At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, in what was described as one of the deadliest attacks since a ceasefire agreement reached in June.
The strikes came as tensions across the region remained high amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, raising further concerns over the possibility of the situation spreading.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was continuing discussions with Oman over shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for international oil trade.
However, Araghchi warned that the reopening of the strategic route would depend on the United States’ willingness to comply with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for global oil shipments, meaning prolonged disruption to maritime traffic could affect energy supplies and contribute to further volatility in international markets.
In another development, the USS George Washington aircraft carrier was reported to have left Vietnam for the Middle East, where it is expected to take up a new deployment in the near future.
The carrier is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region as concerns continue to grow over the situation involving the vessel.
Qatar, meanwhile, denied reports that it had detained three Iranian bomber pilots after their aircraft crashed in the Gulf state during the early stages of the war launched by the US and Israel.
The latest developments come as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate, with diplomatic efforts underway to ease the conflict and maintain access to key international shipping routes.
The situation remains closely watched as any further disruption in the region could have wider security, humanitarian and economic consequences beyond the immediate conflict zones.
