Israel kills 11 in Lebanon as Iran and Oman discuss Hormuz Strait talks

Israel’s military announced that an airstrike on a residential area in southern Lebanon on Thursday killed 11 civilians, marking the deadliest assault on the enclave since the June cease‑fire that ended weeks of cross‑border fighting. The strike, which Israeli officials said targeted a militant facility, was condemned by Lebanon’s government and the United Nations, both of which called for an immediate investigation and urged restraint to prevent further escalation. The incident comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel‑Lebanon border, where sporadic exchanges of fire have persisted despite diplomatic efforts to maintain the truce.

In parallel diplomatic developments, Iran and Oman resumed high‑level discussions in Muscat focused on securing safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments that has faced recent threats of disruption. The talks, ongoing for several weeks, aim to establish confidence‑building measures and a framework for de‑escalation in the region, with Omani officials emphasizing the need for uninterrupted maritime traffic. Both the Israeli strike and the Iran‑Oman negotiations underscore the volatile security environment in the Middle East, highlighting the intertwined nature of military actions and diplomatic initiatives in maintaining regional stability.