US-Israel-Iran War Highlights: Iran to avenge late Supreme Leader, martyrs, says Mojtaba Khamenei

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An official from the Ministry of Energy Saudi Arabia said operational activities at several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia have been suspended following recent attacks attributed to Iran, according to the state news agency.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ personal envoy Jean Arnault met Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Tehran on Thursday, as part of ongoing UN efforts to help end the Iran war, the United Nations said.

During his visit, Arnault also held discussions with representatives of the Iranian Red Crescent and toured several civilian locations damaged in recent airstrikes. These included a university and a residential apartment building that had been destroyed, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, speaking at a briefing in New York.

“He heard views on the way forward and reiterated the secretary-general’s firm commitment to making every possible effort to support a peaceful settlement of this conflict,” Dujarric said.

US President Donald Trump is considering withdrawing some American troops from Europe, a White House official has said to the news agency Reuters.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticised Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon amid an ongoing ceasefire, calling them “wrong” and urging that they “should stop” as a matter of principle.

Speaking on the issue, Starmer said it remains “hard” to determine whether the strikes formally violate the ceasefire, as he does not have access to the full details of the agreement.

“But let me be really clear about it. They’re wrong. That shouldn’t be happening. That should stop,” he said, reiterating his stance against the ongoing military action.

Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad said on Thursday that the group rejected direct negotiations with Israel and that the Lebanese government should demand a ceasefire as a precondition before any further steps are taken.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has said that people should not leave the streets despite what he described as “negotiations with the enemy,” signalling a call for continued public presence even amid ongoing talks.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has said that the country is resolute in taking revenge for its late Supreme Leader and those it describes as “martyrs,” signalling a firm stance on retaliation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has said that the country is still awaiting an “appropriate reaction” from its southern neighbours, stating that such a response would enable Tehran to “show you our brotherhood.”

Just after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled readiness for talks with Lebanon, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to X to launch a sharp attack, linking the Israeli leader’s legal troubles to the ongoing conflict.

“Netanyahu's criminal trial resumes on Sun. A region-wide ceasefire, incl in Lebanon, would hasten his jailing,” Araghchi wrote, suggesting that an end to hostilities could have direct political consequences for the Israeli leader.

Lebanon’s health ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks carried out on Wednesday has risen to 303, marking a sharp increase in casualties following the latest wave of strikes.

Lebanon’s presidency has shared remarks from President Michel Aoun, who said the only way out of the current crisis is a ceasefire with Israel that would eventually lead to direct negotiations between the two countries.

“The only solution to the situation Lebanon is facing is a ceasefire with Israel that would lead to direct negotiations between the two countries,” Aoun said.

Speaking during a meeting with representatives of Lebanon’s Maronite community, he added that Lebanon’s proposal for a ceasefire followed by talks is starting to receive “positive” responses from the international community. Aoun also said that Lebanon remains engaged in ongoing discussions with global stakeholders, indicating that diplomatic efforts are continuing alongside developments on the ground.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the possibility of negotiations moving forward is directly linked to Washington’s adherence to the agreed terms. Baghaei said Tehran “strongly condemned” Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, warning that continued strikes could further complicate already fragile diplomatic efforts.

He noted that ending the war in Lebanon is a central part of the ceasefire proposal put forward by Pakistan, making it an essential condition for broader progress. Referring to Pakistan’s prime minister, Baghaei said it had been clearly stated that the United States is committed to stopping the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. He added that any action or stance that goes against this commitment would amount to a failure by the US to uphold its obligations, putting the entire process at risk.

Turkey has urged both the United States and Iran to adopt a more flexible and constructive approach ahead of upcoming talks, as efforts continue to stabilise the fragile ceasefire and prevent further escalation in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he is seeking direct talks with Beirut, a day after the bombardment across the country, which killed more than 250 people in Lebanon and placed the US-Iran ceasefire in jeopardy.

"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," he said. "The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon."

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Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has said a ceasefire with Israel remains the only practical way out of the ongoing crisis, as initial steps towards dialogue between the two sides begin to take shape. He said a ceasefire proposal, along with the start of direct negotiations with Israel, has already been set in motion and has so far received a “positive response”.

“The only solution to the current situation in Lebanon is to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon,” Aoun said, stressing the urgency of bringing the violence to a halt.

Russia has insisted the US-Iran ceasefire must extend to Lebanon, warning ongoing Israeli strikes risk undermining negotiations, The Times of Israel reported, citing statements from spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed the Iran-US ceasefire during a call with Abbas Araghchi, highlighting its broader regional implications, including Lebanon, as reported by Associated Press. Moscow expressed readiness to support peace efforts, while Iran thanked Russia for backing its stance at the UN Security Council discussions.

Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi praised the recent US-Iran ceasefire as a major victory for Tehran and its regional allies, according to Al Jazeera. In a televised address, he said the truce strengthens Iran’s deterrence and benefits the "axis of resistance" and broader Islamic world.

Hospitals across Lebanon could run out of critical medical supplies within days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, as facilities struggle to cope with a surge in casualties following large-scale Israeli strikes over the past day. The global health body said essential trauma care kits are nearing depletion, raising concerns over the ability of hospitals to treat the growing number of injured patients.

“Some of the trauma management supplies were in short (supply) and we may run out in a few days,” Dr Abdinasir Abubaka, the WHO’s representative in Lebanon, told the Reuters news agency.