Day 61 | Iranian army remains on war footing as Gulf leaders convene

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Read more: Day 62 | Trump rejects Iran’s offer, says naval blockade will remain until nuclear deal

The Lebanese Parliament’s presidency announced Wednesday that Speaker Nabih Berri received a high-level phone call from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the rapidly shifting situation in Lebanon and the wider region.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that efforts to end the war with Iran are continuing through “telephonic” negotiations, as diplomatic talks struggle to produce a breakthrough and tensions persist over Tehran’s nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump characterized the United Arab Emirates' decision to withdraw from OPEC as a "good thing" on Wednesday, asserting that the move will ultimately drive down global fuel costs. 

US President Donald Trump said he had a "very good conversation" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, adding that it focused more on the Ukraine war than on Iran.

"We talked about more about the war in Ukraine," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Trump added that Putin wanted to "help" end the US-'Israeli' war on Iran but that he told the Russian leader to end the Ukraine invasion first.

'Israeli' Home Front Command says sirens were activated in Misgav Am in the Upper Galilee after detecting a drone infiltration from Lebanon.

The US Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will maintain interest rates at their current level of 3.5% to 3.75%, opting for a "wait-and-see" approach amid significant global volatility.

In its official statement, the central bank warned that ongoing developments in the Middle East are contributing to a "high level of uncertainty" for the US economy, specifically citing upward pressure on energy prices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with US counterpart Donald Trump, Putin's diplomatic advisor Yuri Ushakov told reporters Wednesday, adding that the two leaders focused primarily on the Middle East war.

"The presidents paid particular attention to the situation regarding Iran and in the Persian Gulf," Ushakov said.

"Vladimir Putin considers Donald Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire with Iran to be the right one, as this should give negotiations a chance and, overall, help to stabilise the situation."

'Israel's' military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir vowed to strike Hezbollah targets north of the Litani River and beyond the so-called "Yellow Line" during a visit to south Lebanon on Wednesday.

"Any threat, anywhere, against our communities or our forces, including beyond the Yellow Line and north of the Litani, will be eliminated," Zamir said, according to a military statement issued after his visit to troops stationed within 'Israel's' security zone in southern Lebanon.

The war against Iran has cost the United States $25 billion since it was launched in late February, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday.

"We're spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury. Most of that is in munitions," acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told lawmakers, using the official name for US operation.

President Donald Trump told Axios the United States will maintain its naval blockade on Iran until Tehran agrees to a nuclear deal addressing US concerns over its nuclear program.

He rejected an Iranian proposal to first ease maritime restrictions and open the Strait of Hormuz before entering nuclear talks, insisting the blockade remains a key source of leverage.

According to Axios, US Central Command has prepared contingency plans for a potential “short and powerful” wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure if negotiations fail, although no military action has been ordered. Trump said he has not authorized any kinetic strikes but declined to discuss operational details.

Trump described the blockade as “somewhat more effective than the bombing,” adding that Iran is under growing pressure due to its inability to export oil. He also claimed Tehran is seeking a deal to ease sanctions, while reiterating that Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon.”

Iran, meanwhile, warned through state-linked media that the blockade would be met with “practical and unprecedented action,” signaling potential escalation if pressure continues.

The 'Israeli' army says it detected the launch of multiple explosive drones that detonated near its troops in southern Lebanon earlier today, with no injuries reported.

• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with economic groups to clarify that Lebanon is leading its own negotiations with Israel.
• The president emphasized that national sovereignty and army deployment to the borders are the only paths to lasting security.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed a delegation of economic bodies on Wednesday, providing a detailed update on the status of ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

Aoun sought to dispel media rumors regarding internal division and clarified the nature of recent diplomatic statements issued in Washington.

The president confirmed that every step taken during the negotiation process has been performed in full coordination and consultation with the Speaker of Parliament and the Prime Minister.

Clarifying the Washington statement

Addressing criticism regarding a recent US State Department statement, Aoun clarified that the text -which some claimed granted 'Israel' "freedom" to continue attacks- is not a binding agreement.

"This text was a statement issued by the US State Department, identical to the text adopted in November 2024, which all parties agreed to at the time," Aoun explained.

He emphasized that the document is a "statement" rather than an "agreement," noting that a formal agreement can only be reached after the final conclusion of negotiations.

Security through sovereignty, not violence

President Aoun delivered a firm message regarding the futility of military escalation along the southern border. He argued that if 'Israel' believes destroying border villages will bring security, it is mistaken, as previous attempts have failed to yield results.

"The only thing that can protect the borders is when the Lebanese state is present in its full strength across the entire South, up to the international borders," Aoun stated.

He urged 'Israel' to recognize that the only path to security is through negotiations, though he insisted that a complete ceasefire must be fully implemented before moving to the next stage of talks.

International support, US role

The president noted that the "Lebanese file" is now a priority for US President Donald Trump, whom Aoun said holds a "special place for Lebanon" and praised the resilience of its people in a recent phone call.

According to Aoun, there is a broad national and international consensus on the necessity of ending the war. "The entire European Union and Arab countries have supported our choice to negotiate," he said, adding that the Lebanese people -especially those in the South- are united in their desire for peace.

Lebanon is currently waiting for the United States to set a formal date for the next round of negotiations to begin.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress to defend a record $1.5 trillion budget request for 2027, a 50% increase from the previous year.
• Hegseth claimed significant military success in Iran within weeks, reaffirmed Trump's determination to prevent a nuclear-armed Tehran.
• The Secretary called for a "new NATO" that returns to its "warrior roots", demanding that allies bear a greater share of the security burden.

In a high-stakes appearance before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth broke months of public silence to defend a staggering $1.5 trillion budget request for 2027.

Hegseth, who has faced mounting criticism for avoiding congressional scrutiny since the outbreak of the war with Iran, used the hearing to report military progress and outline the "peace through strength" principal.

The hearing marks the first time the Secretary has testified under oath since the conflict began on February 28, ending a period where he primarily communicated via conservative media outlets and religious references.

Reporting success 

During his testimony, Hegseth offered an optimistic assessment of the recent combat operations. "We have achieved forms of military success in Iran in just a matter of weeks," Hegseth told the committee, though he did not provide specific details on the extent of the damage or the current status of the Iranian leadership.

Despite these claims of success, Hegseth emphasized that the primary mission remains unchanged. He stated that "President Trump is determined that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon," reaffirming a core objective of the administration that has remained a central justification for the ongoing military and economic pressure campaign.

A ‘New NATO’ and Middle East Burden Sharing

In his most provocative remarks, Hegseth called for the creation of a "new version of NATO," arguing that the alliance must be "reforged to its combat roots."

He stated that the era of American-led security without reciprocal effort is over, emphasizing that "burden sharing is a central part of our strategy in the Middle East."

Hegseth pressured regional partners to do more to advance mutual interests, but singled out one nation for high praise. He described 'Israel' as a "model ally" that has demonstrated the "ability and desire to fight side-by-side with our forces."

Rebuilding the 'Arsenal of freedom'

The proposed $1.5 trillion budget is intended to transition the US defense industrial base back to a "war footing." Hegseth argued that the massive increase is necessary to build a military that "Americans can be proud of" and to achieve "peace through strength."

"This budget request enables the Pentagon to fulfill its mission of establishing peace through force," Hegseth testified, noting that the funds would enable the US to modernize its capabilities while maintaining an active stance in the region.

Bipartisan backlash

Despite Hegseth’s forceful presentation, he faced a barrage of questions from both sides of the aisle. Democrats on the committee, led by Representative Wesley Bell (D-MO), questioned the Secretary about the administration’s "undefined" goals.

Bell noted that objectives have shifted from neutralizing nuclear programs to "regime maintenance" and destroying an "antiquated navy."

Republicans also expressed confusion, particularly regarding the recent ousting of Navy Secretary John Phelan and General Randy George in the midst of an active war.

Some GOP members questioned whether a 50% spending hike is sustainable, even as they support the broader goal of military modernization.

As the hearing continues, the focus remains on whether Hegseth can convince a skeptical Congress that his "Dream Military" is worth the unprecedented price tag, or if the US is drifting into a "frozen conflict" without a clear exit strategy.

A Lebanese middle school student sent a message on Instagram to Avichay Adraee, the Arabic spokesperson of the ‘Israeli’ military, asking him to bomb her school, claiming that Hezbollah was hiding weapons in the school.

Lebanese authorities later searched the school, the Choiefat National College, finding no evidence of Hezbollah presence.

"Look my brother, I want to give you a very important piece of information. In the Choueifat National College school, there are weapons belonging to Hezbollah. Blow it up with a missile and finish us from it. There are underground shelters in it that have weapons. I wanted to give you information and the rest is up to you, I have nothing to do with it, ok,” the message by the student said, according to a photo circulating on social media.

School's response

Some reports stated that the 14-year-old girl and her father were arrested by Lebanese authorities after the school reported the incident to Lebanese forces.

“The school administration informs you that, in order to preserve the prestige of the educational institution, maintain public order, and respect the applicable laws, any student proven to have engaged in harming the school or attacking it through any action or statement that violates the law and regulations, whether in person or on social media, will be subject to legal accountability and prosecution, in addition to strict disciplinary measures, which may include investigation by the intelligence services, as has already begun,” a statement by the school said.

Adraee's response

One report on Lebanese media said that the ‘Israeli’ army spokesperson took the message seriously and sent surveillance drones to fly over the school, while ‘Israeli’ forces later claimed that the drones were sent in no relation to the message and were just part of a routine surveillance check.

“The possibility that the Hezbollah terrorist organization holds weapons inside schools and civilian facilities is not far-fetched. In fact, it is a reality everyone is aware of,” Adraee later said as part of a long statement on X on the incident.

'Israeli' media reports on Wednesday indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to the United States next week for high-level meetings.

The upcoming visit follows a period of intense regional volatility and comes as international mediators struggle to secure a permanent resolution to the recent conflict between 'Israel', the US, and Iran.

The trip is expected to focus on coordinating future security strategies and addressing the ongoing maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

An ‘Israeli’ military vehicle (a Humvee) equipped with a large, elevated metal or wire mesh netting structure, to work as a defense method against Hezbollah drones.

The White House said Wednesday that US officials “continue to engage” with Iran, in a bid to break the peace talks deadlock in the Middle East war.

“U.S. negotiators continue to engage with the Iranians, who are struggling to sort out their leadership situation following Operation Epic Fury,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement, cited by NBC News.

“The president will only enter into an agreement that puts US national security first, and he has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” Kelly added.