Middle East Eye

President Trump announced that a deal framework with Iran had been approved and that he had canceled a third night of strikes, but Tehran says no final decision has been made. The IDF continued heavy operations in southern Lebanon, striking over 300 Hezbollah targets and eliminating some 80 operatives in the past week, while Hezbollah claimed multiple attacks on Israeli forces. In the West Bank, settler violence reached record levels according to the UN, and the IDF is establishing a permanent base in Jenin. Ultra-Orthodox anti-draft protests escalated in Israel. Gaza ceasefire prospects dimmed ahead of Israeli elections.

President Trump announced that the US will strike Iran “very hard” tonight and stated an intention to seize Kharg Island in the future, even as US-Iran negotiations continue. The IDF expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, achieving operational control of Wadi Saluki and preparing an offensive toward Nabatieh. In the West Bank, two IDF soldiers were wounded by an IED in Jenin, where Israel is establishing its first permanent military post in Area A. The Israeli cabinet is set to approve funding for 61 new settlements.

US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran “very hard” again, saying Tehran had taken too long to negotiate a nuclear deal and would “pay the price.” The IDF confirmed that the Ramat David airbase sustained minor damage from falling fragments during Iran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this week, with no injuries or operational impact. Hezbollah continued to target Israeli forces in southern Lebanon with drones, missiles, and artillery, while Israeli airstrikes killed at least 17 people across the south, including two in a drone strike on a car in Sidon.

US forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites after shooting down four Iranian drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by firing seven ballistic missiles at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, with CENTCOM intercepting six. In Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike killed several Lebanese Army troops, including an officer, while Hezbollah claimed 32 attacks on Israeli forces. In the West Bank, the IDF killed a seven-month-old Palestinian baby in Hebron, prompting an investigation.

Israeli ground forces advanced to the outskirts of Nabatieh, one of southern Lebanon’s largest cities, marking the deepest IDF push since 2006. Hezbollah responded with rocket barrages targeting Safed, Nahariya, and Kiryat Shmona, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF warned of potential increased rocket fire as operations expand. In Gaza, Hamas warned of a ‘dangerous escalation’ after Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the seizure of 70% of the Strip, while Egypt raced to salvage the ceasefire. The US-Iran deal remained unresolved, with Defense Secretary Hegseth stating the US is ready to restart strikes if no agreement is reached.

President Trump convened a two-hour Situation Room meeting on a potential Iran deal but made no final decision, with the White House saying it is 'very close' but unresolved. Iran denied a deal is finalized and rejected terms including uranium transfer and Hormuz tolls. Hezbollah claimed over 20 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, while the IDF confirmed troops crossed the Litani River and struck Hezbollah targets. The UN blacklisted Israel for conflict-related sexual violence for the first time.

An IDF reservist was killed and a brigade commander wounded in separate Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon. The US Senate advanced a war powers resolution to limit President Trump’s authority to strike Iran, while Vice President Vance warned the US is 'locked and loaded' if talks fail. Israel is reportedly preparing for a possible renewal of the Iran war, and Trump said Tehran has days to make a deal. Chinese President Xi told Russia’s Putin that Middle East hostilities are 'inadvisable.'

The US and Israel are in advanced preparations for renewed strikes on Iran, potentially as early as next week, as the IDF targeted Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a Gaza City airstrike that killed at least seven. A US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was extended by 45 days, but Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon, killing six including three paramedics. An Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah commander was charged in the US for plotting attacks on Jewish targets in New York and Los Angeles.

Iran launched 15 missiles and 4 drones at the UAE on Monday, hitting a Fujairah oil facility and wounding three, in the first major attack since the April 8 ceasefire. The US sank six Iranian small boats and intercepted missiles and drones as it began escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz under 'Project Freedom.' Hezbollah fired mortars and anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, with no IDF injuries reported. Oil prices surged nearly 6% and global markets slid as the US-Iran truce teetered.