US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialise “today”, adding that Israel had the right to defend itself against attack. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.
Israeli military says one soldier killed during combat in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Monday that one soldier was killed during combat in southern Lebanon, adding that an additional soldier was severely injured in the incident and evacuated to hospital.
Rubio says Iran deal still possible Monday
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialise “today”, adding that Israel had the right to defend itself against attack.
“We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today, I wouldn’t read too much into it,” Rubio said in New Delhi, referring to the potential agreement.
“Israel always has a right to protect itself… if Hezbollah is going to launch missiles or launches missiles at them, Israel has every right to respond to that,” he told reporters as he departed the Indian capital, where he has been on an official visit.
Vessels carrying Middle East oil, LNG exit Hormuz, head for Pakistan, China
Two liquefied natural gas tankers are exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, heading to Pakistan and China, while a supertanker with Iraqi crude for China left the Gulf on Saturday after being stranded for nearly three months, shipping data showed.
The vessels are among a handful of supertankers exiting the Gulf this month via a transit route that Iran has ordered ships to use. Last week, three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) made their way to China and South Korea with 6 million barrels of crude.
Japanese government bonds rally as Iran peace talks ease inflation fears
Japanese government bonds (JGBs) rallied on Monday, pushing yields further away from recent multi-decade highs, as signs of progress in resolving the Middle East conflict tamed inflation fears.
The benchmark 10-year JGB yield, which touched a 29-year high of 2.8% last week, slid 5 basis points to
2.710%. The 30-year yield, which recently hit a record 4.2%, dropped 5.5 bps to 3.955%.
Australian activists return after Gaza flotilla incident, allege Israeli abuse
Australian activists detained by Israel while on a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have returned home, with organisers alleging abuse, sexual assault, and beatings, that left some detainees in hospital.
Eleven Australians were among the 430 volunteers on 50 boats intercepted in international waters last week by Israeli forces aiming to stop the flotilla delivering aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. The flotilla included people from 40 countries.
One activist reached Melbourne on Sunday evening, while others arrived in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Monday.
Juliet Lamont, an Australian activist and documentary filmmaker, told Reuters on Monday she was dragged, sexually assaulted and beaten when she was detained.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he and US President Donald Trump agreed that any final agreement with Iran must remove the nuclear threat posed by Tehran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah in a statement of trying to plunge Lebanon “back into chaos”.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem again urged Lebanese authorities to abandon direct talks with Israel, ahead of a fourth round of such discussions in Washington early next month.
