beirut

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Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday said a return to war with the United States was unlikely, while warning that the Islamic republic stood ready against any attack. "The possibility of war is low because of the enemy's weakness, the armed forces are lying in wait with full magazines," said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying.

Israeli strikes on a town in southern Lebanon killed six people and wounded seven others, state media said Tuesday, as fighting continued despite a ceasefire agreement. The NNA on Tuesday reported strikes near other southern Lebanese towns, and the Israeli military ordered an evacuation of the town of Sohmor in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa valley.

A senior commander from Hezbollah's elite force was killed in an Israeli strike on beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday, the first on the area in nearly a month, a source close to the group said.on condition of anonymity that "Malek Ballout, the operations commander in the Radwan force" was killed.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed 380 people since a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war began on April 17, Lebanon'on Tuesday. A ministry official said that "380 people, including 22 children and 39 women, have been killed in strikes on Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect", out of a total of around 2,900 people killed since the war erupted on March 2.

Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared Tuesday that the group's weaponry is off-limits for any Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, asserting it's an internal matter. He vowed to make the battlefield "hell" for Israeli forces, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to defending Lebanon. This strong stance comes ahead of crucial talks in Washington, as conflict persists.

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Hezbollah's chief, Naim Qassem, has firmly positioned the group's military prowess as an internal Lebanese issue, outright rejecting discussions with Israel. He has promised an enduring fight, declaring his intent to turn the conflict into a nightmare for Israeli forces.

Hezbollah launched 17 operations against Israeli targets in southern Lebanon, including drone and missile strikes, hitting military vehicles and tanks. Meanwhile, Israel reported intercepting a drone and facing anti-tank missiles and mortar fire. Hezbollah's leader vowed continued resistance, emphasizing their military strength is a domestic issue amid ongoing, volatile hostilities.

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The Embassy expressed gratitude to the Lebanese authorities for the smooth exit.

Iran is reviewing a US proposal, with a response expected soon, potentially via Pakistani mediators. Tehran prioritizes a full war cessation and sanctions relief over nuclear talks, seeking UN Security Council guarantees.

A ceasefire between the US and Iran is reportedly still in place despite an Iranian attack on US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US retaliatory strikes. Both sides accuse the other of initiating the exchange, threatening a fragile truce that ended weeks of conflict. Tensions remain high as negotiations continue.

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon claimed at least one life and injured four rescuers on Sunday, despite a fragile truce. The Lebanese health ministry condemned the attacks, citing violations of the Geneva Convention. Israel issued new evacuation warnings for over ten villages, including those north of the Litani River, as tensions escalate following threats from Israel's military chief.

Air connectivity to West Asia is gradually resuming after an elusive ceasefire. Kuwait's Jazeera Airways relaunched direct flights to India and other countries, with plans to expand its network. Gulf Air also resumed services to India, while Saudi Arabia's airspace is nearly fully open. Preparations for Indian Haj pilgrims are underway.

A Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, was tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon while covering the ongoing conflict. Rescue efforts were significantly delayed by Israeli fire, preventing immediate access to the site. Khalil's death, the ninth journalist killed this year, has drawn condemnation and calls for international law adherence.