War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health says the death toll from Israel’s attacks on the country since March 2 has risen to 4,322, with 12,210 wounded, Al Jazeera reports.

Iran and Oman have agreed to continue political and technical talks to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The foreign ministers of both countries met in Muscat “in light of the developments and repercussions arising from recent events”, the Oman News Agency reports.

“The two sides agreed to continue discussions at both the technical and political levels in order to reach the requisite understandings in accordance with international law,” it adds.

The Israeli military has issued a statement claiming it targeted Hezbollah operatives moving weapons inside occupied Lebanese territory, which it regards as a “security zone”, Al Jazeera reports.

It claims several people were targeted after they were spotted transferring antitank missiles. It is unclear how many people were injured.

Israel has increased the pace of its attacks on southern Lebanon since Thursday night, killing and wounding many.

A Lebanese official tells AFP that his country will take part in planned talks with Israel next week in Rome, after Beirut had previously conditioned participation upon Israel withdrawing from certain areas it occupies in the south.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirms that “Lebanon will participate” without offering further details, as a US military delegation visits the country to discuss implementing a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reports that seven people have been wounded by air strikes in southern Lebanon’s al-Mansouri, according to Al Jazeera.

The agency says five of those injured have been hospitalised, while two were treated at the scene.

Israeli air attacks have repeatedly targeted al-Mansouri today, according to NNA.

The US has been working with Iraq and Syria on a plan to revamp an old pipeline running from Iraq’s northern city of Kirkuk to Syria’s Baniyas on the Mediterranean coast, which would allow Iraq to export oil without using the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports citing Middle East Eye.

The London-based news outlet cites Iraqi and other regional officials as saying an agreement to restore the 800-kilometre pipeline, which has been closed for decades and is badly damaged, is expected to be announced during a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Trump in the White House next week.

One senior official tells Middle East Eye that the pipeline will probably have to be completely replaced, which would take two to three years. The official says a group of US companies have already been recruited for the project.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has met in Muscat with his Omani counterpart Badr al-Busaidi, Al Jazeera reports citing a post on his official Telegram page.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the post says.

It adds that the officials “exchanged views on appropriate mechanisms for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” in accordance with the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

Israeli forces have advanced into the eastern edge of the southern Lebanese town of Beit Yahoun with three tanks and several bulldozers, Al Jazeera reports citing Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

Elsewhere, Israeli forces have reportedly ignited fires in southern Lebanon’s Houla, damaging homes and olive trees, said NNA.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has held a phone call with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss the current escalation between the US and Iran, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry says both sides emphasise the importance of diplomacy and de-escalation. Qatar calls for the implementation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and the safeguarding of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanese sources have told Al Jazeera that delegations from the armed forces of the US and Lebanon have met to work out a mechanism for implementing the first so-called pilot zone in the south.

Qatari officials are taking part in talks between Iran and Oman in Muscat over at least partially opening the critical strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports citing Axios, which cites a diplomat with knowledge of the matter.

The parties are reportedly discussing a potential statement on fully opening the “median lane” in the Strait of Hormuz, which is in international waters, for full and free movement.

Iran’s investment in technology allowed it to triple drone production capacity during the war, Al Jazeera reports quoting the country’s acting defence minister.

“The recent war showed that Iranian elites and investment in modern technologies are the most important components of the country’s defence power,” Majid Ibn al-Reza is quoted as saying by Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

“At the height of the war, not only did defence production not stop, but the drone production capacity increased threefold.”

Washington views today’s meetings in Oman between Iranian and Omani officials as pivotal for future diplomacy, according to unnamed US officials cited by Radio Free Europe, Al Jazeera reports.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Muscat to help find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis.

Mostafa Khoshcheshm, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Technology in Tehran, tells Al Jazeera that “Iran earns nothing” from participating in the talks any more and “stands to lose a lot”.

Khoshcheshm notes that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the midst of the war shot up oil prices and came to be Tehran’s biggest weapon in the conflict.

“That mounted pressure on Trump at home, and he failed repeatedly to reopen this strait through military means,” he says. “Iran, a vast country, has taken measures to compensate by other means, including activating its land borders.”

The analyst argues that the waterway has been “under Iranian control for centuries, ever since this country was created”.

“This shouldn’t be the other way around after the war, and Iranians will not tolerate that. Iran is not going to take part in the talks unless the US backs down [from the Strait of Hormuz].”

A US military delegation has met with Lebanon’s army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel’s withdrawal from one of the “pilot zones” in occupied territory, a Lebanese military official tells AFP.

“The American military delegation arrived and began meetings with the Lebanese army command to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the first pilot zone from which the Israelis will withdraw, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy,” the official says, requesting anonymity.

“This is the main objective the American military delegation is bringing to Lebanon … it is the translation and implementation of the framework agreement.”

The official adds, “The first pilot zone will launch in a matter of days, and further pilot zones are being mapped out and planned.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Oman to discuss arrangements for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington seeking a public pledge of free, secure transit, Reuters reports.

No US attacks were reported on Friday or early Saturday, however, and a senior Iranian source tells Reuters a call between Iran, the US, Qatar, and Pakistan had been agreed and mediators were trying to arrange it for Saturday while Araghchi is in Oman.

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Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, says Tehran will stop honouring its memorandum of understanding with the US if the latter’s attacks continue, accusing Washington of a “flagrant violation” of the UN Charter over attacks on Iranian islands and southern cities on July 7 and 8, Al Jazeera reports.

“Should the United States continue to violate its obligations under the MoU, Iran will no longer be bound to fulfil its obligations under the MoU,” he tells reporters outside the UN Security Council, adding that Tehran remains committed “provided that the United States fully and faithfully complies with its own obligations”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan express concern over escalating tensions between Iran and the US, particularly after the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the FO says.

The pair “agreed that the renewed conflict serves no one’s interest and undermines efforts toward regional peace and stability” during a phone call, the FO writes on X.

“The Saudi foreign minister shared the kingdom’s perspective on ongoing diplomatic efforts and emphasised the importance of de-escalation and continued dialogue,” the statement reads.

“DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and allow mediation efforts the necessary time and space to achieve a peaceful and meaningful outcome.”

An Israeli airstrike has targeted the town of al-Mansouri in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera correspondents on the ground report.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has had a telephone conversation with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr Iruthisham Adam, the Foreign Office (FO) says.

“The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Foreign Minister Adam appreciated Pakistan’s role in mediating the Iran-US conflict,” the FO writes on X.

“While reaffirming their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the Maldives, the two leaders agreed to remain in close contact.”

The website of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, with the address rahbar.ir, has been launched, Tasnim reports.

Two members of Iran’s security forces were killed in an attack in the northeast city of Mashhad, where the funeral of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei was held, AFP reports, citing Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

The two people killed were “members of the Basij forces”, a paramilitary force affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the Iranian military, Tasnim said.

Tasnim did not specify the date of the incident or the identity of the attackers, but said that “the perpetrator or perpetrators of this act will be punished”.

According to the agency, the two men were killed while “patrolling in the city of Mashhad, about fifteen kilometres (nine miles) from the shrine” of Imam Reza, where Ali Khamenei was buried.

“A pedestrian was also wounded by the attackers and taken to hospital,” the Iranian agency added.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah discussed the latest regional developments during a telephone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to the Saudi foreign ministry, the two sides underscored the importance of continuing coordination and consultations to promote security and stability across the region.