We are on verge of resumption of bombardment after days of optimism that Pakistan could pull off a US-Iran deal. Clear divisions within Iranian leadership between IRGC & negotiators. Lebanon 10-day ceasefire did not hold 72 hrs.

UPDATE: Escalation
• Lebanon-Israel ceasefire collapsing
• IRGC recloses Hormuz, humiliates Aragchi
• IRGC targets trade🚢
• Trump holding situation room meeting (Axios)
• Lebanon displaced on road again after returning
• No date for Iran talks
• Bombing could resume soon

Aoun says Lebanon seeks 'permanent agreements' with Israel after White House invite Aoun says Lebanon is entering a “new stage” of negotiations with Israel focused on “permanent agreements” following a US-brokered ceasefire and a White House invitation extended to both him and Israel...

UPDATE: #Lebanon

• Beirut seeks “permanent agreements” with Israel: Prez Aoun
• “Ready to go wherever” (White House)
• Displaced returning South
• Few Israeli attacks today
• Netanyahu says ready to blend political with military strategy vs Hezbollah www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

- Netanyahu can claim first talks with Lebanese since 80s, potentially summit in Washington

- Iran can claim it insisted on ceasefire ask and now can proceed with talks

- Hezbollah can claim it withstood a month and a half of Israeli bombardment 3/3

This is win-win for all involved. Here’s why:

- Aoun already looks good, declining Netanyahu call, getting call from Trump and getting a ceasefire

- Trump gets to take credit, use this to advance Iran talks, potentially bigger deal with Lebanon 2/3

Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, invites Aoun and Netanyahu to White House The announcement follows landmark talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Lebanon-Israel ceasefire
• Trump announces: 10-day, 5pmET
• Netanyahu didn’t ask cabinet
• Trump to invite Aoun, Bibi to White House! First in 43 years
• Israel not withdrawing yet
• Hezbollah to abide if Israel does
• Helps with Iran talks www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

On Lebanon, nothing is ever black or white. The country’s history and political trajectory are rooted in uncertainty. We are in a unique moment marked by major social and political shifts, but it is still unclear where they will lead.

Rubio speaks to Lebanon's president amid push for Aoun-Netanyahu call Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday amid reports that Aoun is to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

UPDATE: #Lebanon

• Rubio calls Prez Aoun
• Aoun declines, for now, call with Netanyahu
• Israel mulling temporary ceasefire
• US pushing for ceasefire followed by negotiations/peace talks
• Israel bombed Qasimiyeh bridge
• Ali Hassan Khalil in Saudi www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Exposing a global ‘online rape academy’ that is teaching men how to abuse women and evade detection CNN exposes an online network of men encouraging each other to drug and assault their partners, and swap tips on how to get away with it.

CNN exposes a global “online rape academy” that teaches men how to drug and rape women without detection. Over 62 million men attended in February alone.

TIP: @almonitor.bsky.social can confirm that serious US pressure/efforts underway with Israel to agree to temporary ceasefire with #Lebanon. Driving pressure is progress on Iran track via Pakistan. Could come as soon as tonight…

Kuwait detains American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin: What to know Kuwaiti authorities have been cracking down on alleged violators of the country's media law during the Iran war.

‼️American journalist Ahmed Shibab-Eldin has been detained in Kuwait for about six weeks after sharing content related to the war in Iran. His account here on Twitter appears deactivated www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

- The fact that talks happened is significant, shows a shift in Lebanon
- Pace is slow considering Israel’s continued war, Hezbollah rejecting, firing missiles during
- Record amount of deepfakes from meeting depicting fabricated handshakes, wrongly attributed statements

First round of Lebanon-Israel talks concludes in Washington: What to know Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the meeting a “historic opportunity” to end Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.

UPDATE: Lebanon- Israel talks

• > 2 hrs
• Rubio chaired, ambassadors level
• No handshake, no joint statement
• No ceasefire reached
• “Constructive”
• $58.8M aid to Lebanon
• US emphasized Lebanon separate track from Iran; direct negotiations next www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Lebanon's role in the war in Iran What could a continued Israeli invasion mean for the country?

📻 Good to be on NPR's 1A today to discuss Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington, why Rubio should press Israel for a ceasefire in order to get a chance at disarming Hezbollah, advancing a political process: the1a.org/segments/leb...

The news here is not that Hezbollah will not abide, that was never a question, but that it couldn’t block the talks. The government held, the meeting slated to happen and even Hezbollah’s closest ally Berri did not go to streets to protest… a different status quo in Lebanon.

UPDATE: Lebanon- Israel talks tomorrow
• Plan for 11 am ET, 6pm Beirut
• 3 Ambassadors at State Dept.
• Rubio to drop in
• Hezbollah says it won’t abide
• Israeli bombardment continues
• Beirut hoping for ceasefire
• Netanyahu maintaining low expectations

'No fear': Pope Leo pushes against Trump attacks as he lands in Algeria President Donald Trump has escalated against the first American pontiff over his criticism of the Israel-US war in Iran.

NEW: 'No fear': Pope Leo pushes against Trump attacks as he lands in Algeria www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Okay:
- Trump blockading Iran blockade to pressure Tehran. So far military pressure hasn’t worked and this could be messy (Oil prices, China 🚢…)

- UAE signaling it could help in a Hormuz op. Trump told FOX that NATO might

- Talks failed over nuclear & Hormuz

- Iran defiant

UPDATE
• Trump: US to Blockade Hormuz
• Pakistan talks failed
• Trump: All or nothing
• US, Iran delegations left Islamabad
• UAE: Hormuz’s “not Iran’s to close”
• Israel prepares for war to resume
• Israel strikes Lebanon, raid in South
• Ceasefire expires04/22

Iran-US: Moving pieces before Islamabad talks
• 2 Planes carrying Iran delegation reportedly arrived in Pakistan
• Lebanon-Israel ceasefire may happen today. Ambassadors 📞 soon
• Ghalibaf asking for $$ assets released
• Vance on way
• Lebanon-Israel talks in US on Tuesday

Careful with flood of AI videos suggesting Iranian delegation is in Pakistan already. No confirmation yet. Iran's Ghalibaf requesting
1. Ceasefire in Lebanon
2. Release of assets
Before entering #IslamabadTalks

Good to be on @france24.com this morning to discuss the flood of misinformation around war in Iran & competing narratives/talks shaping the war/ceasefire negotiations. www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...

Lebanon has one of the most diverse and complex political, cultural and social landscapes in the Middle East. Broad generalizations of entire population rarely hold…if only it were that simple…

UPDATE: US confirms it's hosting Lebanon-Israel talks next week, the first of kind in Washington. Unclear if it's ambassador level or more officials will join. Watch this space: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Why did China push for US-Iran ceasefire:
1. Potential sanctions relief
2. Pakistan as mediator
3. Iran regime intact
4. Energy flow and Trump visit ➡️ www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

This is an interesting turn by Beirut, different from Israeli wars in Lebanon since 1990s where Syria, Hezbollah via Iran were negotiators:
- Lebanon calling for seat on table
- Beirut already started direct talks w Israel (2 rounds)
- TBD if gov able to reach, enforce ceasefire

Lebanon rejects Iran negotiating on its behalf, PM says only Beirut handles talks Israel launched its largest attack against Lebanon in the war, firing over 160 munitions across the country. At least 203 people were killed and 1,072 injured, while 33 remain missing, authorities said.

NEW: #Lebanon rejects Iran negotiating on its behalf, PM Salam says only Beirut handles talks. Over 200 killed in Israeli strikes, 33 missing. Details: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

US-Iran ceasefire violations

- Iranian missiles at Israel
- Israel hit Iran oil refinery
- Iran hit Saudi Arabia pipeline
- Iran fired missiles at UAE, Qatar
- Iran fired drones at Kuwait, Bahrain

Massive Israeli airstrikes in Beirut as US says Lebanon NOT included in ceasefire

Some diplomatic signs

- Pakistani proposal:2-week ceasefire
- Trump has not ruled it out
- Iran views proposal “positively”
- UN official en route to Tehran,l
- Israel intensifying attacks in an event of a temporary pause

Trump chairing policy meeting now

US journalist Shelly Kittleson released by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq Two officials confirmed to Al-Monitor that Kittleson had been released.

🚨 CONFIRMED: AL-MONITOR can confirm that American citizen, Wisconsin native and journalist Shelly Kittleson has been RELEASED after one week abduction by Iraqi militia. Two officials told @amberinzaman.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...