As the conflict in the Middle East enters its 72nd day, the international community remains focused on Tehran’s anticipated response to a US proposal aimed at de-escalating the ongoing war. Concurrently, Israel has intensified its military actions in Lebanon, with reports indicating at least 24 fatalities in a single day.
Intensified Strikes in Lebanon Amidst Ceasefire
Despite a ceasefire that came into effect last month, Israeli jets have targeted over 10 towns in southern Lebanon. Saturday’s attacks alone resulted in at least 24 deaths. This escalation occurs even as a fragile truce between Iran and the United States appears to be holding, notwithstanding occasional naval skirmishes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington Awaits Tehran’s Reply
Washington continues to await Tehran’s official response to its latest proposal for ending the US-Israel conflict with Iran. US President Donald Trump had expressed anticipation for a reply late on Friday, and later told French broadcaster LCI’s Margot Haddad that he expected Iran’s answer ‘very soon’.
Developments in Iran
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning on Saturday, stating it would target US sites in the Middle East and ‘enemy ships’ if Iranian tankers were attacked, according to Iranian media reports.
- The Football Federation of Iran announced its men’s national team would participate in the 2026 World Cup this summer but stipulated conditions for joint hosts the US, Mexico, and Canada.
- A spokesperson for Iran’s military cautioned that any nation enforcing US sanctions against Tehran would ‘definitely face difficulties passing through the Strait of Hormuz,’ as reported by the Tasnim News Agency.
War Diplomacy Efforts
- Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to mediating between the US and Iran, stating, ‘We will do all our efforts to succeed in the mediation, and we will continue to do so.’
- Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani engaged in discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Miami, focusing on ‘security across the Middle East.’ The Qatari Prime Minister also met US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, where they discussed ‘Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in a way that contributes to enhancing security and stability in the region,’ according to Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Moscow’s assistance in overseeing the transfer and storage of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Situation in the Gulf
- Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, expressed his country’s ‘full solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain and its support for all measures taken by the Bahraini security authorities’ in uncovering a cell linked to the IRGC and ‘espionage activities’.
- Bahrain reported on Saturday the arrest of 41 individuals allegedly affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The Ministry of Interior stated that investigations confirmed their contact with the IRGC and collection of funds ‘with the aim of sending them to Iran’ to support its ‘terrorist operations’.
Events in Israel
- The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deportation of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, two activists previously abducted from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.
- The Israeli military announced it intercepted a ‘suspicious aerial target’ detected in the operational area of its troops in southern Lebanon.
- Dozens of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to protest against Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon.
Reports from Lebanon
- Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group, claimed its fighters struck an Israeli D9 bulldozer in the Khallat Raj area of Deir Siryan in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
- Conversely, the Israeli military reported striking over 40 infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon over the weekend.
- European Union crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib urged for increased humanitarian access to southern Lebanon, highlighting that ‘Humanitarian aid is ready, but too often it cannot reach those who need it most,’ despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Strait of Hormuz Developments
- United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported on Sunday that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile while sailing 23 nautical miles (43km) northeast of Doha, Qatar.
- A Qatari tanker carrying liquefied natural gas successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz en route to Pakistan, marking the first such transit by a Qatari LNG vessel since the US and Israel initiated their conflict on February 28.
- The UK announced it would deploy a destroyer to the Middle East ahead of a potential international mission, led by Britain and France, to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This mission is emphasized as separate from the US war deployment in the region.
- The US military’s Central Command stated on Saturday that it has ‘disabled’ four ships and prevented 58 commercial vessels from entering or exiting Iranian ports since April 13.
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