UK Foreign Minister says Israeli assault on Lebanon 'deeply damaging' British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described Israel's attacks across Lebanon on Wednesday as "deeply damaging", stressing a need for resolution to hostilities in the region. "We want to see Lebanon included in the ceasefire... We want it extended to cover Lebanon, because otherwise that will destabilise the whole region," Cooper told Times Radio.
UK says Lebanon must be included in ceasefire deal British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the US-Iran ceasefire must include Lebanon, where Israel killed at least 254 people on Wednesday. Cooper also said Iran must cease all mining, drone attacks, and other attempts to block commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz immediately, adding that it is vital that the proposed talks lead to a full end to the conflict.
Israel renews attacks on southern Lebanon Israel is launching air strikes on southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reports. This follows a series of Israeli attacks across the country, in what news reports have described as the deadliest wave of strikes on the country since the war on Iran began.
Trump threatens Iran with 'bigger and better' attacks if no deal reached US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that American military will remain deployed near Iran until a "real agreement" is reached. "All U. S.
UN chief says Israeli attacks on Lebanon pose 'grave risk' to truce efforts The United Nations secretary-general warned that Israel's ongoing assault on Lebanon "poses a grave risk" to the US-Iran ceasefire deal, his spokesperson said in a statement. "The ongoing military activity in Lebanon poses a grave risk to the ceasefire and the efforts toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. The Secretary-General reiterates his call to all parties to immediately cease hostilities," UN chief Antonio Guterres's spokesman said.
Al-Aqsa reopens after Israel's closure since start of war on Iran Muslim worshippers are now able to enter Al-Aqsa mosque, following Israel's lifting of its weeks-long restrictions on the holy site. Israeli authorities barred Muslim Palestinians from accessing the area in occupied East Jerusalem since 28 February, marking a total closure of one of Islam’s holiest sites not seen since the start of the occupation in 1967. No exceptions have been made for Muslims, even during Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, or the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
US and Iran may have to talk 'as guns are firing' The US was racing to salvage a ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday that appeared to collapse as a result of deadly Israeli attacks on Lebanon and an unclaimed strike on an energy facility on Iran’s Lavan Island. The mismatch between the White House’s statements and developments on the ground in the Middle East summed up much of the day. In effect, the Trump administration and Iran appeared to be working through what they had agreed to under Pakistani mediation on Tuesday in real time, with comments to reporters and social media posts.
JD Vance says US 'never made that promise' on Lebanon ceasefire US Vice President JD Vance indicated that Washington never gave Iran assurances that the ceasefire would include Lebanon, adding that he believes there was a "legitimate misunderstanding". This comes following heavy Israeli strikes across Lebanon, killing over 250 people and injuring more than 1160 others. “We never made that promise.
Syria condemns Israeli assault on Lebanon Syria’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it condemns Israeli aggression against "sisterly" Lebanon, calling for an immediate ceasefire. In a post on X, the ministry stressed that Israel's wave of attacks are a "clear violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the UN Charter". It also called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities in confronting Israeli violations".
Hezbollah claims attacks on Israel in response to 'ceasefire violations' Hezbollah said it fired rockets toward northern Israel in response to "ceasefire violations" committed by the Israeli army. On Wednesday, Israel launched a large-scale campaign across Lebanon, killing over 250 people as a result. The Israeli attacks came hours after a ceasefire between Iran and the US was agreed.
Iran announces alternative routes to Hormuz Strait, local media reports Iran has announced alternative routes for vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz due to the risk of sea mines. "All ships intending to transit the Strait of Hormuz are hereby notified that in order to comply with the principles of maritime safety and to be protected from possible collisions with sea mines... they should take alternative routes for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz," Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement quoted by local media.
Sirens sound in Israel after launch detected from Lebanon Alarms blared in northern Israel after a launch was detected from Lebanon, Israeli media report. This came after the Israeli military carried out several simultaneous strikes across the country without warning, with the capital Beirut hit by the most violent bombardment since the start of the current war. The attack came despite a deal for a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Hezbollah's ally.
Lebanon ceasefire 'will continue to be discussed', US Press Secretary says White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Lebanon "will continue to be discussed" between US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and all other parties involved. Since the United States and Iran announced a temporary ceasefire, conflicting accounts have emerged over whether Lebanon is included in the de-escalation agreement. Pakistan, which mediated the deal, said the two-week pause in fighting would extend to Lebanon.
Israel launches fresh assault on Lebanon Israel has launched strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs at dawn on Thursday, Al Jazeera reports. The latest attacks follow a massive wave of Israeli attacks across Lebanon, killing at least 254 people, just hours after a ceasefire between Iran and the US was agreed.
Iran vows to ‘punish’ Israel over Lebanon strikes and ceasefire breach A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Tehran will “punish Israel” over what it described as violations of the ceasefire and attacks in Lebanon. “The ceasefire includes the region, and Israel is known for breaking promises and will only be deterred by bullets,” the official said. Separately, Fars news agency, citing a military source, reported that Iran is preparing a response to the alleged breaches.
Seven-year-old killed by drone debris in southwest Iran A seven-year-old girl has been killed by debris from a drone shot down by Iranian air defences, according to Iranian media. The drone was intercepted at around 20:00 local time (16:00 GMT) in Shushtar, Khuzestan province, the province’s deputy security official said. Six members of the girl’s family were also reported injured.
Iran says US must choose between ceasefire and continued war Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US must choose between a ceasefire or continuing the war through Israel. “The conditions for a ceasefire between Iran and the United States are clear and explicit,” he wrote on Telegram. “America must choose either a ceasefire or the continuation of war through Israel; both cannot coexist.
'Ceasefire not holding': US and Iran may have to talk 'as guns are firing' Submitted by Sean Mathews on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 22:00 US raced to shore up a shaky agreement with the Islamic Republic, jeopardised by Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iranian strikes on Gulf US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media before boarding Air Force Two to return to Washington, DC, at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, on 8 April 2026 (Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP) Off The US was racing to salvage a ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday that appeared to collapse as a result of deadly Israeli attacks on Lebanon and an unclaimed strike on an energy facility on Iran’s Lavan Island. Adding to the complications, some Arab Gulf states appear to resent the two-week ceasefire deal, which Iran said would ensure its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched dozens of missiles and drones at the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Israeli strikes hit multiple areas in southern Lebanon Israeli air strikes have targeted the areas of Beit Yahoun, al-Jumaijmah and Majdal Selm in southern Lebanon, according to reports from the ground.
JD Vance to lead Iran ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan, White House says Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:45 Iran has also indicated a willingness to give the US its highly enriched uranium, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions from the media during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on 8 April 2026 (Evan Vucci/Reuters) Off The US vice president, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight regarding the war on Iran , will lead on Friday a team headed to Islamabad, Pakistan , to discuss next steps in ceasefire negotiations, the White House announced on Wednesday. JD Vance will engage in meetings there starting on Saturday, alongside President Donald Trump's special envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Kushner has no official role in the US administration, and both he and Witkoff have come under scrutiny for their handling of the nuclear negotiations with Iran in February, just before the US launched its attacks on the Islamic Republic in conjunction with Israel .
