Trump describes meeting with Netanyahu as 'positive and productive'; new large-scale Israeli demolition reported in south Lebanon | LIVE

Ukraine says it wants to avoid 'escalation' with Iran after Caspian Sea attack

Ukraine and Iran’s foreign ministers spoke by phone on Tuesday, Kyiv said, as Ukraine sought to avoid “escalation” following a Ukrainian attack over the weekend on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.

In a post on X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he held a “frank conversation” by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

“Diplomacy relies on direct dialogue, even when the situation is difficult. I stressed that our goal is to avoid any unnecessary escalation,” Sybiha wrote.

Iran warned Ukraine on Monday of “unpredictable” consequences after Kyiv’s attack on one of its vessels, which killed one sailor and wounded several others.

Netanyahu, Trump reaffirm 'unwavering commitment' to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump held an “extremely positive” meeting in Washington on Tuesday, reaffirming their opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a source close to Netanyahu who accompanied him to the White House.

“It was an extremely positive meeting. The prime minister and the president had an excellent and in-depth discussion on the major issues of the moment, first and foremost Iran,” the source said in a statement shared with journalists.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment” to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, the source added.

Houthis claim ballistic missile attack on Saudi vessel

Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they launched a ballistic missile attack against a Saudi vessel.

Iran proposes joint management of Strait of Hormuz maritime traffic with Oman

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran had proposed that Iran manage one-way maritime traffic through one of the Strait of Hormuz’ shipping lanes, while Oman would oversee traffic moving in the opposite direction.

New Israeli demolition reported in Mansouri

(Credit: photo shared with Muntasser Abdallah/ OLJ)

The Israeli army carried out another large-scale demolition in Mansouri, in the Sour district, according to our south Lebanon correspondent.

White House describes Trump-Netanyahu meeting as 'productive'

The White House described the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “productive.”

The talks between the two leaders are being held behind closed doors, with no media access, unlike their previous meetings, The New York Times reported, citing Israeli journalists covering Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.

Poll finds 49% of Americans believe Netanyahu should be arrested in the US

A poll published by The Economist and YouGov found that 47% of Americans believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is guilty of war crimes in Gaza, while 24% disagree and 29% are undecided.

The poll also found that 49% of respondents believe U.S. authorities should arrest Netanyahu, compared with 27% who oppose such a move and 23% who did not express an opinion.

Meanwhile, 47% of those surveyed said the Israeli prime minister has damaged relations between Israel and the United States, while 24% disagreed and 29% were undecided.

Finally, 43% of respondents said they believe genocide has taken place in Gaza, while 24% rejected that view and 32% did not take a position.

The poll was conducted from July 25 to 28, 2026, among 1,572 adult U.S. citizens selected from YouGov’s online panel and weighted to be representative of the U.S. population, according to the pollsters.

UNIFIL says it discovered 4,000 kg of explosive material in south Lebanon building in early July

In a statement published on its website Tuesday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said its explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists discovered, on July 2, during a routine reconnaissance mission near Houla (Marjayoun), “385 containers abandoned inside a building containing approximately 4,000 kilograms of explosive material, mainly composed of ammonium nitrate.”

UNIFIL teams then carried out operations to render the material “inert” in order to eliminate the risk of an explosion.

In its report, UNIFIL also said that another patrol discovered the wreckage of a drone near one of its positions in southern Lebanon on July 10. The area was immediately secured while EOD specialists examined the device. After confirming that it still contained explosive components, they neutralized them on site without incident.

Heavy Israeli demolition reported between Majdal Zoun and Mansouri in Sour district

The Israeli army carried out a large-scale demolition operation between Majdal Zoun and Mansouri in the Sour district, according to reports. Shortly beforehand, explosions were also reported in Zawtar Sharqieh, while Israeli forces reportedly set fire to homes in Markaba.

An Israeli drone also dropped two bombs near Yater, in the direction of Beit Lif, in the Bint Jbeil district.

Trump shows irritation with Netanyahu before White House talks on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hours before their meeting at the White House, criticizing the fact that details of the issues Netanyahu planned to raise regarding Iran had been made public.

Asked about reports that Netanyahu intended to discuss the Pickaxe Mountain site with him — a heavily fortified facility buried deep underground near one of Iran’s main nuclear sites — Trump responded, using the Israeli leader’s nickname: "I don't need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi's telling me that because he wants me to stay involved."

“Why don't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?” Trump said in an interview with Fox & Friends.

According to the New York Post, Netanyahu was expected to present Trump with intelligence indicating that Iran is continuing to reinforce its nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain and is concealing its true intentions by expressing support for a peace agreement.

Netanyahu arrives at the White House

(Credit: Elizabeth Frantz / Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

JD Vance to attend Trump-Netanyahu meeting

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will attend the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, the prime minister's office told The Times of Israel.

Vance had previously accused members of the Israeli government of funding campaigns aimed at influencing U.S. public opinion and undermining negotiations with Tehran.

Iran warns recipients of its frozen assets will be barred from transiting Strait of Hormuz

Iran has warned that any company or country receiving its frozen assets as compensation for ships damaged in the Gulf will no longer be allowed to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Joint Military Command, issued the warning, according to state media.

The statement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that Iranian assets frozen in the United States would be used to compensate for damage to ships struck in the Gulf.

Iraq: Drone strikes against Iranian Kurdish rebel groups

At least 14 drone strikes have targeted Iranian Kurdish rebels in the Iraqi Kurdistan region since Monday, a representative of the rebels said, blaming the attacks on Iran.

Since the start of the Middle East war, Iraqi Kurdistan, which hosts U.S. troops and foreign oil companies, as well as Iranian Kurdish groups in exile — labeled as terrorists by Tehran — has been the target of attacks carried out by Iran and pro-Iranian Iraqi armed factions.

Following the resumption of hostilities in the region in early July, drone attacks, which Kurdish authorities attribute to Iran, have been repeatedly intercepted over Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, and others have struck Iranian Kurdish opposition groups.

"Iranian forces have launched 14 drone attacks since Monday ... against bases belonging to our party as well as the PDKI [Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan] and the PAK [Freedom Party of Kurdistan]," Amjad Panahi of the Komala party told AFP.

Adib Khaldian of the PAK confirmed that drones had targeted his group. The latest attacks were reported Tuesday before dawn. The strikes, for which no group has claimed responsibility, caused material damage and fires, but no casualties were reported. The PDKI, for its part, reported on X of a "broad and sustained campaign that has struck the Kurdistan region dozens of times in recent days."

US planes used Israeli bases to strike Iran, Israel says

American military planes that struck Iran last week took off from Israeli bases, said Defense Minister Israel Katz, who reiterated that his country was ready to retaliate if attacked, reports AFP.

This statement comes while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington to meet with United States President Donald Trump, particularly on the subject of the war with Iran.

On July 7, hostilities resumed between the two belligerents, despite the memorandum of understanding concluded in mid-June with a view to ending the war. Israel did not take part in this new phase of the war.

“The fact is that right now — and this could change within an hour — the Iranians are shooting at everything in the region except one country: the State of Israel,” Katz told Israel's Channel 14.

“They know that American planes are taking off from here to carry out strikes,” he added. “That doesn’t mean we know what’s going to happen tomorrow; this means we know what our reaction will be. I announced it, the prime minister announced it, and we said it very clearly: if Israel is targeted, we will respond with all our strength,” the minister warned.

Israeli artillery targets Ali al-Taher Hill, bombs Qsair in south Lebanon

Israeli artillery shelled Ali Taher Hill in the Nabatieh district in recent hours, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

In the Marjayoun district, on the other side of the Litani River, Israel also carried out two bombings in the village of Qsair.

Oman proposes regional mechanism for Strait of Hormuz

Oman has proposed a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz, financed through voluntary contributions, according to a Gulf source cited by Reuters.

The proposal, which reportedly has regional backing, would prevent Iran from exercising exclusive control over the strategic waterway. It is modeled on the Strait of Malacca, where users help fund navigation safety, environmental protection and search-and-rescue operations through voluntary contributions.

South Lebanon: Three Israeli drone strikes hit Nabatieh Fawqa

Israeli drones carried out three consecutive strikes on Nabatieh Fawqa on Tuesday, including one that targeted an apartment, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The first two strikes hit the same location and caused no casualties. Nabatieh Fawqa lies near the de facto "buffer zone" and the Ali al-Taher hills, where Israel alleges Hezbollah operates an underground command center.

In the Sour district, Israeli drones also dropped stun grenades on Mansouri and the neighboring village of Byout al-Siyad.

Jordan says it intercepted drone over its territory

Jordan's military said Tuesday it shot down a drone that entered the kingdom's airspace over the eastern desert, without identifying its origin.

"The Royal Jordanian Air Force neutralized a drone that violated Jordanian airspace at dawn on Tuesday morning," a military spokesperson said in a statement.

"The drone was successfully shot down in the eastern desert, within the kingdom's territory," the spokesperson added.

Israeli media says Lebanese Army dismantled Hezbollah weapons cache

The Lebanese Army discovered and dismantled a Hezbollah weapons cache in one of two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11 reported Monday, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, it marks the first time the Lebanese Army has dismantled Hezbollah infrastructure since the framework agreement reached on June 26, which Israeli officials view as a positive sign of the army's commitment to disarming the group.

Kan 11 did not specify in which of the two pilot zones the cache was found. The "pilot zones" are located in Srifa and Froun, south of the Litani River, and in Zawtar Gharbieh.

Iran discusses Hormuz with Oman, Saudi Arabia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate calls with his Omani and Saudi counterparts, Badr al-Bussaidi and Faisal bin Farhan, to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported.

According to state television, the ministers stressed the need to strengthen cooperation and diplomatic efforts to restore stability and address insecurity in the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key point of contention between Tehran and Washington. Disputes over its management have undermined the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. Iran insists on maintaining control of the strait and charging transit fees while keeping Oman involved in its management.

The waterway, through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed before the war, has been blocked by Iran since hostilities with the United States resumed in early July.

Dozens of homes demolished across south Lebanon

Israeli bombardments and demolitions continued across southern Lebanon on Monday, with dozens of homes destroyed in nine villages, according to our correspondent in the region.

Early Tuesday, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade over Mansouri, while artillery shelled the outskirts of Qsair, Deir Siryan, and Qantara. Overnight, Israeli forces also shelled the outskirts of Nabatieh Fawqa and the Ali al-Taher heights, and demolished homes in Haddatha.

Monday evening saw intensified strikes in the Marjayoun, Nabatieh, Sour, and Bint Jbeil districts, including in Qantara, Aitaroun, Markaba, Tallousseh, Kfar Tibnit, Majdal Zoun, and Mansouri.

According to the latest reports, dozens of homes were destroyed in separate operations across nine localities on Monday. Homes and farmland were also set ablaze in two villages, while three others came under artillery fire.

Israeli military says intercepted drone near Jordan border

The Israeli military said it intercepted a drone near the Jordanian border early Tuesday and is investigating where it was launched from.

"The Israeli Air Force recently intercepted a drone in the area of the border with Jordan," the military said on Telegram, adding that the drone "did not enter Israeli territory" and that its origin remains under investigation.

The military said it also intercepted two drones near the border on Monday. Israel, which launched a joint offensive with the United States against Iran on Feb. 28, did not take part in the latest round of clashes in July.

Iraq investigates drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said Monday it intercepted a drone launched from Iraq, as fighting remained paused in Iran following the war that began Feb. 28 with a U.S.-Israeli attack.

Riyadh blamed the attack on "Iranian-backed terrorist militias," though no group claimed responsibility. After Saudi Arabia urged Baghdad to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks, the Iraqi government announced an investigation.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they struck Saudi oil infrastructure in Yanbu with drones. Riyadh and the Houthis resumed hostilities on July 13 after a four-year truce, and the rebels announced July 20 they would block Saudi ships from using the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Trump says Iran talks have 'good chance' of success despite Tehran denial

President Donald Trump said Monday there was "a good chance" talks with Iran would succeed, despite Tehran denying it is negotiating with Washington, on the third day of a pause in hostilities.

"We'll see what happens. I think there's a good chance something will happen," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding that Iran was "talking to us about reaching an agreement," without providing details.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, however, said Tehran is not "currently" engaged "in any negotiations with the United States."

Trump also warned the U.S. could resume bombing Iran if talks fail, while dismissing concerns about potential shortages of U.S. munitions raised in recent New York Times reporting. Hostilities halted Saturday after 15 days of airstrikes, despite a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June aimed at ending the war.

Washington confirms Lebanon-Israel talks in Rome next week

The United States confirmed that Lebanon and Israel will hold talks in Rome from Aug. 4-6 as part of efforts to establish "pilot zones" with the Lebanese Army.

"In Rome, the technical groups will focus on advancing the full implementation of the framework agreement," a State Department official said on condition of anonymity. Discussions will focus on expanding the "pilot zones," resolving outstanding border issues and advancing a comprehensive peace and security agreement.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the talks several days ago.

The agreement reached in June provides for the Lebanese Army's deployment in "pilot zones" evacuated by Israel, which still occupies parts of southern Lebanon, contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament.

First Netanyahu-Trump meeting since Iran war began amid tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday for the first time since the Iran war began five months ago, amid tensions between the two leaders that have since eased.

Talks are expected to focus on regional issues, particularly Iran, as Washington says it wants to give diplomacy another chance after two weeks of unprecedented bombing following the April cease-fire. They are also expected to discuss implementing the U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, aimed at ending the state of war, as well as the situation in Gaza, where reconstruction efforts remain stalled.

"The meeting is a great privilege, but also a great responsibility," Netanyahu said before departing Israel on Monday. "We will discuss all issues ... first and foremost Iran, naturally. Our goal is to guarantee our security, but also to broaden the circle of peace around us."

Relations between the two leaders deteriorated sharply in April during negotiations over an initial ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

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Good morning! We are now launching our live coverage of news from the region.

We are now launching our live coverage of news from the Middle East, where tensions continue to escalate amid exchanges of airstrikes between the United States and Iran.

We will also follow the situation in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli army continues to occupy approximately 620 square kilometers along the border and conduct airstrikes and demolitions.