US-Iran War Highlights: Iran warns of direct clash with Israel, says US assets could be targeted

All updates to this blog have ended.
All updates to this blog have ended.
Middle East conflict: Iran warns of direct confrontation over Lebanon attacks
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran could move towards direct confrontation if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue. In a post on X, Ghalibaf accused Israel and the United States of undermining ceasefire efforts and diplomacy. He also said US and Israeli assets in the region could become legitimate targets, linking the threat to what he described as pressure and restrictions imposed on Iran.
Middle East crisis: Iran warns of 'painful response' after Beirut strike
An Iranian lawmaker has warned that Tehran will respond forcefully following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran's parliamentary national security commission, said Iran would deliver a "decisive and painful response" after the attack. Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes hit two apartments in separate buildings. The incident comes despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect in April.
Middle East conflict: Trump calls for more 'surgical' strikes on Hezbollah
US President Donald Trump said he wants Israel to carry out more targeted strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while expressing hope for improved conditions in the country. In an interview with NBC, Trump said he favours more "surgical" attacks on the armed group. His remarks come as Lebanon reports thousands of deaths since Israeli military operations intensified in March.
Middle East crisis: Trump says he may know where Iran's leader is
US President Donald Trump said he is open to speaking directly with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as diplomatic efforts continue between Washington and Tehran. Trump also suggested he may know the Iranian leader's whereabouts but declined to provide details, saying there was "a good probability" that he knew where Khamenei was located.
Middle East conflict: Lebanon says Israeli attacks have killed 3,613 since March 2
Israel's military operations in Lebanon have killed at least 3,613 people and injured 11,072 others since March 2, according to figures released by Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The latest toll covers casualties recorded through June 7 and comes as Israeli attacks continue across several parts of the country.
Middle East crisis: Israeli strike on Beirut suburb, 2 killed
An Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least two people and injured 11 others, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. The strike reportedly hit two apartments in the Mreijeh-Tahwita al-Ghadir area. The attack targeted a densely populated residential neighbourhood, while no immediate details were released about the identities of those killed or wounded.
Middle East conflict: Iran says shifting US positions hinder negotiations
Iran said inconsistent US positions remain the biggest obstacle in ongoing negotiations between the two countries. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told CNN that talks continue through Pakistani mediators but are complicated by changing messages from Washington. He said Tehran expects the US to recognise Iran's rights, including peaceful nuclear enrichment, and criticised the lack of concessions on blocked Iranian assets.
Middle East crisis: Explosions reported in southern Beirut after Israeli strike
At least three explosions were heard in southern Beirut on Sunday, according to eyewitness accounts cited by Al Jazeera. A multi-storey building was reportedly struck during the attack. Israeli officials said the target was Hezbollah military infrastructure. There was no immediate information on casualties, and it remained unclear whether anyone was inside the building.
Middle East conflict: BRICS plays decisive role in energy stability, says Iran envoy
Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, said BRICS nations are playing an increasingly important role in global energy security and market stability. Speaking at a forum on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he said energy security now extends beyond access to resources and includes reliable supply, investment, technology, infrastructure and financial stability.
Middle East crisis: Netanyahu says Hezbollah in retreat amid Lebanon ops
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah is "in retreat" as Israeli troops continue operations in southern Lebanon despite a fragile ceasefire. He vowed a strong response to any attacks on Israel and said forces were targeting Hezbollah positions near the border. His remarks came after the Israeli military reported intercepting two rockets fired from Lebanon and announced the capture of the Beaufort Ridge area.
Middle East Conflict: France warns of new sanctions on Israeli settlers
France has warned that additional sanctions could soon be imposed on Israeli settlers over the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and rising violence against Palestinians. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said further measures may be announced in the coming days. The remarks come weeks after the European Union sanctioned several settlers and groups linked to settlement activity.
Middle East crisis: Israeli strike hits Hezbollah launchers in Lebanon
The Israeli military said it carried out an airstrike on rocket launchers used by Hezbollah to fire projectiles into northern Israel earlier in the day. The IDF released footage showing the strike and said the launchers were destroyed. Earlier, the military reported intercepting two rockets that crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon.
Middle East Conflict: 9 killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza
Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip since early morning have killed at least nine people and injured more than 30 others, according to local media. Five of the deaths were reported after a strike hit a police post in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Despite a ceasefire announced in October 2025, Israeli attacks have continued almost daily.
Pakistan minister meets meets Iran’s foreign minister in Tehran
Pakistan’s interior minister is in Tehran and has delivered a message from Islamabad intended for Iran’s supreme leader. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s Telegram channel, the minister shared a message from Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, addressed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and held discussions on the ongoing peace talks involving the US and Iran.
Middle East crisis: OPEC+ set to increase oil output targets
OPEC+ is set to agree on Sunday a fourth increase in oil output targets in as many months, three OPEC+ sources told Reuters, even though the US war with Iran is still preventing several of the group's members from pumping more. The war has cut oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, creating the world's biggest ever supply crisis as key OPEC+ members including Saudi Arabia have been unable to supply customers in full since the end of February.
Middle East crisis: Israel's new evacuation message for Tyre
The Israeli army has released an evacuation order for residents living in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. “You must evacuate your homes immediately and move north of the Zahrani River,” the message on X said.
Middle East crisis: At least 1 killed as Israel attacks south Lebanon
Israeli air strikes targeted a motorcycle, killing one person in southern Lebanon, reported Al Jazeera on Sunday. Israeli jets also launched two attacks and destroyed a house in the town of Duwair, while the city of Nabatieh was also targeted, the Qatar-based news channel quoted the National News Agency as saying.
Iran war: US servicemen adjust to new normal as conflict continues
Fourteen weeks after President Donald Trump ordered an attack on Iran, the US military is adjusting to an unusual state of conflict that is not full-scale war, but also far from peace, reports Reuters. On ships and bases in the Middle East, U.S. troops — some recovering from injuries — operate amid exchanges of fire with Iran every few days as the Navy blockades Iran's ports. Counterattacks from Iran continue against U.S. allies in the region, such as Bahrain and Kuwait, which Iran targeted in a ballistic missile attack on Friday.
Middle East Conflict: Authorities shoot two suspects involved in central Israel attack
Israeli police said two suspects allegedly involved in the deadly shooting attack in central Israel were killed during security operations following the incident.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the suspects or the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing.

