We are now closing our live coverage for the night. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more news updates.
Thai-flagged vessel targeted in Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim reports
The Iranian news agency Tasnim, citing an informed source, reported that a Thai-flagged vessel was targeted Friday in the Strait of Hormuz by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' navy.
According to the source, the vessel ignored warnings and attempted to transit the strait without authorization from the Iranian navy. It was intercepted before being targeted.
Kuwait says 2 fires caused by Iranian attacks brought under control
Two fires caused by Iranian attacks in southern Kuwait have been brought under control, the official Kuwait News Agency reported, according to Reuters. No injuries were reported.
Explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran
Explosions were heard Friday in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, according to the Iranian news agency Nour News, citing local sources.
Sweeping operation in Braasheet, where 2 bodies were recovered
The Israeli army carried out a sweeping operation, accompanied by medium machine gun fire, toward the village of Braasheet in the Bint Jbeil district.
Earlier, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that the bodies of two people killed in recent Israeli airstrikes on the village had been recovered. A wounded person was also evacuated after the Lebanese Army entered the area.
Israeli artillery targets Markaba; 2 bodies recovered in Braashit
Israeli artillery shelled the village of Markaba, in the Marjayoun district.
Meanwhile, the bodies of two people killed in recent Israeli airstrikes on the village of Braashit, in the Bint Jbeil district, were recovered, and one wounded person was rescued after the Lebanese Army entered the area.
Iran says will continue attacks until strikes cease in south and Strait of Hormuz
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological army of the Islamic Republic, said it will continue its attacks until strikes on southern Iran and in the Strait of Hormuz cease.
"Our effective and targeted strikes, launched from across Iranian territory against the enemy, will continue until calm is restored on the southern coast and in the Strait of Hormuz," Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said on social media.
Kuwaiti army reports soldiers injured in Iranian attacks
The Kuwaiti army said Friday that several of its personnel were injured in Iranian strikes on the Gulf state, AFP reports.
Chief of Staff Khaled Daraj Saad Al-Sharian visited wounded members of the Kuwaiti land forces who were injured after “several military facilities and camps” were targeted by “enemy drones” on Friday morning “as part of the criminal Iranian aggression,” the army said in a post on X.
Iraqi Kurdistan urges Iran to end ‘unjustified’ attacks
Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday condemned what he described as “unjustified attacks” by Iran against the autonomous region, urging Tehran to halt its campaign.
“While urging the Islamic Republic of Iran to put an end to this escalation, we also call on the Iraqi federal government and the international community to stop these violations,” Barzani’s office said.
Earlier, air defenses said they had intercepted drones over Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, marking the second such incident this week.
Iran says attacks will continue until strikes on south and Hormuz stop
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it would continue its attacks until strikes targeting southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz come to an end.
“Our effective and targeted strikes, launched from across Iranian territory against the enemy, will continue until calm returns to the southern coast and the Strait of Hormuz,” Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said on social media.
Israeli army bulldozers alter road network in Adaisseh
Israeli army bulldozers and military vehicles are carving out new roads and altering existing road routes in the village of Adaisseh (Marjayoun district), our correspondent in south Lebanon reports.
The Israeli army carries ou large detonations in Bint Jbeil
(Credit: Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah)
The Israeli army has carried out three detonations in the town of Bint Jbeil and between the villages of Kounin and al-Tir, our correspondent in the south reports.
Israeli military vehicle advance from Biyyada to Mansouri and stops in front of Lebanese Army checkpoint
A remotely operated Israeli military vehicle advances in Mansouri (Sour district), reaching the vicinity of a Lebanese Army checkpoint. (Credit: Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah)
A remotely operated Israeli military vehicle advanced toward the vicinity of a Lebanese Army checkpoint in the village of Mansouri (Sour district), our correspondent in the South reported citing local sources.
The vehicle set off from the occupied village of Biyyada via the coastal road, passed the Mansouri junction by 150 meters, and then stopped facing the Lebanese Army checkpoint.
According to the sources, this is the first time an Israeli vehicle has reached this point and stood face-to-face with a Lebanese Army checkpoint, adding that the vehicle subsequently withdrew and returned to where it came from.
Iraqi Kurdistan presidency condemns recent attacks as violation of Iraqi sovereignty
The presidency of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region has condemned the recent attacks targeting the autonomous region, calling them a “blatant violation” of Iraq’s sovereignty.
“Targeting the region and the resumption of violence constitute a serious escalation and a blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty,” the presidency said, after air defenses intercepted drones over Erbil and strikes targeted exiled Iranian Kurdish groups.
IRGC say they targeted US base in Qatar to ‘punish the aggressor’
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted US radar systems and military aircraft at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in retaliation for overnight U.S. strikes on Iran.
“In continuation of the retaliatory operations carried out last night, the brave fighters of the IRGC Aerospace Force launched a heavy and surprise attack against the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to punish the aggressor and the child-killing American army,” the IRGC said in a statement.
Israeli stun grenade, sweeping operations reported in south Lebanon
A small Israeli drone has dropped a stun grenade on the village of Mansouri (Sour district).
The Israeli army has also carried out sweeping operations toward the villages of Haddatha and Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil).
Syria military source denies Iran bombed Al-Tanf base
A Syrian military source denied to AFP on Friday that Iran had bombed the Al-Tanf base near Syria's southeastern borders with Jordan and Iraq, after Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted the facility in response to U.S. strikes.
"We deny any Iranian bombardment targeting the Al-Tanf area," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. US forces said they withdrew from the base earlier this year after troops were stationed there as part of a U.S.-led anti-jihadist coalition.
Iran tells citizens to cut electricity use after US strikes
Iran's energy ministry called on citizens to reduce electricity use on Friday after the power grid came under strain following U.S. strikes on energy infrastructure in the south.
The ministry in a statement urged people to switch off air conditioners in peak hours "to help ensure a stable electricity supply in the southern provinces, which are currently facing extreme heat and attacks on electricity supply facilities."
Armed men take control of chemical tanker off Yemen’s coast
Unidentified armed men are believed to have boarded the chemical tanker “Asana” off Yemen’s southern coast in the Gulf of Aden and taken control of the vessel, Al Jazeera reported, citing maritime security sources.
The small tanker, which has no confirmed flag, was reportedly heading toward the Somali port of Bosaso, according to ship-tracking data.
Earlier, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said a vessel had been boarded by unauthorized personnel while sailing east through the Gulf of Aden, about 65 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Al Mukalla port.
Kuwait says power, water plant hit by Iranian attack
Kuwait said Friday that a power and water plant had been damaged by an Iranian attack, as the war in the Middle East escalated.
"One of the power and water distillation plants was the target of an attack as part of the Iranian aggression... resulting in a fire, damage, and the impairment of several production units," the electricity ministry said in a statement, urging users "to ration their electricity consumption during this exceptional period."
Strikes kill 8 Iranian Kurdish rebels in Iraq
Strikes in Iraq's Kurdistan region killed eight members of an Iranian Kurdish armed opposition group on Friday, the exiled party said, blaming the attack on Iran.
Idriss Kohlwazi from the Komala party told AFP that "the Iranian regime attacked with drones and rockets a camp" belonging to the party and its vicinity near the city of Sulaimaniyah in the early morning.
The attack resulted in the "martyrdom of eight of our members and wounding others," he added.
Israel abducts Lebanese citizen, releases to Lebanese Army 3 days later
Citizen Saad Salim al-Houdari, who was kidnapped by Israel after heading to the village of Rmeish (Bint Jbeil district) earlier this week, has been released by the Israeli army and is now in custody of the Lebanese army, according to our correspondent in the south.
Houdari's wife told our correspondent that he was freed after he was taken to Israel, adding that he was able to contact her briefly, informing her that he is currently undergoing the necessary procedures with the Lebanese Army.
In a video published yesterday, Houdairi's wife called authorities to intervene urgently to determine the fate of her husband. In the video, she said that Houdairi went to Rmeish earlier this week as part of his work "after obtaining the necessary permits from the relevant authorities, including the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces."
German FM: Replace UN mission with EU forces in Lebanon
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul suggested replacing the expiring U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon with an EU-mandated force, he told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
“We should examine in the EU whether we can ensure that no security vacuum arises with a European mandate following the UNIFIL mission,” Wadephul said in an interview published today.
The UNIFIL mission expires on December 31, 2026.
An EU-mandated force could “create the conditions for the Israeli army to withdraw without Hezbollah returning with its terror,” the minister added.
The proposal comes after France and Italy announced on June 25 that they were exploring a European framework to help replace UNIFIL and support security arrangements in southern Lebanon.
It also follows a Security Council meeting on Thursday, where members discussed the future of the UNIFIL mission and the next phase of international involvement in Lebanon.
IRGC claim strikes on US aircraft in Jordan
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted U.S. military aircraft stationed in Jordan with missiles and drones in retaliation for American strikes on Iran overnight.
In a statement, the IRGC claimed it had destroyed “several US refueling and fighter aircraft” and caused “serious damage to many others.”
The force also called on Jordanians to target “the interests of the aggressive Americans hostile to Islam” in the country, one of Washington’s key allies in the Middle East.
Large Israeli detonation in Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, Israeli military vehicles moving between Haddatha and Haris
Israeli forces have carried out a large detonation in the vicinity of the village of Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh district). The sound of the explosion was heard in nearby villages. Meanwhile, Israeli military vehicles were seen moving between the villages of Haddatha and Haris (Bint Jbeil).
In parallel, Israeli drones have been flying over the villages of Zahrani, as well as the district of Saida and Nabatieh.
Hezbollah MP says Lebanese government is taking country to ‘very dangerous place’
Ali Fayyad, a senior Hezbollah MP, has criticized the Lebanese delegation negotiating with Israel, accusing Beirut of continuing talks "as if nothing has happened" despite Israel's continued occupation of parts of southern Lebanon.
"It seems clear that this authority has abandoned its people and is indifferent to their suffering and to the crimes committed against them by the Israelis," Fayyad said in a statement carried by the state-run National News Agency.
He warned that the Lebanese authorities were leading the country "to a very dangerous place," where Lebanon would "neither regain its land nor restore its sovereignty," while also risking "internal stability and national unity."
Tanker hit by unknown projectile off Oman coast - UKMTO
A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman near the strait of Hormuz, causing minor damage to the ship but no injuries to the crew, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said.
In an alert issued this morning, the UKMTO said it received a report of an incident 19 nautical miles (about 22 miles) east of the Omani port city of Khasab.
It added: A tanker has reported being hit by an unknown projectile causing minor structural damage to the port side. All crew are safe and accounted for, no environmental impact has been reported and the vessel is continuing to its next port of call. Authorities are investigating.”
Qatar intercepts missile attack; child injured by falling debris
Qatar said its armed forces intercepted a missile attack overnight after explosions were heard in the capital, Doha. The Interior Ministry said a child was injured by falling debris from the interception.
Israeli drone strike wounds motorcyclist in south Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike targeted a motorcycle on the coastal road between Sour and Naqoura near Bayada, wounding the rider, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon.
The injured man was taken to a hospital in Sour by Islamic Risala Scout rescuers affiliated with the Amal Movement.
US strikes on Iran kill 8
Eight people were killed and 20 injured in overnight U.S. strikes on Iran, according to Iranian state media cited by AFP.
Israel carries out airstrike on Mansouri, multiple attacks in Bint Jbeil district
The Israeli army carried out an overnight airstrike on the municipal outskirts of Mansouri, in the Sour district, and launched several attacks across the Bint Jbeil district, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday, Israeli forces opened sustained medium-machine-gun fire for around 30 minutes from the occupied area near Haddatha toward al-Baraka hill on the outskirts of Haris, frightening residents and forcing them to remain inside their homes.
At the same time, Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Haddatha toward Beit Yahoun. At around 3:40 a.m., the Israeli army also carried out a demolition operation on the outskirts of Haddatha toward Aita al-Jabal.
Separately, Israeli machine-gun fire targeted the outskirts of Qantara, in the Marjayoun district, around midnight.
The attacks came a day after Israel carried out two airstrikes, drone strikes on two villages, artillery shelling targeting at least seven localities, and five demolition operations across south Lebanon.
IRGC claims strike on al-Tanf base in Syria
The IRGC said it attacked the al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria, claiming to have struck a U.S. special operations command center despite Washington's earlier announcement that it had transferred the base to the Syrian army.
Kuwait intercepts Iranian drones and missiles; sirens sound in Bahrain
Kuwait's military said it intercepted Iranian drones and missiles overnight, while air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain. Iran claimed it targeted U.S. military positions in Kuwait and reconnaissance aircraft at Bahrain's Sakhir base in retaliation for U.S. strikes.
Drone strikes vessel off Iraq's Basra coast
A drone struck a ship carrying U.S.-brand vehicles near Iraq's southern port of Basra, according to a security source. Iraq's oil ministry separately reported an unidentified object falling near an oil tanker but said operations continued without damage.
White House says Trump remains open to diplomacy with Iran
The White House said President Donald Trump remains open to a diplomatic solution with Iran despite the renewed exchange of strikes, while holding Tehran responsible for abandoning its commitments.
US launches 6th consecutive night of strikes on Iran
The United States carried out a sixth straight night of strikes on Iran, saying it targeted dozens of military sites including coastal surveillance, air defense, logistics and maritime facilities.
Iran said bridges, an airport, a railway station and the port city of Bushehr were also hit, warning it would target infrastructure across the Gulf if U.S. attacks continue.
IRGC claims strike on US radar sites in Oman
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck two U.S. radar sites in Oman, claiming it destroyed a maritime surveillance radar in Salamah and an air surveillance radar in Ghanam in retaliation for U.S. attacks on Iran.
Iran says recent US strikes kill 38, wound more than 400
Iran said recent U.S. strikes have killed 38 people and injured more than 400, according to AFP.
Jordan intercepts 3 Iranian missiles
Jordan's army said it intercepted three Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, adding that there were no casualties or damage.
Welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of the latest developments in Lebanon — including Israel's ongoing occupation of parts of south Lebanon — and across the Middle East, with rolling updates on the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict and its regional repercussions.
Already have an account? Login here
You have reached your article limit
Stay informed this summer.
Subscribe for $0.5/month for 3 months.
This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers.
Already have an account? Login here
