Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his government is ready to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 300 people across Lebanon a day earlier. Netanyahu said the talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. The announcement came amid escalating violence that has endangered a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he was pursuing a diplomatic track viewed positively by international actors, while Lebanon’s cabinet ordered security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad rejected direct talks with Israel, insisting that a ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal must precede any negotiations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 303 deaths and over 1,000 injuries from Israeli strikes, prompting a national day of mourning.

The ongoing conflict, which began on March 2, has displaced more than 1.2 million people, according to the United Nations. Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while the US maintains Lebanon is not covered by the truce. Delegations from the US and Iran are expected to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss ending the war.

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared a “final victory” in the war with Israel and the United States, as a fragile ceasefire faces renewed strain from Israeli attacks on Lebanon. In a televised statement marking 40 days since the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike, Khamenei said Iran had “astonished the world” during the conflict. He emphasized that Tehran was not seeking war but defending its legitimate rights, vowing to punish those responsible for attacks on Iran and to seek compensation for damages and casualties.

The statement came a day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, aimed at opening negotiations following weeks of hostilities that disrupted Gulf shipping and nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz. Under the deal, Iran allowed shipping to resume through the strait, reportedly with plans to impose tolls to fund reconstruction.

However, Israeli air strikes in Lebanon that killed more than 300 people have cast doubt on the truce, as the parties dispute whether Lebanon was included in the agreement. Delegations from Iran and the US are expected to meet in Pakistan on Saturday for talks on ending the war.

Saudi Arabia has suspended operations at several energy facilities following recent attacks that targeted oil, gas, and electricity sites in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City, according to the Saudi Press Agency citing the Ministry of Energy. The attacks resulted in the death of one Saudi industrial security worker and injuries to seven others. The disruption has reduced the kingdom’s oil production capacity by about 600,000 barrels per day.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the attacks were part of a series of drone and missile strikes launched by Iran against Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. These assaults have occurred in response to the US and Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28. The Ministry of Energy warned that continued attacks could further reduce supply, slow recovery, and heighten volatility in global oil markets.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday amid uncertainty over a fragile Iran-US ceasefire and the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had blocked during the conflict. The truce remains uncertain due to ongoing hostilities involving Israel, Lebanon, and Iran.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG), and World Food Programme (WFP) issued a joint statement warning that the ongoing war in the Middle East poses a serious threat to global energy markets, food security, and economic growth. The statement, released on Wednesday, said the conflict has already caused one of the largest energy disruptions in modern history, driving up prices of oil, gas, and fertilizer, and disrupting transport systems. These effects are expected to worsen food insecurity and raise prices worldwide.

The organizations cautioned that the heaviest burden will fall on low-income, import-dependent countries with limited fiscal capacity to respond. Rising energy and food prices could further strain economies already struggling with debt, reducing governments’ ability to protect vulnerable households. The IMF, WBG, and WFP said they are closely monitoring the situation and will coordinate all available tools to support affected countries and communities.

The conflict escalated after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran. A two-week ceasefire agreement reached last Tuesday has brought some relief globally.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev described the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s strategic “nuclear weapon,” according to Anadolu. In a statement on social media platform X on Wednesday, he said that while it remains unclear how the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran will be implemented, Iran holds a powerful strategic element—the Strait of Hormuz—with immense potential.

Analysts clarified that Medvedev’s remark was metaphorical, not a reference to an actual nuclear weapon. The phrase highlights Iran’s geopolitical leverage and the strait’s critical role in global energy supply. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, has long been a focal point of Middle Eastern tensions.

The comment came as US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, noting that Tehran had presented a ten-point proposal for negotiations. The United States had been pressing Iran to reopen the strait following heightened tensions and reciprocal attacks involving Iran, the US, and Israel.

Israel reopened the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to Palestinian worshippers after a 40-day closure. Verified footage from Al Jazeera showed thousands of Palestinians entering the mosque gates early Thursday, with around three thousand attending the dawn prayer. The reopening followed a period of restrictions imposed after the outbreak of war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance on February 28, which had limited or halted access to holy sites for Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem confirmed that all mosque gates were reopened for worshippers from dawn. The Jordan-linked religious authority responsible for managing the site did not provide further details. Earlier footage showed volunteers cleaning and preparing the prayer areas to welcome worshippers.

Israeli authorities announced the reopening of both Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday evening, citing updated guidance from the Israeli Home Front Command. Hundreds of police and border guards were deployed across Jerusalem’s Old City to ensure visitor safety.

A report from Middle East Eye, cited by Amar Desh, details how Pakistan’s nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan secretly assisted Iran’s nuclear ambitions through an international proliferation network. Khan, known as the father of Pakistan’s atomic program, allegedly provided Iran, Libya, and North Korea with nuclear technology and centrifuge designs. His actions, conducted under the watch of Israeli intelligence, were intended to challenge Western dominance and empower Muslim nations with nuclear capability.

The report traces the origins of Pakistan’s nuclear program to the 1970s under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who viewed nuclear weapons as essential for national survival after India’s 1974 test. Despite U.S. sanctions and Israeli opposition, Pakistan developed its own bomb by 1998. Khan’s network later supplied Iran with thousands of used centrifuges and key components between 1986 and 2001, while Iranian scientists trained in Pakistan.

The network was exposed in 2003 when Libya disclosed its dealings with Khan to Western intelligence. Khan confessed in 2004 to aiding Iran, Libya, and North Korea, claiming he acted alone. His actions reshaped nuclear politics in the Muslim world and left Pakistan as the only Muslim-majority nuclear power.

Russia has strongly condemned Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon, warning that such actions could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. The statement was issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on April 9, 2026, expressing deep concern over the escalation.

According to the ministry’s statement, the strikes push Lebanon toward a humanitarian disaster and worsen the country’s already fragile social and economic conditions. The condemnation highlights Moscow’s position against military actions that could destabilize the region further.

The warning also reflects Russia’s concern that renewed violence could derail delicate negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which are aimed at easing regional tensions.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has informed officials from several member countries that U.S. President Donald Trump wants visible and specific commitments from the alliance within the next few days to help secure the Hormuz Strait. Two European diplomats told Reuters on Thursday that Rutte met Trump in Washington on Wednesday as tensions within NATO grew over the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

One of the diplomats said that Washington’s frustration and dissatisfaction are understood in Europe, but the United States did not consult its allies either before or after the war began. Trump wrote on Truth Social that none of the allies, including Americans, seemed particularly disappointed, adding that NATO understands nothing unless pressure is applied.

The report comes as regional tensions remain high, with Iran’s deputy foreign minister describing the coming hours as extremely critical and Iranian officials accusing Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Lebanon was a key component of the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between Iran and the United States. He made the remarks in response to Israel’s destructive attacks in Lebanon, warning that any violation of the ceasefire would bring severe consequences.

In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf emphasized that Lebanon and the entire 'Resistance Axis' are inseparable parts of the ceasefire. He further cautioned that any breach of the agreement would be met with a strong response and come at a high cost.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, underscores Iran’s position linking the stability of Lebanon to the broader ceasefire framework with the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday described Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon as a clear violation of the preliminary ceasefire agreement. In a post on social media platform X, he said Iran would never abandon its Lebanese brothers and sisters, calling the Israeli actions a sign of deceit and a dangerous indication of non-compliance with potential agreements.

Pezeshkian warned that continued Israeli operations would render ongoing discussions meaningless, emphasizing that Iran’s hand remains on the trigger. His remarks followed Israeli strikes carried out on Wednesday and Thursday in Lebanon, which he said undermined the fragile ceasefire framework.

The statement reflects Iran’s firm stance on supporting Lebanon and signals heightened regional tension following the alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement.

Pakistani officials have released a preliminary list of participants for a potential peace dialogue between the United States and Iran, aimed at easing ongoing tensions between the two nations. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Islamabad on Saturday, though details and the final list of attendees are still being finalized.

According to the initial outline, Pakistan may be represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and National Security Adviser and ISI Chief Asim Malik. The possible US delegation could include Vice President J.D. Vance, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper. Iran’s potential representatives are Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that if successful, the meeting could play a significant role in reducing US-Iran tensions, though the final framework of the talks remains uncertain.

Iran did not launch any attacks today, Thursday, against Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement that the country remained free from attacks. Military authorities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman also reported no missile or drone strikes, while Bahrain likewise confirmed no incidents originating from Iran.

The development follows a recent escalation that began after the United States and Israel carried out strikes inside Iran on February 28. In response, Iran had targeted U.S. bases in several Gulf states. However, a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States was announced yesterday, Wednesday, even as Israel continued its operations in Lebanon.

The absence of new attacks today suggests that the ceasefire may be holding across the Gulf region, though tensions remain high due to ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah targets wherever necessary, even after a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Israel. He stated that any group acting against Israeli civilians would be targeted and emphasized that operations would persist until full security is ensured for residents in northern Israel.

The announcement followed the Israeli Defense Forces’ claim of killing Ali Yusuf Harshi, nephew and secretary to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. Israel had earlier clarified that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon. In response, Iran condemned Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon, calling them a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement. Iranian officials, including the deputy foreign minister and the parliament speaker, warned that the situation remains highly tense.

The developments underscore escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, raising concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the potential for broader regional confrontation.

A recent analysis discusses several major conflicts where the United States faced strategic or moral setbacks despite its military strength. The report notes that after threatening Iran with total destruction, President Donald Trump eventually backed down, marking what is described as a moral defeat against Iran’s strategic resilience. The article further identifies Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam as key examples of U.S. military engagements that ended without achieving their intended political goals.

The Vietnam War (1955–1975) ended with the fall of Saigon and reunification under communist rule, despite U.S. military superiority. In Iraq (2003–2011), the U.S. quickly toppled Saddam Hussein but failed to ensure postwar stability, leading to prolonged unrest. The Afghanistan War (2001–2021) concluded with the Taliban’s return to power after two decades of conflict. Analysts cited inadequate presidential preparedness and overconfidence in military superiority as major causes of these failures.

The article concludes that these repeated misjudgments have left U.S. leaders with limited good options in future conflicts, particularly regarding Iran, which could define Trump’s presidency as one of difficult strategic choices.