Israel launches fresh assault on Lebanon Israel has launched strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs at dawn on Thursday, Al Jazeera reports. The latest attacks follow a massive wave of Israeli attacks across Lebanon, killing at least 254 people, just hours after a ceasefire between Iran and the US was agreed.
Iran vows to ‘punish’ Israel over Lebanon strikes and ceasefire breach A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Tehran will “punish Israel” over what it described as violations of the ceasefire and attacks in Lebanon. “The ceasefire includes the region, and Israel is known for breaking promises and will only be deterred by bullets,” the official said. Separately, Fars news agency, citing a military source, reported that Iran is preparing a response to the alleged breaches.
Seven-year-old killed by drone debris in southwest Iran A seven-year-old girl has been killed by debris from a drone shot down by Iranian air defences, according to Iranian media. The drone was intercepted at around 20:00 local time (16:00 GMT) in Shushtar, Khuzestan province, the province’s deputy security official said. Six members of the girl’s family were also reported injured.
Iran says US must choose between ceasefire and continued war Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US must choose between a ceasefire or continuing the war through Israel. “The conditions for a ceasefire between Iran and the United States are clear and explicit,” he wrote on Telegram. “America must choose either a ceasefire or the continuation of war through Israel; both cannot coexist.
'Ceasefire not holding': US and Iran may have to talk 'as guns are firing' Submitted by Sean Mathews on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 22:00 US raced to shore up a shaky agreement with the Islamic Republic, jeopardised by Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iranian strikes on Gulf US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media before boarding Air Force Two to return to Washington, DC, at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, on 8 April 2026 (Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP) Off The US was racing to salvage a ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday that appeared to collapse as a result of deadly Israeli attacks on Lebanon and an unclaimed strike on an energy facility on Iran’s Lavan Island. Adding to the complications, some Arab Gulf states appear to resent the two-week ceasefire deal, which Iran said would ensure its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched dozens of missiles and drones at the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Israeli strikes hit multiple areas in southern Lebanon Israeli air strikes have targeted the areas of Beit Yahoun, al-Jumaijmah and Majdal Selm in southern Lebanon, according to reports from the ground.
JD Vance to lead Iran ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan, White House says Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:45 Iran has also indicated a willingness to give the US its highly enriched uranium, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions from the media during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on 8 April 2026 (Evan Vucci/Reuters) Off The US vice president, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight regarding the war on Iran , will lead on Friday a team headed to Islamabad, Pakistan , to discuss next steps in ceasefire negotiations, the White House announced on Wednesday. JD Vance will engage in meetings there starting on Saturday, alongside President Donald Trump's special envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Kushner has no official role in the US administration, and both he and Witkoff have come under scrutiny for their handling of the nuclear negotiations with Iran in February, just before the US launched its attacks on the Islamic Republic in conjunction with Israel .
White House says NATO ‘failed’ to back war on Iran White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said NATO allies have not done enough to support the US-Israeli war on Iran. Asked about efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, she said the alliance had been “tested and failed”, citing a past comment by Donald Trump. “NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks,” she added.
Iran says Lebanon must be included in ceasefire deal Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon must end as part of any ceasefire agreement with the US. In a post on X, he insisted this was already part of the understanding, contradicting Israeli statements. “The world sees the massacres in Lebanon,” he said.
Netanyahu says ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Hezbollah Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any ceasefire with Iran will not extend to Hezbollah, adding that Israeli forces will continue their attacks on the group. “A ceasefire with Iran will not include Hezbollah. We are continuing to hit Hezbollah,” he said.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again after Israeli strikes on Lebanon Iran has again closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to state media. The move follows strikes that have killed at least 254 people and wounded 1,165. The closure comes less than 24 hours after Iran reportedly agreed to a ceasefire with the United States that had reopened the key shipping route.
Israeli strike kills Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza City An Israeli attack targeted a vehicle carrying Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Mohammed Wishah in Gaza City, killing him while he was driving on a main road. His death brings the number of Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023 to 262. Conditions in Gaza City are worsening amid ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
MSF reports ‘massive influx’ of wounded at Beirut hospital after strikes A Doctors Without Borders coordinator in Beirut said Rafik Hariri Hospital is facing a “massive influx of casualties” following Israeli strikes. Safa Bleik said emergency rooms are receiving large numbers of wounded, including children, many with shrapnel injuries and severe bleeding. She added that medical staff are under intense pressure as hospital capacity has been overwhelmed.
Air defences activated in Tehran after ceasefire Iranian media reported that air defences were activated in the capital, Tehran. The development comes despite a two-week ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran, which has already shown signs of strain.
Beirut doctor reports 'massive influx of casualties' A doctor at Beirut's biggest public hospital is reporting a "massive influx of casualties" following an unprecedented wave of Israeli attacks on the country. Safa Bleik a Medical Coordinator Assistant for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Beirut said in an audio recording shared by the NGO that the hospital's emergency room is "receiving huge waves of wounded people," including children. "People are arriving with shrapnel wounds and severe bleeding," Bleik said, adding that some patients have had both legs amputated.
Iran signals possible ceasefire withdrawal amid reports of strikes A security source told Al Jazeera that Iran is considering a response to what it sees as Israeli violations of the ceasefire. Tasnim reported that Tehran could withdraw from the agreement if Israeli strikes continue. There were also reports of an Israeli drone being downed in Fars province.
At least 89 killed, over 800 wounded in latest Israeli attacks on Lebanon: Health ministry The Lebanese health ministry has told Al Jazeera that at least 87 people have been killed and over 800 wounded in the latest wave of Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Trump: Lebanon not part of ceasefire US President Donald Trump has said that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire deal struck between Iran and the US. Trump reportedly told US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in a phone interview that "They were not included in the deal. That'll get taken care of, too.
Kuwait reports damage at oil facilities, power stations after Iranian drone attack Kuwait's Interior Ministry reported "severe material damage" at several vital facilities of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and the energy and water resources ministry after an Iranian drone attack on Wednesday. The ministry said fires broke out in some of the attacked sites, which it said include oil facilities and three power stations and water desalination plants.
Iran struck Saudi oil pipeline hours after ceasefire: Report Iran attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline hours after a ceasefire was agreed, Reuters is reporting, citing an industry source. According to the source, damage to the pipeline, which is currently the Kingdom's only crude oil export route, is being assessed. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Wednesday they had hit several targets across the region with missiles and drones, including what the IRGC called oil facilities of US companies in Yanbu.
