Military operations in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of United Nations peacekeepers and Israeli forces, authorities confirmed Tuesday, while President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership made conflicting claims regarding potential diplomatic talks to resolve their ongoing conflict.
Israeli forces are conducting operations aimed at removing Hezbollah fighters from southern Lebanon, following repeated rocket and drone attacks launched across the border. Israeli leadership indicates this military campaign may develop into an extended occupation of the region.
An emergency United Nations Security Council meeting has been scheduled after three UN peacekeeping personnel were fatally wounded in southern Lebanon within a 24-hour period, though the responsible party remains unclear. Israeli military sources reported Tuesday morning that four additional Israeli soldiers had died during the offensive operations.
In an interview published Monday by the New York Post, President Trump stated that the United States is conducting negotiations with Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker. The former Revolutionary Guard leader had previously been suggested as a potential diplomatic contact for Washington, but he has rejected claims that Iran is engaging in talks with America and characterized Pakistan-mediated discussions as merely concealing U.S. military positioning.
Trump additionally warned of massive strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure and critical facilities, including water desalination systems, unless a peace agreement is achieved “shortly.”
Financial markets showed modest gains during volatile Monday trading sessions as petroleum prices continued rising amid uncertainty about the conflict’s duration.
The Thai cargo vessel operator whose ship was damaged by projectile fire near the Strait of Hormuz announced that search crews successfully boarded the disabled vessel but could not find three missing sailors.
The Mayuree Naree sustained damage after being struck north of Oman earlier this month.
Precious Shipping Co., Ltd informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Monday that searchers examined all reachable sections of the Mayuree Naree “under challenging conditions, including the presence of fire damage, residual smoke, and flooding in the engine room.” The company stated that relatives of the three missing crew members received appropriate notification.
Satellite imagery captured shortly before the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June indicates Tehran moved a truck carrying highly enriched uranium to its Isfahan nuclear complex.
The Airbus Defense and Space Pléiades Neo satellite photograph shows a truck carrying 18 blue containers entering a tunnel at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center on June 9, 2025. Hostilities commenced June 13, and American forces bombed the Isfahan facility along with two additional nuclear sites on June 22.
François Diaz-Maurin, a researcher with the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, determined the truck probably transported 18 secure containers holding up to 534 kilograms (1,177 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity. This represents a brief technical process away from weapons-grade 90% enrichment levels.
“This calculation suggests that Iran could have transferred all of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Isfahan via the truck seen in the satellite image,” Diaz-Maurin stated in his assessment.
The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security similarly concluded the vehicle was moving highly enriched uranium. French publication Le Monde initially disclosed the satellite images.
Iran’s foreign minister declared early Tuesday that Tehran’s military strikes against Gulf Arab nations exclusively target American forces, despite attacks affecting civilian infrastructure across the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s statements, directed toward Saudi Arabia, come as increasing Gulf Arab frustration encourages those nations to support America’s continued military engagement.
“Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation,” Araghchi posted on X, including a photograph allegedly showing damage to an American aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in the kingdom. “Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security. … High time to eject U.S. forces.”
