The US and Israel on Feb 28 launched what they described as a “pre-emptive” joint strike against Iranian targets, with Trump announcing start of “major combat operations”
Pakistan hosted the first round of face-to-face talks between the US and Iran in 47 years in April; the talks ended without a breakthrough, but also without a breakdown
Ceasefire falters as US, Iran exchange attacks on each other’s military sites; Kuwait, Bahrain targeted in retaliation
The baseline demand in Lebanon is for Israel to withdraw to positions it held prior to the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, IRGC’s Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani has said, Reuters reports, citing state media.
He added that Lebanese fighters would soon see the results of their resistance and said supporting the resistance in Lebanon was the duty of all Muslims.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem will deliver a speech today at 3pm local time (5pm PKT), Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Lebanon.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem gives a televised speech from an unknown location, on July 30, 2025 in this screen grab from video. — Al Manar TV via Reuters/File
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has met with French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and welcomed the assistance of friendly and brotherly countries to consolidate the ceasefire with Israel, the presidency says.
Aoun emphasised the “need to avoid giving Israel any pretexts for not withdrawing and that every effort in this regard will have positive” effects on the negotiations, the statement said.
On his part, Le Drian confirmed that his visit to Lebanon was to express French support and solidarity.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has met French presidential envoy and former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, accompanied by French Ambassador to Beirut Herve Magro, the National News Agency (NNA) reports, according to Al Jazeera.
According to NNA, the talks focused on the results of recent negotiations in Washington and ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire with Israel.
A CCTV footage shows fire and smoke rise following a strike on Kuwait International Airport, in Kuwait City, on June 3, 2026, in this screengrab from a video. — Civil Aviation Kuwait via Reuters
CCTV footage shows fire and smoke rising following a strike on Kuwait International Airport, in Kuwait City, on June 3, 2026, in this screengrab from a video. — Civil Aviation Kuwait via Reuters
This handout photo provided by the Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA) on June 3, 2026 shows Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Abdullah al-Sabah (C) inspecting the damaged airport after an Iranian attack, in Kuwait City. — KUNA via AFP
A satellite image shows damage to infrastructure at Kuwait International Airport following a strike in Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 3, 2026. Distribution Airbus DS via Reuters
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has described the latest ceasefire negotiations as difficult, Al Jazeera reports.
Speaking to journalists, Aoun said the head of the Lebanese delegation, Simon Karam, had at one point suspended participation due to what he described as Israeli intransigence, prompting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intervene to resume the talks.
He added that the agreement represents a “last opportunity”, warning that otherwise each side would bear its own responsibilities.
Aoun added that implementation could begin within 24 hours once all parties grant their approval and the necessary guarantees are submitted.
A photograph shows the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in the Burj al-Chamali area near the southern city of Tyre, on June 2, 2026. — AFP
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says that US “imperialism” was willing to do anything to deter Iran’s progress.
In a post on X, the supreme leader also said that Israel was a “military base” built by the US, which did not “accept the existence of a strong, independent Iran” on its eastern border.
A Hezbollah drone struck the vehicle of Israel’s Northern Command chief in southern Lebanon today shortly after he stepped out of it, Al Jazeera reports citing Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
Major General Rafi Milo was on a field visit to a village in southern Lebanon with officers and fighters when an explosive FPV drone directly hit his vehicle. Milo and an aide had exited the vehicle shortly before impact.
The dollar has traded near a two-month high as renewed Gulf hostilities sapped risk appetite, while traders were alert to the possibility of intervention as the Japanese yen hovered near the key 160 level, Reuters reports.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against major peers, was little changed at 99.46, just below the two-month high of 99.56 reached in the previous session.
The euro rose 0.1pc to $1.161. A Reuters poll showed that the European Central Bank is set to raise its deposit rate to 2.25pc on June 11 to curb inflation. The British pound also climbed 0.1pc to $1.343.
“It’s hard to argue against dollar strength at this juncture,” said Francesco Pesole, currency strategist at ING. “Data continues to paint a picture of resilience for the U.S. economy,” he added.
US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken on March 24, 2026. — Reuters/File
European shares are steady, as investors assessed whether developments in the Middle East would lead towards a peace deal to end the months-long conflict, Reuters reports.
Crude prices eased about 1pc to $96 a barrel after Israel and Lebanon reached an agreement to implement a ceasefire, raising hopes for a broader deal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Wary investors awaited clearer signs that a peace deal could be imminent this time after several rounds that have led nowhere.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index inched up 0.1pc to 621.85 points by 08:49am GMT, with retailers and luxury stocks leading gains, each with a more than 1pc rise.
The benchmark is on track to end the week marginally lower as the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, remained mostly shut.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has met with Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam and “exchanged views on regional developments, bilateral relations, and opportunities for enhanced cooperation” between their countries.
Kundi said he “emphasised the importance of peace, dialogue, and regional stability, while discussing avenues to strengthen trade, economic engagement, and people-to-people contacts”.
“Also explored opportunities for greater cooperation between KP and Iran through increased commercial, parliamentary, and cultural exchanges,” the governor added.
“Pakistan remains committed to promoting peace and constructive engagement for the prosperity and stability of the region,” he affirmed.
A UN peacekeeper in Lebanon has died from wounds sustained when mortar shells hit his position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon late the previous night, the UN peacekeeping mission Unifil says, Reuters reports.
Unifil, which did not say where the shells originated, said two other peacekeepers were wounded and that it has opened an investigation into the incident.
The Israeli military claims its forces have achieved operational control of the Beaufort Ridge area in southern Lebanon, killing what it claims were two armed individuals in a combined air and ground attack in recent days, Al Jazeera reports.
In a post on X, it said forces from the Golani Brigade’s divisional combat team, operating under the 36th Division, identified the individuals approximately 150 metres away during an assault on the ridge adjacent to Beaufort Fortress.
The Israeli military has issued an urgent warning via X to residents of southern Lebanon, telling them to refrain from traveling south of the Zahrani River until further notice.
In a statement, the military said fighting in southern Lebanon is ongoing as Israeli forces continue to target infrastructure and facilities belonging to Hezbollah located in or near local villages.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says that the Iranian nation “with its new mission alongside the resistance front” has been a “source of pride” for other nations, Tasnim reports.
He made the comment in a message read on television on the 37th anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s commemoration.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says “Iran’s enemy” was seeking to harm the resilience of Iran’s people and sow internal division after facing “defeat” on the battlefield, Reuters reports.
Three residents of Southern Lebanon’s Jdeidet Marjeyoun area were injured after a civilian vehicle was targeted on the road, the state-run National News Agency reports.
According to the report, the vehicle was carrying Antoine Bou Absi, his wife Therese, and their daughter Najat. They were shifted to Al Rahi Hospital for medical treatment.
Israeli politician and former army general Benny Gantz has welcomed the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon agreement saying it “could constitute a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the war against Hezbollah”.
“But this agreement will be tested in the reality on the ground,” Gantz said on X.
“And, therefore, the [Israeli army] must remain deployed within Lebanese territory until the full implementation of the agreement, and the state of Israel must respond aggressively to any violation by Hezbollah – even the smallest one.”
Israel will continue its operations on the ground in southern Lebanon for the time being and Lebanese residents forced from their homes by Israel would not be able to return, Defence Minister Israel Katz has said, Reuters reports.
His comments came a day after Lebanon and Israel said they had agreed to implement a ceasefire during talks in Washington. The deal is contingent on a cessation of fire from militant group Hezbollah.
In a statement, Katz said troops would remain in its so-called security zone in southern Lebanon, including in the area of Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old fortress captured by Israel on Saturday.
He said Israel would continue to “dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the area” while Israel had “freedom of action, backed by the United States, to strike in Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli communities and territory”.
Israel’s acting foreign minister Israel Katz, who also serves as intelligence and transport minister, attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on February 24, 2019. — Reuters
Several people have been wounded in an Israeli drone attack that targeted a vehicle on the Zefta-Kfarwa road in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reports.
The strike came after Israel’s and Lebanon’s governments agreed to halt the war after a series of meetings in Washington, DC, mediated by US officials.
