US-Iran War Live: Hezbollah says it targeted Israeli troops, struck Hermes drone

The United Nations has warned that nearly 1.4 million people in Lebanon require urgent humanitarian assistance as the impact of ongoing Israeli attacks continues to strain communities across the country.

In an update, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said those affected need support ranging from food and shelter to healthcare and other essential services.

The agency reported that humanitarian organisations assisted more than 680,000 people between March 2 and May 31, providing at least one form of aid during that period.

Despite those efforts, OCHA said significant gaps remain and appealed for an additional $331.5 million in funding to sustain and expand relief operations through August.

The UN said the funding is needed to support 1.4 million vulnerable people as humanitarian agencies work to address growing needs amid continued instability and displacement.

Hezbollah on Saturday claimed responsibility for a series of attacks targeting Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon, saying it struck troops and artillery installations in separate operations.

In statements released by the group, Hezbollah said it launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli soldiers in the town of Tayri in Lebanon's Nabatieh governorate.

The Iran-backed group also claimed to have targeted a recently established Israeli artillery position in the border town of Odaisseh using a drone.

Iran is holding talks with Oman on a potential new framework governing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, according to Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali.

In an interview with Russian newspaper Izvestia, Jalali said the waterway would remain open but could operate under revised arrangements to be worked out by Tehran and Muscat.

“This strait will be opened, but under new conditions,” Jalali said, adding that Iranian and Omani authorities are discussing the issue and that the outcome will become clearer in the future.

A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has said talks with Washington aimed at securing a peace deal have reached an impasse, urging US President Donald Trump to take the next step to revive negotiations.

“The negotiations are at a deadlock and Trump must break this deadlock. The ball is in Trump’s court,” Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, told CNN in an interview in Tehran.

Rezaei also warned that any renewed conflict could spread beyond the Gulf region, potentially affecting key maritime routes including the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Mediterranean Sea.

Hezbollah said it carried out artillery and rocket attacks on Israeli troops near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon in its latest strikes. The group also claimed it targeted an Israeli Hermes 450 drone flying over the Zahrani region, south of Sidon, with a surface-to-air missile.

Hezbollah said its latest attacks on Israeli forces near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon involved artillery and rocket fire targeting Israeli troops. The group also claimed it struck an Israeli Hermes 450 drone over the Zahrani region, south of Sidon, using a surface-to-air missile.

The Israeli military said three of its officers were injured in separate incidents in southern Lebanon. According to a post on X, one combat officer was seriously injured on Thursday as a result of a suspected aerial target strike. On Friday morning, a second officer was seriously injured and another sustained light injuries during what the military described as an encounter with terrorists. All three were evacuated for medical treatment.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow supports the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, stressing that any potential agreement should take into account the interests of Iran and its neighbours. In an interview with Izvestia, Lavrov said Washington recognises the tensions with Iran and is concerned about the situation but does not know how to resolve it.

The Israeli military said it killed a Palestinian fighter in northern Gaza on Thursday who was allegedly planning imminent attacks against Israeli forces and directing attacks inside Israel. In a post on X, the military said the operation was carried out by its Southern Command and added that its forces remain deployed in the area in accordance with ceasefire agreements while continuing to act against what it described as immediate threats.

Hezbollah said it carried out three attacks on Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon over a 24-hour period, as reported by Al Jazeera. In statements issued on Telegram, the group claimed it launched a rocket salvo at Israeli soldiers on the outskirts of Wadi al-Hujayr on Thursday night, followed by two separate artillery barrages targeting gatherings of Israeli troops and vehicles near the town of Haddatha. The attacks were reported to have taken place between Thursday night and early Friday near areas close to the Israeli border.

An Israeli drone strike killed Muhammad Naeem Daher in southern Lebanon on Friday after targeting his car in the town of Kfar Remman in the Nabatieh district, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The agency also reported a double-tap drone attack on Deir al-Zahrani, adding that the latest killing has raised the number of people killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Friday to at least five.

The Israeli military has issued fresh evacuation orders for residents of Sarafand, Tuffahta, Babliyeh, Qaqaiyat al-Sanoubar, Marwaniyeh and Siksikieh in southern Lebanon. Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged civilians to move north of the Zahrani River immediately. The warning follows earlier evacuation notices for Aarnaya, Aanqoun and Kfar Kila, as Israeli strikes continue despite a US-brokered ceasefire announced on Thursday.

-Al Jazeera

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) interior ministers’ conference in Bishkek. The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties, border security cooperation and regional stability. They also discussed ways to reduce tensions, improve border management and tackle common internal security challenges, while stressing the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to promote lasting peace in the region.

US President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure as efforts to secure a lasting agreement with Iran remain stalled despite a tentative 60-day ceasefire extension. Trump has sought changes to the proposed deal, while Tehran appears unwilling to accept new demands, raising fears that the fragile truce could collapse. Inside Washington, concerns are growing that Trump is caught between critics urging renewed military pressure and allies warning against returning to conflict. Rising energy prices and disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz are adding economic concerns. Democrats have seized on the issue ahead of the midterm elections, while Trump insists negotiations could still yield results soon, Reuters reported.

At least 12 people were injured after Israeli warplanes launched four missiles near Jabal Amel Hospital in Lebanon’s Tyre city. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, the strikes also destroyed a bank building, causing significant damage in the area surrounding the medical facility, Al Jazeera reported.

Jamshid Ghomi, a 63-year-old dual US-Iranian citizen and CEO of a Tehran-based technology firm, has been arrested on federal charges alleging he conspired to supply advanced American networking, security and encryption equipment to Iran’s military and nuclear programs. Prosecutors say he violated US sanctions laws and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, Gulf News reported.

Palestine’s envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, has warned that Israel is using the ongoing regional conflict to advance changes in the occupied Palestinian territories while global attention remains focused elsewhere.

Speaking at a news conference alongside representatives of the Arab Group and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Mansour said conditions in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip are rapidly worsening and pose a serious danger to the region.

He accused the Israeli government of exploiting the “smoke of war” to push policies aimed at annexation, undermining prospects for a two-state solution and further worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Mansour urged the international community to maintain its focus on developments in the occupied Palestinian territory and not allow the conflict to overshadow the situation on the ground.

A US-backed ceasefire proposal between Israel and Lebanon has been rejected by Hezbollah and Iran, according to Hassan Ahmadian, a professor at the University of Tehran.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Ahmadian said Iran views the proposed deal as failing to ensure peace and support Lebanese sovereignty. He noted that Tehran had recently warned of possible action against Israel after threats to strike Beirut’s southern suburbs, though those threats were later withdrawn.

Ahmadian argued that the ceasefire lacks clear provisions on Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the return of displaced Lebanese residents, and reconstruction efforts in the area.

Describing the proposal as a “unilateral ceasefire,” he said it would require Hezbollah to halt attacks while allowing Israel freedom of operation in southern Lebanon.

“That’s unacceptable to Hezbollah and to Iran,” Ahmadian said, adding that Tehran backed Hezbollah’s rejection of the proposal after the group’s secretary-general publicly opposed it.

US President Donald Trump said the United States could take possession of Iran’s enriched uranium immediately if it chose to, but argued there was no need to do so at present.

“We could get it right now. I don’t think they could stop us if we want it. But there’s no reason to,” Trump said.

He added that the uranium is “entombed” and claimed the US is closely monitoring the material, saying Washington has cameras trained on the site.

The US State Department has issued a fresh security alert for the Middle East, warning American citizens that tensions across the region remain high and that the security situation could deteriorate rapidly.

In the advisory, US authorities urged citizens to exercise increased caution, stay alert to breaking developments and be prepared for the possibility of hostilities. Americans in the region were also advised to identify the nearest shelter in case of an emergency.

The State Department maintained its Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisories for Bahrain, Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and Yemen remain under the stricter Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory. US officials also encouraged citizens to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides security updates and allows embassies and consulates to contact travellers during emergencies.

Four Iranian oil tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since April and since the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, according to maritime tracking firm Kpler. Data released by the company on Thursday showed that the Iranian-flagged vessels -- Hilda I, Amber, Silvia 1 and Happiness I -- transited the strategic waterway on Monday carrying a combined seven million barrels of crude oil.

The tankers were loaded in mid-April at Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal, which typically handles about 90 per cent of the country's crude exports. Kpler said the vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders switched off, making them harder to track through conventional maritime monitoring systems. The firm instead relied on satellite imagery to confirm their movements.

The passage marks the first known movement of Iranian-flagged oil tankers through the strait since April 15.

The US military says more than 120 commercial vessels have been forced to change course under Washington's blockade of Iranian ports, as pressure mounts on Tehran amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), 127 commercial ships have been redirected since the blockade was imposed, while six vessels were disabled. The military said 36 ships carrying humanitarian aid were granted permission to pass through.

The blockade remains a key part of the Trump administration's strategy to increase economic and military pressure on Iran. Washington has linked the restrictions to efforts aimed at securing an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments.

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced support for the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire after officials announced that an agreement had been reached in Washington. Speaking during a news conference in Montenegro, Macron said France backed the truce and efforts aimed at restoring stability in Lebanon. He said Paris and Washington were working together to support the ceasefire and ensure it is implemented on the ground.

"We support the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and all measures aimed at restoring peace, combating terrorist activities and fully respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon," Macron said. "The United States and France stand together."

Macron also revealed that France and the United States had set up a joint coordination mechanism to oversee the ceasefire and monitor compliance with its terms. The French leader further called for Lebanese state institutions to regain full control over weapons in the country, saying France wanted to help restore Lebanon's sovereignty and strengthen the role of the Lebanese army.

An Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon wounded four foreign nationals, including two Syrians and two Bangladeshis, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). The agency said Israeli warplanes launched a two-stage strike on the al-Mashal area of Wata Abba, located between the towns of Abba and al-Duwair in the Nabatieh district. The four injured foreigners were caught in the attack.

NNA also reported additional Israeli air strikes and shelling in the nearby towns of Jebchit and Arnoun, as military activity intensified across parts of southern Lebanon.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said peace cannot return to the region unless Israeli forces leave Lebanese territory. In a statement carried by Iran's Tasnim news agency, the IRGC said any ceasefire in the wider conflict must include Lebanon. It also demanded that Israel halt attacks on Lebanon, withdraw from areas it occupies, and recognise Lebanon's territorial integrity.

Drone attack warning sirens sounded in northern Israel on Thursday shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the border town of Shlomi, according to Israeli officials. The Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu had been in Shlomi around 30 minutes before the alerts were activated. He was not harmed and had already left the area by the time the warning sirens sounded.

Fresh alerts were also reported in the nearby border community of Metula, raising concerns over possible aerial threats from across the Lebanon border. The Israeli military said it was reviewing the incident and examining the circumstances surrounding the warnings.

The alerts came as Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected a US-backed ceasefire framework between Israel and Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the latest US-backed ceasefire proposal, describing Washington's announcement as a "roadmap to annihilate part of the Lebanese people" and insisting that any truce must include a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

In a televised address, Qassem said Hezbollah would only accept a comprehensive ceasefire that covers all of southern Lebanon and ends Israeli military operations in the area. The Hezbollah chief also vowed that the group's resistance campaign would continue as long as Israeli troops remain inside Lebanese territory.

"As long as Israel is in Lebanon, the resistance will continue," Qassem said.

He warned that attacks would persist if Israeli strikes on Lebanese communities continue. Qassem also rejected any effort to link Hezbollah's future presence or military role to ceasefire arrangements or an Israeli withdrawal.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has sharply criticised ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, describing the talks as "shameless" during a closely watched address on recent developments in the region.

The Hezbollah chief's remarks come amid growing debate in Lebanon over a US-backed ceasefire framework and negotiations aimed at ending months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group. Further details from Qassem's speech are expected to emerge as his address continues.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a ceasefire framework announced in Washington following talks with Israel represents the "last chance" to secure a comprehensive end to the conflict. In a statement issued by his office, Aoun said the outcome of the fourth round of negotiations contained several provisions favourable to Lebanon and offered a final opportunity to move towards a lasting truce.

"The results of the fourth round of negotiations, and the statement issued from it, which included very important points in Lebanon’s favor, represent the last chance to enter into a final, comprehensive ceasefire. Each party bears responsibility" if it fails to respond positively, Aoun said.

The Lebanese President said Beirut would communicate its position to the United States once responses are received from key domestic stakeholders, particularly Hezbollah. He added that Washington would determine the date on which the ceasefire takes effect and said US President Donald Trump would serve as the direct guarantor of its implementation.

US President Donald Trump has criticised a House of Representatives vote aimed at limiting his authority to carry out further military action against Iran, calling the measure "meaningless" and accusing lawmakers of undermining ongoing negotiations.

The Republican-led House on Wednesday approved a resolution that would restrict Trump's ability to continue military operations against Iran unless Congress formally declares war or authorises the use of force.

Reacting to the vote, Trump said that lawmakers were interfering at a critical stage of efforts to reach a deal with Tehran.

"Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Dumocrats, to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"Who would do such an unpatriotic thing. They know where the negotiations stand," he added.

A senior commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Hezbollah's primary demand is for Israeli forces to withdraw to the positions they held before the US-Israel war against Iran began. Speaking on the situation in Lebanon, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani said Hezbollah was seeking a full Israeli pullback and claimed the group would soon see the benefits of what he described as its resistance campaign.

Qaani also called support for Hezbollah against Israeli forces in Lebanon the "duty of all Muslims".

"Hezbollah fighters will soon see the results of their courageous resistance," he said. The IRGC commander further stated that "Eliminating Israel from the region is an achievable goal".

Iran's Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani said Hezbollah's key demand is for Israeli forces to withdraw to the positions they held before the outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran.

He expressed confidence that Lebanese resistance fighters would soon witness the outcome of their efforts and reiterated that supporting the resistance in Lebanon remains a duty for Muslims. (Reuters)

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said the US and Israel failed to achieve their goals militarily and are now attempting to weaken Iran through a "hybrid war". In a written message, he accused adversaries of spreading fear, despair and division to undermine public resolve. Khamenei urged Iranians to remain united, vigilant and steadfast against such efforts, Al Jazeera reported.

Pakistan has condemned Iran's attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, calling for maximum restraint from all sides. The Foreign Ministry expressed hope that parties involved would respect the ceasefire despite the latest escalation. It warned that continued military action could undermine prospects for dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan said it remains committed to pursuing peaceful solutions and remains optimistic despite recent developments.

The Israeli military says it is continuing operations against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement. Army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee stated that Hezbollah infrastructure remains under attack and urged residents to avoid travelling south of the Zahrani River. He warned that anyone entering the area is putting their life at risk, The Times of Israel reported.

Three members of the same family were injured after a car travelling between Zifta and Numairiyah in southern Lebanon came under attack, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Antoine Bou Abssi, his wife Therese and their daughter Najat were taken to al-Ra’i Hospital in Sidon for treatment. Separately, Israeli drones were reported flying over Tyre, despite a US-mediated agreement to halt hostilities, Al Jazeera reported.

Residents in southern Lebanon remain sceptical about the latest Israel-Lebanon ceasefire despite a largely calm night. Israeli artillery strikes were reported near Tyre on Thursday morning, while drones continued flying overhead, Al Jazeera reported. Uncertainty persists over whether Israel will retain the right to conduct future strikes. Hezbollah also launched rockets towards Israel overnight. Locals say previous ceasefires have failed to bring lasting peace and are waiting to see whether this agreement delivers meaningful results.

The US House of Representatives approved a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s ability to launch additional military action against Iran without congressional approval. Four Republicans joined Democrats in backing the largely symbolic measure, highlighting growing concern in Congress over US policy and bipartisan unease, Al Jazeera reported.

The Israeli military said a "suspicious aerial target" triggered warning sirens in the northern community of Kfar Yuval just hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect. The IDF said the incident has ended but did not disclose the target's fate. Separately, sirens heard in Arab al-Aramshe were determined to be a false alarm.

-Al Jazeera

Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, welcomed US-mediated efforts aimed at securing peace between Israel and Lebanon but stressed that any ceasefire would depend on key conditions. In a post on X, Leiter said the agreement requires a complete halt to attacks on Israel and the full dismantling of Hezbollah, an Al Jazeera report said.

Responding to a reporter's question about the meaning of a ceasefire, US President Donald Trump offered an unconventional definition, saying that in the Middle East a ceasefire can mean "shooting in a more moderate manner". The comment drew attention for its blunt characterisation of conflicts in the region and highlighted the challenges of achieving a complete halt to hostilities.

Middle East analyst Randa Slim says Hezbollah is likely to seek firm guarantees that Israel will fully withdraw from southern Lebanon before accepting any ceasefire. She noted that previous ceasefire agreements were not fully implemented, with Israel continuing operations against Hezbollah targets. Hezbollah is also expected to demand assurances that Lebanese sovereignty will be respected and future strikes on its positions halted.

-Al Jazeera

Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority (DGCA) has released footage showing the immediate aftermath of a drone attack on Terminal 1 (T1) at Kuwait International Airport on June 3, 2026. Kuwaiti authorities described the incident as an Iranian drone strike that caused fatalities, serious injuries, and extensive damage to airport infrastructure. The video captures the first moments following the attack, highlighting the scale of destruction and the emergency response efforts launched in the wake of the incident.

US-brokered Lebanon-Israel talks continued in Washington, with most discussions taking place behind closed doors. Diplomats view the negotiations as significant given the lack of formal ties between the two countries. However, Hezbollah’s absence from the talks raises implementation questions, while Israel continues to insist on the group’s full disarmament, Al Jazeera reported.

Hezbollah said it carried out 17 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, using rockets, artillery, and explosive drones against troop positions, tanks, and military vehicles. The group reported strikes near Beaufort Castle and in several southern Lebanese towns, as well as targeting forces in northern Israel.

-Al Jazeera

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to implement a ceasefire, according to a joint statement issued by the United States Department of State on Wednesday after negotiations in Washington. The agreement is conditional on a complete halt to attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and the withdrawal of all its operatives from the South Litani Sector. Although the two sides had reached a ceasefire agreement last month, fighting continued despite the arrangement.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a Democratic-led resolution seeking to halt the war with Iran unless military action is specifically authorised by Congress, reflecting growing concern among lawmakers including some Republicans aligned with US President Donald Trump over the ongoing conflict.

Kuwaiti officials inspect damage inside a terminal at Kuwait International Airport following a drone and missile attack, in Kuwait City.

US President Donald Trump suggested that progress in negotiations with Tehran could emerge within days. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, the US president said an agreement might be close, although he cautioned that nothing was certain.

"They are close to signing papers," Trump said, adding that negotiations were going well and that a breakthrough "could happen over the weekend."

Trump also said that under a deal being discussed with Iran, the United States would obtain Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, one of the key sticking points in the negotiations. "We will get it," Trump said, indicating that the fate of Iran's enriched uranium reserves remains central to any potential agreement between the two sides.

Israeli forces continued operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, carrying out a drone strike in the Nabatieh district, according to reports from the ground. The latest attack targeted the town of Kfar Rumman, adding to a series of Israeli strikes reported across southern Lebanon in recent days.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any further action against Iran would trigger a swift response, hours after Iranian attacks on Kuwait damaged airport facilities and left dozens of people injured.

In a post on X, Araghchi defended Iran's military actions, describing them as "self-defense strikes" against locations allegedly used by the United States. According to the Iranian foreign minister, the targets were sites that the US was permitted to use "to attack civilian shipping and violate the ceasefire".

"Any hostile act will be met with an immediate, decisive response," Araghchi said.

Iran has signalled that negotiations with the United States remain active despite recent reports of a breakdown, saying no final decision has been reached and discussions are still underway. According to Iran's Fars News Agency, cited by Reuters, a member of the media team attached to Tehran's negotiating delegation said talks have not collapsed and that both sides are continuing to assess possible paths forward.

The official said one of the main reasons the first phase of negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough was Iran's refusal to enter discussions focused on its nuclear programme. The source also reiterated Tehran's position that any future agreement must address developments in Lebanon.

The source added that if a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States is finalised, it would be implemented through a four-stage mechanism, although no further details were provided. According to the report, Iran has not yet sent its response to the latest draft proposal received from Washington.

The United States said it has redirected more than 120 commercial vessels since imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports in April as part of efforts to increase pressure on Tehran. In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said 125 commercial ships had been diverted since the blockade began in mid-April.

The military also said it had disabled six vessels that allegedly failed to comply with the restrictions imposed under the operation.

The blockade was launched by US President Donald Trump as part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports and pressuring Tehran to accept Washington's conditions for a potential agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and US President Donald Trump share the goal of disarming Hezbollah and demilitarising Lebanon. Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of acting as an Iranian proxy and destabilising Lebanon while threatening Israeli civilians.

"Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy that puts all the citizens of Lebanon at gunpoint and uses Lebanon as a platform to launch terror missiles into our cities, to launch killer drones against our civilians," Netanyahu said.

"And so if we want to save Lebanon, if we want to get a Lebanese-Israeli peace, as I do, we have to disarm Hezbollah and we have to demilitarize Lebanon. And I know that this is a goal that the president and I share, and that’s what we have to do," he added.

Kuwait has rejected Iranian claims that the United States used its territory to launch attacks, insisting that neither its airspace nor its land was involved in military operations against any country.

The denial came as Kuwait summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to protest recent accusations made by Tehran.

According to a statement from Kuwait's Foreign Ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Hamad Suleiman Al-Mashaan conveyed “Kuwait’s categorical rejection of the use of its territory or airspace in any hostile acts against any country, emphasising that the false Iranian claims are baseless and do not rely on evidence.”

The diplomatic protest marks the latest escalation in tensions between Kuwait and Iran following recent attacks and accusations exchanged between the two countries.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said President Donald Trump is urging America's allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as Washington works to restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Johnson said he spent nearly three hours at the White House with Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussing the situation.

"I am, all of us, are calling on our allied nations and friends — the Arab states in the region, and NATO partners and everyone else," Johnson said. "The entire world has an interest in the Strait of Hormuz being reopened for commerce. That's what he's working on."

Johnson said reopening the vital shipping route remains a key objective for the administration as it seeks to ease pressure on global energy supplies and trade.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has defended Tehran's attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, describing them as acts of "self-defence" amid escalating tensions in the Gulf. His comments came after Kuwait said it intercepted 30 ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran. A separate strike on Kuwait International Airport killed one person and injured dozens more.

In a post on X, Araghchi said Iranian forces had targeted locations allegedly used by US forces "to attack civilian shipping and violate the ceasefire".

He also argued that military pressure would not resolve the conflict.

"What sanctions and war failed to achieve won't be won with more war," Araghchi wrote.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered oil companies to resume operations in the Kurdistan region, according to a statement issued by his office, as authorities seek to restore energy production disrupted by recent security threats.

Several energy firms operating in Iraqi Kurdistan had suspended oil and gas output following a series of drone attacks targeting oilfields and energy infrastructure across the region.

The shutdowns further strained regional energy supplies at a time when global markets were already facing pressure from disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Supply concerns deepened after Iran closed the strategic waterway and the United States imposed a blockade on Iran. The Iraqi government's move is aimed at bringing production back online and easing pressure on energy markets amid ongoing instability across the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that any decision to resume full-scale military action against Iran would ultimately rest with US President Donald Trump, while stressing that both American and Israeli forces remain prepared for any scenario.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu indicated that Washington would take the lead on determining whether military operations against Iran should be expanded if diplomacy fails.

His comments came as the United States and Iran continue indirect negotiations aimed at ending months of conflict and reaching an agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme.

Netanyahu also addressed the issue of Hamas, saying decisions regarding future action and disarmament would be handled through the Board of Peace, a body established by Trump last year to oversee a phased ceasefire process.

Kuwait has declared two members of Iran's diplomatic mission persona non grata after a wave of Iranian attacks on the Gulf state. In a statement, Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it also summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to deliver an official protest, condemning what it described as Iran's "brutal and relentless aggressions" against Kuwait.

The move comes amid heightened regional tensions following Iranian missile and drone attacks that damaged facilities at Kuwait International Airport and left dozens injured.

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that Washington is in a strong position in its standoff with Iran, saying the United States is pursuing a diplomatic agreement but remains prepared to take other measures if negotiations fail.

"That'll be a very big success... We've essentially defeated the military. We'll see what happens. We're working on a deal, and if that happens, fine -- and if it doesn't happen, that's ok too, we'll do it the other way," Trump said.

The US President also claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been severely weakened by the conflict.

"Iran has no navy, they have no air force, they have very few soldiers. They have no leadership... their economy is crashing, they have 250% inflation," Trump said.

Former International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said the ongoing conflict in West Asia could slow India's economic growth, although she believes the risks remain manageable as long as oil prices do not surge dramatically.

"There is still the expectation that this conflict will end quickly and negotiations are happening right now between Iran and the US," she said.

"We are not going to see the price of oil come down all the way very quickly. It's going to take probably till the middle of next year for oil to come back to say $70 or $75 a barrel," she added.

"In terms of the impact on India, there is an expectation that growth which is currently projected by the IMF at around 6.5% will likely come down some more and come closer towards 6%," Gopinath said.

Hezbollah said it carried out an artillery strike on a group of Israeli soldiers near the southern Lebanese town of Odaisseh on Wednesday, marking another flare-up despite ongoing ceasefire efforts. In a statement posted on Telegram, the Iran-backed group said its fighters targeted Israeli troops in the Jall al-Hammar area near Odaisseh at around 12:50 pm local time using artillery shells.

Hezbollah said the attack was launched "in defense of Lebanon and its people" and described it as a response to what it called repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

US President Donald Trump said he would prefer a negotiated settlement with Iran but warned that military options remain on the table if diplomacy fails.

Speaking on the Pod Force One podcast, Trump said he is weighing whether to pursue a deal with Tehran or take stronger military action, describing the alternative as unpleasant.

"I'd rather do it the nice way from a humanitarian standpoint," Trump said.

"You don’t need boots on the ground right now. We wiped out much of their military with just bombing. After three days their military was virtually wiped out. … And then if you read the New York Times you think they’re doing fantastically," he said.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must use routes approved by Iranian authorities, warning that ships failing to comply could face military action.

The IRGC said the only safe passage through the strategic waterway is the route designated by its forces and cautioned that any vessel violating those instructions would be considered a potential target.

The warning follows Iran's renewed assertion of control over the Strait of Hormuz last weekend, when Tehran said foreign commercial and military ships must comply with regulations governing transit through the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

India on Wednesday condemned the attack on Kuwait International Airport that killed an Indian national and injured several others amid escalating hostilities in the Gulf region.

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs urged all parties to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, reiterating India's long-standing call for restraint.

"We condemn the attack on the Kuwait International Airport today in which an Indian national has died and several of our nationals are injured. Since the onset of the conflict in West Asia, we have strongly urged that civilian population and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. We again call upon parties to cease such attacks," the statement said.

Kuwait said Iran launched 30 ballistic missiles and drones during Wednesday's attack, describing the operation as a "heinous Iranian aggression" that targeted civilian and critical infrastructure across the country.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman Saud Abdulaziz al-Atwan, Kuwaiti forces detected and intercepted 13 ballistic missiles that entered the country's airspace.

"Since dawn today, the armed forces have detected and engaged 13 hostile ballistic missiles within Kuwaiti airspace. These missiles were intercepted over several residential areas, resulting in some debris falling. The armed forces also detected and engaged 17 hostile drones. This heinous Iranian aggression targeted civilian and vital facilities," al-Atwan said.

Kuwaiti authorities said one person was killed and dozens more were injured in the attacks, which also caused damage to infrastructure, including facilities at Kuwait International Airport.

Gaza's Health Ministry said three Palestinians were killed and 35 others wounded across the enclave over the past 24 hours, as rescue efforts continued in several areas affected by the conflict. In its daily update, the ministry said a number of victims remain trapped beneath rubble or stranded in locations that emergency crews have been unable to reach. It added that ambulance and civil defence teams continue to face difficulties accessing some affected areas.

According to the ministry, 936 people have been killed and 2,903 injured in Gaza since the October 11 ceasefire took effect. Authorities also said that 781 bodies have been recovered from collapsed buildings and debris during the same period.

US President Donald Trump dismissed claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu influenced his decision to launch military action against Iran, insisting the move was made independently by Washington.

Speaking on the Pod Force One podcast, Trump said suggestions that he had been manipulated into the conflict were false.

"He tricked me? I'm the one that started it," Trump said, adding that the operation was driven by concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions. "We can't let them have a nuclear weapon."

Trump also blamed his political opponents for spreading such allegations.

"They're just the Dumbocrats. These are people that don't know what they're doing," he said.

• Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant escalations in Gulf hostilities since the ceasefire was reached earlier this year.
• Kuwaiti authorities said strikes damaged facilities at Kuwait International Airport, killed one person and injured more than 60 others, forcing a temporary suspension of flights before operations gradually resumed.
• Bahrain's military reported intercepting 13 missiles and seventeen drones, while Iran claimed it had targeted US military assets, including the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guard defended the attacks, saying they were intended to send a warning to Washington and should serve as a "lesson" for the United States.
• US Central Command said American forces carried out "self-defence" strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island and intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones targeting regional assets and commercial shipping routes.
• The latest flare-up added pressure on the fragile ceasefire that has been repeatedly tested by military exchanges across the Gulf, Lebanon and surrounding areas.
• Oil prices rose more than 2% as investors worried about further disruption to energy supplies moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
• Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with Iran-linked media reporting a pause in communications while President Donald Trump insisted that negotiations with Tehran are continuing and that "conversations between us have been going on continuously".
• Iranian officials continue to seek sanctions relief, access to oil revenues and guarantees related to regional conflicts, while the US maintains that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a key objective.
• In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed several people and targeted areas near Beirut, highlighting the risk of a broader regional confrontation involving Israel, Iran and Hezbollah.
• Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that Netanyahu manipulated him into launching the war on Iran, saying the decision was entirely his own.