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.
Trump threatens 50% tariffs on countries supplying Iran with weapons US President Donald Trump said countries supplying Iran with military equipment will face immediate 50 percent tariffs on all goods entering the United States. In a social media post, Trump said the measures would take effect immediately, with no exemptions. The threat comes hours after a two-week ceasefire was agreed with Tehran.
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.
Democrats push vote to halt US military action in Iran House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said his party will seek passage of a resolution to stop further US military action in Iran during Thursday’s session. In a letter to colleagues, he said Democrats would “unleash maximum pressure on Republicans” to back the measure. Although Congress is in recess, both chambers are holding brief sessions on Thursday.
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.
US resumes processing Afghan visas that will result in denials, says rights group Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 20:36 The Trump administration's ban on Afghans coming to the US remains in place An exterior view of the US Department of State headquarters in the Foggy Bottom neighbourhood of Washington, DC, on 15 April 2025 (Jim Watson/AFP) Off The Trump administration has resumed processing special immigrant visas (SIVs) for Afghans and their families who assisted the US government after pausing the effort last year, but the move is a ruse certain to result in blanket denials, the advocacy group #AfghanEvac said on Wednesday. "We are seeing Afghan applicants instructed to schedule visa interviews, travel across borders, and present themselves at US embassies, without being told that, under current policy, those applications are expected to be denied," Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, said in a statement on Wednesday. "This is not speculative.
Iran accuses US of ‘reneging’ on ceasefire terms over Lebanon Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States of backtracking on the terms of the ceasefire deal. In a post on social media, Baghaei shared a clip of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying Lebanon is not included in the two-week agreement. “If this isn’t yet another case of the US early reneging, then what is it?!
UN rights chief says Lebanon killings ‘nothing short of horrific’ UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said the scale of killing and destruction in Lebanon, where at least 254 people were killed in Israeli attacks, is “nothing short of horrific”. “Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief,” he said, warning it puts further strain on an already fragile situation. Turk stressed that international humanitarian law requires the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and that all attacks must adhere to principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
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 .
JD Vance to lead US delegation in Iran talks The White House said Vice President JD Vance will lead the US negotiating team in talks with Iran aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war on Iran. The delegation is expected to include special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The talks are set to begin on Friday in Islamabad.
White House says NATO ‘failed’ to back war on Iran White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said NATO allies have not done enough to support the US-Israeli war on Iran. Asked about efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, she said the alliance had been “tested and failed”, citing a past comment by Donald Trump. “NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks,” she added.
Iran says Lebanon must be included in ceasefire deal Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon must end as part of any ceasefire agreement with the US. In a post on X, he insisted this was already part of the understanding, contradicting Israeli statements. “The world sees the massacres in Lebanon,” he said.
Democrats and die-hard pro-Israel voices skewer Iran ceasefire, as Republicans back Trump Submitted by Sean Mathews on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 17:51 Republican lawmakers spun the fragile Iran ceasefire as a Trumpian victory, but pro-Israel voices and Democratic sceptics called it a defeat Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted an area in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, on 8 April 2026 (Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP) Off Republican lawmakers greeted news of a ceasefire for the US-Israeli war on Iran with polite applause and some scepticism, while their Democratic counterparts called it a monumental defeat for the US . “A diplomatic solution to end the reign of terror in Iran is the preferred outcome. The supposed negotiating document, in my view, has some troubling aspects, but time will tell,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump and early advocate for the war, wrote on X.
Netanyahu says ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Hezbollah Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any ceasefire with Iran will not extend to Hezbollah, adding that Israeli forces will continue their attacks on the group. “A ceasefire with Iran will not include Hezbollah. We are continuing to hit Hezbollah,” he said.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again after Israeli strikes on Lebanon Iran has again closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to state media. The move follows strikes that have killed at least 254 people and wounded 1,165. The closure comes less than 24 hours after Iran reportedly agreed to a ceasefire with the United States that had reopened the key shipping route.
Trump's 'Apocalypse Now' is a busted flush. Iran has proved it and China knows it Submitted by David Hearst on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 17:01 Two factors will now determine the fate of the ceasefire: what happens in Hormuz, and whether Israel continues pummelling Lebanon US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, DC, on 6 April 2026 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump has just given the world a masterclass in the art of dealmaking. You threaten armageddon one minute, and cave in to your enemy’s main demands the next.
Israeli strike kills Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza City An Israeli attack targeted a vehicle carrying Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Mohammed Wishah in Gaza City, killing him while he was driving on a main road. His death brings the number of Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023 to 262. Conditions in Gaza City are worsening amid ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
