A U.S. military fighter jet crashed in Washington state on Saturday afternoon, according to local officials. The incident occurred in Yakima County, where the aircraft went down in a mountainous area and caught fire after impact. The crash site was near Rimrock Lake, and the aircraft involved was identified as an F/A-18 Hornet.

A statement from Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the Third Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed that the jet, belonging to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, was conducting a routine training mission when it crashed around 12 p.m. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was later rescued by local sheriff’s deputies.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the crash or the extent of any damage in the surrounding area, and an investigation is expected to follow.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump next Wednesday on the sidelines of the upcoming G7 summit in France, according to the White House. The meeting comes as Trump is expected to discuss with allied nations a plan to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route.

According to U.S. media reports, the United Kingdom and France have expressed willingness to help secure the strait if current hostilities subside. Trump recently claimed that a “great agreement” had been reached with Iran, which could end ongoing tensions once signed. He also announced that U.S. Vice President JD Vance may represent the United States in Europe during the discussions.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20 percent of global oil trade, and disruptions have driven up crude prices. While many countries have passed higher energy costs to consumers, India has maintained stable domestic fuel prices, remaining the only major economy not to raise prices during the first 76 days of the crisis.

Israeli officials have stated that the issue of withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon is not currently on the negotiation table, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Israeli attacks in Lebanon are continuing, and officials indicated that any future withdrawal would only be considered under specific conditions following an agreement with Beirut.

The statement comes amid uncertainty surrounding a proposed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. The memorandum, expected to be signed virtually on Sunday, reportedly includes discussions related to Iran’s nuclear program, though disagreements remain over its content and timing.

The ongoing military operations and diplomatic uncertainty highlight the complex regional dynamics involving Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and the United States, with no immediate indication of de-escalation.

Lebanon is gripped by growing fear of a large-scale Israeli attack as the United States and Iran approach a possible agreement. Authorities in Beirut worry that Israel could repeat past deadly strikes under the cover of the new diplomatic developments. During a previous US-Iran ceasefire deal, Israel had excluded Lebanon from the arrangement and launched simultaneous air raids on more than 100 sites within ten minutes, killing over 350 people.

The current situation mirrors those earlier tensions. Israel has reportedly maintained its stance that it is not part of any US-Iran deal and will not withdraw its forces from Lebanon. On the ground, Israeli troops have advanced near the southern city of Nabatieh, taking control of key high points around it. Lebanese government forces have been seen retreating from several positions in the area.

The prevailing fear inside Lebanon is that Israel may launch a major provocation or a final military push to seize more territory before any ceasefire is imposed.

The United States and Iran are set to sign a memorandum of understanding virtually on Sunday to end the ongoing war. The electronic signing, attended by mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, is expected to help restore regional stability and bring balance to the global energy market. The agreement will extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and initiate formal discussions on Iran’s nuclear program.

The deal follows nearly three months of negotiations mediated by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. U.S. Vice President JD Vance is leading the American delegation, with the virtual format chosen to allow him to return to the U.S. before President Donald Trump’s trip to France. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed preparations for the electronic signing and said technical-level talks would begin next week.

President Trump stated that the Hormuz Strait would reopen immediately after the signing and warned that if the agreement is not implemented smoothly, he may resort to military action. The upcoming G7 summit in France will also feature discussions on the deal and post-war regional arrangements.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reportedly compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to South Africa’s former apartheid regime during a private discussion, according to a report by Euractiv cited by Middle East Eye. The remarks were said to have been made between May 20 and 22 during her visit to Mexico as part of a high-level EU delegation. The report noted that her private comments contrasted with her public stance on the issue.

Officials and diplomats present at the meeting said Kallas referred to her previous visit to South Africa and her experience at the Apartheid Museum. She drew parallels between Israel’s control over Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and the racial segregation system that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s.

The report added that such comparisons are not new, as the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and several human rights organizations, researchers, and legal experts have previously described Israel’s dominance over Palestinians as a form of apartheid. Ireland and Spain have also made similar statements in the past regarding Israel’s actions in the occupied territories.

US President Donald Trump has shared a social media post by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing optimism about a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran. On Saturday, Trump reposted Sharif’s message on his Truth Social platform, where Sharif stated that the US-Iran talks had reached a final stage and that prospects for progress were stronger than ever.

Sharif claimed that Pakistan had acted as a mediator during the early April conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, helping to establish a ceasefire. He added that preparations were underway for the electronic signing of the agreement once finalized. Technical-level meetings are expected to begin next week to discuss implementation and related matters.

Sharif thanked both the United States and Iran for their engagement in the discussions, saying the potential accord could strengthen regional stability and cooperation. He described the anticipated peace deal as a foundation for lasting peace.

Separate demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine took place in Paris and New York, according to Anadolu. In Paris, hundreds gathered at a rally organized by the pro-Palestinian group Europalestine, calling for an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and for the protection of Palestinian rights. Participants carried Palestinian flags and banners urging the international community to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

In New York City’s Times Square, Moroccan football supporters assembled to express solidarity with the people of Gaza. They waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans, emphasizing that despite their different sporting identities, they stood with Palestinians on humanitarian grounds. Demonstrators in both cities urged international organizations to ensure civilian protection in Gaza and to open routes for humanitarian aid.

They also called on world leaders to take swift and effective action to address the crisis and support the rights of the Palestinian people.

Hundreds of people gathered in Stockholm on Saturday to protest Israeli military operations in Palestinian and Lebanese territories. The demonstration, organized by various civil society groups at Odenplan Square, condemned Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon. Protesters carried banners reading messages such as “Stop bombing schools and hospitals” and “End the food crisis.” They demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and urged the Swedish government to stop selling arms to Israel.

Among the participants were Iranian-origin demonstrators who also voiced opposition to the policies of the United States and Israel. Azerbaijani-born Swedish human rights activist Aydin Amir Hashimi told Anadolu that Israel’s actions were enabled by Western political, moral, and legal support. He alleged that pro-Palestinian movements were being suppressed in the European Union and the United States.

Hashimi further claimed that in some U.S. states, criticism or calls for boycotts of Israel had become punishable offenses. He pledged that such restrictions would not be allowed in Sweden and vowed continued solidarity with Palestinians despite threats and workplace pressure.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has accused Israeli forces of shifting the so-called 'Yellow Line' further inside Gaza City, describing it as part of a broader plan to expand Israel’s controlled areas in Gaza. According to the organization, the boundary was moved in the Tuffah neighborhood, forcing many Palestinian families to leave their homes.

In a statement, PCHR said Israeli forces are intensifying the destruction of remaining houses and residential blocks in the Gaza Strip while simultaneously expanding their military control. The 'Yellow Line' refers to an informal boundary marking areas under Israeli control inside Gaza. Although not officially demarcated, reports have indicated that Israeli forces have fired at Palestinians accused of crossing it.

PCHR claimed that Israel now controls more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip. The report noted that Israeli authorities have not yet issued any immediate comment on the allegation.

Qatar and Kuwait have welcomed the progress made in the ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran. The foreign ministers of both Gulf nations expressed hope that Washington and Tehran would soon reach an agreement. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani discussed the recent developments in the talks with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a phone conversation.

According to a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both leaders voiced support for the progress achieved in the negotiations and expressed optimism about a forthcoming understanding between the two sides. The statement added that both parties reaffirmed their full backing for the ongoing efforts to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means.

The joint stance of these two influential Gulf countries signals growing regional diplomatic support for a potential United States-Iran agreement, highlighting the broader Middle Eastern interest in a peaceful resolution of disputes.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistani officials said a preliminary peace agreement to end the ongoing Middle East war could be signed on Sunday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stated that both sides had agreed on a framework and were preparing for an electronic signing, followed by technical-level discussions next week. Trump posted on social media that the deal with Iran would be signed Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen for all after the signing, alleging Iran had restricted navigation there.

Tehran, however, adopted a cautious stance. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei urged restraint in commenting on the signing date, saying it would not occur on Sunday but could happen within days. He noted that uncertainty from the other side required Iran to remain careful about the process.

The differing statements highlight optimism from Washington and Islamabad about a swift agreement, while Tehran remains reserved about the timeline and its commitments.

Pakistan’s foreign minister has welcomed the ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran. During a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, he expressed a positive stance on the diplomatic engagement.

According to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both ministers exchanged views on the US–Iran talks and expressed hope that the initiative would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. The statement added that the Saudi foreign minister praised Pakistan’s consistent role in supporting mediation and diplomatic efforts throughout the process.

Observers view this development as another indication of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s shared support for diplomatic solutions across the region.

Israeli political circles are increasingly concerned about a possible memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The report, citing Middle East Eye, said Israeli officials fear that such an agreement could reduce Washington’s ability to exert pressure on Tehran. One major concern is that the deal might make it harder to enforce demands for Iran to remove or significantly reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium.

An Israeli source told Haaretz that Israel had limited influence during the negotiation and decision-making process, suggesting that Tel Aviv’s role in shaping the final terms was smaller than expected. The source added that it remains unclear how far the potential agreement would align with Israel’s broader strategic goals, particularly regarding restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its ties with Hezbollah.

The report concluded that despite the growing likelihood of a US-Iran understanding, Israel’s concerns over its security and regional strategic interests have not been fully alleviated.

Tensions escalated in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces carried out multiple air and drone strikes across several areas. Al Jazeera correspondents reported attacks in Al-Majadel and Al-Kawthariyah near the city of Saida. Lebanon’s state news agency said Israeli forces bombed Belt in Marjayoun district, while airstrikes also hit Khirbet Selam, Bayt al-Sayyad, Shahur, Burj Qalaouiya, and Zariyeh.

Hezbollah claimed it fired a missile at an Israeli Hermes 450 drone flying over the Iqlim al-Tuffah region. The group also said it targeted Israeli military vehicles in Jdeidet Meis al-Jabal and struck a command center near Yohmor al-Shaqif using a “diving drone.” The Israeli military did not immediately comment on these claims, and independent verification of the reported attacks was not yet possible.

The recent wave of strikes has further heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were available at the time of reporting.