TEHRAN -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that Iran is ready to continue the path of diplomacy if the U.S. "maximalist" approach stops, according to the official news agency IRNA.
Pezeshkian made the remarks in a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, while stressing that the U.S. "maritime piracy" against Iranian ships must be "explicitly" condemned and brought to an end. (Iran-US-Diplomacy)
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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel "may soon have to resume military action against Iran."
Speaking at a military ceremony, Katz said Israel supports negotiations between the United States and Iran on a possible agreement but may soon be required to renew strikes to ensure its security. (Israel-Iran-Military Action)
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BEIRUT -- At least 24 people were killed and several others wounded in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Thursday, according to Lebanese official sources.
Lebanon's Health Ministry said in a statement early in the day that in an initial toll, nine people, including two children and five women, were killed and 23 were wounded in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon. (Lebanon-Israeli Strikes-Casualties)
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ABU DHABI -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced Thursday evening a ban on its citizens traveling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, citing the "current developments" in the region.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry called on all UAE citizens currently in those countries to leave immediately and return to the UAE as soon as possible, to ensure their safety. (UAE-Travel-Ban) ■
