Lebanon reports over 1,700 Israeli violations in just three weeks

This live blog follows updates for Day 73 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 72, go here.

• Iran submits ceasefire response through Pakistan amid escalating regional tensions
• Donald Trump rejects Iran’s proposal, calling terms completely unacceptable publicly
• Drone attacks strike Gulf vessels as Hormuz security fears intensify
• United Arab Emirates and Kuwait report intercepting hostile Iranian drones overnight successfully
• Narges Mohammadi receives medical bail while diplomatic mediation efforts continue

Nun cites attacks on Christians in occupied Palestinian territories
Published: May 11, 2026 | 10:03 GMT | by Web Desk

An American Orthodox nun, Mother Agapia Stephanopoulos, spoke outside the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC, during a gathering reported by multiple international media outlets.

She described a “shocking rise” in attacks on Christians and the “slow-motion genocide” of the Christian presence in occupied Palestinian territories by Israel. She said she lived on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem from 1996 to 2006 and ran a school for Muslim and Christian Palestinian children in East Jerusalem, according to her account.

She reported incidents including clerics being spat upon, the destruction of Christian religious symbols by the military in Jerusalem, and the confiscation of religious icons and crosses from believers. She said land seizures and a violent attack on a nun in Jerusalem were making the region “desecrated” and unlivable for Christians.

She called on US lawmakers to block arms transfers to Israel, restore funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, and provide financial support for hospitals in East Jerusalem.

Wafa News Agency reported she described developments in the Palestinian territories as a “serious threat” to the historic Christian presence. While Al-Jazeera reported rising tensions and cited concern from the Greek Orthodox Church following the indictment of a suspect in connection with an April 2026 attack on a nun.

Iran, Egypt foreign ministers discuss regional developments
Published: May 11, 2026 | 9:10 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone conversation, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Lebanon reports over 1,700 Israeli violations in just three weeks
Published: May 11, 2026 | 8:48 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanon recorded over 1,744 Israeli violations, including 818 airstrikes, 641 artillery attacks, 270 demolition operations and 15 phosphorus shelling incidents between April 17 and May 8, Information Minister Paul Morcos said, according to the National News Agency, Lebanon’s state-run news service operated by the Information Ministry.

Speaking to a local news outlet, Morcos said the strikes targeted civilians, journalists and rescue teams. The minister described the incidents as violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

He said the government is documenting the attacks to support ceasefire efforts and legal complaints through official channels.

Israel says soldier killed near border with Lebanon
Published: May 11, 2026 | 8:43 GMT | by AFP

Israel's military said Monday that one of its soldiers had died in fighting near the border with Lebanon, bringing its losses to 18 personnel since it launched attacks on Lebanon in early March.

Sergeant Major Alexander Glovanyov, 47, "fell during combat near the Israel-Lebanon border", the military said. He was killed on Sunday.

Since the war began, one Israeli civilian contractor has also been killed in addition to the 18 soldiers.

Israel is also conducting a ground invasion on Lebanese territory. Its troops are operating behind an Israeli-declared "yellow line" that runs around 10 kilometers north of Lebanon's border.

Iran calls on US to end pressure, release frozen assets
Published: May 11, 2026 | 8:34 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran said Monday the United States must end what Tehran described as “one-sided pressure” and meet Iran’s demands, including lifting blockades and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman made the remarks at a press conference, according to local Iranian media reports.

The spokesman said Iran’s demands include “ending the war, lifting blockades, halting maritime piracy, freeing frozen assets, and ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz and security in Lebanon and the region.”

Iran says demanded end to war, release of assets in its response to US
Published: May 11, 2026 | 7:50 GMT | by AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday it had called for an end to the war across the region and the release of frozen assets abroad in its response to the latest US proposal.

"We did not demand any concessions. The only thing we demanded was Iran's legitimate rights," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

He said Iran's demands included "an end to the war in the region", ending the US naval blockade, and the "release of assets belonging to the Iranian people, which have for years been unjustly trapped in foreign banks".

Israel bombs southern Lebanese towns

Published: May 11, 2026 | 05:49 GMT | By Web Desk

Israel has conducted air raids on the towns of Kfar Tebnit and Choukine, according to Al Jazeera.

Soldier killed near Lebanon border, says Israel

Published: May 11, 2026 | 05:47 GMT | By Web Desk

Israel’s military announced that a soldier was killed during combat operations near the Lebanon border.

The military identified him as 47-year-old Alexander Glovanyov, an army vehicle driver, and said he was killed on Sunday.

US plan ‘meant Iran’s surrender to Trump’s greed’: Iranian state media

Published: May 11, 2026 | 04:13 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian state-run IRIB has responded to Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s response to the US proposal to end the war, according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, IRIB said the US plan “meant Iran’s surrender to Trump’s greed”, and Tehran’s reply “emphasises the fundamental rights of the Iranian nation”.

It said the latest Iranian offer also “emphasises the necessity of war reparations by the US and Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz”, as well as the “need to end sanctions and release the country’s seized funds and assets”.

Iranian and Dutch FMs discuss regional developments in phone call

Published: May 11, 2026 | 02:24GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has spoken to his Dutch counterpart, Tom Berendsen, over the phone, IRIB reported according to Al Jazeera.

In a post on its Telegram channel, Iran’s state media outlet said the two “exchanged views on issues related to bilateral relations and the latest ongoing regional and diplomatic developments.”

Pentagon chief denies senator’s claims that US munitions are running low

Published: May 11, 2026 | 02:08GMT | By AFP

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied claims by Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, who said US munitions have been “depleted” by the war on Iran.

“‘Captain’ Mark Kelly strikes again,” Hegseth wrote on X.

“Now he’s blabbing on TV (falsely and dumbly) about a *CLASSIFIED* Pentagon briefing he received.”

The remarks came in response to Kelly’s interview with CBS, in which he said he had been briefed by the Pentagon that the US has “expended a lot of munitions”, and warned that this left the US “less safe”.

Kelly added that it would take “years” to replenish the stockpile, and that the shortages threaten the ability to handle a potential conflict with China.

China confirms Trump's visit May 13 to 15

Published: May 11, 2026 | 01:57GMT | By AFP

President Donald Trump will visit China from May 13 to 15, Beijing confirmed on Monday, with the US leader expected to discuss Iran and trade with his Chinese counterpart.

"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to 15," a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Trump rejects 'unacceptable' Iranian terms for ending war

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31GMT | By AFP

President Donald Trump said he has rejected Iran's response to a US proposal for ending the Middle East war, deeming it "totally unacceptable."

"I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives.' I don't like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, without describing elements of Tehran's response.

Iran war 'not over,' uranium must be removed: Netanyahu

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31GMT | By AFP

Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium must be "taken out" before the US-Israeli war against Iran can be considered over, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told an American broadcaster Sunday.

"It's not over, because there's still nuclear material -- enriched uranium -- that has to be taken out of Iran. There's still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled," Netanyahu said in an interview that aired Sunday on the CBS News program "60 Minutes."

"You go in and you take it out," the Israeli leader said when asked how the uranium could be removed.

Netanyahu said US President Donald Trump had a similar position.

"I'm not going to talk about military means, but the president, what President Trump has said to me -- 'I want to go in there.'"

Oil prices climb as US-Iran talks break down

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31GMT | By AFP

Oil prices opened sharply higher on Monday shortly after US President Donald Trump said he rejected Tehran's response to Washington's peace proposal, and Iran renewed threats of violence in the Strait of Hormuz.

The international benchmark for oil, Brent crude that is being prepared for July delivery, was up 2.69 percent to $104.01 a barrel.

Its US counterpart, West Texas Intermediate, rose 2.54 percent to $97.84 a barrel.

UK, France ministers to hold Hormuz meeting 

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31GMT | By AFP

The United Kingdom and France will host a multinational meeting of defence ministers Tuesday on military plans to restore trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the British government said.

"The Defence Secretary John Healey will co-chair a meeting of over 40 nations, alongside his French counterpart, Minister Catherine Vautrin, for the multinational mission’s first Defence Minister’s meeting," a defence ministry statement said Sunday.