Day 75 | Trump claims Iran war ‘won’t last long’
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US President Donald Trump has claimed the United States will prevail in its war with 'Iran', “peacefully or otherwise”, while insisting that assistance from 'China' is not necessary to secure a settlement.
Meanwhile, 'Kuwait' said four members of 'Iran’s' Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to enter the country through Bubiyan Island to carry out what it described as “hostile” activities. 'Iran' has officially denied the accusations.
In the Gulf, Qatar accused 'Iran' of “weaponising” the Strait of Hormuz and using it to “blackmail” regional states, as energy supplies and other essential goods remain stranded due to disruptions in the strategic waterway.
Elsewhere, 'Israel' has killed two paramedics in 'Lebanon’s' Nabatieh, according to the country’s Health Ministry, which said they were “directly targeted”. The ministry added that at least 2,883 people have been killed by 'Israel' in 'Lebanon' since March 2.
For the latest casualty figures and developments from across the region, visit our live tracker.
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Read more: Day 76 | Vance sees progress in Iran talks despite Trump rejection
VIDEO - ‘Israeli’ strikes hits southern Lebanese village
An ‘Israeli’ strike hits the southern Lebanese village of Al-Halloussiyah, as the ‘Israeli’ military said it launched a new wave of strikes across southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, despite a truce with the Lebanese government to halt fighting with the armed group.
'Israel' launches wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon
The 'Israeli' military announced on Wednesday that it has begun a series of intensive airstrikes targeting multiple locations across southern Lebanon.
'Israeli' drone strikes a vehicle south of Beirut
'Israeli' drone targeted a civilian vehicle on the coastal highway near the town of Jiyeh, approximately 30 kilometers south of the Lebanese capital, early Wednesday morning.
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'Israel' says ‘suspicious aerial target’ intercepted in south Lebanon
The 'Israeli' military said that it intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” identified in an area where 'Israeli' soldiers are currently operating in southern Lebanon.
No sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol, the statement added.
Oil prices dip as markets monitor fragile Iran ceasefire, Trump’s China summit
Crude oil prices dipped on Wednesday, snapping a three-day rise as the markets watched for news on the shaky ceasefire in the US-'Israel' war on Iran.
By 00:51 GMT, Brent crude futures had dropped 82 cents (0.76 percent) to $106.95 per barrel. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 66 cents (0.65 percent) to reach $101.52.
Investors are now focused on Trump’s trip to China for talks with Xi Jinping, and what those discussions will mean for the war on Iran and the wider global economy.
Australia to join 40 nations for planned post-war Hormuz Strait mission
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles has spoken to counterparts from more than 40 countries, reaffirming collective diplomatic, economic and military support for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Marles said Australia will support the “independent and strictly defensive” multinational military mission to ensure free navigation in the strait, which will be led by the UK and France.
Australia will contribute their E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the mission, Marles said.
“We want to see this conflict end, the Strait of Hormuz open and freedom of navigation resume. The longer this conflict goes on the more significant the impact on Australia will be,” he said in a statement.
Trump says main focus for China visit is trade, but will have ‘long talk’ with President Xi about Iran
US President Trump stated that trade, not Iran, will be the main topic of his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reports.
Although Trump said he expects a “long talk” about Iran with Xi, he added that it wouldn’t be a primary point of discussion.
“I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump said.
Trump described President Xi as “a friend” and someone he gets along with, adding, “I think you’re going to see that good things are going to happen.”
However, the president also issued a harsh warning regarding Iran’s nuclear programme before his departure. He told reporters, “We’re either going to make a deal or they’re going to be decimated. One way or the other, we win.”
Regarding the current ceasefire, Trump noted he would be considering its future during his flight to Beijing and “for the next little while”, concluding, “We’re going to see what happens.”
Seoul to review phased participation in US Hormuz initiative
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back tells his US counterpart that Seoul is reviewing phased contributions to the US-led initiative in the Strait of Hormuz, reports the Yonhap news agency.
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth held their bilateral talks at the Pentagon earlier this week.
