Lebanese Army says continuing operations in Froun and Srifa ahead of deployment in Zawtar Gharbieh | LIVE

Israeli army also announces launch of a 'pilot zone'

The Israeli army late Monday announced the launch of what it described as a "safe zone pilot project" in southern Lebanon, "in cooperation with the U.S. military [CENTCOM] and the Lebanese Army," according to a post on its X account.

"As part of this pilot project, teams from the Israeli army, the U.S. military and the Lebanese Army are coordinating and planning the continued implementation of the agreement," it said, adding that "the Israeli army will act forcefully against any violation of the agreement."

Earlier in the day, the U.S. State Department announced the start of "operations" in three "pilot zones": Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Gharbieh.

Of the three, only Zawtar Gharbieh remains occupied by the Israeli army, while the Lebanese Army is positioned on its outskirts awaiting deployment.

Jordan army says downed 3 Iranian missiles targeting kingdom

Jordan's army said on Monday that air defenses had downed three Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom, with no injuries or damage reported.

"The air defense system intercepted and downed tonight three missiles coming from Iranian territory that entered Jordanian airspace and targeted the kingdom's territory," the army said in a statement, adding that it "did not lead to any injuries or material damage."

Jordan: Alert sirens sound in Amman, AFP correspondent reports

Alert sirens sounded Monday evening in Amman, an AFP journalist in the Jordanian capital reported, as the country has been targeted in recent days by Iranian strikes amid renewed hostilities with the United States.

State broadcaster Al-Mamlaka confirmed that the sirens had been "activated across the kingdom," after Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological military force of the Islamic Republic, earlier claimed to have destroyed U.S. aircraft in Aqaba, southern Jordan.

'Faithful to his oath': Haykal pays tribute to Sergeant Major Ahmad Khalil at funeral after his death in Mansouri explosion

The funeral of Sergeant Major Ahmad Khalil, who was killed following the explosion of a "suspected device" on Saturday in Mansouri (Sour), was held Monday afternoon.

The ceremony began in Sour before his remains were transferred to the cemetery in Froun (Bint Jbeil), his hometown, where the funeral took place in the presence of Defense Minister Michel Menassa and Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief Rodolph Haykal.

Haykal paid tribute to Khalil, saying he had remained "faithful to his oath, committed to the honor of his mission until its ultimate limits, in order to carry it out in the best possible way."

"The military institution will remain alongside the families of the martyrs, in tribute to their immense sacrifices," he added.

Israeli army carries out major explosion in Zawtar Gharbieh as Lebanese Army awaits entry

The Israeli army carried out a major explosion in the evening in the village of Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh district), as the Lebanese Army positioned itself on the outskirts of the village ahead of entering once the Israeli withdrawal is completed, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon. The blast was heard in several surrounding areas.

Earlier in the afternoon, the U.S. State Department announced the launch of "operations" in the village, identified as a "pilot zone." The Lebanese Army said it was holding talks with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to deploy in Zawtar Gharbieh after the Israeli withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out another explosion in Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh district,) as well as a powerful blast between Kounin and Ainata (Bint Jbeil district).

Trump warns Iran will pay 'many times over' for US troop deaths

President Donald Trump warned Iran on Monday that it would pay "many times over" for every U.S. soldier it killed after Washington announced over the weekend three new military fatalities and one service member missing in action.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social. "This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military."

Lebanese Army says it continues operations in Froun and Srifa ahead of deployment in Zawtar Gharbieh

In a statement published early Tuesday evening, the Lebanese Army command said its units were "continuing to carry out their missions" in the towns of Froun (Bint Jbeil) and Srifa (Sour), as part of their deployment in southern Lebanon.

The army said coordination was ongoing with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L) to "begin deployment in Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh) after the withdrawal of Israeli forces" from the area.

Meanwhile, the army command urged residents not to go to Zawtar Gharbieh and to follow the instructions of deployed military units "in order to preserve their safety."

'Pilot zones': Lebanese Army says it is awaiting green light to deploy in Zawtar Gharbieh

In a statement published early Tuesday evening, the Lebanese Army drew a clear distinction between the three "pilot zones" identified by the U.S. State Department, saying it is awaiting approval to deploy in Zawtar Gharbieh.

The army said it held "discussions with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to allow the start of the Lebanese Army's deployment in the town of Zawtar Gharbieh, following the withdrawal of the Israeli army."

The army called on residents not to "go to" the village in the Nabatiyeh district and urged them to "follow the instructions of the deployed military units in order to preserve their safety."

Regarding the two other villages identified as "pilot zones" — Froun in Bint Jbeil and Srifa inSour — the Lebanese Army said it was "continuing to carry out its missions."

'Pilot zones': Israeli army 'withdrawing from 1 village' and was not present in the other 2, Haaretz reports

While the U.S. State Department earlier announced the start of "operations" in three "pilot zones" — Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Sharqieh — the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the Israeli army was "in the process of withdrawing from one of the three Lebanese villages mentioned by the U.S. State Department," citing an Israeli source and another source familiar with the matter.

"No Israeli soldiers" were present in the other two villages, but the Israeli army maintained "intelligence control" over them through surveillance drones, the sources said. They did not specify which of the three villages was concerned by the withdrawal, according to the newspaper.

Froun and Srifa are located north of the "buffer zone" unilaterally declared and occupied by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon. Zawtar Sharqieh is located within the area occupied by Israel and continues to be targeted by attacks.

Israeli artillery shelling targets Houla, stun grenade reported in Mansouri

Israeli artillery shelling has targeted the neighborhood of al-Marj in the village of Houla (Marjayoun district), according to our correspondent in the south.

Our correspondent also reported that a small Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the village of Mansouri (Sour).

Mayor of Zawtar Gharbieh not yet informed by authorities about Lebanese Army deployment in the village

The mayor of Zawtar Gharbeh, Abed Ezzeddine, told our correspondent that he has not yet been officially informed by the authorities about a deployment of the Lebanese Army in the village or an Israeli withdrawal from the village's outskirts.

Earlier today, the U.S. State Department announced that operations in three "pilot zones" — Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Gharbieh — began "today."

Ezzeddine said that the Israeli army is still positioned on the outskirts of Zawtar Gharbieh and occasionally advances into it, "carrying out looting, demolitions, and the burning of homes before withdrawing again." He added that the village has also been subjected to sweeping operations and machine-gun fire.

Israeli attacks kill 4,238 people, wound 12,230 in Lebanon since March 2

The health ministry announced that the number of people killed from Israel's attacks on the country since March 2 reached 4,328, adding that the number of people wounded rose to 12,230.

Compared to yesterday's toll, one person has been wounded in the past 24 hours.

Operations begin in 3 'pilot zones,' US State Department announces

Operations in three "pilot zones" — Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Gharbieh — began "today," the U.S. State Department announced, as President Joseph Aoun visits Washington.

"Today, pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Gharbieh in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon," the department said, adding that the milestone was "a direct outcome of last week’s discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome."

The Lebanese Army had deployed late last week, including in the three villages identified as the first "pilot zones." According to the State Department, the operations are being conducted "under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon," an entity established under the security annex of the U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in late June.

Under the security annex, in the "pilot zones," the Lebanese Army is required to "take the necessary operational measures to ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups."

"The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion," the State Department added.

Israeli army sets fire to homes in Kfar Tibnit, detonates large explosion in Taybeh

The Israeli army set fire to homes in Kfar Tibnit, in the Nabatieh district, after the village was rocked by five powerful explosions earlier, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.

Thick black smoke was seen rising from one of the village’s neighborhoods in a photo received by the correspondent.

The Israeli army also detonated a large explosion in Taybeh, in the Marjayoun district. A video showed thick white smoke billowing from the presumed site of the blast.

Houthi rebels announce naval blockade of Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia after the two sides exchanged airstrikes last week for the first time in several years.

The rebels "declare a naval blockade against the criminal Saudi enemy, in accordance with the principle of 'an eye for an eye,' effective immediately upon the publication of this statement," military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.

Escalation in Iran: Mediators propose 10-day cease-fire to Tehran

Mediators have presented Iran with a proposal for a 10-day cease-fire with the United States to allow time to find a diplomatic solution and revive the memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

South Lebanon: Five major blasts rock Kfar Tibnit

Five powerful explosions detonated by the Israeli army rocked Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh district) and surrounding areas, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The blasts occurred in different parts of the village over a half-hour period. The Israeli army also fired four artillery shells toward the town after carrying out detonations there earlier in the morning and overnight.

Separately, small Israeli drones dropped stun grenades over the Khiam plain (Marjayoun district) and Mansouri (Sour district).

Bahrain: Air navigation systems targeted by Iranian drones, flights unaffected

Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs announced that Iranian drones targeted the kingdom's air navigation systems but said air traffic was not affected.

“As a result of an Iranian act of aggression against the Kingdom of Bahrain, civil air navigation systems in the [country's] air zone were targeted by hostile drones. Air navigation operations are not affected,” the agency said in a statement, adding that “flights and air traffic” were continuing as normal.

Iranian interior minister to visit Islamabad Monday

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Monday, a source at Pakistan's Interior Ministry told AFP. The source said Momeni would meet with Pakistani officials in the capital but did not specify whether the visit was linked to Islamabad's diplomatic efforts to end hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Earlier Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said diplomatic efforts with the United States were continuing through mediators despite U.S. airstrikes on Iranian territory.

Last week, Pakistan called on the United States and Iran to end the fighting and resume negotiations under the memorandum of understanding brokered by Islamabad in June. The clashes, which resumed on July 7, shattered the agreement aimed at ending hostilities.

Momeni has previously taken part in mediation efforts, including meeting Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a visit to Iran in recent months.

Iran faces 'total' war against the US, says Pezeshkian

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Iran is facing “total” war from the United States and warned of the consequences for the country’s economy.

“The reality is that today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in total war” against the United States, Pezeshkian said, adding that Iranians must “accept the natural consequences of this resistance,” according to a statement published on the presidential website.

Israel's security Cabinet to meet amid regional escalation

Israel's security Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to meet Sunday night to discuss the ongoing regional escalation, according to several Israeli media outlets, including Yediot Ahronoth.

For nine days, the United States has been bombing Iran, which has retaliated by launching attacks on what it describes as "American infrastructure" in several countries across the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Israel has not yet become directly involved in the war.

Berri hopes for ‘concrete results’ from Aoun-Trump meeting

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri expressed hope in an interview with local outlet Al-Afdal News that the meeting between President Joseph Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump, scheduled for Tuesday, “will lead to positive and concrete results in favor of the liberation of Lebanon and the guarantee of its established rights.”

Berri, who has so far voiced opposition to the framework agreement signed June 26 between Lebanon and Israel, which provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the south based on “pilot zones,” added that, in his view, “the essential thing is to reach a genuine solution, regardless of where it comes from.”

Berri also said he had emphasized to Aoun, during a telephone conversation before the president’s departure for Washington, the need to focus on two priorities: consolidating the cease-fire and securing a complete Israeli withdrawal from the still-occupied territories in southern Lebanon.

Asked about the risk of the region plunging back into war amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, Berri replied: “What do you call what is happening now? It is already a form of war.”

Iran calls on IAEA to condemn strike on nuclear site under construction

Iran has urged the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to condemn the U.S. strikes that, according to Tehran, targeted a nuclear facility under construction in Darkhovin in the southwest of the country on Sunday.

"Iran ... expects the IAEA Board of Governors and the IAEA Director General [Rafael Grossi], who regularly take a position on the Iranian nuclear issue, to clearly express their position on this matter and condemn the crime perpetrated by the United States," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.

Iran says Hormuz cannot be used to 'threaten country's security'

The Strait of Hormuz cannot be used to "threaten Iran's security," Iranian officials said Monday amid clashes with the United States.

"We must not allow this waterway to be diverted from its primary purpose again to threaten Iran's security and national interests," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.

He added that Iran was "determined to take the necessary measures" to safeguard its sovereignty.

Israel dynamiting homes this morning in Mais al-Jabal, Beit Yahoun

Smoke rises after an Israeli demolition in Kfar Tibnit. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)

The Israeli army detonated homes Monday morning in Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun district), in the Shandieh neighborhood near the government hospital, as well as in Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh district), reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon. At dawn, Israeli forces also destroyed homes with explosives in Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil).

Over the past four days, Israeli forces have intensified operations to demolish and burn homes and infrastructure across the occupied areas of southern Lebanon, our correspondent reports.

According to his sources, 24 such operations have been recorded over the past four days.

Iran says diplomatic talks with US through mediators are continuing

Iran said Monday that diplomatic efforts with the United States were continuing through mediators despite U.S. military strikes on Iranian territory.

“We have been informed by the mediators. We have received messages — without going into details — but the main point is that the diplomatic apparatus has been active in recent days and that some ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.

Pakistan, Qatar and Oman are involved in mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.

Ship catches fire in Hormuz after being struck by projectile

A ship was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire and prompting the evacuation of its crew, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported.

“The vessel was struck by an unknown projectile. The crew safely evacuated the ship and were rescued by a tugboat. The fire has not been extinguished and the vessel is currently adrift. No environmental impact has been reported,” UKMTO said in an update to an earlier statement.

The agency had previously reported a ship on fire 8 nautical miles [about 15 kilometers] northwest of Kumzar, Oman, without specifying the cause.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the country’s ideological army, said it had intercepted two oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without authorization from Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s hydrocarbon trade passed before the Middle East war, has again been closed by Iran since hostilities with the United States resumed. In retaliation, the U.S. has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran: New US strikes on Bushehr, home to nuclear power plant

The southwestern port city of Bushehr, home to Iran's only operating civilian nuclear power plant, was targeted Monday by new U.S. airstrikes, state media reported.

“A few minutes ago, several locations in the city of Bushehr were hit by projectiles fired by the American enemy,” Bushehr Gov. Mohammad Mozaffari told the state-run IRNA news agency.

Rubio says defeating Hezbollah requires replacing it with a sufficiently strong government

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that his meeting a few hours earlier with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington had been “very positive.”

“The best thing that can happen to Lebanon is to have a legitimate government that controls the country,” he said as he prepared to board a plane for the Philippines, where the ASEAN summit is set to take place.

“Lebanon’s biggest problem is that there is a political movement that also has a very well-armed, trained, equipped and Iranian-funded militia, which also uses this force to carry out acts of terrorism, particularly against northern Israel. And as long as this problem exists, Lebanon will never truly be able to live in peace,” Rubio added.

He said that “to defeat Hezbollah, it would be necessary to replace it with a government strong enough to be the sole authority holding weapons in the country — in other words, so that Lebanon’s security is ensured solely by the Lebanese armed forces — and a government capable of bringing prosperity to its people.”

“So we discussed the possibilities of achieving this. It’s not just about military matters. It’s also about how to attract more American and international investment to Lebanon. It’s also about how we could reinstate direct flights between the United States and Lebanon. Currently, this isn’t possible, so we’re going to launch a process to examine whether this is feasible and when it could be implemented,” Rubio said.

The U.S. secretary of state also said the meeting scheduled for Tuesday between Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump would be “very positive.”

“I think President Aoun will be able to return to Lebanon and tell the Lebanese people that he is the one who is achieving positive results for the Lebanese — all Lebanese, whether Christian, Sunni, Shiite, Bedouin or Druze, all the inhabitants of this very diverse country — and not Hezbollah or Iran. He is the one who represents the legitimate government. It is with this government that we will work, and it is this government that must be in charge of this country,” he concluded.

US airstrikes kill 1 in northwestern Iran

At least one person was killed and several others were wounded in overnight U.S. airstrikes in northwestern Iran, state media reported.

“One person was martyred and several others were wounded in a terrorist and aggressive U.S. attack in an area southwest of Tabriz,” Majid Farshi, head of crisis management in East Azerbaijan province, told the state-run IRNA news agency.

MBS invites Aoun to Saudi Arabia

President Joseph Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone late Sunday, as the Lebanese president was in Washington on an official visit.

“The latest developments in Lebanon and the Middle East were at the heart of the conversation. MBS reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's support for Lebanon in this particular period. The options chosen by President Aoun regarding Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity were also discussed,” according to statements from the Lebanese presidency on X and the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The crown prince reiterated “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's determination to provide assistance in all areas Lebanon needs, in accordance with the priorities set by the Lebanese government.”

MBS also invited Aoun to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss issues of mutual interest. The Lebanese president thanked him for his support and for the measures taken to help Lebanon and strengthen its economy.

Tensions between Beirut and Riyadh have largely eased since Aoun's election. His first trip abroad as president was to Riyadh in March 2025, two months after taking office.

Relations between the two countries had deteriorated in recent years because of regional tensions involving Iran and Hezbollah, as well as the trafficking of captagon produced in Lebanon and smuggled into Saudi Arabia via Syria under Bashar al-Assad. A sign of the thaw came on June 10, when Saudi Arabia lifted a five-year ban on Lebanese imports.

The call came as the region faces a new escalation, with Iran and the United States exchanging daily strikes for nine consecutive days. Tehran has retaliated against U.S. attacks on its territory by targeting infrastructure it says is linked to the United States in Gulf countries, though those strikes have so far spared Saudi territory.

Iraq: US military announces death of American service member in country's North

The U.S. military announced Sunday that an American service member was killed while carrying out the controlled destruction of unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone shot down in northern Iraq.

The death, which occurred Saturday, brings to 17 the number of American service members killed since the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran at the end of February.

U.S. Central Command also said unidentified human remains had been found in Jordan. On Saturday, it announced the deaths of two American service members and the disappearance of a third in the country.

Iran: Revolutionary Guard says stopped 2 oil tankers in Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Monday it had stopped two oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without authorization from Tehran, according to Iranian state television and the Tasnim news agency.

“Late last night, two unauthorized oil tankers ... attempting to enter and exit the Strait of Hormuz through what has been described as the dangerous and risky southern route, exploded and were stopped,” the IRGC said in a statement quoted by Tasnim.

Iran: Revolutionary Guard says targeted US aircraft in Jordan, Kuwait; sirens sound in Bahrain

Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Monday they had targeted U.S. military aircraft at Aqaba airport in Jordan, claiming to have caused "serious damage" to several of them, according to Iranian state television.

Heavy transport and patrol aircraft "belonging to the invading U.S. military at Aqaba airport were targeted by ballistic missiles, causing serious damage to several of them," the Guard said in a statement broadcast by the channel.

The force also claimed to have "completely destroyed" a U.S. early warning radar system in a drone strike in Kuwait. In a separate attack, it said it struck an aircraft equipment and parts depot and an MQ-9 drone hangar at Ali Al-Salem Air Base, setting several drones ablaze, according to a statement carried by IRNA. The Kuwaiti military, for its part, said it was facing further attacks by Iranian drones.

Meanwhile, explosions were heard in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, which has been targeted for several days in Iranian attacks against U.S.-allied Gulf states, and air strike sirens sounded, according to AFP journalists.

“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and go to the nearest safe place,” Bahrain's Interior Ministry wrote on X.

US military says targeted communications networks, command centers in Iran

The U.S. military announced late Sunday that it had completed its ninth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting, among other sites, command centers and communications networks.

The overnight strikes “targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks, in order to further reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” U.S. Central Command wrote on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday night that the United States was striking Iran “very hard” to avenge American service members killed in recent days in the Middle East.

“We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did it in honor of, probably three, probably three great patriots,” Trump told reporters upon returning to Washington after the World Cup final.

Good morning. We are now launching our LIVE coverage of the region for today.