‘Who is he to deprive a nation ‌of its legal rights?’: Pezeshkian slams Trump for opposing Tehran’s nuclear programme

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Donald Trump for opposing Iran’s nuclear program, asserting Tehran’s legal rights, while Pakistani security sources suggest a second round of US-Iran peace talks may occur by April 24.

Amid the ongoing speculation over the second round of US-Iran peace talks, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised Donald Trump, saying the US president has no justification to deprive Iran of what he described as its lawful nuclear rights. In remarks reported by the Iranian Student News Agency, Pezeshkian said Washington continued to clash with Tehran over nuclear issues, but insisted that Iran’s position was grounded in its rights. “The US president says Iran should not make use of its nuclear rights, but he does not answer for what crime,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying. “Who is he, after all, to deprive a nation of its legal rights?” he questioned.

He added that Iran was not seeking to escalate tensions. “Iran is not seeking to expand the war and has not started any conflict and will not do so. We have not attacked any country, and under the current circumstances we have no intention of attacking any side. We are only engaged in legitimate self-defence,” he said.Despite this assertion, Iran has carried out attacks across the region during the ongoing conflict, including strikes reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Turkey, as well as the British overseas territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the West Bank. Other alleged activity has been reported in Azerbaijan, with maritime targets said to include Thai-flagged vessels.

Pezeshkian also condemned attacks on civilians and scientific institutions. “The assassination of scientists, attacks on scientific centres, targeting innocent people and the killing of 168 schoolchildren have no justification, and no free human being in the world accepts such behaviour,” he said. Meanwhile, two Pakistani security sources told Al Jazeera that a new round of negotiations between the US and Iran is likely to take place before Friday (April 24). Speaking on condition of anonymity, they cited the arrival of two US C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, as well as heightened security measures in the Pakistani capital. (Source)

Trump: Iran ‘got a little cute’ by blocking Hormuz again, but talks going ‘really well’

Iranian security council says it will hold strait until ‘war fully ends’; Egypt’s FM says Cairo, Islamabad working on US-Iran ‘final agreement’; report: US to seize Iran-linked ships worldwide.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday Iran “got a little cute” byreimposing its closure on the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day, but insisted that the White House is in touch with Tehran and that the dialogue is “working out really well.” Israel, however, is preparing for the possibility that the talks will collapse and the situation in the strait will escalate, a source told the Kan public broadcaster. In addition, US forces are preparing to begin boarding and seizing Iran-linked ships in international waters across the globe, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Iran said Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces,” as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. Iran’s security council further said that the strait will remain in Iranian control until “the war fully ends and lasting peace is achieved in the region.” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it had been presented with new American proposals during a recent visit by Pakistan’s army chief, who is serving as an intermediary with Washington. The council did not reveal what was in the proposals, but said that they were still under review. Further talks would require the US to abandon “excessive demands and adjust its requests to the realities on the ground,” it added.

Iran also fired on at least three tankers attempting to pass the waterway on Saturday, only a day after it announced that it was opening the strait in accordance with the ceasefire deal with the US. Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence that a new deal was within reach. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait and further limits would squeeze already constrained supply, driving prices higher once again. Briefing reporters in the White House, Trump downplayed the situation, insisting that dialogue with Iran was “working out really well” despite the closure of the strait. (Read More)

Iran Hormuz reversal exposes potential rift between regime leaders and hard-liners

Recordings shared with the WSJ of military pushback and maritime incidents indicate a potential internal split in Iran as tensions rise in Gulf waters.

A rapid reversal by Iran over statements regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed growing divisions between the country’s political leadership and its military hard-liners, recordings shared with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ )show, amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf and ceasefire-related diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on X on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open,” in what was described by sources as an attempt to signal flexibility during sensitive negotiations involving the United States. The message reportedly drew immediate attention internationally, including a positive reaction from US President Donald Trump.

However, the announcement quickly triggered internal pushback in Tehran. A recording shared with the WSJ of a voice identifying itself as a member of the Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces broadcast a message over marine radio stating the strait remained closed and that ships required permission to pass. At the same time, the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, criticized the foreign minister’s communication, saying, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should reconsider this type of communication.”

Iran later formally announced that the strait had been closed. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported multiple maritime incidents in the region, including reports of gunfire directed at a tanker near Oman and damage to a containership after what was described as an unknown projectile, though no injuries were reported. The dispute highlighted tensions between Iran’s diplomatic channel and its military establishment, which has gained influence since the war began. A senior Iranian lawmaker, Morteza Mahmoudi, also called for Araghchi’s removal, accusing him of undermining Iran’s position and benefiting US interests. The episode echoes earlier internal disputes during the war, when senior Iranian officials were publicly contradicted by hard-line military elements following comments suggesting de-escalation. (Source)

IRGC calls foreign minister “idiot" in rare broadcast as Strait of Hormuz closed again

A leaked Iranian naval transmission reveals Revolutionary Guards openly insulting Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi while threatening to attack vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz without approval.

An unusual recording from an Iranian naval communication network circulated on social media Saturday night, capturing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sharply criticizing Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi while announcing the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the broadcast, the IRGC Navy declared that the strategic waterway remains closed, contradicting earlier statements made by Araghchi indicating that maritime passage had been reopened. The message was transmitted over an Iranian maritime communication channel to vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, only hours after political officials in Tehran signaled a possible easing of the naval blockade following a regional ceasefire.

In the recording, an IRGC unit identifying itself as “Sepandavi" addressed nearby ships, stating: “In the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, this is Iranian Sepandavi calling on Channel 16. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed. We will open it by order of our leader, Imam Khamenei, not by the tweets of some idiot." The IRGC message continued with a warning directed at foreign vessels, “If you want to pass through the strait, you must ask permission from Iranian Sepa navy. All vessels that have a connection to our enemies will be targeted if they try to pass the Strait of Hormuz."

The renewed closure follows a period of heightened tensions along key maritime routes, during which the international community anticipated a resumption of commercial shipping. Observers noted that the public insult directed at the foreign minister over an open communication channel is highly unusual, suggesting an effort by the IRGC to underscore its control over the strategic waterway, regardless of diplomatic initiatives led by Iran’s Foreign Ministry in ongoing talks with US officials in Islamabad. (Ed note: It looks like the "heightened tensions" between the IRGC and the diplomats may be coming to a head, and guess who is gaining control. Remember that the IRGC reports ONLY to the Ayatollah.)  (Source)

IRGC Fires on Indian Tankers in Strait of Hormuz, Closes Strait

UKMTO and CENTCOM have advised all commercial vessels to maintain a wide berth from Iranian territorial waters. The "completely open" status declared on April 17 is officially void.

Tensions spiked in the world's most critical oil chokepoint today after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy opened fire on at least one Indian-flagged supertanker, forcing multiple vessels to turn back just hours after Tehran had signaled the strait was open. The incident involved the VLCC Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier loaded with nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil. A dramatic VHF radio recording captured the ship's crew pleading with IRGC forces: “Sepah Navy! Motor Tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go!! My name second on your list! You gave me clearance to go, you are FIRING now! Let me turn back!”

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman was approached by two IRGC gunboats without prior VHF challenge, after which shots were fired. The crew and vessel remained safe, with no reports of serious damage or injuries. A second Indian-flagged vessel, the bulk carrier Jag Arnav (carrying urea bound for India), was also reported in the vicinity and forced to reverse course.

Maritime tracking data showed the Sanmar Herald and other India-bound ships, including state-owned tankers Desh Vaibhav and Desh Vibhor, abruptly turning westward after attempting to transit eastward. At least four Indian-flagged vessels reversed direction, while one other (Desh Garima) successfully crossed earlier. This brings the number of Indian vessels currently held in the Persian Gulf to around 14. (Read More)

Iran claims it replenishes missile launchers faster than before Operation Roaring Lion - report

Additionally, a Saturday N12 News report stated that Israel’s security establishment had located missile launchers aimed at Israel, poised to strike if a ceasefire wasn't reached with Lebanon.

Iran claimed it is replenishing its missile and drone launchers at a higher speed than it did prior to the war with the US and Israel, the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force commander, Majid Mousavi, said in a video shared on social media on Sunday, according to Nournews. The Jerusalem Post could not verify the legitimacy of the footage. "They have lost this phase of the war! They have lost the Strait, Lebanon, and the region," Mousavi said.

Mousavi's statement was shared alongside an edited video of him inspecting an unspecified underground missile facility. The video also included footage of drones, missiles, and launchers inside underground facilities as well as ground missile launches. Mousavi also claimed that "Unlike Iran, the enemy has been unable to replenish its ammunition during the ceasefire."

While neither the US nor Israel has officially responded to these claims, a Saturday N12 News report stated that Israel’s security establishment had located missile launchers aimed at Israel, poised to strike if a ceasefire wasn't reached between Israel and Lebanon The threat from Iran was the motivation for US President Donald Trump's increased pressure on Israel to come to an agreement with Lebanon, and his Friday announcement that Israel is prohibited from “bombing Lebanon any longer,” according to the N12 report. (Read More)

Netanyahu shocked Trump 'prohibited' strikes on Lebanon, believes it inconsistent with ceasefire

Israel was surprised by US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the IDF is “prohibited” from continuing strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a Saturday Axios report. The report noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “personally stunned and alarmed” by the post, and that Israeli officials sought clarification from the White House. This comes after Trump posted on Truth Social that Israel was prohibited from “bombing Lebanon any longer,” and that the US will work with Lebanon separately and “deal with the Hezbollah situation in an appropriate manner.”

The language implied that Trump was directly issuing an order to Israel, which would be unimaginable under other presidential administrations, Axios noted. Notably, according to the ceasefire agreement, Israel still has the right to take military action during the ceasefire, “in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” However, because of the terminology Trump used, aides, including Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, began investigating when and how Trump had changed course. The Israeli aides also stressed that Trump’s language appeared to contradict the ceasefire agreement.

In response to Axios, a US official said that “the president’s ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel clearly states that Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets but preserves its right to self-defense against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” Later, in a separate interview with Axios, Trump said that he wanted the IDF to stop striking Lebanon. “Israel has to stop. They can’t continue to blow buildings up. I am not gonna allow it,” he said. On Friday, Netanyahu said that a ceasefire was underway following an initial announcement on Thursday, and called it “an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon.” (Read More)

The new 'yellow line' in southern Lebanon

IDF declares 'yellow line' in southern Lebanon, duplicating concept used following ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.

Since the ceasefire came into effect, IDF soldiers south of the "yellow line" in southern Lebanon have identified in several incidents in which terrorists violated the ceasefire understandings by approaching from north of the yellow line toward IDF soldiers, posing an immediate threat. Following their identification, and in order to remove the threat, the Israeli Air Force, together with ground forces, conducted precise strikes against the terrorists.

Artillery fire was carried out in support of the ground troops operating in the area, and terrorist infrastructure sites used to facilitate attacks were struck in response to the threats. Earlier on Saturday, IDF soldiers identified a terrorist cell that violated the ceasefire understandings and approached IDF soldiers operating south of the ''yellow line" in southern Lebanon, a defense line dedicated to preventing an imminent threat to Israel’s northern communities.

The approaching terrorists posed a threat to the troops. In a rapid operational response, aimed at removing the threat, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists. Additionally, the IDF struck an underground shaft in the area south of the forward defense line, as well as Hezbollah terrorists who were identified entering it. A hit was identified. "The IDF is operating in accordance with the directives of the political echelon," a statement stressed. "

Accordingly, the IDF is authorized to take the necessary measures in self-defense against threats, while ensuring the security of Israeli civilians and the soldiers deployed in the area." "Actions taken in self-defense and to remove immediate threats are not restricted by the ceasefire. The IDF will not allow harm to Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers and will take all necessary measures to ensure their safety. "The IDF will continue to act to remove any threat to Israeli civilians and its troops." (Ed note: This "yellow line' in some areas extends up to the Litani River, and in other areas goes at least 6 miles north of the Israeli border.)   (Source)

Iran reverses course on reopening Strait of Hormuz, signals warning to US

Iran announced it is reimposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, reversing its decision to reopen the waterway after President Donald Trump said the move would not end the blockade, according to The Associated Press.

Iran's joint military command said Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state... under strict management and control of the armed forces," adding that the restrictions will not be lifted as long as the U.S. continues to block Iranian ports. The announcement comes a few hours after Trump said the blockade "will remain in full force" until a deal is reached between Tehran and the U.S.  (Ed note: Two last minute articles from FOX NEWS, check them out.)

AND THE SECOND ARTICLE IS:  

Strait of Hormuz under 'full IRGC control,' Iran opens fire on at least one vessel: intel official. (Read More)

Trump: Iran agreed to everything, will hand over enriched uranium

President Trump tells CBS News that Iran has agreed to surrender its enriched uranium to the United States and cease support for terror groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

US President Donald Trump told CBS News in a phone interview on Friday that Iran has "agreed to everything" and will cooperate with the United States to remove its enriched uranium from the country. Trump made clear that the operation will not involve American ground troops. When asked who would retrieve the material, he responded only with "our people." "No. No troops," he said. "We'll go down and get it with them, and then we'll take it. We'll be getting it together because by that time, we'll have an agreement and there's no need for fighting when there's an agreement. Nice right? That's better. We would have done it the other way if we had to." The President added that the enriched uranium would ultimately be brought to the United States.

"Our people, together with the Iranians, are going to work together to go get it. And then we'll take it to the United States," he said. Trump further stated that Iran has agreed to stop backing proxy terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas. When asked about the timing of an official announcement, the president said the two sides are scheduled to meet this weekend. He added that the United States would maintain its blockade "until we get it done."

Trump refuted an earlier Axios report, which statedthat the Trump administration was discussing the possible release of $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for the nuclear stockpile. "No, we are not paying 10 cents," he said firmly. On Thursday, Trump said that the war in Iran should be coming to an end “pretty soon".“We're doing very well, and I will say the war in Iran is going along swimmingly, we can do whatever we want, and it should be ending pretty soon," the President stated at an event in Las Vegas. (Source)

Iran denies claim that US will retrieve enriched uranium, accuses Trump of lies

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the US "did not win the war with these lies," adding that "they will certainly not get anywhere in negotiations either.”

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf accused US President Donald Trump of making several false claims regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s enriched uranium in a post on X/Twitter in the early morning hours of Saturday. “The President of the United States made seven claims in one hour, all seven of which were false,” Ghalibaf wrote. “They did not win the war with these lies, and they will certainly not get anywhere in negotiations either.”

Ghalibaf urged all to “read the real and accurate news of the negotiations in the recent interview of the Foreign Ministry spokesman,” in which a Foreign Ministry spokesman claimed that Iran will not transfer its enriched uranium anywhere, contrary to earlier Trump claims that Iran had agreed to do so. "Iran's enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere; transferring uranium to the United States has not been an option for us," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said during an interview with Iranian state media.

Trump earlier told Reuters that Iran's "nuclear dust" would be retrieved "very soon." "We're going to get it together. We're going to go in with Iran, at a nice leisurely pace, and go down and start excavating with big machinery... We'll bring it back to the United States," Trump added.Ghalibaf also disputed Trump’s assertion that Iran had announced that the Strait of Hormuz was “fully opened and ready for full passage.” (Read More)

Trump: Israel is prohibited from bombing Lebanon, enough!

US President Donald Trump declares Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon, says he 'prohibited' IDF from doing so. PM Netanyahu responds, 'we have not yet finished the job.'

US President Donald Trump on Friday revealed that he forced Israel to cave to Iran's demand to end the fighting in Lebanon. According to Trump, "The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear 'Dust,' created by our great B2 Bombers - No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form." "This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner," he claimed. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank you!"

In a statement issued nearly in parallel to Trump's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, noting that the decision was made after, in his words, significant achievements had been attained on the northern front. Netanyahu referred to two central threats from Lebanon, saying: “The near threat - infiltration of thousands of terrorists into our territory and anti-tank fire at our communities; and the distant threat - the firing of 150,000 missiles and rockets intended to destroy the cities of Israel." According to him, “we have removed both of these threats."

He also noted that Israel had created, “for the first time, a deep security buffer zone along the entire northern border," adding that the IDF is operating along a designated line to prevent infiltration and anti-tank fire. He said the buffer is intended to completely remove the immediate threat to the communities. Netanyahu further claimed that 90% of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket stockpiles had been destroyed, and that “today’s Hezbollah is a shadow of itself compared to the days of Nasrallah’s arrogance." However, he emphasized that “we have not yet finished the job" and that additional plans exist to address remaining threats. (Read More)

Hezbollah threatens Lebanon’s president: ‘He will lose his status if he meets Netanyahu’

Senior Hezbollah official Nawaf al-Moussawi urged President Joseph Aoun not to 'submit to Trump’s dictates' amid the prospect of a historic White House meeting with Netanyahu, as Aoun denounced 'voices of betrayal' and vowed to 'save the country'. Against the backdrop of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and amid the possibility that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun may meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, a senior Hezbollah official warned Friday that such a move would cost Aoun his position.

Nawaf al-Moussawi, a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for the group’s resources and borders portfolio, said that “if Aoun submits to Trump and meets with Netanyahu, he will lose his status as president.” Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based Shiite militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and others. Al-Moussawi added that “legitimacy comes from within Lebanon, not from outside. Who said the Sunni majority in Lebanon — from which Prime Minister Nawaf Salam comes — would agree to sign a peace agreement with Israel?” He claimed the ceasefire in Lebanon was tied to Iran, saying it had created it, and stressed that Hezbollah’s goal is not a ceasefire but “a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army and the unconditional return of displaced Lebanese.” He added, “Not a single Israeli soldier will remain in southern Lebanon.”

In remarks that could be interpreted as a hint at changes in the group’s communication methods, al-Moussawi said Hezbollah has “changed all its methods and now communicates through ‘carrier pigeons.’” He also said that every operative killed is replaced by two others, so “it has no effect.” Earlier, Aoun addressed the ceasefire, calling it “the result of great efforts at all levels.” He thanked “everyone who contributed” and added: “We are confident we will save Lebanon. Negotiations do not mean, and have never meant, relinquishing any rights. I affirm, as a commitment and a promise, that there will be no agreement that harms even a small part of the nation’s land. Do not allow voices of doubt and betrayal to sow division. We will rebuild the nation hand in hand. All Lebanese are in the same boat.” (Read More)

The Ceasefire Crisis: Why Hezbollah’s Refusal Could Restart the War in 24 Hours

A senior Hezbollah official has rejected the core terms of the emerging ceasefire, insisting that the group will not allow Israel any freedom of movement within Lebanese territory. 

The 10 day ceasefire brokered by President Trump is facing its first major hurdle as Hezbollah leadership signals a firm rejection of Israel's core security demands. While the agreement is scheduled to take effect at midnight, a senior Hezbollah source told Al Jazeera that the group will not accept any deal that grants the Israeli military freedom of action within Lebanon. "The ceasefire must include a cessation of hostile operations across all Lebanese territory and cannot include any freedom of action for the enemy," the official stated, directly contradicting the conditions set by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The tension centers on the "freedom of military action" clause that Israel considers non negotiable. The Israeli government has insisted that its forces must have the right to strike if they detect Hezbollah attempting to rearm or move back into the border regions south of the Litani River. Hezbollah’s categorical refusal to allow such access suggests that the 10 day period may be characterized more by tension than by actual progress toward peace. The terrorist organization remains adamant that any deal must be a total halt to Israeli activity, with no exceptions for security "buffer zones" or aerial surveillance.

This internal pushback from Hezbollah comes amid reports that the IDF will remain stationed in southern Lebanon during the 10 day period. The Israeli military has made it clear that its forces will not withdraw until a more permanent arrangement is reached that ensures the safety of northern Israeli residents. Hezbollah’s insistence on a total cessation of "hostile operations" across the entire country is likely an attempt to force a premature Israeli withdrawal and stop the ongoing strikes on the group's leadership and infrastructure in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley.  (Ed note: What the "freedom of movement", "freedom of action", or "freedom of military action" is that the IDF always catch Hezbollah cheating as they try to bring weapons and supplies back into the fighting area when they aren't even supposted to be there.)  (Read More)

IDF to continue to attack Hezbollah in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

Despite the newly mounted Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, the IDF will continue to attack fighters of the Lebanese terror group who have remained in the southern part of the country should they not surrender, the IDF said on Friday. The statement by the IDF was the first aggressive interpretation of the limits of the ceasefire put out by any senior Israeli official. In addition, IDF sources for the first time gave the unambiguous official commitment that the military will remain in southern Lebanon indefinitely, and view the Litani River as the new security line with Hezbollah, unless the terror group agrees to disarm.

Although Israeli political officials had started to take such a stance in recent weeks, the IDF has been slower to adopt such a consequential long-standing view, given that it could mean that the military may get stuck in a new Lebanese quagmire for years. In spite of the pessimistic scenario, the IDF had some potential optimism for the current Israeli-Lebanese negotiations, given that Hezbollah is considered even weaker than after the fall 2024 ceasefire.

This is because Hezbollah has lost another 1,700 fighters, another 5,800 rocket launchers, has generally lost another 10-20% of its pre-2023 power (around another 60% of its post-fall 2024 power), and may have much less capacity to rebuild if Iran's economy, its main source of funding, is as shattered as reports indicate. Separately on Friday, the IDF revealed explicitly for the first time that the security cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held them back from multiple instances where they had wished to initiate an earlier major operation against Hezbollah. (Read More)

Minutes before ceasefire: IDF elite unit establishes presence 12km inside Lebanon

Just hours before the ceasefire with Lebanon took effect, IDF elite soldiers conducted a special operation on Christofani Ridge in southern Lebanon, establishing an operational presence there.

The IDF revealed on Friday that, on Thursday night, IDF soldiers from an elite unit conducted a special operation. According to a statement from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, IDF soldiers from a special unit began the operation just prior to the ceasefire agreement which came into effect at midnight. As part of the operation, the soldiers landed in the “Christofani Ridge" in southern Lebanon and established an operational presence in the area.

The Cristofani Ridge is located in Lebanese territory, approximately 12 kilometers north of Mount Hermon, and at the foothills of the Syrian Hermon, which is also under IDF control. The operation, which was approved by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, was commanded by the Commander of the Israeli Air Force and the Commander of the Northern Command, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

“The IDF remains on high alert and will continue to remove threats in southern Lebanon throughout the area between the border with Israel and the designated line, in accordance with the ceasefire understandings," it said. (Source)

Syria’s Sharaa: Israel has acted with ‘brutality,’ but talks not at dead end

Leader says talks now focused on restoring UN buffer zone, will later shift to future of Golan; all bases in Syria that hosted US troops now under state control, Damascus says. 

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Thursday that talks with Israel on a potential security agreement haven’t reached a dead end, but he accused Israel of acting with “brutality” in the country. “We are serious about reaching a security agreement that preserves regional stability,” Sharaa, whose jihadist-led forces ousted longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in 2024, told Turkey’s Anadolu news outlet. “The negotiations have not reached a dead end, but they are progressing with great difficulty due to Israel’s insistence on maintaining a presence on Syrian soil,” he said.

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Syrian military assets in the wake of Assad’s overthrow, saying it could not risk powerful weapons getting into the wrong hands. The Israel Defense Forces also took control of a buffer zone previously controlled by the UN. Since then, Israel has demanded a demilitarized zone in southern Syria. The IDF also intervened last year during unrest in the Druze-majority area of Sweida, at the urging of Druze in Israel. Sharaa’s forces have been accused of atrocities against members of the minority group, which Israel has vowed to protect.

In light of all these developments, Israel and Syria’s new authorities have held several rounds of direct talks since the end of last year, and after negotiations in January — and under US pressure — they agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism as they edged toward a security agreement. Sharaa, in Turkey for the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, told Anadolu that “Israel responded to Syria with great brutality, targeting numerous Syrian sites, violating Syrian sovereignty and occupying parts of the territory adjacent to the already-occupied Golan Heights.” Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed it, a move that Syria and most countries don’t recognize.  (Ed note: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is telling us what his problem is: the IDF is holding both a "buffer zone" in Syria, and Israel had claimed Golan Heights back in 1967 and will not give it back to Syria. Always keep one eye on the state of Syria.) (Read More)

On Trump's Insanely Stupid Lebanon Ceasefire

Trump Announces 10-Day 'Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire' - Because Pretending the Lebanese Government Controls Hezbollah Has Worked So Well Before.

In a move that defies basic reality, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 5 p.m. EST, framing it as a step toward "lasting peace" between the two countries. The only problem? Israel and Lebanon are not at war. The actual conflict is between Israel and the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah, which has turned southern Lebanon into its personal rocket-launching pad and military base for years. Hezbollah, not the feeble Lebanese government in Beirut, initiated the latest round on March 2, 2026, by firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran.

Basically, Iran said they will not retunr to the negotiating table unless Trump oprganizes a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Trump caved, pressured Netnayahu, who in turn caved and Voila! Once again, diplomacy demands the polite fiction: slap an "Israel-Lebanon" label on the truce, act as if Beirut's weak politicians and the Lebanese Armed Forces actually run the country, and hope everyone ignores the armed militia that answers to Tehran, not Lebanon.

Trump, after conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared the pause would give breathing room for further talk, the first direct high-level contacts in over 30 years. He directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push for a permanent deal. This is the same diplomatic theater that produced UN Resolution 1701 in 2006: a grand promise that Hezbollah would disarm and retreat north of the Litani River, enforced by the "official" Lebanese state. Two decades later, Hezbollah is stronger, better armed, embedded deeper into Lebanese society and politics, and still launching attacks from Lebanese soil.

Hezbollah's leaders have already dismissed the talks as "futile" and made clear they will not abide by any agreement that limits their arsenal or freedom to attack Israel. The group continues rocket and drone fire even as Israeli forces pound its positions in southern Lebanon. Israel has been crystal clear: it will not accept another paper ceasefire that leaves Hezbollah intact on the border. Operations will likely resume the moment Hezbollah violates the pause, which history suggests is not a matter of "if," but "when." (Read More)

Israel, Lebanon agree to ten-day ceasefire, Netanyahu confirms

A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel will begin at midnight Israel time, US President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social Post on Thursday. “Both sides want to see peace, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” Trump said. In a later statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as "an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon." "We have changed the balance of security," Netanyahu asserted, adding that Israel will maintain a security buffer, stretching 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon, for the duration of the ceasefire in order to deter the threat posed by Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.

Trump stated that the ceasefire was reached after separate conversations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. He also invited Aoun and Netanyahu to the White House for the first direct talks between the leaders of Lebanon and Israel since 1983. Israel’s security cabinet did not vote on the ceasefire during a meeting held shortly before Trump made the announcement. According to Israeli media reports, cabinet ministers were not informed of the ceasefire during the meeting and only learned of it from the media after the meeting ended. N12 News quoted Netanyahu as saying that Trump asked for the ceasefire, a request to which Netanyahu acquiesced.

Hezbollah demanded that the ceasefire must not allow Israel freedom of movement and stated that the presence of Israeli troops in Lebanese territory grants the Lebanese the "right to resist," according to a Reuters report. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the ceasefire agreement in a post on X/Twitter, stating that the pause in fighting was Lebanon’s “primary goal in the Washington meeting on Tuesday.” “I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement,” Salam shared, also thanking regional and international partners who helped achieve the ceasefire.

Earlier on Thursday, Aoun refused to speak directly to Netanyahu about a ceasefire after Trump indicated in an overnight post on Truth Social that the Israeli and Lebanese would be speaking. Aoun instead held a call with Trump, who spoke to Netanyahu before the ceasefire was eventually announced. (Ed note: So what was accomplished? Hezbollah is still armed and Hamas is still armed. Is this not the old idiom, "kick the can down the road?") (Source)

Opposition, northern mayors decry imposed ceasefires as Lebanon truce declared

Residents of northern Israel reacted with anger and dismay on Thursday following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an Israeli ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, while opposition lawmakers berated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for capitulating to the Americans and allowing a truce to be imposed on Israel. Ministers in Netanyahu’s cabinet also fumed during a hastily convened phone call with cabinet members to discuss the matter, claiming they heard about the ceasefire for the first time from Trump’s announcement, and questioned how it was declared without their approval, Hebrew media reported.

Trump announced earlier that the 10-day ceasefire would go into effect at midnight on Thursday, and said he would be inviting Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for negotiations. Municipal leaders in northern Israel, which has faced ongoing stream of Hezbollah missiles and rockets since it started firing at Israel on March 2 as part of the Iran war, expressed outrage and betrayal over the announcement. Moshe Davidovich, who serves as the head of the “Forum of Front-Line Communities, charged that agreements are “signed in Washington” but “paid in blood, in destroyed homes and in dismantled communities here.”

“A ceasefire that does not include lethal enforcement against Hezbollah for every violation and a buffer zone free of terror up to the Litani River is not a political achievement; it is a sentence to wait for the next massacre. The residents of the north are not statistics in an international public relations show,” he said in a statement.Metula Mayor David Azoulay, a member of the Yisrael Beytenu party, said residents of the north “feel betrayed once again” by the deal.

“The fact that it is the president of the United States who is the one announcing a ceasefire only highlights how disconnected the prime minister of Israel is from the people, and from the reality of the residents of the north,” said Azoulay. In a direct appeal toMetula Mayor David Azoulay, a member of the Yisrael Beytenu party, said residents of the north “feel betrayed once again” by the deal.

“The fact that it is the president of the United States who is the one announcing a ceasefire only highlights how disconnected the prime minister of Israel is from the people, and from the reality of the residents of the north,” said Azoulay. In a direct appeal to Netanyahu, he said: “Your basic duty as prime minister of Israel is to provide security to the citizens of the state. In practice, you fail at this time after time.”, he said: “Your basic duty as prime minister of Israel is to provide security to the citizens of the state. In practice, you fail at this time after time.” (Ed note: Perhaps PM Netanyahu agreed to the ceasefire to show that Hezbollah can't be trusted and that the Lebanese government has no real power over them. One thing is sure, the IDF troops in the field will get some much needed rest.) (Read More)

Hours after ceasefire announcement, Hezbollah barrage leaves three wounded in northern Israel

Three people were wounded at two separate sites the Upper Galilee by Hezbollah missile shrapnel, hours after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. At one site, a 25-year-old man was severely wounded, having been riding a motorcycle at the time of the siren, and a 40-year-old man was moderately wounded.

At the second scene, a 17-year-old girl was severely wounded with a shrapnel injury to the leg.Magen David Adom personnel treated five other people at the scene who were suffering from anxiety.

All eight have been evacuated to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya for further medical treatment. Israel Police has also asked visitors to Mount Meron to leave the site immediately out of fear of potential rocket fire targeting the area, Israeli media reported on Thursday night. (Source)

Lebanese crossing Litani River southwards, despite repeated warnings

Residents of southern Lebanon, together with Lebanese Army, rebuild bridges over Litani River, allowing mass return after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir promised southern Lebanon would be a 'kill zone.'

Hours after a US-declared ceasefire took effect, the reality on the ground in southern Lebanon appears markedly different from the expectations set by Israel’s political leadership. Despite explicit promises by Defense Minister Israel Katz that bridges over the Litani River would be destroyed and civilian movement southward blocked, rapid repair efforts in the early hours of Friday morning enabled the resumption of traffic.

The main developments were reported in the coastal town of al-Qasmiya in the Tyre area. Bridges in the area, which the IDF had systematically targeted to prevent the movement of Hezbollah terrorists and weapons, were restored overnight. According to reports from Lebanon, civilians initially began reopening routes manually, and were later joined by Lebanese Army engineering equipment.

After approximately seven hours of intensive work, the bridge was partially reopened to vehicular traffic on Friday morning. Similar footage emerged from the Az-Zrariyah bridge in the Tayr Felsay district, where traffic resumed and vehicles were seen cautiously crossing southward. Hours earlier, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee issued a warningto residents of southern Lebanon not to return to localities south of the Litani River, even after the ceasefire agreement went into effect. (Ed note: Remember that the Lebanses Army is not the same as the group called Hezbollah.)    (Read More)

Israel breaks new ground at sea as Mossad, elite Shayetet 13 raid Lebanon's Naqoura

While for the ground forces, this has manifested itself in creating buffer zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, for the Navy, it has meant special forces carrying out more risky operations.

One of the untold stories of Israel’s wars since 2023 has been the new cutting-edge activities and cooperation among Shayetet 13 (Israel’s equivalent of the US Navy Seals), the Mossad, and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). On Tuesday, Shayetet 13 invaded Naqoura, Lebanon, from the sea – the first time such an operation has occurred in Lebanon since 2000, the Israel Navy reported Thursday. According to the military, this move was made as part of a new attitude by the IDF and the navy after the October 7 massacre of forward-leaning defense.

For the ground forces, this has manifested itself in creating buffer zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. For the navy, it has meant special forces carrying out more risky and aggressive operations behind enemy lines. In one mission, five Shayetet 13 naval commandos were sent thousands of kilometers away from Israel with no support and no immediate rescue plan in the event of complications, the navy disclosed, without revealing dates and locations.

In yet another vaguely described mission, the navy said it had sent Shayetet 13 on a mission to a part of the world where it had never operated before.The navy said its joint operations with the Mossad have reached new levels in recent years. The navy declined to connect the dots regarding exact operations in which it had worked with the Mossad. But it did say the Naval Intelligence Division was directly involved in the killing of Iranian Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri and had facilitated IAF attacks against Iranian naval cruise missiles and sites related to submarines and other underwater threats. (Read more)

Hamas refuses to give up weapons, demands Board of Peace change Gaza ceasefire plan

Hamas has rejected the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan, demanding changes and accusing the mediator of pro-Israel bias.

Hamas rejected the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan for the terror group and asked the board to make modifications to it, a source told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. The BoP's high representative, Nickolay Mladenov, and three other mediators were also present, the source added. Separately, while speaking to the BBC, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the talks accused Mladenov of pro-Israel bias.

The official also accused Israel of not yet fulfilling its obligations of Phase I of the ceasefire deal, saying that Hamas would not participate in Phase II negotiations until Israel does so. "We are waiting for Mladenov to provide a clear timetable for Israel to fulfill the remaining obligations of Phase I," a senior Hamas official told the BBC.

Israel, though, has withdrawn from populated areas of the Gaza Strip to positions east of the Yellow Line, has increased the amount of aid entering the area, and maintains that movement on the terror group's disarmament is needed before further progress can be made on its side. The BoP's disarmament plan was first passed to Hamas during meetings in Cairo last month, following the Trump administration's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff's announcement of Phase II in mid-January. (Read More)

Hamas plans to use Iran, Lebanon negotiations to avoid disarmament, gain control of Gaza's BoP

Hamas is using the instability created by the security situation in southern Lebanon and Iran to avoid advancing its disarmament compromises and gain political force in Gaza, a source from the security establishment warned on Wednesday. According to the source, Hamas is taking advantage of Israel's focus on the Hezbollah situation and the US focus on the Iranian front to buy time and avoid progress on the political front. The main strategy by the Hamas leadership seems to be collecting taxes, recruiting activists, and taking control of goods entering the Gaza Strip.

One of the sources added that Hamas is trying to create the appearance of giving up power, but in practice, even if forced, it will aim to control the new rulers of the Gaza Strip from the shadows. The security source said this mirrors Hezbollah's strategy during the Hassan Nasrallah era, when they didn't seize direct control of Lebanon but had the political and military power to operate without repercussions from the government.

Hamas rejected the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan for the terror group and asked the board to make modifications to it, a source told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. The BoP's high representative, Nickolay Mladenov, and three other mediators were also present, the source added. The BoP's plan is expected to last between 6 and 8 months, and the duration serves the organization's strategy of buying time, as elections in Israel and the midterm elections in the US will be held during this period, further diverting attention from the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, according to Walla, most senior Hamas officials left Qatar for Turkey and other countries after receiving "signals" that it was advisable for them to leave. Qatari security forces tightened their measures to prevent targeted assassinations, and Hamas understood the clues amid fears of similar actions by the Israeli intelligence community. (Source)

PSALM 83

This book reveals a vastly overlooked ancient prophecy written over 3000 years ago. It predicts a concluding confederate invasion of Israel by the Arab countries that presently share common borders with the Jewish state. This coalition of countries is depicted on the red arrows upon the book cover image. The terrorist organizations within those territories, like ISIS, Hezbollah and Hamas, will probably also be involved in this final battle. Their confederate mandate is clear:. They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more." (Psalm 83:4).

While many of today's top Bible experts are predicting that Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya, and several other countries are going to invade Israel according to the prophecy in Ezekiel 38, this timely book explains how Psalm 83 is an entirely different prophecy that occurs prior. Discover how Israel defeats their ancient Arab enemies, and why Americans need to stand beside Israel in this coming war! This book is an updated version of Isralestine, The Ancient Blueprints of the Future Middle East, which was written by the same author. This updated version includes over 17 new chapters and appendices. (CLICK HERE)

Minister Bezalel Smotrich: 'Peace with Lebanon? Only through strength, power, and victory'

Minister Smotrich in an interview with Arutz Sheva: 'We are clearing a security buffer zone in Lebanon, we will continue to strike Hezbollah, and we will restore security to the residents of the north.'

Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich said in an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News that Israel’s military campaign in southern Lebanon is aimed at deepening achievements against Hezbollah and ensuring long-term security for northern communities. “We are cleansing a security zone in Lebanon. There will be no infiltration threat, no anti-tank missile threat. We will continue striking Hezbollah and restore security to the residents of the north," Smotrich said, adding that the campaign is part of what he described as dismantling “the Iranian axis of evil over the past two and a half years."  

Smotrich pointed to continued rocket fire from southern Lebanon, including incidents reported in the morning, as evidence of the need to sustain military pressure on Hezbollah. He also referenced indirect diplomatic contacts with Lebanon, saying they reinforce his long-held political outlook. “Even the indirect negotiations that began yesterday with the Lebanese government prove that the right-wing approach over the years was correct. Peace can be achieved through strength, power and victory," he said. “Those who think peace comes through withdrawals and the defeatism of Oslo do not understand the neighborhood they live in." 

  

Turning to Iran, Smotrich said the country had “suffered a very heavy blow," while expressing support for continued pressure. “We hope more is still ahead. Will it surrender under economic pressure, or will we need to force it again with full strength? Time will tell," he said. He added that Israel is working to remove what he described as an existential threat from nuclear development and ballistic missiles, while dismantling regional proxy networks. (Read more)

Bereaved families: Hamas disarmament failed, it's time for victory

Dozens of bereaved families pen harsh letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warn Hamas has had time to regroup.

Dozens of bereaved families affiliated with Hagevura Forum on Wednesday morning sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for a transition to the final stage of decisive military action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The appeal comes following the expiration of an ultimatum given to the terrorist organization to disarm. According to the families, the ultimatum allowed Hamas time to regroup but failed to produce any diplomatic results.

In their letter, the families first expressed support for the government’s recent military operations in Iran and Lebanon, but warned against complacency on the southern front, stressing, "The central lesson of October 7 is that no threat can be taken lightly." "What was clear from the outset is now clear to all: The terrorist organization has no intention of giving up its weapons. Any attempt to rely on international actors is doomed to fail."]

The bereaved families, who lost loved ones in the war, stressed that Israel’s security must remain solely in Israeli hands, warning, "No one will do the State of Israel's work for us. The only one who can remove the threat is the IDF. You pledged that Gaza would no longer pose a threat - now stand by your word. In their deaths, our loved ones commanded us victory and courage." (Ed note: AND, more than one American President needed to get their nose out if Israel's business, and let them fight and take back their land.)   (Source)

Netanyahu: We are about to subdue Bint Jbeil

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement this evening (Wednesday) on the campaigns in Lebanon and Iran. "I stand by the residents of the north who are continuing to stand firm. At the same time, our forces are continuing to strike Hezbollah. The fighting is focused on Bint Jbeil. Bint Jbeil was the capital of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This is the place where Hassan Nasrallah said 26 years ago: 'The Israelis are cobwebs.' We are about to overcome Bint Jbeil; we are, in effect, about to eliminate this great stronghold of Hezbollah," Netanyahu began.

He noted that "at the same time, I instructed the IDF yesterday to continue widening the security zone and to also spread it eastward toward the slopes of Mount Hermon, so that we can better assist our Druze brothers in their time of distress." "Concurrently, we are conducting negotiations with Lebanon. These negotiations have not taken place for over 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong, and nations are coming to us, not just Lebanon. In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two central goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah, and second, a sustainable peace. Peace through strength," eh stated.

On Iran, he said, "Our American friends are updating us constantly on their contacts with Iran. Our goals and those of the United States are identical: We want to see the enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the cancellation of enrichment capabilities within Iran, and of course, we want to see the opening of the straits. It is too early to say how this matter will end, or even how it will progress. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting may resume, we are prepared for any scenario." (Ed note: Remember, this 'Bint Jbeil' is a city on the border with Israel, not the Jbeil which was Gebal in Psalm 83:7 That Jbeil is about 38 miles above the city of Beirut.)  (Source)

Iranian Parliament speaker: Iran and Hezbollah are 'one soul'

Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declares that no ceasefire with the US is possible without including Lebanon, demanding America abandon its "Israel First" policy.

Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday insisted once again that no ceasefire in Iran would be possible without the inclusion of Lebanon. “The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the resistance and steadfast struggle of the great Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance," Ghalibaf wrote in a post on social media.

He added, “The United States must comply with the agreement. Resistance and Iran are one soul, both in war and in ceasefire. America should withdraw from ‘Israel First’ mistake." Last Friday, as Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad for peace talks with the United States, he stated that negotiations would begin if Washington accepted Tehran’s “preconditions."

Those preconditions were a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets. Ghalibaf claimed in a post on social media that both had been "mutually agreed upon between the parties" but had "yet to be implemented," Despite the claims by Iranian officials that a ceasefire in Lebanon is part of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, the US and Israel have clarified that Lebanon is not included in the Iran ceasefire. (Source)

THE FUTURE WAR PROPHECIES

In the last days, mankind will dwell in a war-torn world! Conventional battles, nuclear exchanges and supernatural demonic invasions are coming. The FUTURE WAR Prophecies book and DVD locates the battlefields, identifies the participants, explains the motives, provides the details and explores the outcomes of these coming world changing conflicts which include:

• Israel vs. Iran and its proxies,
• The destruction of Damascus in Isaiah 17,
• The final Arab-Israeli war of Psalm 83,
• The Russian coalition’s invasion of Israel in Ezekiel 38,
• The two Christian-killing crusades of the Tribulation Period,
• The demonic invasion that torments unsaved people for 5 months,
• The 200-million demonic army that kills one-third of humankind,
• The war in heaven between Michael the archangel vs. Satan,
• The battle of Armageddon between Jesus Christ vs. Antichrist,
• The final Gog of Magog War at the end of the Millennium.

These wars and more are covered in this revealing book. Don’t be caught in the crossfire! Discover what wars are coming so that you can keep yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way. (CLICK HERE)

1st time in 43 years: Direct talks between Israel, Lebanon begin

Representatives from Israel and Lebanon have begun talks in Washington for the first time in more than four decades. 

The first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in move 40 years began today (Tuesday) at the American State Department. The meeting is taking place at the US State Department in Washington, with Israel making it clear before it began that the talks will have no impact on the fighting in Lebanon. At the same time as the talks opened, the IDF announced preparations for increased fire from Hezbollah. As they began, incessant alarms sounded in Kiryat Shmona and other settlements in the Galilee region, after a drone strike at the entrance to Nahariya.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before the talks began, "The Lebanese people are victims of Iranian aggression, and this needs to stop. And so our hope here, and I know this will be a process, is that all of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in a very positive context from a terrorist proxy of Iran. So that is the hope here today."

Rubio added that this is a lengthy process, "This is more than just one day. This will take time, but we believe it is worth this endeavor, and it is a historic gathering that we hope to build on. And the hope today is that we can outline the framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developed." on the Israeli side is Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, and on the Lebanese side is Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamada Muawed. Participating on the American side are US Ambassador to Lebanon Michelle Issa and Mike Needham from the US State Department. (Source)