Trump authorizes US airlines to operate direct flights to Lebanon | LIVE

Iran claims attacks on radar systems in Kuwait

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said they launched several attacks on radar systems in Kuwait's Bubiyan island and Ali al-Salem base, state media reported.

Bubiyan island is the largest of Kuwait's coastal islands chain, ​located ​in ⁠the northwest of the Gulf.

The Guards have previously attacked the Ali Al Salem Air Base.

Iran war has cost about $37.5 billion, Hegseth says

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine are testifying to Congress about a budget request that includes $60 billion to fund the war on Iran.

Hegseth acknowledged that the war against Iran has cost an estimated $37.5 billion so far, which includes some anticipated costs through Sept. 30.

He also said that, "There is training right now and training in the future that would have to be curtailed if we do not get our budget needs met, and met urgently."

This is the first time that Hegseth has publicly faced questions from lawmakers since the U.S. military re-started operations against Iran earlier this month.

The defense secretary was repeatedly interrupted by protesters in the hearing room. Protesters could be heard yelling "stop this war" and "stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine."

Trump authorizes US airlines to operate direct flights to Lebanon

Following his meeting with President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to give the green-light to U.S. airlines to begin flying directly to Lebanon:

After meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, who has done a remarkable job working to transform his Country, I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land. Hopefully, other Countries will do the same. Enjoy! President DONALD J. TRUMP

Al-Akhbar publishes invitation to solidarity stand for journalist Hassan Illaik on Wednesday

Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar has organized a solidarity stand for journalist Hassan Illaik at the Beirut Justice Palace on Wednesday at 11 a.m. In a post on Instagram, it said the stand would be held in defense of "the right of journalists to convey their message" and of "freedom of expression."

Read more about his summoning at the Court of Cassation on Monday here.

Aoun expresses 'deep gratitude' following meeting with Trump

President Joseph Aoun has expressed his “deep gratitude” for U.S. support for his country, after being welcomed by Donald Trump at the White House, according to a statement from the Lebanese Presidency.

Aoun wrote in the White House guest book that he felt “deep gratitude for President Trump’s friendship and for the support the United States provides to Lebanon, its sovereignty, its legitimate institutions and the Lebanese Armed Forces,” the statement said.

Read out full report of the meeting between the two presidents here.

Israeli army sets fire to nature reserve in Braasheet, Bint Jbeil

(Photo sent by Muntasser Abdallah)

The Israeli army has set fire to a nature reserve in the village of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Cross vehicle following explosive device detonation

(Photo provided by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)

The scene following the detonation of an explosive device on a Red Cross convoy as one of its vehicles passed through the entrance to Zawtar Sharqieh earlier today.

Lebanese Army calls on Israel to use coordination channels rather than ‘resort to aggression’

Following the incident in which Israeli forces opened fire on Lebanese soldiers who were deploying in the village of Zawtar Gharbieh on Tuesday, and the Israeli statement claiming that the army had deployed outside the agreed area, the Lebanese Army Command confirmed, in a statement issued Tuesday evening, that its military units had been deployed in the village of Zawtar Gharbieh following the necessary consultations and coordination with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), and that they had not entered the village of Zawtar Sharqieh.

The statement specifies that “Israeli occupation forces approached the outskirts of Zawtar Gharbieh whilst Lebanese soldiers were present in the locality to carry out their deployment mission, opening fire in the vicinity, thereby endangering the soldiers and hindering the execution of the mission entrusted to them."

“The Israeli occupation army must refer to MCG4L in all circumstances and use the established coordination and communication channels, rather than resorting to acts of aggression,” the statement continues.

Three explosive drones crash near US consulate in Erbil

Three explosive drones have crashed near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, Iraq, according to a security source speaking to Reuters.

Flights between Lebanon, the U.S. discussed between Aoun and Trump, according to Massad Boulos

Massad Boulos, Donald Trump’s special adviser on African and Arab affairs, told MTV that “the meeting between Presidents Aoun and Trump was excellent, historic and fruitful, particularly with regard to support for the Lebanese Army."

Boulos also stated that “the two presidents discussed the issue of direct flights between Lebanon and the United States,” adding that “certain administrative procedures still need to be examined in this regard” and expressing the hope that they “will not take long."

Israeli shelling on Ali al-Taher; Israeli army sets areas in Aitaroun on fire

Israeli artillery shelling targeted the heights of Ali al-Taher.

The Israeli army set fire to the al-Salam and al-Zoqaq areas on the outskirts of the town of Aitaroun.

The Lebanese Red Cross announces 2 rescue workers injured in detonation explosion

The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) issued a statement this evening regarding the incident in which an explosive device detonated as one of its vehicles passed through the entrance to Zawtar Sharqieh earlier today.

The LRC stated that it had “co-ordinated with all parties concerned to ensure the safety of the road to Zawtar Sharqieh” before undertaking a search mission for a missing person in the area. “One of our ambulances was hit by a landmine explosion, which injured two members of the rescue team and caused significant damage to the vehicle,” the statement said, as reported by our correspondent.

The statement added that the LRC, in coordination with the Lebanese Army, is working to secure this area, which contains numerous mines and unexploded ordnance.

Meeting between Aoun and Trump at White House comes to a close

President Joseph Aoun, left the White House at around 7.51 pm (Lebanese time), following a meeting lasting more than half an hour with U.S. President Donald Trump (one hour in the Oval Office including the press conference).

Aoun did not answer questions from journalists at the scene. However, Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, told journalists in response to a question that “the meeting was excellent."

Further Israeli bombings and shelling on southern Lebanon

• Israeli strike on town of Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh).
• An Israeli Merkava tank is seen positioned on a hill in the town of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil).
• Israeli artillery shelling targeted the hill of Ali al-Taher (Nabatieh).
• An Israeli drone fired a stun grenade on the town of Mansouri (Sour).

Aoun leaves the White House

According to a correspondent from MTV, the meeting between the two heads of state at the Oval Office lasted an hour, including the press conference.

Aoun said he needs two things from Trump: political support and support for the Lebanese Army

When asked whether the "Lebanese Army currently has the funding, equipment, and manpower necessary to implement the framework agreement" or whether he is asking President Trump today for "additional U.S. assistance," Aoun replied: "Definitely with the support of Mr. Trump... I need two things from you, political support and support for [the Lebanese Army]... the most trusted institution in the country and it has the most powerful weapon which is the trust of the public. Like any armed forces in the world, the Lebanese Armed Forces [LAF] is the backbone of security and stability... without the LAF everything will collapse."

On the issue of Hezbollah, Trump believes Syrian involvement 'would be very effective'

When asked by a journalist about a possible intervention by the Syrian army in Lebanon against Hezbollah, President Donald Trump replied: "Well, it's a concept. We get along very well with the president of Syria. He's done a very good job. I wouldn't be surprised if this gentleman [Aoun]'s gonna do a job just like that.... he's been fighting Hezbollah for a long time. I think it'd be very effective.”

Trump: ‘When Berri sees the progress made, I’m sure he’ll be on board'

When asked about Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s rejection of the framework agreement with Israel, President Aoun pointed out that the Speaker is "a statesman."

“He supports what we are doing, and he supports ending the state of hostility once and for all,” he added, whilst noting, however, that the framework agreement did not require parliamentary approval.

Trump added that, "It's a process, but we are making real headway. When Berri sees the progress made, I’m sure he’ll be on board. Everyone wants to see this resolved."

US has 'very concrete plans' to aid Lebanese Army, says Trump

When asked when the Israeli army would withdraw from Lebanese territory and whether a timetable had been put in place, President Trump stated, “They are in the process of doing that. They are in the process of redeploying their forces to other sectors.”

He also indicated that the United States had “very concrete plans” to assist the Lebanese Army and that this matter would be discussed with Aoun.

'We'll have to take care of business': Trump warns Houthis over Red Sea blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would "take care of it" if Yemen's Houthi movement follows through on its announcement of a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.

Responding to a reporter's question at the White House, Trump said the blockade had not yet materialized but warned the U.S. would act if it did.

"So far, it hasn't happened," Trump said. "It might happen, but we take care of things. If something like that happens, we take care of it."

He added that the U.S. has had "no problem with the Houthis" for an extended period, including during the ongoing war.

Sitting alongside Aoun, Trump promises to help Lebanon 'resolve many problems'

U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a press conference at the Oval Office.

Trump said: "I think Lebanon is a country that has been treated very badly for a long period of time. There are amazing people there and it has taken hard hits for many, many decades. And we're going to solve a lot of problems. We've already solved some of them for Lebanon, as you know. There's the Hezbollah problem, but we've done a few things that I think the world will take notice of." When asked about the Abraham Accords, Trump said: "I think very soon you'll see many countries joining."

Aoun arrives at White House for talks with Trump

President Joseph Aoun has arrived at the White House in Washington to hold talks with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.

In response to a question from journalists, Trump said, “President Aoun is a man of great respect, and we will discuss everything inside.”

After being greeted at the White House by Trump in the presence of journalists, the meeting between the two heads of state will take place behind closed doors.

Lebanese Army conducts engineering survey in Zawtar Gharbieh

The Lebanese Army stated that "specialized military units are conducting an engineering survey in the village of Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh), while operational units are deployed throughout the village and along its outskirts."

Earlier, the Lebanese Army said that Israel opened fire near its positions in the village. However, this did not prevent the army from continuing to carry out its tasks in the village.

Israel carries out three detonation operations in Houla, southern Lebanon

Israel has carried out three detonation operations in a valley in the village of Houla (Marjyoun), our correspondent in southern Lebanon reports.

Complex housing commercial centers, institutions and warehouses targeted by Israeli explosion in Kounine

The mayor of Kounin, Mohammad Tohme, told our correspondent in southern Lebanon that the massive explosion that occurred this afternoon between the villages of Kounin and Beit Yahoun appears to have targeted the “Kuwaiti Project," a complex built in 2006 that includes a large number of buildings housing commercial centers, a pharmacy, various institutions, as well as warehouses and a range of goods.

He noted that 70% of the village's homes and institutions have been completely destroyed by Israel during the war.

Lebanese Army says Israel opened fire near its positions in Zawtar Gharbieh

According to a statement by the Lebanese Army, “while military units were deploying in the village of Zawtar Gharbieh [Nabatieh], Israeli forces opened fire near these units.”

“The army command stresses that this attack hinders the implementation of deployment steps in the pilot zones, which are being carried out as part of communications with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon,” the statement added.

Huge Israeli detonations between Beit Yahoun and Kounin, artillery shelling targets Ali Taher heights

A large-scale demolition on the Ali al Taher Hill, Nabatieh, July 21, 2026. (Photo provided by Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)

The Israeli army carried out large demolitions between Beit Yahoun and Kounin (Bint Jbeil), according to our correspondent in the South. The surrounding areas were shaken by the force of the blasts. An Israeli demolition was also carried out in Khiam (Marjayoun).

Meanwhile, Israeli artillery shelling targeted the heights of Ali Taher (Nabatieh). An Israeli drone also dropped a stun grenade over the village of Mansouri (Sour).

Around two hours earlier, an explosion was heard in the village of Touline (Marjayoun), likely caused by the detonation of unexploded ordnance in a valley.

Iran's President says 'interaction' with Khamenei increasing day by day

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the level of "interaction" with the country's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is increasing day by day, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media.

Khamenei has not appeared in public since succeeding his father as Supreme Leader following his assassination. Several media outlets have reported that he is still recovering from injuries sustained in the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed his father in late February, while others have attributed his absence to security concerns.

His prolonged absence has also fueled speculation over whether he is personally making Iran's key decisions.

Lebanese Army detonating unexploded ordnance in Zawtar Gharbieh

The Lebanese Army said it was detonating unexploded ordnance in the village of Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh).

This village is one of the three first "pilot zones" whose implementation the U.S. announced yesterday. Hours ago, the Lebanese Army announced that it entered this village.

Kuwait accuses Iran of striking power plants and water treatment facilities on Monday

Kuwait accused Iran of striking several power plants and water treatment facilities on Monday.

Axios: Israeli officials say US still negotiating with Israel, Lebanon over who will verify that Lebanese Army cleared 'pilot zones'

Citing Israeli officials, Axios reported that the United States is still negotiating with Israel and Lebanon over who will verify that the Lebanese Army has cleared the "pilot zones," allowing the next phase of the withdrawal to proceed.

A senior Israeli official told the U.S. news website that the Israeli army's withdrawal began this morning.

According to Axios, despite U.S. pressure on Israel to withdraw, both President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun recognize that "a real acceleration of the pullout and a possible breakthrough toward a lasting peace deal can't happen until after the Israeli elections in October."

Houthis warn ships bound for or departing Saudi ports could be 'targeted'

Yemen's Houthi rebels warned shipping companies to avoid loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports, according to an email sent to maritime firms, a day after the group announced a maritime blockade of the kingdom.

Vessels traveling to or from Saudi ports could be “targeted anywhere” by Houthi forces, according to the email, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.

Israeli drones drop stun grenades in south Lebanon

Small Israeli drones have dropped stun grenades on the villages of Mansouri (Sour district) and Haddatha (Bint Jbeil), according to our correspondent in the South.

Bahrain says intercepted Iranian air attacks

Bahrain's military on Tuesday said it had intercepted a number of Iranian attacks, nearly two weeks into the resumption of U.S.-Iran hostilities that have included daily attacks on the Gulf kingdom, AFP reported.

"The air defenses of the Bahrain Defense Force intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial aggressions," the military said in a statement on X.

Smotrich says Israel does not have interest in joining US military operations against Iran

Israeli far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said that Israel does not have an interest in joining U.S. military operations against Iran, according to Haaretz.

"The current situation, in which there is a limited conflict between Iran and the United States, is the right and the best one for us. We're not looking to push ourselves in," he said.

Speaking at a conference marking 21 years since the evacuation of Gush Katif, Israel's former settlement bloc in the Gaza Strip, the minister said that Israel's top goal is to weaken the Iranian regime, and that the best way to do so is through economic means.

Jordanian army says it intercepted 5 Iranian drones

The Jordanian army announced in a statement that it had intercepted five Iranian drones targeting the kingdom, as part of strikes carried out by the Islamic Republic in retaliation for U.S. bombardments.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on its Sepah News website that it had carried out an attack, targeting what it described as a “complex housing U.S. terrorist forces in the Rukban area.”

More demolitions in southern Lebanon in the morning

The Israeli army continued demolishing homes in southern Lebanon. In the morning, it blew up homes in Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun) and Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh). The latter operation was accompanied by heavy automatic weapons fire, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent.

Israeli drones were also flying at low altitude over the Sidon area.

Overnight Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon: Demolitions, airstrikes, artillery fire and intensive overflights

Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon has escalated since last night, according to our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.

Around 6:30 a.m., a powerful explosion was heard in the Nabatieh area, where the Israeli army demolished several homes in Kfar Tibnit and carried out heavy automatic weapons fire.

Shortly beforehand, Israeli artillery shelled the Ali Taher heights, a strategic hill where Israel accuses Hezbollah of maintaining a command center. Fire also targeted the outskirts of Mayfadoun, Kfar Roummane hill and Nabatieh Fawqa.

In the Bint Jbeil district, the Israeli army carried out a demolition operation around 5:30 a.m. near the town, alongside heavy automatic weapons fire toward the village of Haddatha.

A series of Israeli attacks also took place overnight. Israeli drones dropped stun grenades on the villages of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil) and Mansouri (Sour). Artillery fire also targeted Haddatha, Majdal Zoun and Byout al-Siyad, while demolitions were carried out in Tiri.

Israeli fighter jets also carried out a strike on the Ghazaleh neighborhood of Mansouri (Tyre district). In the evening, demolitions targeted the villages of Kfar Tibnit, Zawtar Sharqieh, Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh), Kounin (Bint Jbeil) and Deir Siryan (Marjayoun). Several homes were set on fire, and stun grenades were dropped on some localities.

According to field reports, an airstrike also targeted a locality in the Sour district, while three others came under artillery fire.

Lebanese Army confirms start of redeployment in Zawtar Gharbieh 'pilot zone'

The Lebanese Army confirmed in a brief statement published on its social media accounts that it had “begun deploying this morning in Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh district), based on ongoing contacts with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L).”

The army command renewed its call for citizens not to travel to the area until the security situation has stabilized, and urged them to follow the instructions of deployed military units to ensure their safety.

Under the security annex signed alongside the June 26 framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, the MCG4L is a coordination body between the two countries “tasked with ensuring 24/7 operations to manage deconfliction, verification and the overall implementation” of the agreement.

The cell “will report to the respective political authorities of Israel and Lebanon through indirect military channels between the two countries.”

Lebanese Army engineering unit enters Zawtar Gharbieh, second 'pilot zone' for Israeli withdrawal

A unit from the Lebanese Army’s engineering regiment entered Zawtar Gharbieh, a village in the Nabatieh district along the northern bank of the Litani River, where it is set to begin field inspections of roads, neighborhoods and properties, our southern Lebanon correspondent Mountasser Abdallah reports.

The unit will carry out the necessary surveys and demining operations. Zawtar Gharbieh is part of the second “pilot zone” outlined in the framework agreement signed on June 26 between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, which provides for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The deployment was preceded by warnings from the Lebanese Army and the Zawtar Gharbieh municipality urging residents not to travel to or enter the village until security measures have been completed, the area has been declared safe and residents have been authorized to return.

No journalists were allowed to accompany the Lebanese Army deployment due to security concerns.

Saudi Arabia condemns Houthis

Saudi Arabia yesterday condemned the Houthis’ announcement of a maritime blockade against the kingdom, as the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels threaten the ability of the world’s largest oil exporter to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

The Gulf monarchy’s Foreign Ministry expressed “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strongest condemnation of statements made by the so-called military spokesperson of the terrorist Houthi militia ... imposing a maritime blockade on the Kingdom,” adding that Riyadh “continues to support the brotherly Yemeni people and their legitimate government.”

Fresh US strikes against Iran overnight

The U.S. military announced yesterday evening that it had concluded a 10th consecutive night of strikes against Iran.

“U.S. forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz,” the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement posted on X.

Aoun to meet Trump amid pressure to disarm Hezbollah

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at 11 a.m. Washington time (6 p.m. Beirut time) at the White House, as the Trump administration pressures Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, a condition Israel has set for withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

The United States, which has sponsored negotiations between Lebanon and Israel since April, announced Monday the start of the implementation of an agreement entrusting the Lebanese Army with control of “pilot zones” in the south.

The selected zones are located along the edge of areas controlled by the Israeli army since its latest war with Hezbollah. The establishment of “pilot zones” is part of the framework agreement signed in June by the two countries to end the state of war between them.

The Lebanese president has said he intends to ask his U.S. counterpart to pressure Israel to withdraw from the south. Israel, however, refuses to withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed — a measure also demanded by Washington.

Aoun’s visit is the first by a Lebanese president to Washington since 2009.

IRGC says it stopped 2 tankers in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had stopped two oil tankers traveling through the so-called “Southern Route” of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran does not recognize, according to state news agency IRNA.

“Two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the dangerous Southern Route of the Strait of Hormuz were stopped after explosions caused major fires onboard,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by IRNA.

IRGC says it targeted US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced this morning that it had targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to state news agency IRNA.

The IRGC said it struck two air defense systems and a radar installation at two U.S. outposts in Bahrain.

The Guards also claimed to have hit defensive missile systems and radar and satellite reception systems in Kuwait. “The enemy should prepare for waves of drones and even more decisive and powerful missile attacks” following the strikes on surveillance facilities, it said in a statement carried by IRNA.

In another statement broadcast on state television, the Iranian military said it had struck “three major U.S. bases in Kuwait” with suicide drones. At Camp Arifjan, it said it targeted administrative buildings and tracking systems; at Al-Udeid, a helicopter landing area; and at Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, a barracks.

Washington urges Americans to exercise 'caution' amid Middle East conflict

The U.S. State Department issued an alert yesterday urging American citizens around the world to "exercise increased caution" over the war with Iran.

The alert said that "due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation."

"Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region," it said, while warning of the heightened possibility of attacks targeting U.S. diplomatic facilities "or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world."

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Middle East developments, where tensions continue to rise amid an ongoing exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran.

We will be closely following today’s meeting in Washington between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, as well as the situation in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli army continues to occupy several hundred square kilometers along the border and carry out strikes and demolitions.

Catch up on yesterday's live coverage here and in our Morning Brief here.