Lebanon has declared a national day of mourning after a wave of Israeli attacks killed at least 254 people and injured more than 1,165 in a single day, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam mobilising “all of Lebanon’s political and diplomatic resources to stop the Israeli killing machine”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a position echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, who said: “We never made that promise.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who, along with the country’s army chief, mediated the ceasefire, had, however, said the deal covered a pause in fighting in Lebanon. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quoted Sharif in insisting that the “terms are clear”, warning that Washington must choose between a ceasefire or “continued war via Israel”. He added that “it cannot have both.”
<li”>Strategic fallout raises regional concerns: The UAE is seeking urgent clarification on the US-Iran ceasefire terms, warning that ambiguity risks prolonging instability across the Gulf.
