This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
- Israeli forces detain five Palestinians during West Bank incursion
- Iran says talks in Qatar on implementing MoU with US have concluded
- Death toll from Israeli attacks across Lebanon rises
- Israeli drone strike kills 2, wounds 4 in Gaza City
Islamabad MoU keeps US-Iran talks on track: Pakistan at UNSC
Published: July 2, 2026 | 20:37 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan has described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as "a victory of robust and determined diplomacy," telling the UN Security Council that the agreement continues to provide a framework for dialogue between the United States and Iran.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the Islamabad MoU reflected Pakistan's longstanding belief that regional conflicts could only be resolved through diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations.
"The conclusion of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America reflects a victory of robust and determined diplomacy," Ahmad said.
He said Pakistan's mediation efforts were driven by a commitment to regional and global peace, aimed at "saving lives, de-escalating the situation and opening the space for structured dialogue leading to an enduring mutual understanding and a final deal."
Ahmad added that Pakistan's leadership remained engaged with the negotiating parties, regional partners and other countries to sustain diplomatic momentum under the agreement.
"From our perspective, the fact that the talks are continuing and the parties are on the negotiating table is a significant positive outcome," he said.
"We continue to facilitate dialogue and confidence building measures to prevent any escalation, and to sustain the diplomatic engagement."
He also said communication channels between the parties remained open, with Pakistan continuing its efforts to promote peace and stability across the region.
"The channels of communication remain open, and we are persisting in our efforts geared towards ushering peace, security and tranquility that benefits the entire region and all countries without exception," Ahmad said.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan's condemnation of attacks on Gulf states, saying Islamabad had consistently opposed the use of force outside the framework of international law.
"Pakistan has been categorically condemning attacks against the GCC countries and once again expresses its full solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Bahrain and Kuwait," he said, warning that any further escalation could have grave consequences for regional and international peace and security.
The ambassador thanked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt and China for supporting Pakistan's mediation efforts, reiterating that dialogue remained the only sustainable path to lasting peace in the region.
Death toll from Israel’s assault on Gaza jumps to 73,074
Published: July 2, 2026 | 18:37 GMT | by Web Desk
The death toll from Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has risen to 73,074 Palestinians, with another 173,537 people wounded, Wafa reports, citing medical sources in the Gaza Strip, Al-Jazeera reported.
In just the past 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza have received four deaths and 12 injury cases, according to Al-Jazeera.
Seven Palestinians wounded by Israeli drone attack in Gaza
Published: July 2, 2026 | 16:43 GMT | by Web Desk
At least seven Palestinians have been wounded by an Israeli drone attack on Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, Wafa news agency reports, AL Jazeera reported.
The report added that the drone attack targeted a motorcycle.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia welcome progress
Published: July 2, 2026 | 15:05 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday to discuss regional developments, particularly the recent round of US-Iran negotiations in Doha, Pakistan's Foreign Office said.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved during the talks and voiced hope that the negotiations would continue in the near future.
"They expressed satisfaction on the positive progress made during this negotiation and hoped that the discussions would continue in near future," the Foreign Office said.
Prince Faisal also appreciated Pakistan's "efforts and steadfast commitment" to implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and its continued role in advancing dialogue and promoting lasting peace in the region.
Increased death toll in Lebanon from Israeli attacks
Published: July 2, 2026 | 14:30 GMT | by Web Desk
Lebanon’s health ministry says at least 4,298 people killed and 12,196 wounded by Israeli attacks since March 2, AL Jazeera reported.
The toll continues to climb despite a ceasefire in place for more than two months.
Lebanese president says will not yield 'a single inch' of territory to Israel
Published: July 2, 2026 | 12:08 GMT | by AFP
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended on Thursday negotiations with Israel, saying they were not a betrayal and he would not surrender "a single inch of Lebanon's territory", according to the presidency.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the Israeli army would remain "until further notice" in what it describes as "security zones" in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.
Cathay Pacific to resume Middle East flights
Published: July 2, 2026 | 10:47 GMT | by AFP
Hong Kong's flagship airline Cathay Pacific announced Thursday that it will resume flights to the Middle East, as the United States and Iran signal that efforts to end the war remain viable.
Cathay suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh at the end of February after the war broke out.
The airline has raised fuel surcharges several times as the conflict has driven up oil prices.
It said Thursday it would resume daily passenger flights to Dubai and four-times weekly passenger flights to Riyadh from Sept. 1.
Freighter services to Riyadh will resume from Aug. 1. "Cathay will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East prior to the resumption dates," the company said.
Israeli settlers storm Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
Published: July 2, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | by Web Desk
Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City while being escorted by Israeli police. The settlers entered the mosque's courtyards and carried out Talmudic religious rituals, Al Jazeera reported citing Palestine’s official Wafa news agency.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is located on a plateau in East Jerusalem, an area that Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, although the annexation is not recognized by most of the international community.
90% of territory destroyed, over 73,000 killed in 1,000 days of war: Gaza officials
Published: July 2, 2026 | 08:47 GMT | by Web Desk
Gaza’s Government Media Office issued a statement marking 1,000 days since the start of the war, presenting a set of reported figures on the impact of Israeli military operations in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.
It said that over 90% of Gaza has been destroyed by bombardment and around 80% of its territory has come under Israeli control through ground operations, attacks, and evacuation orders.
The statement also reported that approximately 223,000 tons of explosives have been used in Gaza, far exceeding the explosive yield dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
It added that at least 73,066 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 2023, with about 9,500 people still missing, including those believed to be under rubble.
Among those killed, more than 21,500 were children, including over 1,000 infants. The statement further said that hundreds of journalists, civil defense workers, and athletes have also been killed during the conflict.
Senior Chinese lawmaker to attend former Supreme Leader Khamenei’s funeral
Published: July 2, 2026 | 08:30 GMT | by Web Desk
Senior Chinese legislator He Wei is set to attend the funeral of the assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran’s capital, according to Al Jazeera.
He Wei serves as the vice chairman of China’s highest legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
According to Iranian state media, the funeral ceremonies for Khamenei will start in Tehran on July 4 and will end with his burial on July 9 in his hometown of Mashhad, a holy city in northeastern Iran.
Iran prepares for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral
Published: July 2, 2026 | 04:37 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran is preparing the largest state funeral in its history for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28, according to Al Jazeera.
The six-day ceremonies will begin on Saturday. Khamenei’s body will be returned to Iran for burial in his home city, Mashhad, on July 9.
Ali Khamenei was born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad, according to Khamenei's official website. He became a prominent Shia cleric after studying in Mashhad, Qom, and Najaf.
He was a leading opponent of the Shah, enduring repeated arrests, imprisonment, and exile before the Iranian Revolution. After the revolution, Khamenei served as president of Iran from 1981 to 1989.
In 1989, he was chosen by the Assembly of Experts to become Supreme Leader, a position he held for about 37 years.
On March 8, Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ali Khamenei, was chosen as Iran’s new supreme leader.
Oil prices drop in early trade
Published: July 2, 2026 | 04:35 GMT | by Web Desk
Oil prices extended their decline after Qatar announced that indirect technical negotiations between Iran and the United States had achieved “positive progress” during talks held in Doha.
By 01:02 GMT, Brent crude futures had dropped 73 cents, or 1.02%, to $70.84 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 83 cents, or 1.21%, to $67.75 per barrel.
During the previous trading session, both benchmark crude prices declined by more than 1%, reaching their lowest levels in four months.
US Navy says search for aircrewman ongoing after helicopter’s emergency water landing
Published: July 2, 2026 | 04:28 GMT | by Web Desk
US Naval Forces Central Command has said that the search for an aircrewman was ongoing after Sea Hawk helicopter conducted an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea.
“Three of the helicopter’s four crew members have been recovered and are in stable condition,” the US Navy said, adding that there was “no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.”
Hormuz crossing remain active, but remain fragmented
Published: July 2, 2026 | 04:15 GMT | by Web Desk
MarineTraffic, a global provider of ship tracking, said that the “Strait of Hormuz remained open and active,” with 34 verified crossings recorded.
“Route visibility, however, remained fragmented, with vessels using Iranian, Omani, IMO and Dark or Unknown routes,” the organization said in a post on X.
Trump says fuel prices ‘plummeting fast,’ but, ‘not as fast’ as it should
Published: July 2, 2026 | 04:10 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump said that fuel prices were “plummeting fast,” however, noting that they were “not as fast as they should be.”
“America has never been stronger than it is now, and gas prices will soon be back to the record low prices Americans enjoyed at the pump before our very successful “excursion” in Iran,” he said in a post on TruthSocial.
Pakistani, Qatari mediators hold separate talks with US, Iranian negotiators in Doha
Published: July 1, 2026 | 21:43 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistani and Qatari mediators held separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, making "positive progress" on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.
The discussions built on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit and focused on advancing the implementation of the Islamabad MOU.
The Foreign Office said both sides agreed to continue discussions in the coming period, with the next round of meetings to be held at the earliest possible time after the funeral ceremonies of the former Iranian supreme leader.
The brief statement did not disclose the names of the negotiators or provide further details about the issues discussed during the meetings.
Separately, Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari also confirmed the development, stating that both parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed support for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional disputes and has maintained close coordination with regional partners, including Qatar, in efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.
The Foreign Office announced the development in a statement issued from Islamabad on Thursday.
Trump says Iran talks were 'very good'
Published: July 1, 2026 | 12:56 GMT | by AFP
President Donald Trump hailed the progress on Wednesday of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, saying there had been "very good meetings" in Doha.
"As far as things are going, the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well. They've had very good meetings, and we'll see," Trump told reporters as he prepared to board his new Qatar-gifted Air Force One plane for a trip to North Dakota.
"We hit them very hard... but we're getting along very well," he said of the talks, which are aimed at quelling tensions following exchanges of fire between the two sides.
For earlier developments, read our July 1 live blog here