Israel Captures 900-Year-Old Castle in Deepest Lebanon Incursion in 26 Years
Israeli troops have pushed beyond the Litani river and seized the Crusader-era Beaufort fortress in their deepest invasion of Lebanon in over 25 years. Defence minister Israel Katz confirmed that troops will remain stationed in the 900-year-old castle, where the flags of Israel and the IDF’s Golani Brigade have been hoisted. The operation marks a significant escalation in the conflict with Iranian-backed Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.
On Friday morning, Israel issued a fresh evacuation warning for residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon. The Israel-Lebanon conflict, which began on 2 March when Hezbollah started firing rockets and drones across the border to support Iran, has become the broadest spillover of the Iran war. A ceasefire reached in mid-April has failed to hold, with both sides continuing to exchange fire.
US Strikes Iranian Air Defence Sites
US Central Command announced that American forces struck Iranian air defence sites, a ground control station, and shot down two one-way attack drones over the weekend. The strikes were described as a response to "aggressive Iranian actions", including the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone operating over international waters. No American service members were harmed in the operation.
Meanwhile, a cargo ship attempting to breach the US naval blockade of Iran was attacked by US forces. Centcom stated that the Lian Star ignored over 20 warnings before a missile struck its engine room, leaving the Gambia-flagged vessel stranded in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran Accuses Trump of Betraying Diplomacy
As Tehran awaits a response from US President Donald Trump to a proposed peace deal, a senior Iranian official accused him of "betraying diplomacy for the third time". Mohsen Rezaei pointed to the continuing naval blockade and what he called the president’s excessive demands in negotiations, blaming the White House for the failure to reach a peace agreement.
Iran’s deputy army commander for coordination, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, warned that any new attack on Iranian territory would trigger a stronger military response. "The enemy should know that any aggression against the country’s territory will be met with a response even more forceful than before," he said.
Kuwait Intercepts Missile and Drone Attacks
Kuwait’s air defences intercepted missile and drone attacks this morning as sirens sounded across the country, according to state news agency KUNA. The origin of the missiles and drones remains unclear.
Oil Prices Rise Amid Escalation
Oil prices rose more than 2 per cent in early trading following Israel’s order for troops to move further into Lebanon. US crude futures increased by $2.37 (2.71 per cent) to $89.73 a barrel, while Brent futures rose $2.16 (2.37 per cent) to $93.28 a barrel.
US Proposes Plan to Ease Israel-Lebanon Tensions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has proposed a plan for gradual de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon. The proposal includes Hezbollah stopping all attacks on Israel in return for Israel refraining from escalation in Beirut. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun attempted to advance the proposal, but parliament speaker Nabih Berri placed the burden on Israel to stop "shooting first".
Pentagon Pushes for Battlefield AI Amid Caution
The Trump administration is pushing to use artificial intelligence in the US military, but some leaders urge caution. Admiral Frank Bradley, head of US Special Operations Command, stressed that troops must be careful about AI’s employment in delivering lethality, emphasising human confidence in targeting decisions.
UK Special Relationship 'Meaningless' Without Defence Boost, Hegseth Warns
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Britain’s special relationship with the US is "meaningless" unless it matches US military capabilities. Speaking in Singapore, he said model allies will benefit from arms sales and intelligence, while freeloaders will be penalised. He praised countries like South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam for stepping up their military capabilities.
Iranian Commander Warns of More Forceful Retaliation
Iran has warned that any new attack on its territory will trigger a stronger military response. Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the armed forces are prepared to respond to further military action, as tensions remain high despite ongoing ceasefire discussions.
UK Foreign Minister Calls for End to Israeli Military Action in Lebanon
UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper called for an end to Israeli military escalation in Lebanon, stating that it has killed and displaced civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and eroded diplomatic space. She urged Hezbollah to end attacks on Israel and disarm, and called on all sides to respect the ceasefire and negotiate in good faith.
