Israel continues invasion of Lebanon as Gulf states report no strikes (VIDEOS/PHOTOS)

The Middle East is seeing a marked downturn in fighting, even as the US and Iran spar over the terms of their two-week ceasefire

There have been no reports from Gulf countries of any Iranian strikes on their infrastructure on Thursday after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. 

The sides, however, are still far from reaching a sustainable peace deal, with Iran demanding that Lebanon be included in the truce framework. Israel has meanwhile continued strikes inside the neighboring country, with the US and the Jewish State insisting that Lebanon was never part of the deal.

The continued Israeli military action – which West Jerusalem says is aimed against Hezbollah – triggered international backlash, with the UK, France, and several Middle East nations insisting that Lebanon be included in the truce. The demand was also backed by Pakistan, which acts as the key intermediary in the peace process.

Read more

US President Donald Trump has said that American forces “will remain in place in, and around, Iran” until Tehran fully complies with the ”real agreement.”

The exact outlines of the potential deal remain, but Iranian media shared a plan envisaging non-aggression, Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of uranium enrichment, stopping Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, and lifting all the sanctions. The US previously opposed many of the terms.

Trump has also once again lashed out against NATO over the perceived lack of support in the Iran war. According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington is considering pulling out its troops to ”punish” states that were most reluctant to participate.

Shipping traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz also remains limited and under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – which has published a map of ”designated routes” due to the risk of mines. 

Read more

Key developments:

• Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza killed at least three journalists on Wednesday, though West Jerusalem insisted that one of them was a “Hamas operative.”
• US Vice President J.D. Vance said he has seen three different ten-point demands from Iran, which have contributed to ”misunderstanding,” claiming that the first draft was ”probably written by ChatGPT” and went straight ”in the garbage.”
• Oil industry executives are pressing the White House to oppose Iran’s plan to charge tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Politico.

Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates. You can also read our previous updates here.