Iran and the United States have reportedly agreed to halt recent strikes and renew talks regarding their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
The development, reported by Axios, could end hostilities that had threatened an interim peace agreement. The two sides plan to meet Tuesday in Qatar, Axios said, citing a senior US official.
Iran and the US had traded attacks in the Gulf in recent days as each accused the other of violating an interim deal signed less than two weeks ago to end their four month war.
On Sunday, Iran said its naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint missile and drone operation targeting US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, and warned further violations would receive a “crushing response”.
Earlier, the US military said it had struck Iran for the second day after a tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said its strikes were launched “in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping".
Key Points
- US announces it has struck 10 Iranian military targets
- Iran's Guard says it struck US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain
- Israeli military says it killed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon
- IRGC warns US strikes will result in 'complete halt' of diplomacy
- Trump threatens Iran will 'no longer exist' if violations continue
- Iran’s foreign minister warns any challenge to Iranian oversight of Hormuz will ‘increase tensions’
Video: Israel destroys Hezbollah underground infrastructure in southern Lebanon
04:52 , Namita Singh
Iran and US agree to halt attacks and renew talks, US official says
04:26 , Namita Singh
Iran and the United States agreed to halt recent hostilities in the Gulf and renew talks regarding their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said on Sunday, raising hopes of saving an interim peace deal that was under pressure from days of tit-for-tat strikes.
“Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the Mou. Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely," the official said, referring to the 14-point memorandum of understanding that was agreed on 17 June under which the strait would be re-opened for traffic.
Axios, which first reported the cessation of hostilities, citing a senior US official, said talks would resume on Tuesday in Qatar.
A return to diplomacy would follow several days of strikes and counterstrikes since an Iranian projectile hit a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, with both the US and Iran accusing the other of breaking an interim ceasefire that was agreed to on 17 June.
Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday, shortly after president Donald Trump threatened that the Islamic Republic would cease to exist if it did not honor the agreement to end the war.
Israel moves to formally recognise Armenian WWI deaths as genocide
04:15 , Namita Singh
Israel’s cabinet unanimously approved a proposal on Sunday to designate violence against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during First World War as genocide.
The step, which still needs approval in parliament, reflects deteriorating ties between Israel and Turkey. Turkey has fiercely lobbied to prevent countries from officially recognising the mass deaths of Armenians around 1915 as a genocide, even as Armenians have pushed for it.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
For years, Israel never officially broached the subject for fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
“Despite the extensive and unambiguous historical documentation, the Armenian Genocide remains to this day the subject of an institutionalised campaign of denial and minimisation, including a manipulative rewriting of history, mainly by the Turkish government,” said Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar, who brought the decision to the government.
Turkey called Israel’s move a “politically motivated” step meant to distract from the country’s own actions against Palestinians.
RECAP: Interim ceasefire under strain as US and Iran exchange fire over Strait of Hormuz
04:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
The interim peace deal between the US and Iran is under strain after both sides traded blows as tensions escalate over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US bombarded Iranian military sites for the second day in row on Sunday in response to drone attacks on cargo ships in the region.
- 26 June: Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely cargo ship was hit by a drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called the incident a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement before the US hit back, striking targets in Iran’s Sirik region.
- 27 June: A Panama-flagged MT Kiku cargo ship was also struck in the Strait. Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday evening to warn that Iran would “no longer exist” if Tehran kept breaking the ceasefire. US Central Command confirmed it had launched fresh strikes on Iranian military sites “in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping”.
- 28 June: Iran on Sunday said its naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint missile and drone operation targeting US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, and warned further violations would receive a “crushing response”. Gulf allies condemned the attacks in the region, but Iran’s foreign minister warned that any challenge to Iranian oversight of the strait will “increase tensions”.
What has Iran's foreign minister said?
03:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said bringing maritime traffic back to pre-war levels in the Strait of Hormuz lies solely with Tehran, and warned that any challenge over the strait will “increase tensions”.
The comments were made in a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on Sunday, as the pair discussed the latest attacks as well as the all-important issue of the strait, according to Reuters.
Araghchi also reiterated his previous position that the memorandum of understanding signed with the US mandates that Israel withdraw from Lebanon and end its strikes there.
By numbers: Impact of Iran-US war on fuel prices at the pump
02:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
The four month conflict has sent fuel prices rocketing as countries reliant on Brent crude faced shortages of fuel.
In the UK, diesel prices shot up to £1.92, an increase of nearly 50 pence compared to pre-war, while unleaded petrol rose by 27 pence to around £1.59. These were the highest prices since highest since the late 2022, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine sent unleaded prices up to £1.91 and diesel up to £1.99.
Trump promises farmers they will get to sell crops to ‘lovely country of Iran’ after war
01:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
President Donald Trump has promised American farmers they will soon be able to sell their crops to the “lovely country of Iran” now that he has signed a memorandum of understanding to end his war.
Read more:
Trump promises farmers they will sell crops to ‘lovely country of Iran’ after war
In detail: How Iran-US war hit global oil prices
Monday 29 June 2026 00:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has had a direct impact on global oil prices. With Brent crude - the global benchmark - rocketing to a peak of $114 per barrel in early May, a seismic shift was felt across the world.
Prices have largely recovered since a temporary truce came into place between Washington and Tehran, with prices now sitting at around $77 per barrel - $6 higher than the day before the war, but nearly $19 higher than a year-low of $59 in early January.
ICYMI: Iran hit out at 'unfair' and 'unsportsmanlike treatment' as they exit World Cup
Sunday 28 June 2026 23:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran’s football team fired a parting shot at what they called the “unfair and unsportsmanlike” treatment they have received as they left the World Cup.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt, in which Iran had a goal disallowed after a lengthy VAR check, was not enough for them to reach the knockout stages, ending a fraught tournament amid their nation’s conflict with the US.
The team had been due to be based in Arizona but switched to Tijuana, Mexico, and have faced a number of travel restrictions for their matches in the United States.
In a statement as they headed home, the Iranian federation (FFIRI) thanked the media for covering their situation.
“Thank you for your professionalism, your support and for covering not only our team’s sporting journey but also the unfair and unsportsmanlike treatment our delegation experienced during our stay,” the statement said.
Full story: Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes
Sunday 28 June 2026 22:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched drone and missile attacks on Sunday targeting Bahrain and Kuwait in response to U.S. airstrikes that hit the Islamic Republic, and threatened a “complete halt” to negotiations to end the war if Washington continues its attacks.
Read more:
Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes and threatens to halt talks to end the war
US and Iran agree to halt attacks, hold talks in Doha this week
Sunday 28 June 2026 21:48 , Dan Haygarth
The United States and Iran agreed to stop strikes against each other, a senior US official said, according to a report by Axios on Sunday.
The two sides anticipate meeting on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar's capital, Axios said, to work out their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for oil shipments from the region
Figures lay bare impact of Iran-US war on shipping
Sunday 28 June 2026 21:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
The number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed dramatically the moment the blockade was imposed in March, from a five-day moving average of around 60 per day down to less than one.
Summary: Gulf allies condemn Iranian strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait
Sunday 28 June 2026 20:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
- The United Arab Emirates has condemned Iran’s fresh drone and missile strikes on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait as a “flagrant violation” of the nations’ sovereignty.
- Qatar called the strikes a “flagrant breach” of international law and called for efforts to return to diplomacy to “reduce escalation” in the region.
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned “treacherous” attacks, adding that they “actively undermine” peace efforts.
Photos show Ashoura commemorations shaped by war and loss in Lebanon and Iran
Sunday 28 June 2026 20:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
War, loss and remembrance shaped the observances this year in Lebanon and Iran of Ashoura, one of Shiite Islam's most important religious days.
Read more:
Photos show Ashoura commemorations shaped by war and loss in Lebanon and Iran
Watch: US Navy carry out strikes on ten Iranian military targets
Sunday 28 June 2026 19:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Israel damaged heritage sites across south Lebanon, minister fears
Sunday 28 June 2026 19:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
Israel's campaign against Hezbollah has damaged or destroyed revered heritage sites across southern Lebanon, a minister has said.
Despite an interim ceasefire that took hold a week ago, authorities have yet to build a full picture of the damage as Israeli troops still occupy a zone about 10 km (6.2 miles) deep into Lebanon, according to Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame.
That occupation zone includes the medieval Beaufort Castle as well as centuries-old villages that were home to Christians, Shi'ite Muslims and Sunni Muslims and their places of worship.
"There are villages that have been completely bulldozed," Salame said, adding that ancient towns outside the zone including Tyre and Nabatieh were damaged by air strikes. Heavy bombing hit the town of Tebnin, prompting fears that its Crusader fortress was also damaged, the minister added.
Israel's military told Reuters it does not aim to "cause excessive damage to civilian infrastructure and strikes only out of military necessity”. It said it took into account the existence of "sensitive sites".
Iran and US step up attacks and threaten to escalate
Sunday 28 June 2026 19:00 , Dan Haygarth
Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday, shortly after Donald Trump threatened to wipe out the Iranian leadership if they did not stick to the interim agreement to end their war.
Israel said on Sunday it had struck Iran-backed armed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on Saturday, just a day after it agreed the latest ceasefire deal with Lebanon to calm fighting that Iran says must end if the wider agreement is to stick.
The US military said earlier it had struck Iran again, hours after a tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important energy shipping route, which Tehran has largely closed for most of the conflict.
"There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started," Trump said on social media.
"If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!" he added.
The 14-point interim peace accord was meant to halt the fighting.
Recap: IRGC warns US strikes will result in 'complete halt' of all diplomatic processes
Sunday 28 June 2026 18:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed on Sunday that its navy and air forces had launched missile and drone operations at military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to the recent US strikes against Iran.
The Guards said in a statement the US. strikes had violated the ceasefire and "will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes", according to state-run Press TV.
The IRGC navy command said American bases in the region "will experience hell in the coming days".
‘Trump wasn’t victorious – it was a major defeat’: protestors inside Iran speak out
Sunday 28 June 2026 18:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
Protestors in Iran have revealed they feel betrayed by Donald Trump’s promises of regime change.
Amirhossein Miresmaeili reports:
‘Trump wasn’t victorious – it was a major defeat’: protestors inside Iran speak out
ICYMI: What has Donald Trump said?
Sunday 28 June 2026 17:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran and the US continued to trade attacks as each accused the other of violating an interim deal signed less than two weeks ago to end their four month war.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, President Donald Trump confirmed the US had struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations. This was followed by further strikes on Iranian military sites on Sunday.
"There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started," Trump wrote. "If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!"
RECAP: Interim ceasefire under strain as US and Iran exchange fire over Strait of Hormuz
Sunday 28 June 2026 17:00 , Amy-Clare Martin
The interim peace deal between the US and Iran is under strain after both sides traded blows as tensions escalate over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US bombarded Iranian military sites for the second day in row in response to drone attacks on cargo ships in the region.
- 26 June: Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely cargo ship was hit by a drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called the incident a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement before the US hit back, striking targets in Iran’s Sirik region.
- 27 June: A Panama-flagged MT Kiku cargo ship was also struck in the Strait. Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday evening to warn that Iran would “no longer exist” if Tehran kept breaking the ceasefire. US Central Command confirmed it had launched fresh strikes on Iranian military sites “in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping”.
- 28 June: Iran on Sunday said its naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint missile and drone operation targeting US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, and warned further violations would receive a “crushing response”. Gulf allies condemned the attacks in the region, but Iran’s foreign minister warned that any challenge to Iranian oversight of the strait will “increase tensions”.
Italy calls for US and Iran to 'avoid escalation'
Sunday 28 June 2026 16:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has called for restraint to avoid further escalation as he condemned Iran’s fresh attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.
In a post on X, he said: “I express the strongest condemnation for the new Iranian attacks that have struck Bahrain and Kuwait in the past few hours, to which the full solidarity of the Italian Government goes.
“It is essential to avoid any escalation that could jeopardize the understandings painstakingly reached. Italy reiterates its commitment to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to achieving, in short order, a Middle East of peace and stability.”
Iranian supreme leader appears to hit out at US and Israel
Sunday 28 June 2026 16:13 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran’s supreme leader appeared to call for US and Israel’s leaders to be tried for war crimes, saying they “must be seized by the collar and brought to justice for their criminal deeds”.
In a series of posts on X, Mojtaba Khamenei hit out at damage inflicted on Iran and killings which he said should be pursued in both domestic and international courts.
“The confessions and even brazen boasting of some of the leaders of the [the US and Israel] regarding these crimes, are indisputably an admission of crime, and these effectively pave the way for the vindication of the [Iranian] nation's rights that have been violated,” he claimed.
Gulf warns strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait ‘actively undermines’ peace efforts
Sunday 28 June 2026 15:40 , Amy-Clare Martin
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has condemned “treacherous” Iranian drone and missile attacks on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.
His excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary general of the GCC, said the attacks “constitute a direct threat to the security, stability, and safety of citizens and residents on the territories of Bahrain and Kuwait, and represent a blatant violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter”.
He added that the continuation of these Iranian attacks actively undermines ongoing regional and international efforts aimed at consolidating peace and security and resolving the crisis.
At least 14 killed in Saudi Aramco helicopter crash
Sunday 28 June 2026 15:10 , Amy-Clare Martin
A helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed on Sunday in Ras Tanura on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast on the Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz, killing 14 nationals, the state news agency reported, adding that the cause was unknown.
Read more:
At least 14 killed in Saudi Aramco helicopter crash
Trump shrugs off deadly Iran school strike as questions over U.S. role remain
Sunday 28 June 2026 14:50 , Amy-Clare Martin
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday it may never be known who was at fault for a deadly strike on a girls' school in Iran on 28 February.
Read more:
Trump shrugs off deadly Iran school strike as questions over U.S. role remain
Trump has forgotten Iranian people who backed his war, protester says
Sunday 28 June 2026 14:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
Kaveh, from Kermanshah in western Iran, told the Independent Persian: “Two months ago, Trump said that if the Iranian regime executed protesters, it would face consequences. Now several young people are being executed every day, and he says nothing.
“Worse still, he praises officials of the Islamic Republic and says they are acting wisely and love their country. How can a government that executes its own people in droves be said to love its country?”
He said that Trump’s stated human rights policies are “nothing more than a propaganda tool”, adding: “When he needed the support of the Iranian people to launch the war, he talked about freedom and human rights. Once he reached an agreement, he forgot those same people.”
Iran hit out at 'unfair' and 'unsportsmanlike treatment' as they exit World Cup
Sunday 28 June 2026 14:20 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran’s football team have fired a parting shot at what they called the “unfair and unsportsmanlike” treatment they have received as they left the World Cup.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt, in which Iran had a goal disallowed after a lengthy VAR check, was not enough for them to reach the knockout stages, ending a fraught tournament appearance amid their nation’s conflict with the United States.
The team had been due to be based in Arizona but switched to Tijuana, Mexico, and have faced a number of travel restrictions for their matches in the United States.
In a statement as they headed home, the Iranian federation (FFIRI) thanked the media for covering their situation.
“Thank you for your professionalism, your support and for covering not only our team’s sporting journey but also the unfair and unsportsmanlike treatment our delegation experienced during our stay,” the statement said.
“Your commitment to reporting the facts with accuracy and integrity has meant a great deal to us.
“We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful people of Mexico, especially the beautiful city of Tijuana and its kind, warm-hearted residents. You welcomed us with generosity and genuine hospitality, making us feel at home. Leaving Tijuana is truly difficult for all of us.”
Iran’s foreign minister warns any challenge to Iranian oversight of Hormuz will ‘increase tensions’
Sunday 28 June 2026 14:06 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is in Baghdad for a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart. The pair have been discussing the latest attacks as well as the all-important issue of Hormuz, according to Reuters.
Gulf states have publicly said that the strait of Hormuz must remain toll-free. For his part, Araghchi’s Iraqi counterpart said that he stressed the importance of opening the passage in their joint meetings and that Iran should lift the naval blockade.
Iran’s foreign minister said that bringing maritime traffic back to pre-war levels in Hormuz lies solely with Tehran, and warned that any challenge over the strait will “increase tensions”.
He also touched on Lebanon, where Israeli military said it killed Hezbollah militants in a strike in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon.
Araghchi reiterated his previous position that the memorandum of understanding signed with the US mandates that Israel withdraw from Lebanon and end its strikes there.
Qatar condemns strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait as ‘flagrant breach’ of international law
Sunday 28 June 2026 13:56 , Amy-Clare Martin
Qatar has condemned repeated Iranian strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, calling them a “flagrant breach” of international law.
They called for efforts to return to diplomacy and “reduce escalation” in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The State of Qatar strongly condemns the repeated Iranian attacks on the fraternal Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait with a number of missiles and drones, considering them a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the two countries and a flagrant breach of the rules of international law.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the need to spare the region the consequences of unjustified attacks, to continue on the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to reduce escalation, and to build on the gains achieved within the framework of the memorandum of understanding, in a way that contributes to consolidating security and stability at the regional and international levels.
“The Ministry reiterates the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain and its support for all measures they take to preserve their sovereignty and security.”
Syria denies plans to intervene in Lebanon
Sunday 28 June 2026 13:50 , Amy-Clare Martin
In a speech in Damascus on 13 June, Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa said: “There are people spreading rumors that Syria will intervene in Lebanon. This is not true. We are calling for a permanent end to the war and the strengthening of institutions and for there to be economic ties and a calming of the situation in Lebanon.”
In an interview on 21 June with the Emirati network Al Mashhad, al-Sharaa said Trump’s remarks had been misunderstood.
Trump “spoke about Syria’s role in finding a safe and peaceful solution, but the statement was misinterpreted as if Syria were going to invade Lebanon tomorrow morning,” al-Sharaa said.
He said Syria had “presented our vision for a solution to the United States, which is to stop the war and address the negative effects on Lebanon and Syria, and to find different economic, political and social solutions.”
Trump says Syria would ‘do a better job’ against Hezbollah
Sunday 28 June 2026 13:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
On the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier this month, Trump complained that Israel’s war with Hezbollah is dragging on too long and “too many people are being killed.”
More than 4,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since Hezbollah joined the wider Iran war with a March 2 attack on Israel, including hundreds of women and children. Israel says its strikes target Hezbollah and that it takes measures to protect civilians.
“You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses and they’re not all Hezbollah,” Trump said. “I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah. ‘Cause to be honest with you, I think they’d do a better job.”
Days later, on the first day of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, Fox News’ Trey Yingst said that, during an interview, Trump had expressed disappointment that Israel can’t “put Hezbollah away” and said that he is “close to giving it to Syria” because he thinks al-Sharaa would be more precise.
The White House declined to comment and referred to Trump’s previous statements.
Trump presses Syria to take on Hezbollah, raising alarm in Lebanon and Israel
Sunday 28 June 2026 13:20 , Amy-Clare Martin
As the White House has soured on Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, US President Donald Trump has shocked many in the region by pushing an alternative: Let Syria fight the Iran-backed militant group instead.
He has suggested that the battle-hardened and Islamist-led insurgents who overthrew Syria's autocratic President Bashar Assad a year and a half ago and formed a new government would do a better job of rooting out Hezbollah than the Israeli army.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has said he has no interest in doing so, and has asserted that Trump’s comments were misconstrued. But Trump has doubled down on the idea.
Although it remains unclear how serious the White House is about the proposal, the prospect of a Syrian invasion has raised alarms in Lebanon — and also in Israel, which regards al-Sharaa's Islamist-led government with suspicion and has seized control of a strip of southern Syria since he took power.
Top Israeli security officials convened a meeting on the subject on Wednesday, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Airfare remains expensive even though jet fuel prices have fallen amid Iran peace deal
Sunday 28 June 2026 13:05 , Amy-Clare Martin
Jet fuel prices have fallen more than 40 per cent from February, but consumers aren’t feeling much relief from airfare prices that jumped because of costs connected to the U.S.- Iran war.
Read more:
Airfare remains expensive even though jet fuel is cheaper
UAE condemns Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait
Sunday 28 June 2026 12:50 , Amy-Clare Martin
The United Arab Emirates has condemned Iran’s fresh strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait as a “flagrant violation” of the nations’ sovereignty.
In a statement on Sunday, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the renewed hostile missile and drone attacks by Iran that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait.”
They said the “hostile attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait, and a threat to their security and stability.”
Multiple strikes exchanged since ceasefire agreement
Sunday 28 June 2026 12:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
US and Iranian officials signed a ceasefire agreement on 17 June, which looks increasingly fragile as the days progress.
Both sides have accused the other of violating the ceasefire as they traded blows as tensions escalate over control of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
- 26 June: Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely cargo ship was hit by a drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called the incident a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement before the US hit back, striking targets in Iran’s Sirik region.
- 27 June: A Panama-flagged MT Kiku cargo ship was also struck in the Strait. Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday evening to warn that Iran would “no longer exist” if Tehran kept breaking the ceasefire. US Central Command confirmed it had launched fresh strikes on Iranian military sites “in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping”.
- 28 June: Iran on Sunday said its naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint missile and drone operation targeting US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain , and warned further violations would receive a “crushing response”.
Iran-US war in numbers: Five charts that lay bare the impact of Trump’s conflict
Sunday 28 June 2026 12:25 , Amy-Clare Martin
Nearly four months after the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, the lasting global impact is becoming clearer.
The Independent’s Alex Croft reports:
Iran-US war in numbers: Five charts that lay bare the impact of Trump’s conflict
'Trump lied': Iranian protester says US war has left them with more hardline leader
Sunday 28 June 2026 12:10 , Amy-Clare Martin
Writing to the Independent Persian, Paria, a resident of Isfahan, said: “Trump lied to the Iranian people. He said that once he struck the leaders and infrastructure of the Islamic Republic, he would call on the people to come out and take power.
“But now Khamenei the father is gone, and Khamenei the son, who is younger, more hardline and full of energy, has taken his place. How is this ‘regime change’?”
She added: “Trump says he has won, but the Iranian people see that the IRGC is still in power and has even gained the upper hand.”
‘Trump wasn’t victorious – it was a major defeat’: protestors inside Iran speak out
Sunday 28 June 2026 11:55 , Amy-Clare Martin
Unimpressed protestors within Iran feel betrayed by Donald Trump’s promises of regime change.
Amirhossein Miresmaeili reports:
‘Trump wasn’t victorious – it was a major defeat’: protestors inside Iran speak out
Israel damaged heritage sites across south Lebanon, minister says
Sunday 28 June 2026 11:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
Israel's nearly four-month air and ground campaign against Hezbollah has damaged or destroyed revered heritage sites across southern Lebanon, a minister has said.
Despite a ceasefire that took hold a week ago, authorities have yet to build a full picture of the damage as Israeli troops still occupy a zone about 10 km (6.2 miles) deep into Lebanon, according to Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame.
"We cannot work under the shadow of occupation," he said. That occupation zone includes the medieval Beaufort Castle as well as centuries-old villages that were home to Christians, Shi'ite Muslims and Sunni Muslims and their places of worship.
"There are villages that have been completely bulldozed," Salame said. Even ancient towns outside the zone were pummeled with air strikes, including Tyre and Nabatieh. Heavy bombing hit the town of Tebnin, prompting fears that its Crusader fortress was also damaged, the minister added.
Modern-day Lebanon sits at the intersection of civilizations including the Phoenicians, Byzantines, Mamluks and Crusaders, each leaving their mark with temples, castles and mausoleums.
Israel's military told Reuters it does not aim to "cause excessive damage to civilian infrastructure and strikes only out of military necessity”.
It said it took into account the existence of "sensitive sites" and applied "a rigorous approval process as required". Israel has accused Hezbollah of placing weapons in Beaufort Castle, a claim that Lebanese authorities deny.
Iraq foreign minister tells Iran counterpart Hormuz should reopen
Sunday 28 June 2026 11:15 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iraq's foreign minister said in a meeting on Sunday with his Iranian counterpart that it was important to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the U.S. naval blockade on Iran.
Iraq does not support expanding the scale of the war on the Gulf states, and does not back attacks on Iran, Fuad Hussein told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is visiting Baghdad.
Watch: US Navy carry out strikes on ten Iranian military targets
Sunday 28 June 2026 10:55 , Amy-Clare Martin
Galapagos container exits Hormuz despite strikes
Sunday 28 June 2026 10:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
Even as attacks continued on Sunday morning, CMA CGM's Galapagos container ship exited the strait in what the shipping giant called "an important milestone in a regional context that remains complex and requires constant vigilance".
Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes
Sunday 28 June 2026 10:15 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched drone and missile attacks on Sunday targeting Bahrain and Kuwait in response to U.S. airstrikes that hit the Islamic Republic and threatened a “complete halt” of negotiations to end the war if Washington continues its attacks.
Read the full story:
Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes and threatens to halt talks to end the war
What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz?
Sunday 28 June 2026 09:55 , Amy-Clare Martin
Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried one-fifth of global oil and liquified natural gas supplies. The shipping route had just begun to reopen after months of disruption.
Washington has been promoting a southern lane along the coast of Oman, while Tehran, which ultimately aims to charge fees for use of the strait, wants ships to use a northern route through its territorial waters.
Iran has targeted two cargo ships with drones in recent days, which have been met with retaliatory US strikes on military sites.
In a statement, the IRGC hit out at what it called America’s “blind shots” - which struck Sirik - insisting they will “not resolve our dominance over the Strait of Hormuz”.
“But our shots at violators will remind the rest of the vessels of the clear passage route,” they added.
Pictured: US Central command release drone footage of latest strikes
Sunday 28 June 2026 09:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
RECAP: US targets Iranian military sites in fresh strikes as tensions escalate over shipping
Sunday 28 June 2026 09:15 , Amy-Clare Martin
U.S. Central Command said that its forces had carried out fresh strikes after a Panama-flagged tanker was attacked by an Iranian drone on Saturday.
"Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to," Central Command said in a statement, adding that its strikes were "in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping" and targeted Iranian military surveillance, communications, air defence, drone storage and mine-laying facilities.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said explosions were heard in Sirik in southern Iran, without providing details. The Guards said "America's blind shots at Sirik will not resolve our dominance over the Strait of Hormuz. But our shots at violators will remind the rest of the vessels of the clear passage route."
Saturday's tanker attack in the strait followed one on a cargo ship on Thursday that triggered the latest escalation. Iran is seeking to assert control over the strait, which carried one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies before the war and which had just begun to reopen after months of disruption.
IRGC says US strikes will result in 'complete halt' of all diplomatic processes
Sunday 28 June 2026 08:55 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its navy and air forces had launched missile and drone operations targeting U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to recent U.S. strikes against Iran.
The Guards said in a statement the U.S. strikes had violated the ceasefire and "will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes", according to state-run Press TV.
The IRGC navy command said American bases in the region "will experience hell in the coming days".
A U.S. official, confirming the attacks on U.S. facilities, told Reuters there were no reported U.S. casualties or major damage to U.S. sites in the Middle East but that the situation was still unfolding.
Hours later, alarms sounded for a second time in Bahrain, and the foreign ministry there condemned the attacks as a deliberate and repeated violation of the kingdom's sovereignty and security. It urged the U.N. Security Council to hold an urgent session to hold Iran accountable.
What has Donald Trump said?
Sunday 28 June 2026 08:35 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran and the US continued to trade attacks as each accused the other of violating an interim deal signed less than two weeks ago to end their four-month-old war.
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump confirmed the US had struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations.
"There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started," Trump wrote. "If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!"
About an hour after Trump's post, the Kuwaiti army said its air defences were responding to "hostile" missile and drone attacks, while sirens sounded in Bahrain, according to that country's interior ministry.
Iran says US strikes are violation of interim deal
Sunday 28 June 2026 08:13 , Amy-Clare Martin
Iran said on Sunday that U.S. airstrikes targeted several monitoring and surveillance facilities on Iran's southern coast, calling the attacks a violation of the interim deal meant to end the war.
“These brutal attacks ... show that the U.S. does not place the slightest value and credibility on its commitments, and breaking promises is part of its nature," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Kuwait condemns Iranian attacks on its soil
Sunday 28 June 2026 07:50 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Kuwait’s foreign ministry condemned Iranian attack, saying it expresses “strongest denunciation of the repeated heinous Iranian aggressions” against the country.
It called the Iranian attacks a “flagrant violation of its sovereignty”.
The ministry said the strikes undermined the ongoing regional and global efforts at de-escalation and “represent a direct challenge to the international will supporting this path”.
Kuwait said it “reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, preserve its security and stability, and protect its people and the residents on its territory”.
Iran's Araghchi travels to Iraq
Sunday 28 June 2026 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is travelling to Iraq today to hold talks on regional and bilateral issues.
His ministry said Araghchi will also coordinate arrangements for funeral ceremonies for slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Iraq’s Shia holy sites.
The visit comes as Tehran prepares for days of funeral ceremonies for Khamenei, who was killed in the initial first hours of the US-Israeli war on Iran, and while Tehran remains locked in dispute with the US over the ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of regional fronts.
Bahrain says building damaged in Iran attack
Sunday 28 June 2026 07:16 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Authorities in Bahrain said this morning that they intercepted several Iranian attacks.
The interior ministry said the attacks damaged a residential building but caused no deaths.
As a result of the Iranian aggression, a residential building was damaged in Muharraq Governorate , with no loss of life. The relevant authorities are taking the necessary measures at the site. pic.twitter.com/OohxNkO7P3
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) June 28, 2026
US says it struck 10 Iranian military targets
Sunday 28 June 2026 07:07 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes tonight on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz for Iran's drone attack on M/T Kiku. pic.twitter.com/Z0TLZRqmF6
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 28, 2026
Blasts heard in Sirik this morning
Sunday 28 June 2026 07:07 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Explosions were heard early this morning in the coastal Iranian city of Sirik.
State television reported that projectiles had hit a telecommunications tower in Tahrouyi village.
The news agency Fars reported that an explosion was also heard at Misin village on Qeshm Island in southern Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says US strikes won't change control over Hormuz
Sunday 28 June 2026 06:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The naval command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that the US “blind strikes” on Sirik did not resolve Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran and the US continued their attacks in the Gulf as each accused the other of violating an interim deal signed less than two weeks ago to end their four-month-old war.
"America's blind strikes on Sirik will not undermine our control over the Strait. But our strikes against violators serve as a reminder to other vessels of the proper route for safe passage," the Guard posted on X.
"As for US bases in the region, that is a separate matter. They will experience hell in the days ahead."
Israeli military says it killed militants in southern Syria
Sunday 28 June 2026 06:10 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Israeli military this morning said its forces killed several armed militants in the security zone in southern Syria.
The Israeli military said it would continue to operate in the area to remove any threats to Israeli civilians and its soldiers.
Iran condemns US strikes as violation of interim deal
Sunday 28 June 2026 05:54 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran this morning said that the US airstrikes targeted several monitoring and surveillance facilities on Iran's southern coast, calling the attacks a violation of an interim deal meant to end the four-month-old war between the two countries.
"These brutal attacks ... show that the US does not place the slightest value and credibility on its commitments, and breaking promises is part of its nature," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Iran's Guard says it struck US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain
Sunday 28 June 2026 05:44 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint missile and drone operation targeting military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Guard said the strikes were in response to US attacks on Iranian coastal positions. It warned that further violations would receive a “crushing response.
Both Bahrain and Kuwait confirmed this morning that Iran targeted them with drone and missile fire overnight after new US airstrikes hit Iran.
Israeli military says it killed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon
Sunday 28 June 2026 05:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Israeli military this morning said it killed Hezbollah militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and struck a rocket launcher in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon to remove threats to its soldiers.
The Israeli military said it struck the structure from which the militants operated and dismantled a rocket launcher that posed a threat.
Iran says it hit U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain
Sunday 28 June 2026 05:15 , Graeme Massie
Iran claims it has targeted U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday morning, in response to earlier U.S. strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said, per Reuters.
According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had hit eight American targets, at a U.S. naval base in Bahrain and Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base.
US releases video of Iran strikes
Sunday 28 June 2026 05:01 , Graeme Massie
U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes tonight on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz for Iran's drone attack on M/T Kiku. pic.twitter.com/Z0TLZRqmF6
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 28, 2026
Hezbollah chief rejects Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, calls it a humiliation
Sunday 28 June 2026 03:00 , Dan Haygarth
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Saturday that the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in Washington is "null", a "humiliation" and a surrender of sovereignty, and should be replaced by the Iran-US memorandum.
Qassem said in a statement that any attempt to link Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon to the group's disarmament crossed "red lines."
Air fares remain expensive even though jet fuel prices have fallen amid Iran peace deal
Sunday 28 June 2026 02:00 , Dan Haygarth
Though jet fuel prices have fallen more than 40 percent from February, American consumers aren’t feeling much relief from airfare prices that jumped because of costs connected to the US- Iran war.
Airfares booked from the last week of June through the end of August are 15 percent higher than they were in 2025, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing figures from airfare tracker Going. Through March 30, the average price of a domestic ticket in the United States was $428 - $19 higher than the average at the end of 2025, and the second-highest average fare since September 2022, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Demand has kept prices high, as airlines typically won’t lower their prices if passengers are willing to pay higher ones, said Atmosphere Research Group Airline Industry Analyst Henry Harteveldt.
“The house always wins,” Harteveldt told Bloomberg. “If the marketplace isn’t demanding that an airline reduces its fares to the very lowest levels it was charging before, airlines aren’t going to lower those fares.”
Read more below.
Airfare remains expensive even though jet fuel is cheaper
Trump warns Iran 'will no longer exist' if it keeps breaking ceasefire
Sunday 28 June 2026 01:06 , Graeme Massie
Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday evening to warn that Iran ‘will no longer exist’ if Tehran keeps breaking the ceasefire.
Trump’s latest threat came after the U.S. launched fresh strikes on Iranian missile and drone locations and radar sites “ for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN.“
“It is very possible that they will never learn! There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”
Watch: US military carries out strikes on Iran
Sunday 28 June 2026 01:00 , Dan Haygarth
US carries out fresh strikes against Iran after tanker struck in Hormuz, escalating hostilities
Sunday 28 June 2026 00:30 , Dan Haygarth
The US military said it struck Iran again, hours after a tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, in the worst escalation since the two sides signed an interim peace deal two weeks ago.
Each of the warring sides has accused the other of violating the agreement reached two weeks ago to end the four-month-old conflict.
US Central Command said on Saturday its forces carried out fresh strikes after a Panama-flagged tanker was attacked by an Iranian drone early on Saturday. In Iran, state broadcaster IRIB said early Sunday local time that explosions were heard in Sirik in southern Iran, without providing further details.
"Iran was given a chance to honour the ceasefire agreement but elected not to," US Central Command said in a statement.
It said the strikes were "in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping" and targeted Iranian military surveillance, communications, air defence, drone storage and mine-laying facilities.
A US defence official later reported that the strikes on Iranian targets were complete, according to Fox News.
Washington said earlier that it hit Iranian targets overnight. Iran said it responded on Saturday by striking targets linked to US forces.
Saturday's attack on a tanker in the strait followed another on a cargo ship on Thursday that triggered the latest escalation.
Iran has made a fresh bid to assert control over the world's most important energy shipping route, which has begun to reopen after months of disruption.
Britain's UKMTO maritime security agency said the tanker hit on Saturday had sustained damage to its bridge, with all crew reported safe. The Joint Maritime Information Centre, run by a coalition of navies protecting shipping, raised its security threat level as a result of recent incidents.
Iran has not directly commented on reports of specific attacks on ships.
But Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guards fired "warning shots" toward unspecified vessels attempting to pass through channels not approved by Iran, and that this was now prompting other ships to seek Iranian permits before attempting to cross the strait.
Earlier, Iran's foreign ministry said it launched "defensive" attacks on US-linked military targets, while Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's regional headquarters, reported an Iranian drone attack.
The US military did not immediately respond to the reports.
'Violence will be met with violence', says Vance
Saturday 27 June 2026 23:59 , Dan Haygarth
JD Vance said the US has adhered to the ceasefire deal, also known as a memorandum of understanding.
"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," the vice president said on X.
Before the renewed outbreak of violence, oil prices fell about 3 per cent on Friday, on course for steep weekly losses as oil tankers have exited the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Aramco resumed crude loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Gulf, the world's biggest oil port, after a nearly four-month halt, shipping data showed.
Fertilizer shipments through the strait have also picked up, helping to assuage concerns about a spike in global food prices.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio — wrapping up a tour of the Gulf to reassure regional allies about the interim pact — issued a joint statement with the Gulf Cooperation Council calling for "free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation" in the strait without tolls or "attempts to assert control."
Iran's foreign ministry said the strait should be governed by Iran and Oman, while Ali Akbar Velayati, top adviser to Iran's supreme leader, warned Washington's Gulf allies their survival depended on Tehran's tolerance.
US strikes target multiple sites in Iran
Saturday 27 June 2026 22:54 , Dan Haygarth
US Central Command said in a statement: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran, June 27, at the Commander in Chief’s direction.
“After yesterday’s U.S. strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit M/T Kiku this morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. The Panama-flagged tanker was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz with more than two-million barrels of crude oil.
“CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping. U.S. military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.
“Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
US carrying out strikes in Strait of Hormuz area
Saturday 27 June 2026 22:51 , Dan Haygarth
The United States is carrying out strikes in the area of Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported on Saturday, citing one US official.
Iran says it hits US-linked targets as Bahrain reports drone attack
Saturday 27 June 2026 22:00 , Dan Haygarth
Iran said it struck targets linked to US forces on Saturday in response to US airstrikes on its southern coast, as each side continued to accuse the other of violating last week's agreement meant to end the four-month-old war.
Iran's foreign ministry did not identify the locations of its "defensive" attacks, which it said were a response to "the barbaric air strikes" by the US on its coastal surveillance facilities, which it said also violated the U.N. Charter.
Later, Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, condemned what it said was an Iranian drone attack on its territory as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and a threat to its security, adding that it reserved the right to defend itself.
Washington did not immediately respond to Iran's report of striking American targets, a tactic that has sought to undermine U.S. allies in the region during the conflict.
The US military said its strikes on Friday had been a response to an Iranian drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to global energy supplies.
Israeli drone strike hits southern Lebanon day after security deal
Saturday 27 June 2026 21:00 , Dan Haygarth
Israel struck southern Lebanon on Saturday, a day after the two countries signed a US-brokered security arrangement aimed at easing tensions along their border after months of hostilities.
Lebanon's state news agency said an Israeli drone struck in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, which lies outside a security zone shown on a map published by Israel of an expanded zone its troops control in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military told Reuters it had carried out the strike, using a drone as no Israeli troops were in the immediate area. It said it targeted an individual who posed a threat to its forces, without providing further details or evidence.
Photos show Ashoura commemorations shaped by war and loss in Lebanon and Iran
Saturday 27 June 2026 20:00 , Dan Haygarth
Photos show Ashoura commemorations shaped by war and loss in Lebanon and Iran
Recap: Tanker struck in Hormuz
Saturday 27 June 2026 18:45 , Dan Haygarth
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said.
Britain's UKMTO maritime security agency said the tanker hit on Saturday had sustained damage to its bridge, with all crew reported safe. The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by a coalition of navies protecting shipping, said it had raised its security threat level as a result of recent incidents.
The UKMTO said: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz. The Master of Tanker has reported being struck by an unidentified projectile. The vessel sustained damage to their bridge; all crew are reported safe.
“No environmental damage reported at present. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, authorities are investigating.”
Hezbollah rejects US-brokered Israel-Lebanon security deal as 'surrender'
Saturday 27 June 2026 17:45 , Dan Haygarth
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected a US-brokered security agreement between Lebanon and Israel on Saturday, a day after it was signed, describing it as a surrender to Israel, Reuters reports.
In the latest example of ongoing hostilities despite repeated ceasefires and agreements, Israel launched a drone strike in Lebanon's south.
More than a million Lebanese have been driven from their homes by a conflict that has run in parallel with the wider Iran war. Hezbollah and Iran say Washington pledged to end hostilities in Lebanon as part of its memorandum of understanding signed two weeks ago to end the wider war.
The framework agreed on Friday provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from some parts of southern Lebanon, alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army. But Israeli forces would be permitted to remain in an expanded security zone for the time being, pending further implementation.
In a statement, Qassem called it "null and void", and accused the Lebanese government of making unilateral concessions and undermining Lebanon's sovereignty.
He criticised provisions linking Israel's withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament, saying they effectively legitimised Israel's military presence and crossed "all red lines".
The group would continue its armed resistance, he added: "We did not leave the battlefield in the most difficult circumstances, and we will not leave it."
Lebanon's state news agency said an Israeli drone struck Nabatieh al-Fawqa on Saturday. The area is outside the security zone shown on a map published by Israel of the territory its troops will continue to control.
The Israeli military told Reuters it had carried out the strike, using a drone because it had no troops in the immediate area. It said it targeted an individual who posed a threat to its forces, without giving further details or evidence.
Qassem said the Iran-US memorandum of understanding reached earlier this month, which guarantees Lebanon's territorial integrity, should serve as the basis for ending the conflict, rather than Friday's Washington agreement.
Watch: US military carries out strikes on Iran
Saturday 27 June 2026 16:45 , Dan Haygarth
