Israel has intensified air and ground operations in southern Lebanon, with additional strikes reported on the town of Mayfadoun and the area of Nabatieh al‑Fawqa. The Israeli government has reiterated that it will not withdraw from the territories it currently occupies, amounting to roughly one‑fifth of the Lebanese border region.
This escalation comes as the United States and Iran negotiate an interim framework aimed at ending hostilities. The agreement, often referred to as the Memorandum of Understanding, has paved the way for renewed access by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Iranian facilities. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirmed that inspectors will resume their work following the suspension of restrictions imposed by Tehran.
Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organization paused its coast‑guard escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship reported a projectile strike near Oman. The incident has revived concerns over the durability of the new transit arrangements, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned ships to secure explicit permission before navigating the strait.
In Washington, former President Donald Trump announced that unfrozen Iranian assets would be deployed to purchase U.S. agricultural products, a plan that Iran has yet to corroborate.
Within Lebanon, two civilians were killed and one injured during an Israeli raid in Mayfadoun, according to the National News Agency. Despite the violence, a U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed that Lebanese and Israeli delegations will continue their negotiations on Friday.
On the global economic front, India has lifted its commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export restrictions that were imposed during the conflict, while Saudi Aramco has resumed oil loading operations at its Ras Tanura terminal after a nearly four‑month hiatus.
