US Iran War News Live Updates: 'Calm before storm'- Trump's cryptic post amid reports of possible strikes on Iran

Israel’s military reported one soldier killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon, bringing the total fatalities since fighting with Hezbollah resumed in March to 21. Despite a recent truce extension after Washington talks, Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah positions in multiple villages, forcing residents to flee toward Sidon and Beirut. The escalation follows weeks of heightened tensions, with regional conflicts expanding beyond Lebanon. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier returned to Virginia after an 11-month deployment—the longest since the Vietnam War—supporting US operations against Iran across the Mediterranean and Red Sea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the crew, awarding them the Presidential Unit Citation for their combat performance. The carrier’s escort ships also played a key role in the conflict. Pakistan’s interior minister arrived in Tehran to revive stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States, as diplomatic efforts struggle to contain rising tensions. Meanwhile, Iran’s state television claimed several European countries were negotiating with Tehran to restore shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has restricted, disrupting global oil flows. Iraq reported a sharp decline in oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz in April, citing Iran’s blockade. The energy crisis worsened unrest in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces killed a 34-year-old man near the Jenin refugee camp, and in the Comoros, where fuel price protests turned deadly after clashes with police. The broader fallout highlights how Iran’s actions are destabilizing the Middle East and global markets.