Iran-US-Israel war highlights: French soldier killed in Lebanon, says Macron, blames Hezbollah

President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X that a French solider, who was taking part in an international peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, was killed on Saturday morning in the south of the country.

Three other soldiers were wounded and evacuated during the attack against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil)'s peacekeeping mission, the French president says. Available information suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for the attack, Macron added.

Iran's Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament blamed the US for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a response to the “new hypocrisy” of the enemy. He said that the US has again and again betrayed the trust and broken promises. He accused the US President of substituting “dreams” for factual reality. He urged Trump to change his tone from "dreaming and bullying” to “politeness and humility” toward the Iranian people.

The IDF has acknowledged that it has fired several rounds of artillery on the other side of the imaginary “yellow line” established by itself unilaterally. “Immediately after identification and in order to eliminate the threat ... forces attacked the terrorists in several areas in southern Lebanon”, said the IDF, claiming that the military was authorised to take action against threats despite the ceasefire. 

The Iranian Navy has broadcast a message to the merchant vessel stationed in and around the Strait of Hormuz, that the way is shut and none shall pass. The message marks a rapid reversal following Iran’s earlier announcement that the strait would be open to commercial vessels. Iranian officials have subsequently blamed the US for creating a "diplomatic circus" and accused Trump of giving contradictory statements.

The Israeli military on Saturday claimed that it had established a “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon, suggesting that it had already struck militants approaching from the other side. "Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces operating south of the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon identified terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces from north of the Yellow Line in a manner that posed an immediate threat,"  said the IDF in a statement. 

Iranian gunboats fired at a tanker on Saturday, claimed the British military. It did not identify the tanker or the destination, but the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said the tanker and crew were reported safe.

US CENTCOM has posted a message claiming that it continues its blockade against the ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. It claimed that 23 ships have complied to the order of the USS Canberra (LCS 30) which is patrolling the Arabian Sea as part of the blockade. 

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei marked Army Day by vowing continued resistance against what he termed the “two armies at the forefront of infidelity and arrogance”. In a message release by Telegram he said that  Iran's "brave navy" is prepared to make its enemies "taste the bitterness of new defeats," specifically referencing readiness in the Strait of Hormuz. He framed the war as the continuation of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran has officially stated that it has not yet agreed to a second round of peace negotiations with the United States, as reported by Tehran News Agency citing an unnamed Iranian official.. While US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a deal is close, Iranian officials have countered these claims, labelling the US demands as "unreasonable" and "excessive". Iran Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum no date can be set until a "common framework" is established.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh says President Trump 'talks too much' and 'said contradictory things within the same statement'. While speaking to the press on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkiye, he said Trump contradicted himself within the statement when he said that the US would “start dropping bombs again” if no deal is reached with Iran by Wednesday. 

There are reports of artillery shelling, and intermittent strikes have targeted several southern Lebanese towns of Beit Leif, Qantara and Touline. The Lebanese Army has officially documented several Israeli attacks since the truce began. Israeli bulldozers continue razing homes in southern Lebanon.

The Foreign Minister of Turkey hosted a diplomatic forum on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were part of the diplomatic effort. They focused on preserving a fragile ceasefire and exploring regional solutions to shared security challenges. It was the third consecutive meeting of the four nations within a month.

The United Kingdom had urged for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Saturday that normal maritime operations had not yet resumed despite the truce in the Iran war. “We are at a critical diplomatic moment with a ceasefire now in place, but we don’t yet have normal passage through the strait,” Cooper was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye. She emphasised that the ceasefire must evolve into lasting peace. 

Following earlier reports that Iran has opened part of its airspace in the east, six Iranian airports have now reopened, according to the Association of Iranian Airlines.

The IRGC’s joint military command has issued a statement claiming that control of the Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” due to the US’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports.

In a statement cited by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, the IRGC command said the US has “continued acts of piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a so-called blockade”.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Saturday (April 18) that the Strait of Hormuz had not yet returned to normal operations despite the ceasefire in the Iran war. He urged Tehran to allow global shipping to resume fully.

Israel will impose a so-called “yellow line” in Lebanon, barring residents from returning to areas occupied by the Israeli military, as per the senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officials.

Pakistan’s military chief, who mediated last weekend’s Islamabad talks between the US and Iran, has wrapped up an official three-day visit to Iran focused on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

US President Trump warned on Saturday (April 18) that the US will start “dropping bombs” on Iran again if a deal is not reached in the upcoming second round of talks. He also said that Washington “may not” extend the ceasefire with Iran in case negotiations don’t go well.

President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X that a French solider, who was taking part in an international peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, was killed on Saturday morning in the south of the country.

Three other soldiers were wounded and evacuated during the attack against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil)'s peacekeeping mission, the French president says. Available information suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for the attack, Macron added.

Iran's Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament blamed the US for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a response to the “new hypocrisy” of the enemy. He said that the US has again and again betrayed the trust and broken promises. He accused the US President of substituting “dreams” for factual reality. He urged Trump to change his tone from "dreaming and bullying” to “politeness and humility” toward the Iranian people.

The IDF has acknowledged that it has fired several rounds of artillery on the other side of the imaginary “yellow line” established by itself unilaterally. “Immediately after identification and in order to eliminate the threat ... forces attacked the terrorists in several areas in southern Lebanon”, said the IDF, claiming that the military was authorised to take action against threats despite the ceasefire. 

The Iranian Navy has broadcast a message to the merchant vessel stationed in and around the Strait of Hormuz, that the way is shut and none shall pass. The message marks a rapid reversal following Iran’s earlier announcement that the strait would be open to commercial vessels. Iranian officials have subsequently blamed the US for creating a "diplomatic circus" and accused Trump of giving contradictory statements.

The Israeli military on Saturday claimed that it had established a “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon, suggesting that it had already struck militants approaching from the other side. "Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces operating south of the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon identified terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces from north of the Yellow Line in a manner that posed an immediate threat,"  said the IDF in a statement. 

Iranian gunboats fired at a tanker on Saturday, claimed the British military. It did not identify the tanker or the destination, but the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said the tanker and crew were reported safe.

US CENTCOM has posted a message claiming that it continues its blockade against the ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. It claimed that 23 ships have complied to the order of the USS Canberra (LCS 30) which is patrolling the Arabian Sea as part of the blockade. 

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei marked Army Day by vowing continued resistance against what he termed the “two armies at the forefront of infidelity and arrogance”. In a message release by Telegram he said that  Iran's "brave navy" is prepared to make its enemies "taste the bitterness of new defeats," specifically referencing readiness in the Strait of Hormuz. He framed the war as the continuation of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran has officially stated that it has not yet agreed to a second round of peace negotiations with the United States, as reported by Tehran News Agency citing an unnamed Iranian official.. While US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a deal is close, Iranian officials have countered these claims, labelling the US demands as "unreasonable" and "excessive". Iran Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum no date can be set until a "common framework" is established.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh says President Trump 'talks too much' and 'said contradictory things within the same statement'. While speaking to the press on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkiye, he said Trump contradicted himself within the statement when he said that the US would “start dropping bombs again” if no deal is reached with Iran by Wednesday. 

There are reports of artillery shelling, and intermittent strikes have targeted several southern Lebanese towns of Beit Leif, Qantara and Touline. The Lebanese Army has officially documented several Israeli attacks since the truce began. Israeli bulldozers continue razing homes in southern Lebanon.

The Foreign Minister of Turkey hosted a diplomatic forum on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were part of the diplomatic effort. They focused on preserving a fragile ceasefire and exploring regional solutions to shared security challenges. It was the third consecutive meeting of the four nations within a month.

The United Kingdom had urged for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Saturday that normal maritime operations had not yet resumed despite the truce in the Iran war. “We are at a critical diplomatic moment with a ceasefire now in place, but we don’t yet have normal passage through the strait,” Cooper was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye. She emphasised that the ceasefire must evolve into lasting peace. 

Following earlier reports that Iran has opened part of its airspace in the east, six Iranian airports have now reopened, according to the Association of Iranian Airlines.

The IRGC’s joint military command has issued a statement claiming that control of the Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” due to the US’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports.

In a statement cited by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, the IRGC command said the US has “continued acts of piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a so-called blockade”.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Saturday (April 18) that the Strait of Hormuz had not yet returned to normal operations despite the ceasefire in the Iran war. He urged Tehran to allow global shipping to resume fully.

Israel will impose a so-called “yellow line” in Lebanon, barring residents from returning to areas occupied by the Israeli military, as per the senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officials.

Pakistan’s military chief, who mediated last weekend’s Islamabad talks between the US and Iran, has wrapped up an official three-day visit to Iran focused on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

US President Trump warned on Saturday (April 18) that the US will start “dropping bombs” on Iran again if a deal is not reached in the upcoming second round of talks. He also said that Washington “may not” extend the ceasefire with Iran in case negotiations don’t go well.

President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X that a French solider, who was taking part in an international peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, was killed on Saturday morning in the south of the country.

Three other soldiers were wounded and evacuated during the attack against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil)'s peacekeeping mission, the French president says. Available information suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for the attack, Macron added.

Iran's Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament blamed the US for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a response to the “new hypocrisy” of the enemy. He said that the US has again and again betrayed the trust and broken promises. He accused the US President of substituting “dreams” for factual reality. He urged Trump to change his tone from "dreaming and bullying” to “politeness and humility” toward the Iranian people.

The IDF has acknowledged that it has fired several rounds of artillery on the other side of the imaginary “yellow line” established by itself unilaterally. “Immediately after identification and in order to eliminate the threat ... forces attacked the terrorists in several areas in southern Lebanon”, said the IDF, claiming that the military was authorised to take action against threats despite the ceasefire. 

The Iranian Navy has broadcast a message to the merchant vessel stationed in and around the Strait of Hormuz, that the way is shut and none shall pass. The message marks a rapid reversal following Iran’s earlier announcement that the strait would be open to commercial vessels. Iranian officials have subsequently blamed the US for creating a "diplomatic circus" and accused Trump of giving contradictory statements.

The Israeli military on Saturday claimed that it had established a “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon, suggesting that it had already struck militants approaching from the other side. "Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces operating south of the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon identified terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces from north of the Yellow Line in a manner that posed an immediate threat,"  said the IDF in a statement. 

Iranian gunboats fired at a tanker on Saturday, claimed the British military. It did not identify the tanker or the destination, but the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said the tanker and crew were reported safe.

US CENTCOM has posted a message claiming that it continues its blockade against the ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. It claimed that 23 ships have complied to the order of the USS Canberra (LCS 30) which is patrolling the Arabian Sea as part of the blockade. 

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei marked Army Day by vowing continued resistance against what he termed the “two armies at the forefront of infidelity and arrogance”. In a message release by Telegram he said that  Iran's "brave navy" is prepared to make its enemies "taste the bitterness of new defeats," specifically referencing readiness in the Strait of Hormuz. He framed the war as the continuation of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran has officially stated that it has not yet agreed to a second round of peace negotiations with the United States, as reported by Tehran News Agency citing an unnamed Iranian official.. While US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a deal is close, Iranian officials have countered these claims, labelling the US demands as "unreasonable" and "excessive". Iran Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum no date can be set until a "common framework" is established.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh says President Trump 'talks too much' and 'said contradictory things within the same statement'. While speaking to the press on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkiye, he said Trump contradicted himself within the statement when he said that the US would “start dropping bombs again” if no deal is reached with Iran by Wednesday. 

There are reports of artillery shelling, and intermittent strikes have targeted several southern Lebanese towns of Beit Leif, Qantara and Touline. The Lebanese Army has officially documented several Israeli attacks since the truce began. Israeli bulldozers continue razing homes in southern Lebanon.

The Foreign Minister of Turkey hosted a diplomatic forum on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were part of the diplomatic effort. They focused on preserving a fragile ceasefire and exploring regional solutions to shared security challenges. It was the third consecutive meeting of the four nations within a month.

The United Kingdom had urged for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Saturday that normal maritime operations had not yet resumed despite the truce in the Iran war. “We are at a critical diplomatic moment with a ceasefire now in place, but we don’t yet have normal passage through the strait,” Cooper was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye. She emphasised that the ceasefire must evolve into lasting peace. 

Following earlier reports that Iran has opened part of its airspace in the east, six Iranian airports have now reopened, according to the Association of Iranian Airlines.

The IRGC’s joint military command has issued a statement claiming that control of the Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” due to the US’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports.

In a statement cited by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, the IRGC command said the US has “continued acts of piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a so-called blockade”.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Saturday (April 18) that the Strait of Hormuz had not yet returned to normal operations despite the ceasefire in the Iran war. He urged Tehran to allow global shipping to resume fully.

Israel will impose a so-called “yellow line” in Lebanon, barring residents from returning to areas occupied by the Israeli military, as per the senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officials.

Pakistan’s military chief, who mediated last weekend’s Islamabad talks between the US and Iran, has wrapped up an official three-day visit to Iran focused on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

US President Trump warned on Saturday (April 18) that the US will start “dropping bombs” on Iran again if a deal is not reached in the upcoming second round of talks. He also said that Washington “may not” extend the ceasefire with Iran in case negotiations don’t go well.