Iran chief negotiator calls to avenge Khamenei death with massive funeral turnout | LIVE

Iran chief negotiator calls to avenge Khamenei death with massive funeral turnout

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called on Thursday for a massive turnout at Ali Khamenei's funeral to avenge the supreme leader's assassination by U.S.-Israeli strikes at the start of the war.

"I invite all the Iranian people... to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence" at the funeral ceremonies starting Saturday, Ghalibaf said in a statement, adding: "The nation's call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world."

Hezbollah to hold funerals for several members today

Hezbollah is expected to hold funerals for several of its members on Thursday. Ten will be buried in their hometown of Touline, in the Marjayoun district, while another will be buried in Aitit, in the Sour district.

Israeli army demolishes homes in Bint Jbeil district

Overnight, Israel demolished and blew up homes in the Bint Jbeil district, our correspondent in the South reported.

Shortly after 1 a.m., the Israeli army carried out a massive demolition in Beit Yahoun, while fires it had ignited in several homes in the village were still burning. The fires had not been extinguished by dawn. The sound of explosions continued to echo across several border villages until the early morning hours.

Yesterday, around 9:30 p.m., Israel destroyed homes and farmland in Beit Yahoun, Ainata and Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district, and set several buildings on fire. The explosions were also heard from afar.

Froun and Zawtar Gharbieh reject 'pilot zones' denomination

After 10 p.m., the municipalities of Froun and Zawtar Gharbieh, both in the Bint Jbeil district, issued statements rejecting reports that their villages had been included in what have been described as "pilot zones," areas identified in the framework agreement negotiated in Washington between Lebanon and Israel where Israeli forces are expected to withdraw before the Lebanese Army deploys.

The two municipalities called for "a more accurate description of the situation" and more precise terminology reflecting the goal of a full Israeli withdrawal, as well as an end to Israeli violations and the continued demolition of homes.

'Positive progress' in US-Iran indirect talks in Doha, Qatar spokesman says

U.S. and Iran negotiators made "positive progress" during indirect talks in Doha, with the next round expected after the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said.

"Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the U.S. & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari wrote Wednesday on X.

"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian supreme leader."

Iran-U.S. negotiations to resume after Ali Khamenei's funeral, Qatar says

Good morning and thank you for joining us for today's live coverage of the fragile cease-fires in Lebanon and Iran, and the events in the region.

Make sure to read today's Morning Brief to catch up on yesterday's key events.