Morning update
Good morning Middle East Eye readers,
The push for a US-Iran agreement remains alive but uncertain, with both sides signalling progress while acknowledging that major differences remain. Donald Trump says Washington is “close to a very good agreement”, but reports indicate he has requested changes to the proposed framework.
Fighting in Lebanon is intensifying, with Israeli forces expanding operations north of the Litani River and Hezbollah increasing attacks on Israeli positions.
Here are the latest developments:
Trump says the US is “close to a very good agreement” with Iran, but a final deal has not yet been reached
Reports say Trump has sent revised terms to Tehran and is seeking changes to the proposed agreement
Iran says key issues remain unresolved and insists negotiations are not yet complete
Draft proposals reportedly include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing some sanctions in exchange for broader commitments
Israeli forces say they have crossed the Litani River as part of an expanded offensive in southern Lebanon
Israel claims control of the strategic Beaufort Castle area in southern Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accuses Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” and says it will not bring security
Hezbollah says it carried out 24 attacks on Israeli troops and military sites, while Israeli media reports growing disruption in northern Israel
Israeli air strikes continue across southern Lebanon and around Nabatieh as ground operations expand
The IRGC says it shot down a US drone it described as conducting a “hostile operation”
US officials report soldiers were injured during an earlier Iranian missile attack in Kuwait
Congress is considering measures to expand US-Israel military integration as regional tensions remain high