US-Iran war news Live: Tehran launches retaliatory strikes on US sites in Gulf, warns ‘if aggression is repeated, our…’

Israel for its part states that its military actions in Lebanon “are solely a consequence of the attacks, threat posed by, and hostile intent of non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah.”

“Termination of this threat,” notably through disarmament of such non-state groups and “additional security arrangements to be agreed upon between the two countries,” will eliminate any future necessity for IDF military action or presence in Lebanon, it said.

It also emphasised that “the Government of Israel declares that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.”

– AFP

Lebanon’s government under the deal reaffirmed its commitment to restoring full sovereignty over its territory. It will “rebuild the State’s monopoly on the use of force, achieve the complete and verified disarmament of all non-state armed groups, and ensure that such groups will have no military or security role and no armed capabilities anywhere in Lebanon.”

Lebanon sought the support of international and particularly Arab partners, under the leadership of the United States, to do this.

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC), a nonprofit lobbying group in the US, mentioned it is “dismayed and concerned” by the attack on the vessel in Hormuz and the US military’s response of strikes on Iran, reported Al Jazeera.

“The US and Iran have started a diplomatic process and should use diplomatic channels to raise disputes, not bombs,” NIAC wrote on social media.

“We urge all parties to utilize the executive mechanism envisioned in the memorandum to monitor implementation of the MoU. Any fraying of the accord risks unraveling the whole deal, returning the US and Iran to war.”

Hezbollah supporters took out a demonstration in Beirut against agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as a lawmaker from the Iran-backed group warned enforcing the deal risked sparking civil war, as per AFP.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that “Hezbollah supporters rode motorbikes through the streets of Beirut” including central areas and along a road leading to the airport “in protest at the framework agreement announced between Lebanon and Israel”.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has posted a grainy black-and-white video on social media in connection with its earlier claim that it carried out strikes on Iran.

The footage, labelled “unclassified,” appears to show explosions followed by plumes of smoke, although no specific target can be clearly identified.

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has mentioned that the UN hopes to see a “sustained” opening of the Strait of Hormuz, reported Al Jazeera.

“I think it’s important that everybody live up to what they’ve committed to in every agreement that is signed,” Dujarric told reporters in New York.

“And I think it is important that all parties involved keep their eyes on the greater good,” he added, comprising regional and global stability as well as the wellbeing of seafarers.

“Thousands and thousands of men and women …have been stuck on ships, who we all rely on to get the goods that we consume every day.”

US Vice President JD Vance said a communication channel had been established between Washington and Tehran to help manage tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, as per Al Jazeera.

However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rejected the claim, stating that no such communication line exists and that none would be established.

With both sides now engaged in military action, attention has shifted to efforts to prevent further escalation. The IRGC has warned that if similar attacks are carried out again, Iran’s response would be broader and more severe.

Ebrahim Azizi, Member of Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, meanwhile said that the US does not commit to ceasefire.

He took to X and said, “The US attacked Iran in the middle of negotiations once again. The failed U.S. President has shown he has no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire. This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part. The blame game does not work anymore.”

Tom Fletcher mentioned the UN has “six asks” as Lebanon continues to go through a “grave humanitarian crisis” amid months of Israeli military attacks.

They comprise a “sustained and extended de-escalation” and unhindered humanitarian access to those requiring assistance in the country, the United Nations humanitarian aid chief wrote in a social media post.

Fletcher also noted there must be “safe, voluntary and dignified returns” for Lebanese families who have been displaced by the war.

The US State Department released the text of the agreement that was finalised earlier in Washington, DC, reported Al Jazeera.

According to the second provision of the agreement, the governments of Israel and Lebanon “commit to a reciprocal, sequences process” under which the Lebanese military “will restore effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory”.

The agreement states that this process depends on “the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure, enabling the [Israeli army] to progressively redeploy out of the Lebanese territory”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (local time) announced a US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon focussed on ensuring “lasting peace and security”.

The deal calls for a ceasefire, contingent on Hezbollah ending all fire and withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh thanked the leaders for hosting the talks.

“This was a long and difficult meeting. We are grateful to the host and to the two delegations for their cooperation during these talks. This milestone was made possible through the leadership of President Aoun, the tenacity of Prime Minister Salam, the resilience of Ambassador Karam, and the patriotism of the Lebanese armed forces. Thank you all so much,” she said.

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter noted that they have advanced a historical and important process forward.

“Your excellencies, ambassadors, Mr. Secretary, I want to first express my appreciation to Secretary Rubio and his incredible team. Under his leadership, we’ve advanced President Trump’s vision of peace and security, of peace through strength. We’ve advanced a historical and important process forward. In my opening remarks four days ago, I expressed concern that this train was running off the tracks, that Iran and its proxies wanted a train wreck. Well, with a lot of hard work under your leadership, Dan, together with Secretary Rubio and his entire staff, indefatigable team, we’ve put the train back on the tracks and it’s running in the right direction,” he said.

— ANI

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on Saturday that they had launched attacks on US military sites in the Gulf region in retaliation for recent American airstrikes on Iranian territory, according to state television.

Earlier, the US military said it had carried out strikes against targets inside Iran after blaming Tehran for a drone attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“If the aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this,” the Guards said, as per a post by state TV on Telegram.

US Vice President JD Vance, who was previously regarded as cautious about American involvement in Iran but has since become a leading figure in the Trump administration’s handling of the conflict, stated that the United States has complied with the ceasefire agreement, formally referred to as a memorandum of understanding.

“Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence,” Vance said on X.