Israel says Hezbollah drone struck one of its military vehicles in south Lebanon; Houthis consider imposing Red Sea transit fees | LIVE

Israel weighs response to Hezbollah drone attack

Israel is considering how to respond to a Hezbollah drone attack on one of its vehicles in southern Lebanon, the Times of Israel reported.

Israeli security officials told the outlet that Israel is weighing its response to what it considers a violation of the cease-fire.

Iraqi group threatens US and Saudi forces

Iraqi group Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba said it would not allow U.S. or Saudi forces to “profane Iraqi soil without paying a heavy price,” Reuters reported.

Iran calls US-Saudi strikes on Iraq 'clear aggression'

Iran has condemned U.S.-Saudi strikes on seven areas in Iraq as “clear aggression against the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.”

In a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry said the deadly attacks were a “gross violation” of international law and reflected efforts by the United States and Israel to widen the war.

Tehran expressed condolences for those killed and reaffirmed its “full support and solidarity” with the Iraqi government and people, holding Washington and its regional allies responsible for the “dangerous consequences” of the strikes.

Hezbollah source says Israeli threats unlikely to trigger new escalation

A Hezbollah source told L’Orient-Le Jour that it was “unlikely” Israeli threats would lead to a new escalation of violence.

Asked about the attack on an Israeli military vehicle in southern Lebanon, the source said: “When we carry out an operation, we proudly claim responsibility for it.”

Earlier, local media, citing Yedioth Ahronoth and Israel’s Channel 14, reported that Israel was planning to retaliate for the attack, which it attributed to a Hezbollah drone. Israel considers the incident a violation of the ceasefire by the group, according to the reports.

Israeli army establishes new position near Kfar Shuba

An Israeli army force has established a new position in the Shmeis area on the outskirts of Kfar Shuba in Hasbaya district, installing technical equipment at the site, according to our correspondent.

Iran state TV reports US strikes in northwest

Iranian state television reported Wednesday that the United States had carried out strikes on a city in the country’s northwest, near the border with Iraq.

“Minutes ago, an area in the border region of Piranshahr was hit by airstrikes by the American enemy,” state television reported.

Earlier, Fars news agency quoted an official in West Azerbaijan province as saying a missile had struck an uninhabited area, causing no casualties.

Houthis consider imposing Red Sea transit fees, with China exempt

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement is considering imposing fees on commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, according to sources cited by Reuters.

China’s merchant fleet would reportedly be exempt from the proposed fee system, the sources added.

Hezbollah drone strikes Israeli military vehicle in south Lebanon

A Hezbollah drone struck an Israeli military engineering vehicle in southern Lebanon, Israeli military officials said, according to Haaretz.

Lebanese media, citing a local source, said the strike was intended to prevent Israeli forces from carrying out groundworks in the area.

Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the Israeli Air Force to prepare a response to the alleged Hezbollah violation of the cease-fire, with airstrikes in southern Lebanon expected later Wednesday

Amnesty decries 'horrifying wave' of executions in Iran

Iranian authorities have executed at least five protesters over the past week and are intensifying the use of the death penalty to suppress dissent, Amnesty International said.

The public executions of Amir Hossein Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi on Tuesday, following at least three others last week, mark a further escalation, the rights group said. At least 60 people, including three arrested as minors, remain at risk of execution.

Amnesty’s regional director, Heba Morayef, described the executions as a “horrifying wave” aimed at punishing dissent and projecting “an image of strength and absolute control.”

Iraqi PM postpones Saudi Arabia visit after attacks

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, an Iraqi government source said.

Al-Zaidi was expected to travel to the kingdom for an official visit to sign memoranda of understanding in several sectors and discuss security coordination and regional developments.

The postponement comes after joint U.S.-Saudi strikes killed at least 20 Iraqi fighters earlier Wednesday.

Berri leaves Baabda 'satisfied' after meeting with Aoun

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri left the Baabda Presidential Palace around 11 a.m. after meeting with President Joseph Aoun, saying he was “satisfied as usual” with their discussions.

According to an official statement, the two discussed local and regional developments and the situation in southern Lebanon amid continued Israeli attacks and home demolitions. They stressed the need to end the attacks. Aoun also briefed Berri on his recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

The meeting came after weeks of disagreements over direct negotiations with Israel, initiated by Aoun and opposed by Berri and his ally, Hezbollah. It was also their first meeting since Aoun’s trip to Washington.

Oil surges 3% as war uncertainty rattles markets

Oil prices surged more than 3% as renewed strikes in the Middle East added to uncertainty over efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, Al Jazeera reports.

Brent crude futures rose 3.29% to $86.86 a barrel, putting them on track to snap a three-day losing streak.

“That sort of rapid flipping and flopping has made the signal and the noise a lot harder to separate,” GMO rates strategist Edward Acton told Al Jazeera.

Analysts also warned that persistent oil price volatility could fuel inflation as markets struggle to assess the prospects for lasting peace in the region.

Bahrain condemns attacks on Saudi oil sites

Bahrain’s foreign ministry has condemned attacks by Iran-backed groups on Saudi oil infrastructure, calling them “a dangerous escalation” that threatens regional security and stability.

The ministry said the strikes undermine efforts to reduce regional tensions and reaffirmed Bahrain’s “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia, including its right to take measures to protect its sovereignty, security and stability.

Israel says it will not withdraw further from south Lebanon 'security zone'

Israel has informed Lebanon ahead of the next round of talks in Rome that it will not withdraw from additional areas of its "security zone" in southern Lebanon, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

The main dispute between the two sides centres on Israel’s demand to retain freedom of military action. Israel also wants its army to retain the option of re-entering the area after a temporary withdrawal to ensure it remains free of Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters.

The site of a strike in Bartella, Iraq’s Nineveh province

A damaged car and building at the site of a strike in Bartella, in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province, on July 29, 2026. (Credit: Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP)

Berri leaves Baabda Presidential Palace without making statement

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri left the Baabda Presidential Palace at around 11 a.m. without making any statement, Lebanese media reported, after arriving at around 10:20 a.m. to meet President Joseph Aoun.

The meeting had been closely watched after weeks of disagreements over direct negotiations with Israel, initiated by Aoun and opposed by Berri and his ally, Hezbollah. It was also the first meeting between the two men since Aoun travelled to the United States and met with US President Donald Trump.

GCC chief condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed groups

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional alliance of six Gulf Arab states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — has condemned the “continued terrorist attacks” on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi called the attacks a “dangerous escalation” and a threat to the kingdom’s sovereignty and regional security. He said GCC countries stand with Saudi Arabia and support measures taken to protect its “security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while warning that the attacks undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen regional stability.

Shipping traffic rises through Bab al-Mandeb

Thirty-nine commodity ships passed through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday, the highest number since July 19, while only five transited on Wednesday, preliminary Kpler data showed. Only eight ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

The increase comes as the Houthis step up their blockade of Saudi Arabia, including attacks on oil tankers. China has held direct talks with the movement to secure safe passage for its vessels.

Nabih Berri meets Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri arrived at the Baabda Presidential Palace for talks with President Joseph Aoun, as the two remain divided over how to secure a lasting ceasefire in southern Lebanon and end the war between Hezbollah and Israel.

Aoun recently travelled to Washington to meet President Donald Trump and push forward a framework agreement aimed at arranging an Israeli withdrawal, starting with pilot zones where the Lebanese Army is expected to disarm Hezbollah.

Berri, whose Amal Movement is allied with Hezbollah, remains sceptical about the agreement reached under U.S. sponsorship in late June. Opposed to direct negotiations, he has criticised continued Israeli demolitions and strikes in southern Lebanon and called for a “tripartite sponsorship” from Saudi Arabia, the United States and Iran.

China holds talks with Houthis to secure Red Sea shipping

China has held direct talks with Yemen’s Houthis to secure guarantees that its oil tankers can safely pass through the southern Red Sea, Reuters reported, citing six sources.

The Houthis announced a blockade on July 20, opening a new front against the United States and its allies amid the war with Iran and expanding attacks on tankers carrying oil and other goods.

According to the sources, including a senior Iranian official, Beijing directly asked the Houthis to guarantee safe passage for its tankers through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Death toll from US-Saudi strikes in Iraq rises to 20

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in US-Saudi strikes targeting several of its bases across Iraq early Wednesday.

Israeli artillery strikes Ali Taher and Nabatieh Fawqa in southern Lebanon

Israeli artillery shelled the Ali Taher hill and Nabatieh Fawqa in southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning, according to L’Orient Today correspondent.

The strikes followed a tense night in the region, with Israeli demolitions reported around Zawtar Sharqieh and Qantara, as well as artillery fire targeting Nabatieh Fawqa and a major explosion in Talloussa that reportedly destroyed several homes.

After midnight, Nabatieh Fawqa was again targeted, while the Ali Taher hill came under fire after 2 a.m. At dawn, a large explosion was heard in state-owned lands in Mansouri, in the Sour district.

Israeli tanks move toward Haddatha in Bint Jbeil

Israeli Merkava tanks were seen moving toward Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district from Aita al-Jabal on Wednesday morning, while medium-machine-gun fire was reported in the area, according to our correspondent.

Haddatha lies outside the area known as the “yellow line,” where Israeli forces maintain a permanent presence. Israeli troops are nevertheless stationed around the village and regularly carry out incursions there, according to our correspondent.

Later, Israeli tanks and bulldozers were seen carrying out leveling operations around Kfar Shuba in the Hasbaya district.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of developments in the Middle East

Fighting between the United States and Iran and their respective allies has resumed after several days of calm, a day after Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington.

We will also follow developments in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli army continues to occupy several hundred square kilometers along the border and carry out strikes and demolitions.

At least 10 killed in US-Saudi strikes in Iraq

US-Saudi strikes in Iraq killed at least 10 people and wounded others, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said Wednesday.

The strikes targeted PMF positions across several provinces, with the deadliest attack hitting Nineveh province in northern Iraq, according to a PMF official who said the toll was likely to rise.

The Saudi Defense Ministry had said Tuesday that its forces intercepted drones targeting oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, accusing Iran-linked groups of launching them from Iraq for the second consecutive day.

Iran strikes 3 oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz, Jordan intercepts 5 Iranian missiles

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck three oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim.

The Guards said the vessels had ignored warnings and were following what they described as an “unsafe and illegal route.”

Jordan’s military separately said its air defenses intercepted and shot down five Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom.

Iran rejects Oman’s proposal for joint regional management of Strait of Hormuz

Tehran rejected Oman’s proposal for joint regional management of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the plan had no chance of succeeding, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday.

The official accused the United States and Saudi Arabia of pressuring Oman to advance what he called their “unrealistic plans” for the strategic waterway.