The mediators did not explain how that would operate or resolve the current hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Iran‘s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, lauded the new mechanism, calling it „major progress to end Lebanon War,“ and saying that the first real test was the „Lebanon deconfliction cell.“
US Vice President JD Vance said earlier today that a new “deconfliction mechanism” was established during yesterday’s talks in Burgenstock. According to an earlier Channel 12 report, the new arrangement would replace the one brokered in 2024 under the Biden administration, which included Israel, Lebanon, the US, France, and the UN, with a new body being made up of the US, Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, and Pakistan.
Diplomatic channels have become increasingly active as governments seek to assess the situation and prevent further escalation. Alongside his conversation with COAS Munir, Araghchi also reached out to the foreign ministers of Türkiye, UK, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and France.
During discussions, he briefed counterparts on Tehran’s position regarding recent events and reiterated Iran’s stance on safeguarding its national interests.
„Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offences (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor,“ Barrot told France Inter radio.
(May 22, 2026)
We call on the Government of Israel to …
In the “Potential Strike on Iran by June” market, the likelihood of a strike by the UK, France, or Germany is currently priced at 4.3% YES, showing minimal change from previous days. In parallel, the “Warships Through Strait of Hormuz by May 31” market reflects a 12% YES probability for UK warships passing through, maintaining the same level as 24 hours ago.
Großbritannien und Frankreich veranstalten am Dienstag eine Videokonferenz zur Absicherung der Schifffahrt in der Straße von Hormuz. Über 40 Staaten sollen an dem Treffen teilnehmen. Dabei werden militärische Beiträge zur Wiedereröffnung und Sicherung der Straße von Hormuz besprochen, sobald die Umstände dies zulassen. Verteidigungsministerin Claudia Tanner (ÖVP) ist nicht unter den Teilnehmenden.
Talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a meeting involving defence ministers from around 40 countries, according to the United States Department of State.
The discussions come amid continued disruption to global shipping and energy flows linked to the conflict involving Iran.
British Defence Secretary John Healey and French counterpart Catherine Vautrin are expected to co-chair the coalition meeting later on Tuesday.
(today)
UN-Soldaten beseitigten auf einer Straße im Süden Libanons Sprengsätze. Dabei gerieten sie unter Beschuss. Ein französischer Soldat wurde getötet. Frankreich vermutet die pro-iranische Hisbollah hinter dem Angriff.
(October 10, 2024)
Lapid advocated regime change in Lebanon, saying, “the international community will need to appoint a sort of oversight committee for Lebanon to manage its civilian life for a set period until elections can be held and a new government can take control.”
Crucial to this effort would be the establishment of a collaborator Lebanese army loyal to Israel and its Western and Gulf allies.
(…)
Lapid claimed it would be easy to recruit Lebanese by paying soldiers in a new army $500 a month. New recruits would then be trained by French, Emirati, and US military officers.
The South Lebanon Army (SLA) was established by Israel in 1976 after the collapse of the Lebanese government due to civil war.
Hezbollah on Saturday denied it was involved in a deadly attack on United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon, after France accused the group of being behind the incident.
„Hezbollah denies any connection to the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh-Bint Jbeil area, and calls for caution in making judgments and assigning responsibilities regarding the incident pending the Lebanese Army‘s investigations to determine the full circumstances of the incident,“ the group said in a statement.
One peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded from the French battalion, with Paris blaming Hezbollah.
18 April 2026
This morning, a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to re-establish links with isolated UNIFIL positions came under small-arms fire from non-state-actors. Tragically, one peacekeeper succumbed to his injuries and three others were injured, two of them seriously.
The injured peacekeepers have been taken to medical facilities for treatment.
We extend our most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the brave peacekeeper who lost his life in service of peace. Our thoughts and wishes go out for the full and speedy recovery of the injured peacekeepers.
UNIFIL condemns this deliberate attack on peacekeepers engaged in their mandated tasks. The work of explosive ordnance disposal teams is vital in the mission’s area of operations especially in the wake of the recent hostilities.
UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hizbullah).
We reiterate the obligations of all actors under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.
UNIFIL calls on the Government of Lebanon to swiftly initiate an investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable for the crimes committed against UNIFIL peacekeepers.
Macron named the soldier as Florian Montorio, a staff sergeant in the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment of Montauban serving with Unifil, the United Nations‘ peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
He was killed on Saturday morning in southern Lebanon, the president said in a post on X. The three soldiers wounded in the same attack were evacuated, he added.
„Everything suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for this attack,“ Macron said. „France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest the perpetrators and assume their responsibilities alongside Unifil.“
But Hezbollah denied any connection to the attack. In a statement, the group urged „caution in making judgments and assigning responsibilities“ pending the results of an investigation by the Lebanese army.
Visée par une enquête pour apologie de terrorisme ouverte le 27 mars 2026, la députée européenne LFI a fait face à une débauche de moyens policiers. Sa ligne téléphonique a été tracée pour consigner tous ses déplacements depuis le 1er janvier. « Il n’existe aucune justification à ces mesures », s’indigne son avocat.
Hassan had been under surveillance since January 2026, with authorities reportedly geolocating her phone and closely tracking her movements and daily schedule, reported Mediapart, a French investigative online newspaper.
Opposition lawmakers have condemned the alleged surveillance as a “state scandal.”
Antoine Leaument, a lawmaker from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), called on Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to provide an immediate explanation regarding the claims.
(April 4, 2026)
On Thursday, expressions of support came almost entirely from LFI and the far-left. For the anti-capitalist NPA, Olivier Besancenot expressed his “solidarity with Rima Hassan” on X, as did Nathalie Arthaud, the spokesperson for the Trotskyist Lutte ouvrière (LO).
Two former LFI members, Alexis Corbière and Clémentine Autain, also spoke out. “A member of the European Parliament placed in police custody for a retweet? Freedom of expression applied selectively is not the Republic,” said the latter. “The disproportionate repression of expressions of support for Palestine is clear, it must stop,” wrote the former.
On Friday, a handful of elected representatives from other parties began to join the chorus of criticism, including the communist MP Elsa Faucillon, who deplored a “relentless campaign revealing the mobilisation of the state apparatus against any solidarity with Palestine” and the Green MP Benjamin Lucas, who denounced “double standards”. Another Green MP, Sandrine Rousseau, expressed her “support” for Rima Hassan.
More surprisingly, the socialist MEP Chloé Ridel, a close ally of the Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, also commented: “Everything about the police custody imposed on the European Member of Parliament Rima Hassan is disproportionate and violates her parliamentary immunity, whatever our disagreements. Was Louis Sarkozy [editor‘s note, son of former president Nicolas Sarkozy and a political commentator] placed in custody when he said about Palestinians ‘let them all die’?”
„This week the UK and France will co-host a summit to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends,“ Starmer posted on X.
Britain has previously convened representatives of more than 40 countries that share the aim of restoring freedom of navigation. The United States was not involved in those talks.
President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran has entered the talks with the United States in Islamabad with „determination and seriousness,“ stressing that the success of the process depends on Washington‘s approach.
He made the remarks during a phone call with his French counterpart, Emanuel Macron, on Saturday, his office said in a statement.
Underlining the importance of the US attitude towards the process to its success, President Pezeshkian reminded how it was Washington‘s previous instances of betraying diplomatic engagements with Tehran by subjecting the Islamic Republic to military aggression that scuttled the negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran during a phone call on Saturday, emphasizing the need to extend it to Lebanon.
The call comes as direct negotiations between the United States and Iran began in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, earlier on Saturday.
Data showed the Kribi exited the Gulf and was sailing off Muscat, Oman, on Friday. During its journey, the vessel displayed “Owner France” on its tracking system, a field normally used to indicate destination.
Shipping data showed the ship changed its listed destination to “Owner France” before entering Iranian territorial waters, signalling its nationality to authorities. It had originally been bound for Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo.
(March 27, 2026)
Below are other „friendly“ nations to Iran whose vessels are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
The actual vote on the resolution, which was drafted by Bahrain with the support of the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, is expected to be scheduled for Friday. But it remained unclear whether extra hours of diplomacy would bring the three veto-holding countries on board.
Russia, China and France are among the five permanent members of the council with veto power. There were also divisions over the resolution among the 10 nonpermanent members, according to diplomats.
Arab nations, led by Bahrain, seeking UN Security Council authorisation for military intervention to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have faced a major setback as Russia, China and France vetoed the proposed resolution.
The strategic Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit—was closed by Iran on 28 February 2026 amid escalating conflict with the United States and Israel.
“We have today foreign ministers and representatives from more than 40 countries gathered to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the consequences of its closure, the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation for international shipping, and our firm international determination to see the strait reopened,” British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said at the start of a virtual meeting.
The meeting was announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as United States President Donald Trump urged countries that depend on the route to take action.