Araghchi says restoring diplomacy to the 'right track' is 'not impossible'; massive explosion rocks the Sour area | LIVE

Aoun meets Haykal to discuss security situation in south Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun met with Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal at Baabda Palace to discuss the security situation across the country, particularly in south Lebanon, where Israel continues its attacks and demolitions in occupied villages and localities.

Haykal also briefed Aoun on the results of his visit to Italy and his meetings with Italian officials from Aug. 24 to 26. Aoun himself visited Italy a week earlier.

Hijacked Iran-linked oil tanker not registered in Eritrea, government says

A U.S.-sanctioned oil tanker that was hijacked last week by suspected pirates off the coast of Yemen and diverted toward Somalia is not registered in Eritrea despite flying the country's flag, Eritrea's government said.

The Sibu 1, which the U.S. Treasury sanctioned last December for allegedly being part of a shadow fleet that helps Iranian petroleum products evade U.S. sanctions, has no affiliation with Eritrea, Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel told Reuters.

The ship is widely listed by ship-tracking websites as sailing under an Eritrean flag, but a database run by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization states its current flag status as "Eritrea False", suggesting its registration is not recognized as valid. It was last seen on Monday about 6 km (3.7 miles) off the coast of northeastern Somalia, according to ship-tracking data.

Araghchi says restoring diplomacy to the 'right track' is 'not impossible'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that “restoring the diplomatic process [with the United States] to the right track is not impossible.”

In a post on X, accompanied by a photo of him receiving Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during his visit to Tehran on Thursday, Araghchi added: “It depends on the United States understanding one simple fact: pressure does not work. The United States must build trust, engage with us respectfully, recognize our rights and honor its commitments.”

Iranian security chief denies reports of plot targeting Trump’s son

Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Thursday that reports of a plot to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump’s youngest son were false, in an interview broadcast by Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar.

The U.S. Secret Service said Tuesday it was aware of a video aired by Iranian state television alleging a possible plot to assassinate Barron Trump, the president’s youngest son.

Maritime traffic through Strait of Hormuz falls below 10-day average

Seven cargo vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, down from 17 the previous day and below the 10-day average of 15, according to preliminary maritime data published Friday and cited by Reuters.

The vessels included two medium-range tankers, a very large gas carrier (VLGC), an Ultramax vessel, a medium-sized tanker and two chemical tankers, according to initial data from maritime tracking service Kpler recorded at 3:15 a.m. GMT (6:15 a.m. Beirut time).

Four of the vessels were leaving the strait, while three were entering. The figures could change as some ships routinely switch off their transponders during voyages.

Israeli forces shell area in Damascus outskirts

In Syria, Israeli forces fired two shells at an area between Beit Jinn and Tilal al-Homr in the western Damascus countryside, according to a correspondent for Syria’s SANA news agency.

The shells targeted Bat al-Warda hill near Beit Jinn and landed in agricultural fields, causing no casualties.

On Aug. 18, Israeli forces also shelled the Yarmouk basin in western Daraa province. The projectile was fired toward a valley west of Abidine, causing no casualties or material damage.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Israeli troops stationed in southern Syria on Tuesday, reiterating Israel’s determination to maintain forces there as long as “threats” to its security remain.

Massive explosion rocks Sour area as Israeli troops move toward Wadi Slouqi

A massive explosion caused by the Israeli military rocked the Mansouri area in the Sour district at dawn, with the blast shaking buildings across the district, our correspondent reports. Another explosion was heard in the same area around 1 a.m.

At around 7 a.m., Israeli military vehicles advanced toward Houla in the Marjayoun district, heading toward Wadi Slouqi. The movement was accompanied by artillery fire and machine-gun fire in the area.

The night was also marked by Israeli attacks across south Lebanon. Around 10 p.m., artillery fire targeted the strategic Ali Taher hill and Dohat Kfar Roummane in Nabatieh. Shortly after midnight, powerful explosions shook Aita al-Shaab and Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district, followed by another explosion in Zawtar Sharqieh in Nabatieh.

Helicopters conducted operations over Qantara and Wadi Slouqi in Marjayoun, while Wadi Houjeir in Bint Jbeil was hit by artillery fire around 1 a.m.

The previous day, Israeli warplanes carried out raids on eight villages, while drones struck three localities and artillery fire hit 14 others. The Israeli army also continued demolishing homes and infrastructure in four southern villages, while its helicopters dropped explosive barrels over six others. Israeli troop movements were also reported in four localities.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of developments in Lebanon, particularly the south, where the Israeli army continues its systematic demolition of homes and infrastructure in villages within the occupied “buffer zone” and appears to be seeking to advance toward several nearby localities.

We will also follow developments concerning Iran, particularly discussions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which remains at the heart of tensions.