Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said Israel intends to secure southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and has destroyed five bridges over the waterway, which he accused Hezbollah of using to move weapons and fighters. Katz added that displaced residents would not be allowed to return south of the Litani until northern Israel’s security is assured.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen urged immediate negotiations to end the fighting, warning of severe consequences for global energy supplies. She criticised what she described as Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz and pushed for a negotiated end to hostilities, without naming any specific external actors in her remarks.
Fighting and strikes continued across the region. Debris from impacts wounded at least six people in Tel Aviv, where officials said a heavy warhead may have struck between apartment buildings; smoke and explosions were reported in multiple parts of the city. Both sides exchanged attacks even as reports circulated of indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran. US President Donald Trump said he had held productive discussions with Iranian officials, a claim Tehran denied. US officials later clarified that any promised pause would apply only to energy infrastructure.
The wider effects of the conflict deepened. Russia warned it would view any spillover into the Caspian Sea very negatively. Japan announced releases from private and national oil stockpiles and joint reserves after disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices to levels not seen since 2022. Vietnam Airlines said it would suspend at least 23 domestic flights a week amid rising jet-fuel costs, and Vietnam arranged fuel purchases from Russia. South Korea urged public institutions to curb vehicle use, asked large oil-consuming firms to reduce consumption and signalled plans to restart nuclear reactors and expand renewable capacity to reduce LNG dependence.
Security services in Iran said they detained roughly 30 people accused of spying for Israel; authorities reported the suspects were found with satellite communication devices and weapons. In Iraq, clashes and strikes killed fighters from different groups, and the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces said a US strike killed at least 14 of its members.
Mediation efforts have been fragmented and largely led through regional capitals. Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan have each engaged with parties to the fighting and, according to multiple sources, relayed messages between Washington and Tehran. Turkey’s foreign minister reportedly spoke with both Iranian counterparts and US officials; Egypt said it had delivered de-escalation messages; Pakistan offered to host talks in Islamabad. It remained unclear which country, if any, was coordinating a unified diplomatic initiative.
The conflict’s economic fallout reached beyond energy markets. Coverage highlighted the risk to East African economies through higher oil prices and supply disruptions. National governments and international bodies announced measures to cushion shortages and price shocks while urging urgent negotiations to restore stability and reopen vital shipping routes.
Diplomats and leaders continued to press for direct or mediated talks even as military operations and regional tensions persisted. The situation remained fluid, with competing diplomatic channels, ongoing strikes, and mounting concern about broader regional and global consequences.