At least 22 people were killed and 12 others injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s Nabatieh district on Saturday, according to the country’s Civil Defense Agency. The agency reported that strikes continued from early morning, with rescue teams retrieving bodies and transporting the injured to hospitals. Ongoing bombardments have made rescue operations difficult.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry stated that since Israeli attacks began on March 2, more than 3,980 people have been killed and over 12,001 injured nationwide. The latest assault came just one day after a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Hezbollah, raising fears of renewed regional tension.

The continued violence following the ceasefire declaration has heightened concerns about instability in southern Lebanon and the broader region.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Islamabad and Tehran are entering a new era of prosperity, economic cooperation, and stronger bilateral relations. Speaking in parliament on Friday, he expressed optimism that recent ceasefire and peace efforts would improve the economic conditions of both Pakistan and Iran. His remarks followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan, which led to a notable drop in global oil prices.

Sharif stated that Pakistan has gained international recognition for its role in facilitating the peace agreement, describing it as a reflection of the country’s growing diplomatic stature. He also mentioned that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan over the phone for its support and invited him to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Sharif confirmed that a Pakistani delegation would participate in the ceremony.

The developments highlight Pakistan’s increasing diplomatic engagement in regional peacebuilding and its strengthening ties with Iran following the recent mediation success.

Iran’s armed forces announced on Friday that they continue to maintain maximum war readiness, with no change in their level of preparation. In a statement, the military said it remains fully alert despite a truce agreement signed with the United States aimed at ending hostilities.

The statement emphasized that Iran’s forces are prepared to defend the country’s security, sovereignty, and national interests if the memorandum of understanding with the United States is violated. It added that troops remain vigilant and ready to act on the supreme commander’s orders. The military also pledged to continue strengthening its capabilities.

According to the statement, Iran’s leadership believes that the steadfast resistance of its people and the sacrifices of its armed forces have compelled adversaries to respect the Iranian nation and to pursue ceasefire and reconciliation.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that Israel will soon be expelled from every inch of Lebanese territory. He made the statement on Friday during a Central Ashura Council event in Beirut. Qassem said that Israel’s ruling authorities had failed to shake Hezbollah’s determination and steadfastness, emphasizing that the group remains resilient despite all adversities and sanctions.

He added that Hezbollah does not fear death, describing it as an essential element of victory. Qassem stated that when attacked with weapons, Hezbollah responds in kind. He further asserted that every act rejecting occupation is a victory and reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to liberating Lebanese land from Israeli control.

According to Qassem, all Israeli efforts to eliminate the resistance have failed, and he expressed confidence that the people of Lebanon will ultimately drive out the occupying forces from all parts of the country.

A new Boeing 747-8 jet, gifted by Qatar to the United States last year, has been unveiled as the next Air Force One. The U.S. military completed extensive refurbishments on the aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million. During a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, President Donald Trump described the plane as a luxurious flying White House unlike anything seen before.

According to a U.S. Air Force press release, the aircraft will undergo initial commissioning flights before being used for presidential transport. The upgrades include enhanced security systems, specialized communication technology, logistical support, and advanced technical capabilities. The Air Force stated that all potential security risks from the previously used aircraft have been eliminated.

While the interior design remains largely unchanged, the exterior now features a striking new red, white, blue, and gold color scheme, reflecting a modernized presidential aesthetic.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that Israel has been killing an average of one Palestinian child per day in Gaza since a declared ceasefire in October 2025. UNICEF described the ceasefire as a “cruel and deadly illusion,” noting that Israeli attacks have continued in the blockaded enclave. The agency said at least 265 Palestinian children have been killed since the ceasefire began.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told journalists in Geneva that the ongoing deaths expose the emptiness of the ceasefire, which has failed to protect children from Israeli shelling. He cited recent incidents where children were killed in their homes, schools, and public spaces, including while playing football or fishing. Elder also warned that hundreds of injured children urgently need medical evacuation, but Israeli restrictions on essential medicines are worsening infections and complications.

Elder urged governments and international organizations to act, saying that as long as children continue to die, no ceasefire can be considered meaningful.

Iran announced that it will not collect tolls from ships using the Strait of Hormuz for the next 60 days. The decision allows vessels applying to use the waterway to travel free of charge during this period. The Persian Gulf Waterway Authority has been instructed to process applications quickly and on a priority basis to implement the goals of a memorandum of understanding.

Tehran described the move as part of a broader assertion of control over the strategic strait, calling it a historic victory against the United States. Iran also rejected a European plan to deploy a naval mission to guard ships in the area. The announcement followed the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Iran, after which oil tankers began moving freely through the vital maritime route.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that, due to special circumstances and existing security risks, ships must follow designated routes and schedules set by authorities. The council said this approach would help gradually restore normal maritime operations.

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold their fifth round of talks in Washington, D.C., from June 23 to 25, 2026, aimed at reaching an agreement to end ongoing hostilities. The United States is mediating the discussions, which began in April and have so far failed to produce a ceasefire. Previous rounds were also hosted in Washington.

According to the US State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the upcoming meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in a phone call. Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the planned meeting would allow both sovereign governments to work toward a lasting peace. The talks are part of broader diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.

The renewed dialogue underscores Washington’s continued involvement in regional peace initiatives, though it remains uncertain whether the fifth round will yield a breakthrough agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff are traveling to Switzerland to attend the first round of peace talks under the terms of a recently signed memorandum between Tehran and Washington. The discussions are set to take place at the Bürgenstock resort, following the signing of the memorandum by Presidents Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian. US Vice President JD Vance was initially scheduled to join but postponed his trip at the last moment.

The talks come after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon, easing tensions that had threatened to derail the Iran–US agreement. According to US and Qatari mediators, the truce was reached with Iran’s assistance. Reports indicate that Witkoff’s visit aims to begin preliminary discussions on a potential nuclear deal with Iran.

Analysts cited in the source noted that Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon had complicated the diplomatic process. The ceasefire, confirmed by multiple officials, has removed a key obstacle to advancing broader peace efforts in the Middle East.

Iranian spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran is in no hurry to meet US representatives in Switzerland. He explained that a memorandum of understanding to end the war has already been signed electronically, reducing the need for an immediate meeting. Baghaei added that Iran plans to hold a meeting in the coming days.

According to a report by US media outlet Axios, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is planning a visit to Switzerland for discussions, though the trip remains subject to change. The report also mentioned that US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Switzerland for a round of talks.

The statements and reports indicate that while both sides are preparing for further diplomatic engagement, neither appears to be rushing into direct meetings following the electronic signing of the peace memorandum.

A train collision in Bedford, United Kingdom, on Friday afternoon resulted in the death of a train driver and injuries to 89 passengers. Among the injured, 11 are in critical condition, 22 sustained serious injuries, and 56 suffered minor wounds. The crash occurred between two southbound East Midlands Railway trains heading toward London St Pancras. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

East Midlands Railway confirmed that the trains involved were the 4:40 p.m. service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3:50 p.m. service from Nottingham to the same destination. British Transport Police declared the collision a “major incident.” The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) stated that the deceased driver was a former union representative, and its general secretary expressed condolences to his family and colleagues.

Following the accident, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the event as “deeply concerning” and offered condolences. Train services to and from London St Pancras on East Midlands Railway have been temporarily suspended while the investigation continues.

The United Arab Emirates will suspend Indian passport, visa, and attestation services for five days from June 26 to June 30, 2026. The temporary halt is due to a change in the outsourced service provider responsible for handling these consular functions. During this period, regular appointments and new applications will not be accepted. Indian citizens in the UAE will still be able to access emergency services directly through the consulate or embassy.

According to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the current service providers, BLS International and SGIVS Global, will stop accepting new applications after June 25. From July 1, 2026, Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC will take over as the new outsourced provider for passport, visa, and attestation services across the UAE.

The transition aims to ensure continuity of consular services for the large Indian community in the UAE once the new provider begins operations in July.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has said the current situation in the United States is worse than it was before the start of the Iran war. In an interview with NBC News ahead of the inauguration of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Friday, he expressed concern over the heavy costs of the conflict, including billions of dollars spent, pressure on the military, and loss of lives, while achieving no tangible results.

Obama criticized the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, arguing that it allowed Iran to expand its nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance claimed that the peace plan has weakened Iran’s conventional military power and reduced fuel prices, though his postponed trip to Switzerland has created uncertainty over new talks. Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran’s red lines must be respected in any future negotiations.

Oil transport disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have raised global market concerns, with ExxonMobil’s senior vice president Neil Chapman warning that prices could rise to $150–160 per barrel if strategic reserves fall critically low.

At least 47 people were killed and 97 others injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attacks took place from midnight until Friday afternoon, with the deadliest strike reported in the Harouf area, where nine people, including three women, were killed and 14 others wounded.

Additional casualties were reported in several other areas. Six people, including a woman and a child, were killed in Al-Duweire, seven in Habboush, and three, including a child, in Arab Salim. Three more deaths occurred near Baalbek in Tal Abyad. Other affected locations included Al-Sharkiyah, Kfarsir, Al-Qatrani, Nabatieh, Deir Al-Zahrani, Kfar Roummane, Kfar Jawz, Jebchit, Kakaiyat Al-Jisr, Adshit, Al-Raihan, Abba, Al-Abbasiya, and Ain Bourday.

The Health Ministry further reported that since Israeli attacks began on March 2, a total of 3,980 people have been killed and 12,001 injured across Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has condemned recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley, describing them as a dangerous and deplorable escalation. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Aoun said the attacks are severely undermining ongoing peace efforts and ceasefire initiatives. He noted that the strikes have caused civilian casualties, including women and children, and have intensified destruction across affected areas.

Aoun emphasized that the escalation complicates the situation further, particularly following recent developments involving the United States and Iran. Despite the violence, he affirmed that Lebanon remains committed to pursuing peace and will continue working toward a comprehensive ceasefire. The president also stated that Lebanon’s negotiating team, set to participate in upcoming talks in Washington, has been instructed to strongly advocate for a full ceasefire.

The remarks highlight Lebanon’s concern that continued Israeli military actions could derail fragile diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region.