Yashraj Sharma
Published On 13 Jun 2026
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on June 12, 2026 [AFP]
(06:30 GMT)
Iranian authorities have identified and seized the assets of 100 people in Isfahan province who have been accused of treachery for siding with the enemy, the country’s IRIB broadcaster reports.
The report said Isfahan’s chief justice ordered the action against people accused of supporting “the crimes of the enemies in Iran in various ways”.
(06:25 GMT)
Israel said its air force has intercepted a “suspicious aerial target that crossed from Lebanese territory into Israeli territory”.
Air raid sirens were earlier activated in northern Israel’s Metula and the Misgav regional council areas, according to the military.
(06:20 GMT)
The Israeli military has ordered residents of 20 Lebanese towns and villages to flee their homes.
The forced displacement orders apply to Deir al-Zahrani, al-Namirieh, al-Sharquieh, al-Dewayr, Harouf, Habboush, Kfarjoz, Zibdine (Nabatieh), Nabatieh al-Tahta, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Kfar Rouman, Al-Mahmoudieh, Sajed (Jezzine), Reihan, Aaramta, Kfarchouba, Mlki, Al-Lawiza (Jezzine), Jarjouh and Arab Salim.
Israel’s military ordered residents to leave their homes immediately and move “north of the Zahrani River”.
(06:15 GMT)
Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon
There has been continued Israeli activity over the past 24 hours, while talk of this deal reaches a fever pitch.
Over the course of Friday and into the evening, there were continued Israeli air attacks, and forced displacement orders issued for towns and villages that are well north of what the Israelis call the “Yellow Line”.
That’s the part of southern Lebanon that they have been seeking to control and to occupy.
But in the early hours of this morning, while we would sometimes see Israeli air raids – they’re operating under the cover of night, sometimes trying to soften up the ground in advance of a troop advancement – we haven’t seen that in the last couple of hours.
So that could be an indication that there is a slowdown.
But without any kind of official confirmation or anything on paper, people here are still waiting to see how this plays out.
The Lebanese government and people have been through this before.
And so, even though we’ve had interviews and statements from Iranian officials as senior as the foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, saying that Lebanon is included in this deal, that the memorandum of understanding stipulates not just a ceasefire but in fact an Israeli withdrawal, the Israelis have pushed back on that.
(06:10 GMT)
Israeli attacks at dawn have demolished homes and government buildings in southern Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil, the country’s National News Agency reports.
We will bring you updates as more information emerges.
(06:00 GMT)
Reporting from Washington, DC, United States
It is clear that the directions from the Trump administration to all departments have been to keep information close and to not reveal any of the details to outside sources until the deal is signed.
We won’t know the contents of that deal until it is signed, if it actually is signed.
There is no doubt that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having an economic impact in the US, not just in the rise of fuel prices but also in the rise in transport costs, which results in a rise in the price of products on supermarket shelves.
President Trump has denied this, saying the US doesn’t need the strait, as it is an oil-exporting nation.
But the facts on the ground here indicate that he’s incorrect.
Yet Trump does appear willing to get out of this conflict, the reason being economic but also political.
This war is deeply unpopular. Opinion polls show that over half of the population are deeply opposed to it.
Many observers believe that is why he keeps threatening Iran, and then going back to saying they are close to a deal.
He doesn’t want to go through with the threats because that would renew the conflict and make getting to that exit ramp, and being able to declare a victory, all the more difficult.
Published On 13 Jun 2026
- Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the war “has never been closer”, stressing also that media speculation about the deal should cease “pending its finalisation”.
- US President Donald Trump reposted the Iranian foreign minister’s statement on his Truth Social platform after earlier blasting Iran for alleged leaks to state media regarding details of the memorandum, calling the reports “fake news”.
- Shehbaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan, who has mediated talks between Tehran and Washington, said the “final, agreed-upon text of the peace deal has been reached”, adding that “next steps” still need to be finalised.
- Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued, killing at least 3,711 people and injuring 11,483 others since March, including two paramedics wounded on Friday.
(07:00 GMT)
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
Engulfed by a cloud of uncertainty and mistrust, Iran has decided to go through the trajectory of diplomacy, even as we hear that their fingers are on the triggers in case negotiations fail.
In Foreign Minister Araghchi’s interview with the state broadcaster, we heard him say the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war state, in terms of the management system for transiting through this geostrategically significant chokepoint.
He also talked about the US-imposed naval blockade, saying one of the conditions in this agreement is its removal, as well as a ceasefire across the region, particularly in Lebanon.
He said we are not going to leave Lebanon alone.
All in all, we know this is a positive indication.
But the road to diplomacy remains challenging.
(06:45 GMT)
Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil has said that Hezbollah has made “mistakes” since the 2006 war with Israel, but that the wrongdoings of any Lebanese factions does not justify siding with Israelis.
Bassil, who is the son-in-law of former President Michel Aoun and whose party represents the Maronite Christian community, stressed that Israel was the one waging war on Lebanon and destroying its economy, homes and social fabric.
He added that condemning Hezbollah’s actions does not mean ignoring the reality on the ground.
Divisions have been deepening in Lebanese society since President Joseph Aoun took the unprecedented decision of holding direct talks with Israel.
Earlier this month, after the fourth round of direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials, both sides agreed to implement a ceasefire that would require a “complete cessation” of fire by Hezbollah, yet the fighting continues.
The next round of talks between the two countries is expected on June 22, with a view towards reaching a comprehensive agreement.
‘Positive indication, but road to diplomacy still challenging’
By Tohid AsadiReporting from Tehran, Iran
Engulfed by a cloud of uncertainty and mistrust, Iran has decided to go through the trajectory of diplomacy, even as we hear that their fingers are on the triggers in case negotiations fail.
In Foreign Minister Araghchi’s interview with the state broadcaster, we heard him say the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war state, in terms of the management system for transiting through this geostrategically significant chokepoint.
He also talked about the US-imposed naval blockade, saying one of the conditions in this agreement is its removal, as well as a ceasefire across the region, particularly in Lebanon.
He said we are not going to leave Lebanon alone.
All in all, we know this is a positive indication.
But the road to diplomacy remains challenging.
(06:45 GMT)
Lebanese MP says Hezbollah’s ‘mistakes’ do not justify siding with Israel
Bassil, who is the son-in-law of former President Michel Aoun and whose party represents the Maronite Christian community, stressed that Israel was the one waging war on Lebanon and destroying its economy, homes and social fabric.
He added that condemning Hezbollah’s actions does not mean ignoring the reality on the ground.
Divisions have been deepening in Lebanese society since President Joseph Aoun took the unprecedented decision of holding direct talks with Israel.
Earlier this month, after the fourth round of direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials, both sides agreed to implement a ceasefire that would require a “complete cessation” of fire by Hezbollah, yet the fighting continues.
The next round of talks between the two countries is expected on June 22, with a view towards reaching a comprehensive agreement.
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on June 12, 2026 [AFP](06:30 GMT)
Iran seizes assets in crackdown on 100 alleged ‘traitors’
The report said Isfahan’s chief justice ordered the action against people accused of supporting “the crimes of the enemies in Iran in various ways”.
(06:25 GMT)
Israeli air force intercepts aerial target
Air raid sirens were earlier activated in northern Israel’s Metula and the Misgav regional council areas, according to the military.
(06:20 GMT)
Israel issues forced displacement orders for 20 Lebanese towns, villages
The forced displacement orders apply to Deir al-Zahrani, al-Namirieh, al-Sharquieh, al-Dewayr, Harouf, Habboush, Kfarjoz, Zibdine (Nabatieh), Nabatieh al-Tahta, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Kfar Rouman, Al-Mahmoudieh, Sajed (Jezzine), Reihan, Aaramta, Kfarchouba, Mlki, Al-Lawiza (Jezzine), Jarjouh and Arab Salim.
Israel’s military ordered residents to leave their homes immediately and move “north of the Zahrani River”.
(06:15 GMT)
Quiet start to morning in Lebanon suggests possible slowdown in Israeli attacks
By Heidi PettReporting from Beirut, Lebanon
There has been continued Israeli activity over the past 24 hours, while talk of this deal reaches a fever pitch.
Over the course of Friday and into the evening, there were continued Israeli air attacks, and forced displacement orders issued for towns and villages that are well north of what the Israelis call the “Yellow Line”.
That’s the part of southern Lebanon that they have been seeking to control and to occupy.
But in the early hours of this morning, while we would sometimes see Israeli air raids – they’re operating under the cover of night, sometimes trying to soften up the ground in advance of a troop advancement – we haven’t seen that in the last couple of hours.
So that could be an indication that there is a slowdown.
But without any kind of official confirmation or anything on paper, people here are still waiting to see how this plays out.
The Lebanese government and people have been through this before.
And so, even though we’ve had interviews and statements from Iranian officials as senior as the foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, saying that Lebanon is included in this deal, that the memorandum of understanding stipulates not just a ceasefire but in fact an Israeli withdrawal, the Israelis have pushed back on that.
(06:10 GMT)
Israeli attacks demolish homes, government buildings in south Lebanon
We will bring you updates as more information emerges.
(06:00 GMT)
Trump denies economic impact of the war, but it is having an effect
By Mike HannaReporting from Washington, DC, United States
It is clear that the directions from the Trump administration to all departments have been to keep information close and to not reveal any of the details to outside sources until the deal is signed.
We won’t know the contents of that deal until it is signed, if it actually is signed.
There is no doubt that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having an economic impact in the US, not just in the rise of fuel prices but also in the rise in transport costs, which results in a rise in the price of products on supermarket shelves.
President Trump has denied this, saying the US doesn’t need the strait, as it is an oil-exporting nation.
But the facts on the ground here indicate that he’s incorrect.
Yet Trump does appear willing to get out of this conflict, the reason being economic but also political.
This war is deeply unpopular. Opinion polls show that over half of the population are deeply opposed to it.
Many observers believe that is why he keeps threatening Iran, and then going back to saying they are close to a deal.
He doesn’t want to go through with the threats because that would renew the conflict and make getting to that exit ramp, and being able to declare a victory, all the more difficult.
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