1,076 buildings) (Bint Jbeil); Mais al-Jabal (969 buildings) and Taybeh-Marjayoun (Marjayoun) (824 buildings), followed by Burj al-Shemali (370 buildings) and Naqoura (216 buildings) (Sour). according to the UNDP.

Read more on this story here.

Read our "Key takeaways from the UN study on Israeli destruction in Beirut and Mount Lebanon" here.

Israeli media: Emergency standby squads in northern Israel to be released from duty starting Sunday in light of cease-fire

According to Israeli website Ynet, the Israeli army "notified standby units on the confrontation line of their release as a result of the cease-fire with Hezbollah and following changes in Home Front Command guidelines in the area. According to the military, the standby units will be released from their duties on Sunday, June 28."

Emergency standby squads (or "Kitot Konenut") are considered local volunteer rapid-response units in Israel consisting of residents, primarily veterans with combat experience, tasked with providing emergency response for their communities. Formed to secure borders and nearby towns, they operate under the command of the Israel Police or the Israeli army.

US suspends sanctions on Iranian oil until Aug. 21

On Monday, the U.S. suspended its sanctions on Iranian oil until Aug. 21 as part of the memorandum of understanding signed with Tehran, reports AFP.

“All transactions” that were previously “prohibited” relating to the production, sale and transport of Iranian-origin hydrocarbons “are authorized until Aug. 21 at 00:01” Washington time, according to a license published on the website of the U.S. Treasury Department, which administers economic sanctions.

Read more here.

Israeli drone fires additional stun grenades on Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon

A small Israeli drone has fired two stun grenades in the neighborhood of Dawha in the village of Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh), our correspondent in the region reports.

Netanyahu: Israeli troops in southern Lebanon have 'full freedom of action'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli troops in southern Lebanon have "full freedom of action to thwart any direct or emerging threat to them or to the residents of the north," according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

"The Israeli army has no restrictions whatsoever in this matter," he said. "I stand firm on our remaining in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the residents of the north and all citizens of the state," he added.

Israeli artillery shelling targets a house in Mansouri; one injured in detonation of war remnant in the same village

Israel has fired three artillery shells at a house and its surroundings on the outskirts of the village of Mansouri (Sour). This is the first time the Israeli army fires artillery shells in southern Lebanon since Saturday's "cease-fire."

The mayor of the village told our correspondent in the South that following the shelling, a number of residents who had been inspecting their homes left the town.

He added that the village is still uninhabitable due to the extensive destruction and the absence of basic services, noting that the residents present there were in the village to check on their homes and property.

Around the same time as the shelling and in the same village, while a number of civilians were walking around, an explosive ordnance left over from the war detonated, injuring one person. He was transferred to the hospital to receive medical treatment.

Washington says it will ensure any release of Iranian assets does not fund 'terrorism'

The United States will ensure that any future unfreezing of Iranian assets does not finance “terrorism,” U.S. Vice President JD Vance said, explaining that Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, had proposed an oversight mechanism, AFP reported.

The issue of Iranian assets “was not a high priority for us” during the talks between Tehran and Washington, Vance told reporters. However, the United States wanted “to establish a process that would allow us, if we were ever to unfreeze Iranian assets, to ensure that this Iranian money benefits the Iranian people and is not used to finance terrorism.”

Tehran agrees to return of IAEA inspectors, JD Vance says

Iran has agreed to once again invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency onto its territory, Vance said in Switzerland a day after talks aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, AFP reported.

Tehran suspended its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog following the Israeli-American strikes on its facilities in June 2025. While the IAEA has not been allowed to access the sites that were hit, it has been able to visit other facilities in recent months.

“The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back. This is a major step for the American people and a first step toward permanent denuclearization — that is, the definitive end of Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” Vance told reporters, adding that he expected this to happen “as early as this week.”

The U.S. vice president was speaking before departing Switzerland following 18 hours of marathon talks held at a luxury resort in the Swiss Alps with an Iranian delegation and senior officials from the mediating countries, Pakistan and Qatar.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was also present in Switzerland over the weekend.

Last week, the American and Iranian presidents each signed a memorandum of understanding remotely under which Tehran committed to diluting its highly enriched uranium in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions, though the details remain to be defined.

According to the text, during a 60-day negotiation period, the two countries will discuss a mechanism for handling those stockpiles, “using, at a minimum, an on-site dilution method under IAEA supervision.”

Aoun tells Ain Ibl residents: State institutions and agencies will stand by you in recognition of your sacrifices

President Joseph Aoun received a delegation from the border village of Ain Ibl, in the Bint Jbeil district, and told them that “the resilience of the residents of the border towns, from Shebaa to the coast, is a source of pride and honor,” according to a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency.

Aoun stressed that the state stands alongside the populations of the border regions and is working to strengthen their ability to remain steadfast, adding that “state institutions and agencies will be present to support them, in recognition of their sacrifices.”

The president also praised the humanitarian and relief initiatives of the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Paolo Borgia, expressing hope that “the suffering of the residents will come to an end as soon as possible.”

In recent months, humanitarian aid convoys have been delivered to Christian villages in the border area of south Lebanon through initiatives led by Archbishop Borgia and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Iranian president expected in Pakistan on Tuesday following talks with the US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to neighboring Pakistan on Tuesday, according to a presidential spokesperson. Pakistan has served as a mediator in the talks between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.

The visit, announced a day after discussions between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland, will focus in particular on “the continuation of consultations” between the two countries, the spokesperson said, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Israeli army fires machine guns and stun grenade in Nabatieh area

The Israeli army opened machine-gun fire on Zawtar Sharqieh and dropped a stun grenade on Nabatieh Fawqa, in the Nabatieh district, according to sources cited by our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.

Separately, gunfire from an unidentified source was reported in Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district.

Iran-U.S. talks: 'Very solid foundations' laid for a final agreement, says JD Vance

Talks between Iran and the United States held in Switzerland on Sunday with the aim of ending the war in the Middle East have established “very solid foundations” for a final agreement, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.

“We have laid very solid foundations for reaching a successful final agreement. The final agreement is the house. We have laid the foundation. We have not built the house yet, but we have laid solid groundwork to achieve a favorable outcome for the American people,” he told reporters.

Tehran agrees to the return of IAEA inspectors, JD Vance announces

Iran has agreed to once again allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into the country, U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced, a day after negotiations were held in Switzerland aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.

“The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into the country. This is a major step forward for the American people and a first step toward permanent denuclearization — that is, the definitive end of Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” Vance said.

The announcement comes as the agreement signed last week between Iran and the United States provides for the dilution of Iran’s uranium stockpiles under the supervision of the agency.

Aoun says he 'distinguishes between assistance to end the war and interference' after Iran-US negotiations

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed “any assistance that reaches Lebanon to end the war,” but said he “distinguishes between assistance and interference in our internal affairs, because we are a sovereign country and no one negotiates on our behalf.”

The head of state was speaking to his visitors at Baabda, in reference to the negotiations between Iran and the United States in Switzerland on Sunday, at the center of which was the ceasefire in Lebanon that came into effect on Saturday evening. He also responded to criticism from Hezbollah, which opposes the process of direct negotiations with Israel, preferring that Iran handle it.

Geneva talks: Iran says it had a 'very brief discussion' on nuclear issues with US

Iran said it held a “very brief discussion” with the United States on the Iranian nuclear issue during talks in Switzerland, while stressing that these were not “negotiations.” “A very brief discussion took place on the nuclear issue, but no details were addressed, and it cannot be said that nuclear negotiations have begun,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai told IRNA.

The U.S. delegation “very briefly presented its positions” on the nuclear issue, and Iran did the same, he added, describing the exchange as a mutual “presentation of positions.”

Sa'ar: Israel will respect the current cease-fire in Lebanon as long as Hezbollah does the same

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that “Israel will respect the current cease-fire in Lebanon as long as Hezbollah does the same,” according to the Times of Israel.

Sa'ar also stated, according to a post on X, that Israel “has no territorial ambitions” in Lebanon, but will not withdraw from the “security zone” it has established in southern Lebanon, extending about 10 kilometers. “We will not withdraw from the security zone and will not expose our citizens to Hezbollah attacks or a possible invasion,” he added.

Meanwhile, journalist Anna Rayva-Barsky from Maariv reported that Israeli officials are rejecting media reports claiming a partial withdrawal deal from southern Lebanon or a reduction of troops there, adding that there is no U.S. pressure for such a withdrawal because Washington understands Israel’s position: “no partial withdrawal, no localized withdrawal, and no diplomatic gesture.”

Qaani threatens Israel with a repeat of 2000 if it does not withdraw from southern Lebanon

Head of the IRGC Quds Force Esmail Qaani threatened Israel with a scenario similar to what he described as Israel’s “humiliating defeat” in southern Lebanon in 2000 if it does not voluntarily withdraw from Lebanese territories occupied since the conflict began on March 2.

In an interview published Monday by Russia Today, Qaani told Israeli soldiers: “You have lost, in less than four days, 100 killed or wounded, and if you do not withdraw of your own accord, you will be expelled and humiliated, as in the epic of 2000.”

The Israeli army acknowledged last week the death of six soldiers in fighting in southern Lebanon.

An Israeli drone drops a stun grenade near journalists in Nabatieh Fawqa

An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade this morning near a group of journalists attempting to approach the village of Nabatieh Fawqa, in order to prevent them from advancing into the area and to order them to leave, according to our correspondent in the south.

The area south of Nabatieh has seen recent Israeli military advances aimed at taking control of the strategic Ali Taher hill.

The Lebanese Army has also set up a checkpoint at the entrance to the same village, blocking residents from heading toward Nabatieh Fawqa, Kfar Tibnit, and Zawtar al-Sharqieh, while the area remains under drone surveillance.

Ben Gvir: Lebanon should be Israel's playground

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said this morning in an interview with Kan News' This Morning program that "Lebanon should be the State of Israel's playground."

"Every terrorist stronghold must be targeted. If terrorists are hiding among the civilian population, my only concern is protecting our soldiers. Even with a reduced force, we can achieve results if Lebanon is our area of operations," he added.

Iran-U.S. talks: Switzerland announces 'immediate resumption' of technical discussions

Iran-U.S. talks: Switzerland announces 'immediate resumption' of technical discussions

Thirteen bodies recovered from rubble in Nabatieh and Marjayoun on Sunday

Lebanese Civil Defense rescuers in south Lebanon on June 21, 2026. (Credit: Photo taken from the organization's Facebook account.)

The Lebanese Civil Defense announced that it had recovered the bodies of 13 people from beneath the rubble of buildings in the Nabatieh region, as well as in Debbine and Blat in the Marjayoun district.

In a statement, the agency said it is continuing operations to reopen roads in these areas and clear debris.

Iranian delegation returns to Tehran after '18 hours of intensive talks' in Switzerland

The Iranian delegation that took part in talks with the United States in Switzerland on Sunday, under the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar, is returning to Tehran “after 18 hours of intensive discussions,” according to the Iranian news agency IRNA.

The Iranian team, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, “left the building where the talks were held after around 18 hours of intensive discussions and consultations,” IRNA reported.

The agency added that “technical discussions” will continue throughout the week in Switzerland.

'De-confliction cell' for Lebanon: Aoun receives call from Vance, Kushner and Al-Thani

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone conversation this morning with U.S. officials and the Qatari mediator to discuss the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, as well as the possibility of establishing a mechanism to ensure compliance with the cessation of hostilities. The mechanism, described as a “de-confliction cell,” was first announced in a joint statement issued after negotiations held Sunday in Switzerland between Iran and the United States.

According to the Lebanese presidency’s X account, Aoun spoke by phone with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, senior adviser to the U.S. president Jared Kushner, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

“The discussions focused on strengthening the cease-fire in Lebanon, halting the Israeli military escalation, and the steps that should be taken in this regard, including the possibility of establishing a deconfliction cell,” Baabda said.

Second night of cautious calm in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent

Our correspondent reported a second night of calm in south Lebanon since the outbreak of hostilities on March 2, with no military operations or cease-fire violations reported on the ground. Residents are cautiously returning to their villages in the former combat zones, while municipal councils continue to issue messages urging people to exercise caution and postpone any hasty returns until the cease-fire is firmly established.

Most of those returning are primarily seeking to assess the condition of their homes, as the level of destruction in dozens of villages is extensive.

On the ground, rescue teams from various organizations are continuing their search for victims whose bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble in areas that were inaccessible during the fighting.

A 'deconfliction cell' created to ensure the end of conflict on Lebanese front

According to the joint statement, a "deconfliction cell" will be established, bringing together the parties involved in the conflict in Lebanon, the Lebanese state, and the mediators, in order to "ensure compliance with the cessation of military operations in Lebanon."

'Major progress' between Americans and Iranians in Switzerland to end war in Lebanon

Iranian and American officials have agreed on mechanisms aimed at ending the fighting in Lebanon and securing the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistani and Qatari mediators announced this morning following the first round of negotiations in Switzerland aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.

Meeting in a luxury hotel in Bürgenstock in the Swiss Alps, the Iranian and American delegations made "encouraging progress," the Pakistani and Qatari governments said in a joint statement. They "agreed on a roadmap to reach a final agreement within 60 days, laying the groundwork for the immediate start of further technical discussions" for the remainder of the week.

"The Pakistani and Qatari mediation has achieved major progress toward ending the war in Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is part of Iran's delegation in Switzerland, wrote on X. "Exports of oil and petrochemical products are no longer restricted, the blockade has been lifted, some frozen assets have been released, and a major reconstruction and development plan for Iran has been launched," he added, listing points contained in the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 by Washington and Tehran.

Read more here.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of developments in Lebanon and the Middle East, where talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland have made "major progress" on the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as well as on the Israeli military and the Strait of Hormuz. This diplomatic breakthrough is accompanied by a calm that appears to be holding on the ground in southern Lebanon.

You can catch up on yesterday's news in our live coverage here, and in our Morning Brief here.