Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, has denied reports that Moscow provided any military or intelligence assistance to Iran during the ongoing war. In an interview with the Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Jalali stated that claims of intelligence support were false and even acknowledged as inaccurate by Western sources. He clarified that all agreements between Iran and Russia were signed before the conflict began and are unrelated to current hostilities.

Jalali also discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it is now governed under a new legal framework ensuring safe navigation. He noted that ships can continue to operate under security considerations and legal regulations. However, he did not specify whether any fees would be imposed, mentioning that Iran’s parliament is reviewing various options.

The ambassador added that high-level contacts between Russia and Iran remain active, with only minor delays in some joint projects such as the Rasht-Astara railway and nuclear cooperation initiatives.

Israel’s military has issued a warning to residents of 21 villages in southern Lebanon, urging them not to return to their homes. The advisory specifically cautioned civilians against crossing a designated boundary or approaching areas near the Litani River, where Israeli forces are reportedly deployed. The statement was released by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, who emphasized that civilians should avoid the border villages for their safety.

The affected villages include Beit Siyad Farm, Majdal Jun, Jabbqin, Yatar, Sarbin, Hula, Beit Yahoun, Shakra, Majdal Salm, Kabriqa, Farun, Jutar al-Gharbiyah, Yahmar al-Shakif, Arnoun, Deir Mimas, Marjayoun, Abbel al-Saki, al-Mari, Kafar Shuba, Ain Kana, and Ain Atta. The warning comes as a 10-day ceasefire, brokered by the United States, has been in effect between Lebanon and Israel since April 16.

The announcement underscores ongoing security concerns along the Lebanon-Israel border despite the temporary truce, highlighting the fragile nature of the current calm in the region.

A Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian city of Tuapse killed one person and injured another, according to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev. The incident occurred late Sunday, marking the second strike on the port city within a few days. Debris from the drones damaged windows of several buildings, including residential structures, a primary school, a kindergarten, a museum, and a church.

Governor Kondratyev stated that the fatality occurred at the city’s seaport and expressed condolences to the victim’s family. The injured person received medical treatment following the attack. The governor also mentioned that a previous drone strike in the same region last Thursday had killed a teenage girl and a young woman.

The repeated drone incidents highlight ongoing hostilities affecting Russia’s southern regions, with civilian areas increasingly sustaining damage from aerial attacks.

Lebanese-origin French artist Ali Cherri has filed a war crimes complaint in France against Israel, following the 2024 airstrike in Beirut that killed his parents. Cherri stated that his father Mahmoud Cherri and mother Nadra Hayek were civilians, and he urged France’s war crimes unit to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice.

Israel has said its airstrikes in the Lebanese capital targeted facilities used by the armed group Hezbollah. However, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, reviewed Cherri’s case and reported finding no evidence of military targets in or near the building where his parents lived.

Cherri’s lawyer, Clémence Bectarte, told Al Jazeera that under French law, the Israeli strike could be considered a war crime. She added that Israel’s military and political authorities were justifying the attacks under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah, but international law requires strict adherence to rules governing military conduct.

A photo circulating on social media showing an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer in southern Lebanon has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The image, which spread rapidly on platform X and was viewed millions of times, has drawn international attention and criticism from various quarters.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the authenticity of the photo and stated that an investigation into the incident is underway. The act has provoked strong reactions both locally and internationally, with many accusing the soldier of insulting religious sentiments and calling for accountability.

The incident has intensified tensions in the region and raised concerns about respect for religious symbols amid ongoing hostilities. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the investigation or possible disciplinary measures.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for an explosive attack on an Israeli military convoy in southern Lebanon on Sunday. According to the group, the incident occurred as eight Israeli armored vehicles were moving from Taybeh toward the Deir Sirian area. Hezbollah stated that its fighters had planted explosive devices along the route, which detonated twice between 3:40 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. local time, allegedly destroying four Merkava tanks.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that there was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities regarding the claimed attack. The event marks another episode of tension along the Lebanon-Israel border, where sporadic clashes have been reported in recent months.

Further details about casualties or the broader military response were not available at the time of reporting.

Iran has launched a drone attack targeting a United States military ship in the Sea of Oman, according to reports. The strike was described as a retaliatory move following the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel. The incident has raised concerns over escalating tensions and the fragility of an existing ceasefire, India Today reported.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that US forces fired on and detained an Iranian commercial ship before Tehran’s forces responded with the drone attack. The report emphasized that the action was a direct response to the seizure of the Iranian vessel.

Details about the scale of the attack, the number of drones used, or whether any US assets were damaged have not been disclosed in the report.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that Israeli troops deployed in Lebanon have been instructed to use their full strength if threatened, even during the ongoing ceasefire. Speaking at an event in the occupied West Bank, Katz said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond by land and air to any threat against their soldiers. He added that troops were ordered to destroy potentially dangerous sites and roads that might contain traps.

According to military sources, a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began on Friday, but an Israeli soldier was killed the same day in southern Lebanon after a bomb exploded inside a building. Katz reiterated that Israel’s goal is to eliminate Hezbollah bases near the border and remove threats to Israeli communities. He warned that if the Lebanese government fails to act, the IDF will continue operations to ensure security.

The conflict escalated in early March when Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and ground operations across southern Lebanon.

A United States delegation led by Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Pakistan as Islamabad prepares to host a high-level meeting. Iran has not yet confirmed its participation, though Pakistani officials expect Iranian representatives to join the discussions. In preparation for the talks, Islamabad has implemented unprecedented security measures, deploying 20,000 personnel and sealing off large parts of the city, including two major hotels.

Over the past 24 hours, several US C-17 Globemaster aircraft have landed in Islamabad, with more expected to arrive. These flights are believed to have transported bulletproof vehicles and security teams for the American delegation. The scale of the security operation underscores the significance of the upcoming meeting.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, stated that Iran intends to continue dialogue but not “at any cost.” The talks appear to be part of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Pakistan, and potentially Iran.

A United States delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is set to arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening for a second round of discussions with Iran. President Donald Trump announced the visit, stating that the delegation would reach Islamabad to continue diplomatic efforts. The White House later confirmed Vance’s leadership of the team.

According to a White House official cited by the BBC, the delegation includes Trump’s adviser Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom participated in the previous round of talks. However, Iran has not yet confirmed its participation. Iranian state media reported that officials would not attend while US sanctions remain in place.

The first round of talks between Washington and Tehran failed to produce a peace agreement, with major differences persisting over Iran’s nuclear program and other key issues.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war with Iran is not yet over and that the situation could change at any moment. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Argentine President Javier Milei. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and the United States are fighting what he described as a battle of civilization against barbarism.

According to Netanyahu, Israel is working alongside the United States against Iran’s authoritarian government, which he said spreads fear across the world. He claimed that Israel has achieved significant success in this struggle but cautioned that new developments could occur at any time.

The comments highlight ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with Netanyahu signaling that the conflict remains fluid and unpredictable.

Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that the security of the Hormuz Strait cannot be guaranteed for free. In a post on social media platform X, he said that those obstructing Iran’s oil exports should not expect to receive security benefits without cost. Aref emphasized that the choice is clear: either the global oil market remains open to all, or everyone faces the risk of significant losses.

He further noted that the stability of global energy prices depends on a definite and lasting end to economic and military pressures against Iran and its allies. His remarks highlight Tehran’s stance linking regional security and global energy stability to the lifting of restrictions on its oil trade.

The statement underscores Iran’s warning that continued economic and military pressure could have broader consequences for international energy markets and maritime security in the region.

Former US ambassador Donald Heflin has said that while there is optimism about a possible second round of talks between the United States and Iran, the process will not be easy. Speaking about the prospects of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Heflin explained that the discussions would not simply result in an immediate ceasefire or a comprehensive written agreement to end hostilities.

He described the process as one that would move forward in stages, with partial agreements and occasional setbacks. Heflin noted that misunderstandings and accusations of bad faith could arise during the talks, yet both sides have incentives to reach a lasting ceasefire. He expressed confidence that such an outcome is achievable despite ongoing tensions.

Heflin also mentioned that US Vice President JD Vance is en route to Islamabad and suggested that Iran is likely to send representatives to participate in the discussions.

Israel’s military reported that since February 28, at least 16 of its soldiers have been killed and 690 injured amid ongoing hostilities involving Iran and Lebanon. The figures were released on Sunday, according to Anadolu. Among the injured, 96 are in serious condition and 42 are in critical condition, while 149 soldiers remain hospitalized.

In the past 24 hours alone, 37 new injuries were recorded, most resulting from explosive attacks, though the specific locations were not disclosed. Israeli media outlet Maariv reported that two soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded in two separate explosions in the so-called “Yellow Line” area of southern Lebanon, an informal boundary extending 4 to 10 kilometers inside Lebanon.

The report highlights the continuing intensity of the conflict along Israel’s northern front, with the military facing sustained casualties as clashes persist in the border region.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that the security of the Hormuz Strait will not come free, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a post on social media platform X, Aref said that limiting Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others is unrealistic. He emphasized that the choice is clear: ensure a free oil market for all or face significant costs.

Aref further noted that global energy price stability depends on the permanent end of economic and military pressure on Iran and its allies. His comments come at a time of heightened tension surrounding the Hormuz Strait and worsening relations between the United States and Iran.

The statement underscores Iran’s position linking its oil export freedom to regional and global energy security, suggesting potential implications for international energy markets if tensions persist.