Key development: Israel just deployed ground troops and expanded its combat zone in southern Lebanon to include everything south of the Zahrani River, the biggest escalation since the April ceasefire fell apart.
Military Operations
(Update) Israel declared a new combat zone in southern Lebanon and ordered everyone south of the Zahrani River to evacuate. This is the first time they’ve formally expanded the war zone since the ceasefire collapsed. (France24)
Context: Israeli officials are trying to pressure Hezbollah while avoiding major operations in Beirut that could mess up the US-Iran talks happening in Doha. The strikes are intensifying despite the April ceasefire that’s now basically dead.
Sources: France24
(Update) Israel told everyone in Tyre to leave before fresh strikes—that’s more than 100,000 people. The evacuation order for a city this size shows they’re planning something big. (France24)
Context: Tyre is one of Lebanon’s major coastal cities. Israel has been issuing evacuation orders for smaller villages, but ordering out an entire city of this size represents a major escalation in the scope of operations.
Sources: France24
(Update) Israel deployed “significant ground forces” into southern Lebanon and now controls what Netanyahu calls “strategic areas.” This is beyond just air strikes—it’s a full ground operation. (France24) [UNCONFIRMED]
Context: Netanyahu announced the troop deployment and said forces have taken control of strategic areas, though he didn’t specify locations. This follows escalating strikes on villages and cities across the south, with at least 16 people killed in the latest attacks.
Sources: France24
(Update) The US hit an Iranian ground control station, and Iran fired back at a US base in the most serious clashes since the ceasefire. This is the first direct exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces since April. (France24, Euronews)
Context: The US struck a control station in southern Iran on Thursday. Iran retaliated by targeting a US base. Meanwhile, Iran officially accused the US of violating the ceasefire with earlier strikes near the Strait of Hormuz that Washington says were defensive hits on missile sites and vessels laying mines.
Netanyahu ordered Israeli troops to occupy 70 percent of Gaza, ignoring the ceasefire terms. Israeli forces already control about two-thirds of Gaza and keep pushing the boundary markers. (France24)
Context: This directly violates the US-backed ceasefire agreement. The move shows Netanyahu is willing to defy Washington’s terms even as the US tries to broker a broader regional deal with Iran in Doha.
Sources: France24
US Policy
(Update) Trump threatened to bomb Oman, a US ally, over the Hormuz situation. Yeah, he’s threatening to attack an American ally. (Al Jazeera)
Context: This is a wild escalation. Oman has historically been a neutral mediator in the Gulf region. Trump’s threat comes as tensions rise over Iran’s effective closure of the Strait to commercial shipping, which triggered a global oil shock.
Sources: Al Jazeera
(Update) Trump said “nobody” will control the Strait of Hormuz under a future Iran deal, but the US will “watch over” it. That’s the first concrete detail he’s given about what settlement terms might look like. (France24)
Context: Tehran closed the Strait to commercial shipping in response to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which caused a global oil shock. Trump’s statement suggests the US is negotiating some kind of international arrangement for the waterway, though Iran currently controls it and collects tolls from ships.
Sources: France24
(Update) The Treasury threatened Oman with sanctions for helping Iran collect tolls in the Strait. First Trump threatens to bomb them, now Treasury is threatening sanctions. (Al Jazeera)
Context: A US official said Oman should know Washington “will aggressively target” anyone facilitating the toll collection in the Strait of Hormuz. This represents a concrete escalation in how the US is responding to Iran’s fees on ships passing through the waterway.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Diplomacy
Trump’s attempts to broker an Iran deal are reportedly being met with “laughter and silence” by Gulf allies. Not exactly a vote of confidence. (France24) [UNCONFIRMED]
Context: According to a press review, US allies in the Gulf region are not taking Trump’s diplomatic efforts seriously. This comes as negotiations continue in Doha while military operations escalate in Lebanon and direct US-Iran clashes continue.
Sources: France24
Plans for an international stabilization force in Gaza are stalling because nobody wants to openly cooperate with the US and Israel right now. The Iran war made it politically toxic for Arab and Muslim countries. (Euronews)
Context: The Gaza International Stabilisation Force was supposed to help secure the territory after the ceasefire, but troop pledges from regional countries have dried up. Many in the region view the US and Israel as aggressors, making it politically impossible for their leaders to participate.
Sources: Euronews
Inside Iran
(Update) Iran actually turned the internet back on after nearly three months, sort of. Home broadband is working in some areas, but mobile internet is still blocked. (France24)
Context: Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown during the war with Israel and the US. After a court suspended the blackout order, they partially restored access on Tuesday. Most Iranians still need VPNs to reach international websites and social media.
Sources: France24
What to watch: Whether the US-Iran exchanges escalate further or if the Doha talks can somehow pull things back from the edge, especially now that Trump is threatening US allies.