Overview
- Following Wednesday’s largest Israeli strike in Lebanon of the war, the health ministry reported more than 250 dead and over 1,100 injured across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and the south.
- Iran reimposed tight control over the Strait of Hormuz, warned it would target unauthorized ships, and then ordered two coastal routes for vessels due to claimed mines, publishing an IRGC navigation map.
- The status of the waterway remained in dispute, with the White House citing signs of a gradual reopening while Iranian state TV said traffic was fully blocked.
- Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel in its first attack since the US–Iran pause, saying it answered the Beirut strikes, as President Trump said Lebanon and Hezbollah are not covered by the truce.
- Washington stepped up pressure, with Trump threatening 50% tariffs on countries that arm Iran and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowing the US would take Iranian uranium if needed, while US envoys plan talks in Islamabad.