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Israeli police have been dispatched to inspect the damage on a local road following a missile impact. The incident has prompted a thorough assessment of the situation to determine the extent of the damage and any potential casualties.The police inspection aims to gather crucial information about the incident, which is likely to be a significant concern for local authorities and residents. Details about the missile strike, including its origin and any resulting injuries or fatalities, have not been disclosed.The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region, where tensions have been escalating. The Israeli police's response demonstrates the authorities' commitment to maintaining public safety and addressing the aftermath of such incidents.

Qatar's Defence Ministry has confirmed that missiles launched from Iran struck an oil tanker within the country's territorial waters. The incident has heightened concerns over regional stability and security.In a related development, US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran does not have to make a deal for him to end the war and suggested that the conflict could be resolved in two to three weeks. These comments come amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has stated that messages from the US conveyed through intermediaries, including Witkoff, do not constitute negotiations. This development comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal. The comments highlight the complexities of indirect communication between the US and Iran, with Araghchi emphasizing that such messages are not a substitute for direct negotiations. The situation underscores the challenges in achieving a diplomatic breakthrough, with both sides maintaining their positions on the nuclear issue.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that he has exchanged messages with Steve Witkoff, the senior envoy appointed by President Donald Trump, but stressed that these contacts do not constitute formal negotiations. "I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations," Araghchi said, adding that all communications are routed through the Foreign Ministry and security agencies. The minister highlighted Iran’s historic mistrust of US diplomatic overtures, recalling Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement and two recent attacks on Iranian territory during ongoing talks. Araghchi noted that Pakistan has been facilitating the recent exchanges and has also hosted regional discussions involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey to build momentum for direct Iran‑US dialogue. Additionally, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Beijing to seek Chinese backing for these efforts. Regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi asserted that the waterway falls under the joint jurisdiction of Iran and Oman. He said that once hostilities cease, the two nations will decide its future, emphasizing that the strait should remain a "peaceful waterway." While acknowledging that Gulf states such as Qatar want a seat at the table, Araghchi maintained that the strait is open to commercial vessels from all nations except those actively at war with Iran, which is a standard wartime measure. He also mentioned that ships from India, Pakistan, Turkey and China have already negotiated transit through the strait, underscoring its continued commercial relevance. On the prospect of a US ground invasion, Araghchi warned that Iran is fully prepared to confront any such move. "We are waiting for them," he said, adding that Iranian forces possess the strength to repel a land assault and that the United States would be making a grave mistake by attempting one. These statements come as the Trump administration reportedly increases troop deployments in the Gulf and explores contingency plans for a possible invasion of Iran.

In the aftermath of recent Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, emergency responders have been deployed across the city to locate and assist potential victims. Teams of firefighters, medical personnel, and rescue volunteers are systematically combing through damaged neighborhoods, searching for survivors and the injured. Authorities have confirmed that the strikes caused significant structural damage, prompting a large‑scale rescue operation. While exact casualty figures remain unverified, officials emphasize that the priority is to provide immediate medical aid and to recover any individuals trapped under debris. The intensified search effort underscores the growing humanitarian concerns linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, urging both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian safety. Local residents have expressed shock and grief, with many awaiting news about loved ones. The coordinated response by emergency services aims to mitigate further loss of life and to deliver essential support to affected communities.

Syrian official Al-Sharaa has made a significant statement regarding the country's stance on the ongoing tensions between Iran and other regional players. Syria will maintain its neutrality in the conflict unless it is directly attacked, Al-Sharaa emphasized.This cautious approach by Syria is seen as a strategic move to avoid entanglement in a broader conflict that could have severe repercussions for the region. The statement comes at a time when Iran's influence in the Middle East is a subject of intense debate and concern among various international actors.By choosing to stay out of the conflict unless provoked, Syria is signaling its preference for diplomacy over military engagement. This approach may help Syria navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, where alliances and rivalries are frequently in flux.

In a wave of coordinated demonstrations, citizens and activist groups in cities around the world have taken to the streets to denounce Israel's newly introduced death‑penalty law for Palestinians. The law, which expands capital punishment provisions specifically for Palestinian individuals, has sparked immediate backlash from human‑rights organisations and foreign governments. Protesters in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia have gathered outside embassies and consulates, holding signs that call for the repeal of the legislation and urging the international community to intervene. Many participants have highlighted the law's potential to exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region, warning that it could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. Human‑rights advocates have described the measure as a serious breach of international legal standards, emphasizing that the application of the death penalty in this context contravenes established norms on the protection of civilian populations. While official statements from Israeli authorities remain limited, the global outcry underscores a growing demand for accountability and adherence to universal human‑rights principles. As the protests continue, analysts suggest that the international response could influence future policy decisions in the region, potentially shaping diplomatic negotiations and affecting Israel's standing on the world stage.

The US government's Endangered Species Committee has voted unanimously to exempt oil and gas drillers in the Gulf of Mexico from protections under the Endangered Species Act. This decision, made during a rare meeting, has significant implications for vulnerable species in the region.The committee, composed of six senior Trump officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, argued that environmental rules could hinder US energy production, particularly during the ongoing tensions with Iran. Hegseth stated that disruptions to Gulf oil production would not only affect the US but also benefit its adversaries.The exemption is only the fourth time in US history that the Endangered Species Committee has convened, and the third time it has granted an exemption to the Endangered Species Act. Rice's whale, with only about 50 remaining, is one of the species protected by the act in the Gulf of Mexico. Other species, such as birds, sea turtles, and Gulf sturgeon, are also safeguarded.Environmental groups have strongly objected to the decision, labeling the committee a 'god squad' due to its power over species' existence. They plan to challenge the exemptions, arguing that the Trump administration failed to follow the protocols set out under the Endangered Species Act and that the rationale for the exemption is not justified by facts.This move is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to roll back environmental protections and promote pro-fossil fuel policies, despite dismissing climate change as a 'hoax'. Critics warn that this action could lead to the extinction of species, with one expert stating that Trump could be the first person in history to knowingly extirpate a species from the face of the earth.

Iraq's national team, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, ended their four-decade wait for a World Cup appearance with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bolivia. The match took place at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Tuesday. Ali al-Hamadi opened the scoring in the 10th minute, giving Iraq a strong start. However, Bolivia's Moises Paniagua equalized 28 minutes later, making the match closely contested.The deadlock was broken shortly after halftime when Aymen Hussein scored the winning goal in the 53rd minute, slotting in a cross from Marko Farji. This goal secured Iraq's place as the 48th team to qualify for the tournament.Iraq's journey to the World Cup was not without challenges. The team's participation was in doubt due to travel chaos caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Coach Graham Arnold had pleaded with organizers to delay the match to allow the squad to assemble and train. The players and coaching staff eventually arrived in Mexico just a week before the match and began preparations.Arnold expressed his delight with the win, stating, 'I must congratulate the players who played with real Iraqi mentality, fighting and putting their bodies on the line and that's why we won the game.' He added, 'I am so happy that we've made 46 million people happy, and especially with what's going on in the Middle East at the moment.'Iraq will face a tough challenge in the World Cup, placed in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal. Their opening game is against Norway on June 16 in Boston, followed by matches against France on June 22 in Philadelphia and Senegal on June 26 in Toronto, Canada.