US delegation headed to Lebanon to help implement framework agreement
A U.S. military delegation is expected to arrive in Lebanon to help implement an agreement aimed at ending the war on Lebanon, amid growing fears in Beirut that the deal could stall, the Financial Times reported Friday.
The newspaper, citing two senior Lebanese officials, said a delegation from U.S. Central Command is expected to arrive ahead of talks between Lebanon and Israel scheduled for next week in Rome, where technical teams are expected to discuss the details of the framework agreement signed on June 26.
U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa had already mentioned the expected delegation in Beirut on the sidelines of his meeting with President Joseph Aoun on Thursday.
The Financial Times reported that the framework agreement, signed in June by the Lebanese and Israeli delegations in Washington, requires Israeli forces to withdraw from "pilot zones" where the Lebanese Army is to deploy. The next round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations is scheduled for July 15 and 16 in Rome.
US sanctions new individuals and entities linked to Iran
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added eight individuals and six entities to its Iran sanctions list. According to a statement published on the Treasury Department's website, the Iranian nationals and companies are linked to currency exchange offices and trading networks.
Among the targeted entities is Smart Global Limited, registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis and linked to Ali Ansari, one of the eight sanctioned individuals. Washington also authorized a transition period allowing non-Iranian entities involved in transactions with Smart Global Limited to gradually wind them down.
The other sanctioned entities are CDM Trading Limited, based in Hong Kong; Lavasani and Partners General Partnership Company, a currency exchange in Tehran; Mohammad Darbani and Partners Exchange General Partnership Company, a currency exchange in Tehran; Mohsen Khandan and Partners General Partnership Company, a currency exchange in Shiraz; and Naba Alzaki Raw Materials Trading LLC, based in Dubai.
In addition to Ansari, the other individuals added to the sanctions list are Mohammad Darbani, Shokufeh Rostam Abadi, Mohsen Khandan, Ali Asghar Khandan, Ahmad Navai Lavasani, Amir Navai Lavasani and Zahra Sarshari.
Pakistani prime minister speaks with Iranian president, reaffirms Islamabad's role as mediator
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday that he had spoken with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian about the ongoing war in the Middle East and reaffirmed Islamabad's commitment to continuing its role as mediator.
"We discussed the evolving regional situation and stressed the imperative need for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy to preserve the hard-won peace gains of recent months," Sharif said in a message posted on X.
A fire has broken out at a small refinery in Iran, reports Tasnim
The Iranian news agency Tasnim reports a fire at a small refinery in Poldokhtar (western Iran), according to a report picked up by Reuters.
The agency says firefighters are struggling to reach the source of the blaze due to the intensity of the flames.
The report does not specify whether the fire was caused by an airstrike or, if so, what the cause might be.
Israeli drone strike between Nabatieh Fawqa, Kfar Tibnit
An Israeli drone carried out a raid around 8 p.m. on the area between Nabatieh Fawqa and Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh), reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues to set fire to houses in the village of Qantara (Marjayoun); the plumes of smoke are visible from afar, notes our correspondent.
Israeli drone attack in Kfar Roummane, south Lebanon
An Israeli drone dropped several incendiary bombs on al-Tahra hill in Kfar Roummane, in the Nabatieh district, our correspondent in the South reported.
Iran's chief negotiator says Tehran ready for 'total defense' against Washington
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran is ready for "total defense" if the United States "betrays the memorandum of understanding," Reuters reported.
US-Iran talks could resume next week in Switzerland, Axios reports
Although U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the cease-fire was "over" and said he had little confidence that talks with Iran would produce a credible agreement, he nevertheless authorized negotiators to resume discussions with Tehran, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
A source familiar with the matter told Axios that a new round of negotiations between the United States and Iran is expected next week, possibly in Switzerland.
Health Ministry updates death toll of Israel's attacks on Lebanon
The Health Ministry's emergency center has updated its war casualty figures. It now counts 4,321 killed and 12,207 wounded by Israel since March 2.
This brings the total number of people killed by Israel to 16,528 people of all ages, 14% women and 86% men.
Netanyahu needs an enemy ahead of Israeli elections, Turkish foreign minister says
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told UAE state media that Turkey and Israel have no reason to “enter into open conflict.”
Speaking to The National newspaper, Fidan said: “As the elections approach, Netanyahu and some of his supporters need an enemy. After waging war against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, they need a new enemy to garner public sympathy.”
In recent days, the Israeli prime minister has targeted Turkey, claiming that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to “eliminate the State of Israel.”
Pictured: Israeli drone strike on a car in Kfar Roummane
(Credit: Abbas Fakih/AFP)
Rescuers inspect a vehicle reportedly damaged in an Israeli drone strike in the village of Kfar Roummane, on July 10, 2026.
Russia's deputy UN envoy says UK, France. Germany 'cheer-led' US-Israeli attacks on Iran
The U.K., France and Germany "cheer-led" U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's civilian infrastructure, Russia's deputy U.N. envoy said during an emergency U.N. Security Council session, according to Al Jazeera.
Anna Evstigneeva, Russia's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, condemned what she described as the "hypocrisy of Western states" in targeting Iran while turning a blind eye to the actions of the United States and Israel.
"We are compelled to express our disappointment that once again a majority of UNSC members are continuing to indulge the attempts of some states to cast doubt on objective, procedural realities," she said.
Trump willing to hold talks with Iran but says cease-fire is over
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he had agreed to continue talks with Iran to end the war, but that the cease-fire in place since April was now officially over.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform following a sharp resumption of hostilities between the two countries in recent days.
Qatari prime minister, Egyptian foreign minister discuss US-Iran memorandum of understanding
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed ways to implement the framework of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, Al Jazeera reported.
During a phone call Friday, the two officials expressed support for ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening regional security.
Traffic through Strait of Hormuz declines for second consecutive day
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined for the second consecutive day, according to data published by maritime surveillance company Kpler.
The company recorded 22 transits on July 9, compared with 30 the previous day.
Activity remained generally low-risk, with no new reports of attacks on ships in the strait since July 7.
Operators continued to overwhelmingly favor the route along the Iranian coast, while the Omani route saw only one transit.
UNIFIL says has cleared 'dozens of unexploded ordnance' in south Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) published a report on its UN1 account detailing its demining operations in southern Lebanon, aimed at reducing the long-term risk posed by unexploded ordnance.
These explosive remnants of war have proliferated since the outbreak of intensive Israeli bombardment across the South in March 2.
"Since the escalation of hostilities, peacekeeping forces have located and neutralized dozens of unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and crashed drones, while also helping to secure routes for patrols, humanitarian missions and local communities," the statement said.
UNIFIL also said its mine action teams "carried out the safe disposal of unexploded ordnance discovered near a U.N. position in Ibl al-Saqi [Marjayoun] on June 21, thus protecting U.N. personnel present on the ground."
UNIFIL said it "is working closely with the United Nations Mine Action Service [UNMAS] in these mine action efforts, in support of the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701."
The resolution ended the 2006 war and served as the basis for the cease-fire agreement concluded in 2024, the provisions of which are now being challenged by the resumption of hostilities.
Israeli forces open machine gun fire from Bayyada toward Buyut al-Sayyed
Israeli forces fired medium-caliber machine guns from the town of Bayyada toward Buyut al-Sayyed, in the Sour district, our correspondent reported.
Israel drops stun grenade over Mansouri
An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade over Mansouri (Sour district) leading to the damage of several cars, our correspondent reported.
Iranian news agency confirms arrival of Qatari mediators in Iran
Iranian news agency Tasnim has confirmed the arrival of Qatari mediators in Tehran to restart negotiations between Iran and the United States, which had stalled for several days amid a resurgence of violence between the two countries.
According to Tasnim, "the Qatari delegation's objective is to consolidate Doha's role as a mediator in order to end the escalation" around the Strait of Hormuz.
In addition to Pakistan, which has served as the primary mediator between the United States and Iran since the war began on Feb. 28, Qatar has played a key role in bridging the gap between the two countries.
Its efforts led to the signing of a preliminary agreement in June, paving the way for 60 days of negotiations toward a final deal.
Israeli strike critically injures 1 person in Kfar Roummane
The Israeli strike carried out earlier on Kfar Roummane, in the Nabatieh district, injured at least one person seriously injured, who is in critical condition, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Qatar urges US, Iran to respect agreement, sends negotiators to Iran
Qatar has urged the United States and Iran to honor their memorandum of understanding and continue negotiations to avoid further escalation.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said in a post on X that he made the appeal during a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
He also stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the security of the waterway remains essential to regional security.
Qatari negotiators are also in Iran to meet with Iranian officials in an effort to reduce tensions and create conditions for broader negotiations, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Friday, adding that the talks are being conducted in coordination with the United States.
According to the source, the discussions focus on implementing the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, as well as the issues that triggered the recent escalation between Washington and Tehran, including disputes over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli drone strike targets Nabatieh Fawqa
An Israeli drone strike targeted Nabatieh Fawqa (Nabatieh), our correspondent in southern Lebanon has reported.
Second Israeli drone strike on Kfar Roummane; Israel fires stun grenade on Haddatha
Our correspondent reports that another Israeli drone strike targeted the Doha area in the southern village of Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh).
Israeli drone fires stun grenade on Haddatha
An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade in the town of Haddatha (Bint Jbeil), our correspondent reported.
Iran warns of retaliation for infrastructure strikes as Qatar mediates with US
Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary warned Friday that any attacks on Iranian infrastructure would be met with retaliation, state media reported. "Israel will not be immune from a response; any attack on infrastructure will be met with a corresponding response," Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr was quoted as saying by state media, Reuters reported.
The warning came amid continued tensions between Iran and the United States and Israel following recent strikes and ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
Qatar has been holding talks with Washington and Tehran in an effort to de-escalate the crisis, The New York Times reported. The Qatari mediation efforts are aimed at reducing tensions and keeping channels open between the two sides.
Iran vows retaliation against Israel in event of attack on its infrastructure
Iran has vowed retaliation in the event of an attack on its infrastructure. The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has stated that “any attack on infrastructure will result in retaliation” and that “Israel will not be spared from the response”, according to state media reports cited by Reuters.
Qatar in talks with Washington and Tehran to defuse crisis
“Qatar is in talks with Washington and Tehran to defuse the crisis,” reports the New York Times, as quoted by Reuters. This comes in the wake of a military escalation between the United States and Iran following Iran’s attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
UK agency keeps Strait of Hormuz threat level at highest
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on X that the security threat in the Strait of Hormuz remains at its highest level.
The warning follows the latest military escalation between the United States and Iran, which has increased risks for ships crossing the vital waterway.
Hormuz carries a large share of the world’s oil and gas supplies, making any disruption a major threat to global energy markets and shipping.
Israeli drone strike targets car in Kfar Roummane, driver killed
An Israeli drone targeted a car in the area of Dohet Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh), our correspondent in the region reported.
The driver has reportedly succumbed to his wounds after he was transported to one of the hospitals following the strike.
South Lebanon: Minor injuries in a drone strike on the Shebaa Heights
An Israeli drone strike on the Shebaa Heights (Hasbaya, eastern sector) resulted in the minor injuries of several residents, according to our correspondent in the region.
Additionally, an Israeli drone fired a stun grenade on the village of Mansouri, in the eastern sector, south of Sour.
Israeli artillery shells target Deir Siryan
Several artillery shells targeted the outskirts of Deir Siryan (Marjayoun), our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
Tensions in the Gulf: diplomacy is in full swing behind the scenes, but the US remains ready for further strikes, according to CNN
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN that diplomacy continues "behind the scenes" between the U.S. and Iran, and that Washington is "deliberately alternating between strikes and periods of calm in order to avoid escalation." However, the U.S. administration remains ready for further strikes and has drawn up a list of potential targets on Iranian territory, in order to maintain leverage, according to these officials. They emphasized that preparations were under way for further military operations, including the loading of fighter jets with ammunition aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
According to Al Jazeera, “technical discussions” are continuing between Washington and Tehran, and the mediating countries are attempting to get diplomacy back on track, whilst Axios reports that Qatar, Pakistan, and other regional mediators are “working to ease tensions and restart negotiations.” These mediators believe that previous talks had “enabled progress towards a nuclear deal” and therefore do not wish to backtrack. In this context, officials from Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia made a series of telephone calls on Wednesday with U.S. and Iranian officials in an effort to defuse the crisis, according to sources cited by the U.S. media outlet.
A regional source in one of the mediating countries also accused elements within the regime opposed to the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding of having carried out the attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered the escalation.
Southern Lebanon: Israeli strike on van near Shoukin injures 2 people
Two people were injured early this morning in an Israeli drone strike on a van that was collecting rubbish on the outskirts of Shoukin and Kfar Dajjal (Nabatieh), reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Earlier, Israeli artillery targeted the Houjeir Valley and the outskirts of Deir Siryan (Marjayoun).
Overnight, the Israeli army carried out explosions in Khiam (Marjayoun) which were heard throughout the region. An Israeli drone also dropped a stun grenade in Bouyout al-Sayyed (Sour).
Aoun meets with Haykal to discuss implementation of framework agreement with Israel
President Joseph Aoun met with the army’s commander-in-chief, General Rodolph Haykal, to discuss the security situation in Lebanon and particularly in the South, as well as preparations for the implementation of the framework agreement with Israel, whilst Israeli attacks on several villages and towns in southern Lebanon continue.
“The discussions focused on the ongoing preparations for the implementation of the provisions set out in the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel [mediated by the U.S.], in the designated pilot areas, where the Lebanese Army is due to deploy simultaneously with the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” the Presidency stated on X.
Under the framework agreement reached between the two countries during the fifth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, the Lebanese Army is to deploy in two "pilot zones," located around Froun (Bint Jbeil, in the central sector) and the villages of Zawtar (eastern sector, north of the Litani River), in parallel with the Israeli withdrawal, and dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure there.
On Thursday, during a meeting with the U.S. ambassador, Michel Issa, President Aoun had emphasized the need to “consolidate the 'cease-fire' in southern Lebanon and put pressure on Israel to end its military operations and comply with the provisions” of the framework agreement. He had also called on Israel to “put an end to the bombings and demolition operations” in the occupied towns of the South.
Beirut had demanded that Israel withdraw from two "pilot zones" in the south of the country before taking part in the next round of talks with Tel Aviv, scheduled for 15 and 16 July in Rome. And according to a U.S. official, the first "pilot zone" in Lebanon will be launched in the coming days.
Iran: Military facility near Bushehr hit by attack
A military facility near the southern city of Bushehr, home to Iran’s only operational nuclear power station, was targeted by an attack, an Iranian official said on Thursday, as quoted by the state news agency IRNA.
“A military facility in the vicinity of Bushehr was attacked and hit by a projectile fired by the American-Zionist [Israeli] enemy,” said the province’s deputy governor, Ehsan Jahanian, according to IRNA.
“The U.S. armed forces have not carried out any new strikes in Iran in the last few hours,” a U.S. defense official told AFP.
Trump briefed Netanyahu on latest US ‘developments’ in Gulf
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening to brief him on the latest U.S. "developments" in the Gulf, Netanyahu’s office announced.
The conversation took place “as part of regular contacts” between the two leaders, who reaffirmed on this occasion “continued coordination between their countries in various fields,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office published on the X network.
“For his part, Netanyahu emphasized the seriousness of the statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his aides against the existence of the State of Israel, as well as the need to establish security zones along Israel’s borders,” the statement added.
A U.S. official confirmed to AFP that the call had taken place, without providing any details on its content.
Netanyahu’s office had stated in early July that the two leaders had agreed to meet “soon” in the United States.
Supreme Leader Khamenei laid to rest amid US-Iran strikes
The late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was laid to rest early this morning in Mashhad, state television reported, following several days of funeral ceremonies marked by the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran.
The ceremony took place without the apparent presence of his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, according to footage broadcast by state television, which showed Ali Khamenei’s coffin being carried into the Imam Reza Shrine, the holiest site of Shia Islam in Iran.
In Mashhad, the north-eastern city that is home to this shrine, a large crowd made its way under the blazing sun. A fighter jet escorted the aircraft carrying the Supreme Leader’s remains to Mashhad.
The resumption of hostilities did not dampen the fervor of the faithful, millions of whom traveled from afar and gathered in Tehran and Qom earlier this week and then in neighboring Iraq. “Everyone here is seeking revenge,” says Mohammad Afsharian, a 41-year-old shopkeeper, who believes diplomatic efforts are “as good as dead.” “Even if we were to reach an agreement with the United States, we would still have problems with Israel,” he says.
Read more on this story here.
Israel claims Iran plotting to kill Donald Trump
Israel has passed on information from its intelligence services to Washington suggesting that Iran is preparing a new plot to assassinate Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal and CNN reported on Thursday, citing anonymous sources.
Both U.S. media outlets are sparing on details. According to a source quoted by CNN, the U.S. authorities were alerted to the threat this week. According to another source speaking to the channel, the Israelis confirmed a new Iranian plan that had already been partially detected by U.S. intelligence services.
Read more on this story here.
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Hello and welcome to our live coverage of news in Lebanon and in the region.
We will be closely monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues to occupy several hundred square kilometers along the border and carry out strikes.
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