Fresh Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed at least four people, according to Lebanese media reports, hours after US President Donald Trump publicly criticised Israel's military actions and warned that continued attacks were undermining a broader regional understanding involving Iran.

The latest strikes targeted two vehicles in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported. Several others were injured in the attacks. The incident has further heightened tensions in the region amid ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing conflict across West Asia.

The strikes came shortly after Trump, speaking on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, expressed dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict in Lebanon. The US President said Israel's continued military operations were casting a "negative light" on the emerging understanding with Iran and questioned the scale of destruction caused during operations against Hezbollah.

Trump indicated that the conflict had dragged on for too long and suggested that military actions should be more targeted. His remarks marked one of the strongest public criticisms of Netanyahu's Lebanon strategy from Washington in recent months.

Despite those comments, Israel proceeded with fresh operations in southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities have accused Israel of maintaining a sustained military campaign across the country. According to figures cited by Lebanese officials, Israeli attacks since March have resulted in thousands of deaths, although independent verification of the overall casualty figures remains difficult amid the ongoing conflict.

Regional tensions have also intensified following statements from Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said any future Israeli military action in Lebanon would be viewed as a violation of the understanding reached between Tehran and Washington. He argued that any lasting peace arrangement in the region must also address Israeli military presence in territories occupied during the conflict.

The Iranian position links the broader diplomatic process with developments on the ground in Lebanon, raising concerns that continued hostilities could complicate already fragile negotiations.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has maintained that Israeli forces will continue operations for as long as necessary to address security concerns along the northern border. Israeli officials have repeatedly argued that military measures are required to counter threats posed by Hezbollah.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz had earlier stated that security arrangements in southern Lebanon would remain in place until Israeli authorities are satisfied that cross-border threats have been eliminated. Israeli leaders have also indicated that military control over certain areas may continue for an extended period.

The humanitarian situation in southern Lebanon remains a major concern. Reports from Lebanese authorities indicate that hundreds of thousands of residents have been displaced since the escalation of hostilities. Large sections of infrastructure, residential buildings and public facilities have also suffered damage.

The latest strikes are likely to increase international scrutiny of Israel's military campaign at a time when diplomatic efforts are focused on reducing tensions across the region. With Washington, Tehran and regional actors publicly exchanging warnings and demands, developments in Lebanon are increasingly becoming a central factor in the wider geopolitical landscape.

Further details regarding the victims of Tuesday's strikes and the broader diplomatic response are awaited.

Israel launched a fresh round of strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, military and local sources said, even after a reportedly heated call in which US President Donald Trump berated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the escalation. The strikes and cross-border exchanges marked a fragile and volatile phase in a region already teetering under days of widening hostilities.

Early strikes, warnings

Israeli warplanes and drones struck towns in the Nabatieh and Tyre districts in the early hours, hitting residential areas and reportedly damaging homes, Lebanese state media and local correspondents said. The Israeli army issued evacuation orders for parts of Nabatieh city, urging civilians to move north of the Zahrani River ahead of planned operations. Lebanese health officials reported casualties from multiple incidents, including a drone strike that killed a dentist and two children on the Nabatieh-Khardali road.

According to Israeli military briefings, air defences also intercepted projectiles that crossed into northern Israel overnight, while a “suspicious aerial target” later fell inside Israeli territory near the border. No Israeli injuries were reported in those incidents.

US-Israel phone clash

The escalation came despite, and in some accounts because of, an intense phone call between Trump and Netanyahu, Reuters and Axios reported. The US president was said to have angrily questioned Israeli actions, warning they risked undermining sensitive diplomacy with Iran. Axios quoted Trump as asking, in expletive-laced language, “What the f are you doing?”

Israeli officials declined to comment directly on the tone of the call but Prime Minister Netanyahu told supporters late Monday that operations in southern Lebanon would continue “as planned.” The New York Times and Israeli media said that while Washington had sought to limit a wider assault—particularly on Beirut’s southern suburbs—Netanyahu maintained Israel would press on against Hezbollah positions in the south.

Diplomatic ripple effects

The strikes have already produced diplomatic fallout. Iran’s negotiating team briefly paused indirect talks with the US, Tehran’s semi-official Mehr News reported, warning that continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon could scuttle any memorandum of understanding in the works. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Lebanon’s Nabih Berri that Tehran would halt dialogue with Washington if the “crimes” in Lebanon persisted.

The situation has prompted regional measures: Bahrain barred citizens from travel to Iran and Iraq citing security concerns, while France publicly criticised Israel’s deep operations inside Lebanese territory. On the ground in Lebanon, Finance Minister Yassine Jaber warned that economic losses from the conflict could top $25 billion if hostilities continue.

Hezbollah, US proposal

Meanwhile, diplomatic channels have shown glimmers of possible de-escalation. Sources earlier said Hezbollah had agreed in principle to a US-backed ceasefire proposal that would pause airstrikes on southern Beirut suburbs in exchange for an end to rocket and drone attacks into Israel. Officials in Beirut told correspondents that Lebanese authorities were reviewing the offer and awaiting clearer guarantees from both sides.

Still, uncertainty remains. Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they reserve the right to strike “terror targets” in Beirut if Hezbollah attacks on Israeli civilians continue, comments that have raised alarm among Lebanese officials and neighbours.

Human cost, displacement

On the ground in southern Lebanon, residents described disrupted nights and mounting fear. Hospitals in Tyre and Nabatieh reported treating wounded from air raids and artillery strikes; local aid groups have warned that displacement is increasing as families flee to the north or seek shelter in larger towns. Humanitarian agencies are pressing for safe corridors but say the security environment and damaged infrastructure complicate relief efforts.

What happens next

Diplomats in Washington and regional capitals said negotiations and shuttling will intensify in the coming days, aiming to lock in any stopgap understandings that can prevent a wider confrontation. Officials close to the US administration told reporters they expect talks with Tehran could resume if attacks on Lebanon are contained, but Iranian sources cautioned that final texts were still under review.

For now, the conflict’s trajectory hinges on two immediate variables: whether Israel follows through on broader plans against Hezbollah strongholds beyond the south, and whether Tehran will link any US-Iran diplomatic progress to a halt in Israeli operations. As both sides weigh military steps against political calculations, civilians across northern Israel and southern Lebanon remain exposed to renewed strikes and displacement.

US plan aims to halt Hezbollah attacks in exchange for no further Israeli escalation; Iran says talks with Washington are ongoing but outcome uncertain

The United States has submitted a diplomatic proposal aiming to curb the widening hostilities in Lebanon, a senior US official told Al Jazeera on Sunday, even as Tehran said its communications with Washington continue and the final outcome remains uncertain.

Under the US “roadmap”, outlined to Lebanese and Israeli leaders over the past 48 hours, Hezbollah would suspend attacks on Israeli territory in return for Israel refraining from further military escalation in Beirut and other Lebanese population centres, the official said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate calls with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press the idea, the official added.

Lebanese politics complicate push

President Aoun sought to advance the US proposal, according to the official, but Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri — a key Shia political figure closely aligned with Hezbollah — described his response as “evasive and disappointing”. Berri, speaking to Lebanon’s National News Agency, said he could guarantee Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, but questioned who would force Israel to stop its strikes and incursions.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israel’s military campaign since March 2 has reached 3,412, with 10,269 wounded as of May 31. The ministry’s figures cover casualties recorded between March 2 and May 31 and underscore the heavy civilian impact of the expanding campaign, particularly in southern Lebanon and areas around Tyre and Nabatieh.

Regional and international reactions

The proposed US initiative comes amid growing international concern over Israeli offensives in Lebanon. France, Britain and Germany have publicly called for an end to escalation. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged Israel to stop operations that, she said, have “eroded space for diplomacy.” France requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Qatar, Egypt and the UAE joined the chorus, condemning the expansion of hostilities and warning that further military action risks wider regional destabilisation. The proposal is intended, the US official said, to “create a conducive environment” for step‑by‑step de‑escalation and a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.

Ground developments and recent strikes

The ceasefire push arrives as Israeli forces have renewed a series of strikes and ground movements in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s official National News Agency and the health ministry reported multiple air strikes at dawn on Sunday in towns including Deir Zahrani, Dbeibine and Burj Qalawiya, with some incidents causing civilian casualties.

Hezbollah has continued to retaliate with drones, rocket salvoes and targeted strikes against Israeli positions; Israeli military statements claim more than 900 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the start of the conflict in early March. Both sides reported missile launches and interceptions overnight, and sirens sounded in northern Israel after reports of incoming projectiles.

Iran‑US communications continue

In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that dialogue and message exchanges between Iran and the United States are ongoing but cautioned it is too soon to judge any final outcome. “Everything that is being said now is speculation,” he said, according to IRNA, asking that reports be treated cautiously until talks reach a clear conclusion.

The Iranian government meanwhile has been active on multiple fronts: restoring limited gas production at South Pars platforms after March damage, and asserting a legal rationale for collecting environmental fees from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, officials said.

What comes next

Diplomats say the US plan faces steep political obstacles inside Lebanon, where key figures linked to Hezbollah demand reciprocal Israeli restraint as an initial step. Washington will reportedly continue shuttle diplomacy, and international pressure is likely to intensify at the UN and through regional interlocutors.

On the ground, the immediate prospects for a halt in violence appear fragile. Military movements, air strikes and cross‑border incidents persisted on Monday morning, with civilian casualties mounting. Observers in Beirut said any agreement will require robust verification mechanisms and guarantees acceptable to both Lebanese political factions and Israeli security planners.

For now, officials in Washington, Beirut and Tehran emphasise talks rather than imminent resolution. “Negotiations are ongoing,” Araghchi said — a caveat that may mean diplomatic gains are possible but far from certain.

Tehran views Strait of Hormuz as its biggest strategic weapon; Israeli attacks kill 31 in southern Lebanon as ground offensive deepens

Iran is bracing for a potential new war with the United States, with senior officials describing the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran's most formidable strategic asset. According to an Al Jazeera report published Wednesday, Iranian authorities have "zero trust" in Washington, prompting a three-pronged approach focusing on military readiness, domestic support, and diplomatic manoeuvring.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) remains on high alert. While officials maintain that dialogue channels technically remain open, the military posture suggests otherwise.

Strait of Hormuz leverage

Iran considers the strategic waterway its greatest bargaining chip. A significant portion of global oil shipments transits through the strait, giving Tehran substantial leverage over the United States and its allies. Any disruption would send shockwaves through international energy markets, officials familiar with the strategy said.

Israeli strikes pound southern Lebanon

Meanwhile, Israel intensified its military campaign across the northern border, with strikes in southern Lebanon killing 31 people and injuring 40 others. The Israeli military issued dozens of forced displacement orders for towns and villages in Lebanon's south and east, triggering panic among residents.

Ground forces pushed deeper into Lebanese territory as families fled northward. The Israeli army warned residents of approximately 50 towns and villages to evacuate, including Nabatiyeh, a major southern town.

Trump criticises US media

US President Donald Trump lashed out at major American news outlets over their coverage of the Iran conflict. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that even a complete American military victory would be portrayed by the media as an Iranian win. The remarks drew mixed reactions from political observers.

Four major developments in 24 hours

The past day saw several significant escalations. Iran claimed its forces targeted US MQ-9B and RQ-4 drones and fired on an F-35 fighter jet that allegedly entered Iranian airspace. The Pentagon has not issued an official response.

Internet services were partially restored in Iran after 88 days. NetBlocks described this as the longest national internet blackout in modern history, severely affecting businesses and digital services across the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting with defence officials, focusing on the northern border and Lebanon operations, while intensifying attacks on Hezbollah targets. The US also attacked Iranian mine-laying boats near the Strait of Hormuz and missile bases in Bandar Abbas. Centcom described the operation as an act of self-defence.

Diplomatic channel remains alive

Despite the escalating tensions, US and Iranian officials continue talks through mediators. People in Tehran appear hopeful about a potential understanding—the Iranian currency has appreciated more than five per cent this week, reflecting cautious optimism.

Large numbers of US military aircraft remain stationed at Israeli airports, including Ben Gurion and Ramon, where dozens of fighter jets and refuelling planes have reportedly affected normal flight operations.

The Israel-Hezbollah conflict flared up again after Hezbollah launched a fresh drone strike targeting Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel in southern Lebanon, according to reports emerging from the region. The attack, carried out using FPV (First Person View) drones, reportedly targeted Israeli troops during a medical evacuation operation near the border.

Visuals released by Hezbollah and circulated widely on social media showed Israeli soldiers moving injured personnel towards a helicopter when at least one drone approached the convoy at high speed. While the strike triggered panic among troops on the ground, the drone failed to hit its primary target, as per initial battlefield assessments.

Drone Targets Troops

Hezbollah claimed the attack was aimed at Israeli soldiers and military vehicles engaged in a CASEVAC, or casualty evacuation, mission in southern Lebanon. The group said the operation formed part of its ongoing response to Israeli military activity along the border.

According to footage released by Hezbollah’s media channels, one FPV drone flew dangerously close to Israeli troops and an evacuation helicopter before crashing nearby and exploding. Another drone was reportedly intercepted mid-air after Israeli forces opened fire.

Israeli military officials have not confirmed any fatalities from the strike. Early reports indicated that while the attack disrupted troop movement and forced immediate defensive action, no Israeli soldiers were killed in the incident.

Footage Shows Chaos

The released footage captured moments of confusion as Israeli soldiers scrambled for cover after spotting the incoming drone. Gunfire could be heard as troops attempted to shoot down the aerial threat while continuing evacuation efforts for wounded personnel.

Security analysts tracking the conflict said the footage underlined a growing battlefield trend in which low-cost attack drones are increasingly being used to harass troop positions and disrupt military logistics.

The incident has added to concerns over the expanding use of precision drone warfare in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, especially in high-risk frontline zones where troop movement remains vulnerable.

Hezbollah’s Drone Strategy

Hezbollah has steadily expanded its use of FPV drones in recent months, shifting from conventional rocket fire to smaller, more agile aerial attacks. Military observers say the tactic mirrors methods seen in the Russia-Ukraine war, where low-cost drones have altered frontline combat.

These drones are typically equipped with cameras and explosive payloads, allowing operators to guide them directly towards military targets. Hezbollah has repeatedly claimed such systems have been used to strike Israeli armour, troop carriers and forward operating positions. The latest strike reflects that evolving strategy, even though the drone appears to have missed its intended target.

Israeli Operations Continue

Despite the attempted strike, the IDF has continued operations in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces remain engaged in cross-border military action against Hezbollah positions. Israeli officials have maintained that operations are aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s offensive capabilities near the frontier.

The latest exchange signals that neither side is stepping back. Cross-border fire, drone launches and missile exchanges have continued despite repeated international calls for de-escalation.

According to regional security reports, both sides have increasingly relied on drones for surveillance, targeting and tactical disruption, making aerial threats a central feature of the conflict.

Regional Tensions Rise

The renewed hostilities have raised concerns over a broader regional spillover, especially as tensions remain high across West Asia. Analysts say repeated exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah risk drawing the region into a wider conflict if strikes intensify further.

The growing use of drones has also shifted military calculations on both sides, with conventional troop movement becoming more exposed to fast-moving and hard-to-detect attacks.

What Happens Next

Military observers expect both Israel and Hezbollah to sustain pressure along the southern Lebanon front in the coming days. More drone interceptions, retaliatory strikes and tactical exchanges remain likely as both sides test each other’s battlefield response.

For now, the failed drone strike has reinforced one reality: the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is entering a more unpredictable phase, where low-cost drone warfare is shaping the next round of escalation.

Trump rules out nuclear weapon use against Iran; Says ‘clock is ticking’ for Tehran

Ceasefire Extended Amid Regional Turmoil

Washington confirmed a three-week extension for the fragile Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on Thursday. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump adopted a firm yet conditional posture regarding the ongoing military confrontation with Iran.

President Donald Trump has firmly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict with Iran, calling such an act unthinkable. However, he issued a stark warning that Tehran is running out of time as diplomatic windows narrow and military tensions spike across the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s Direct Refusal

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump dismissed a query about nuclear response as inappropriate. “Why would a stupid question like that be asked?... No, I wouldn't use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody,” he said. The statement marks a rare red line by a US president regarding atomic warfare in the West Asian theatre.

The Ticking Clock

While projecting patience, the President made it clear that Iran faces growing pressure. In a post on social media, Trump stated, “I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn’t – The clock is ticking!” The remark aligns with recent military buildups where Washington has ordered the destruction of vessels laying mines in the strategic Hormuz chokepoint.

India’s Strategic Concern

For New Delhi, the escalation is a direct public interest story. The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a government update advising all Indian citizens against travelling to Iran. Officials confirmed that while 10 Indian ships have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz, 14 vessels remain in the Persian Gulf. In a relief for families, the MEA added that 22 Indian crew members aboard two seized ships are safe.

Extension of Israel-Lebanon Truce

In a parallel diplomatic move, the White House announced a three-week extension to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which was set to expire on Sunday. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter described the development as “historic,” while Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad thanked Trump, expressing hopes to “make Lebanon great again.” Despite the extension, Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon cautioned that the truce is “not 100 percent.”

Economic and Military Fallout

The confrontation continues to shake global markets. According to the latest news today tracked by this English news portal India, Brent crude has surged past $106 per barrel. Meanwhile, US military commanders are reportedly concerned about resource depletion, having fired an estimated 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles from reserves intended for the Asia Pacific.

What Next

As the world watches for a possible ground escalation, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that his nation is waiting for a “US green light” to resume attacks. For now, the focus remains on the 14 stranded Indian ships and whether Tehran will respond to Trump’s ticking clock before the extended ceasefire lapses.

Israeli Airstrike Kills 9 in Southern Lebanon as Iran Mocks US Ceasefire Push

Fresh attacks in the Sidon region mark a deadly escalation, even as Washington pushes a 15-point peace proposal reportedly sent via Islamabad.

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed at least nine people, local media reports confirmed on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the border conflict. The attacks came just hours after reports emerged that the Trump administration had sent a 15-point ceasefire proposal to Tehran through Pakistani intermediaries, a move that Iranian military officials have publicly dismissed.

Nine Dead in Sidon

According to security sources, the strikes targeted multiple locations near the Sidon area. In the Adaloun region, four individuals were killed in an initial attack. A separate strike on a building in the Miyeh Miyeh refugee camp resulted in two fatalities and left four others wounded. The deadliest incident occurred in the Habbush area, where three people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries. The coordinated attacks represent one of the higher casualty counts in southern Lebanon in recent weeks.

Hezbollah Retaliates

Following the airstrikes, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched approximately 30 rockets toward northern Israel. Sirens were reported across several Israeli communities near the border. While there were no immediate reports of casualties on the Israeli side, the exchange of fire signals a breakdown of the fragile understanding that had previously contained the conflict to limited engagements.

Iran Mocks Ceasefire Plan

Simultaneously, a political standoff unfolded in Tehran. Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, appeared on state television to reject claims of diplomatic progress. He accused Washington of “negotiating with itself” regarding the purported 15-point proposal.

“Has the level of your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?” Zolfaghari said, questioning the legitimacy of the US outreach. His comments were the first official confirmation from Tehran that, despite being approached, Iran’s stance remains unchanged and that it will not engage in what it perceives as one-sided compromises.

Pakistan’s Mediation Effort

Reports from Pakistani media, including Dawn, indicated that the 15-point plan was delivered with the assistance of Islamabad. The development placed Pakistan at the center of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions that have threatened to engulf the region. While US officials have hinted at progress, Tehran’s public response suggests the initiative has stalled, with Iran’s military brass portraying the American offer as a sign of weakness rather than a genuine path to peace.

Regional Energy Crisis

The ongoing conflict continued to impact global energy markets. The Philippines declared a national energy emergency, citing threats to oil supplies caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced financial aid for transport workers and strict measures against hoarding as fuel prices surged. Separately, Jetstar New Zealand canceled flights between Australia and New Zealand, blaming rising jet fuel costs linked directly to the Middle East crisis.

What Next

With the Israeli military continuing to pound targets in Lebanon and Gaza, and Iran rejecting US overtures, the window for a ceasefire appears narrow. Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye remain ongoing, but the situation on the ground—marked by rocket fire and retaliatory airstrikes—suggests that military action is outpacing diplomacy. The coming days will determine whether the Trump administration proceeds with its threatened attacks on Iranian infrastructure or renews efforts to enforce the 15-point plan rejected by Tehran.