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Issued on: 16/05/2026 – 07:01Modified: 16/05/2026 – 09:02
File photo of displaced people who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon sit outside shelter tents in Beirut, April 24, 2026. © Bilal Hussein, AP
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire, which was set to expire Sunday, and to hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the US announced after two days of talks in Washington. The April 17 ceasefire, which did not end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, will be extended for 45 days, said the US. Follow our live coverage for all the latest updates.
16/05/2026 – 09:02FIFA officials to meet Iranian FA to discuss World Cup, report says
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom will meet Iranian FA (FFIRI) officials in Istanbul later Saturday and offer “reassurance” over Iran’s participation in the World Cup, a source familiar with the talks has told Reuters.
Iran is scheduled to play all three World Cup group matches in the United States but the team’s participation in the June 11 to July 19 tournament has been in question since the US and Israel launched the Iran war.
16/05/2026 – 08:28Israeli strikes on Tyre wounds several Lebanese, including hospital personnel
Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the US announced days before the April 17 ceasefire was set to expire.
The announcement came even as Israel carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon that it insists are not subject to the truce. Israel has been pounding Lebanon and invaded its south in response to fire from Hezbollah since early March.
16/05/2026 – 07:49US accuses Iraqi man of helping Iran-backed militia’s plans for attacks in US, Europe
An Iraqi national accused of involvement in multiple attacks against US interests in Europe has been arrested and brought to the US to face six terrorism-related counts, the US Justice Department said.
Prosecutors said the suspect, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, was a senior member of the Iran-backed militia Kata’ib Hezbollah and accused him of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Al-Saadi is accused of coordinating or supporting nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the US , “including his efforts to kill on US soil,” said US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York in a statement.
The US government and independent experts say Kata’ib Hezbollah operates at the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The charges come amid heightened US scrutiny of Iran-backed militias accused of targeting American personnel and allies across multiple regions amid the ongoing US and Israeli war against Iran.
16/05/2026 – 06:50UAE says all of its actions came under defensive measures
The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday that all actions taken by the Gulf country came within its framework of defensive measures aimed at protecting its sovereignty, civilians, and vital infrastructure, according to a statement by its foreign ministry.
The statement came after the Wall Street Journal published a story on Monday saying that the UAE carried out military operations on Iran in early April.
The statement by the UAE foreign ministry did not refer explicitly to the reported strikes on Iran.
16/05/2026 – 06:45
16/05/2026 – 06:45Israel, Lebanon say extending ceasefire despite new strikes
Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the US announced late Friday, even as Israel carried out new strikes that it insists are not subject to the truce.
Envoys from Israel and Lebanon’s government, which has struggled to restrain Hezbollah, met for two days in Washington and said they would extend the ceasefire that was set to expire Sunday.
The cessation of hostilities “will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
He said that the State Department would hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on June 2 and 3 and that the Pentagon would bring together delegations from the countries’ militaries on May 29.
Lebanon’s delegation said in a statement that the ceasefire extension and opening of military talks would offer “critical breathing room for our citizens” with a goal of “lasting stability.”
16/05/2026 – 06:44
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the conflict in the Middle East.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
Yesterday’s developments
- Iran has ‘no trust’ in the US, will negotiate only if it is serious, FM says
- Israeli army strikes sites in Tyre area of southern Lebanon
- UAE rejects ‘Iranian claims’ after Tehran alleged active role in war
- Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 45 days, US State Dept says