Iran Israel Updates Friday June 26

- Senior US official: The US military is striking Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz 

- CENTCOM announced that they attacked Iranian missile and drone storage sites and command centers.

- Israel and Lebanon have reached a framework agreement for the IDF to begin partially withdrawing from southern Lebanon, a source familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel. 

Israeli forces will pull out of two areas located inside the six-mile-long buffer zone the IDF has established in southern Lebanon. The Israeli troops will be replaced by members of the Lebanese forces, the source says.

- Major Diplomatic Breakthrough: The trilateral framework constitutes a major achievement for Israel, which completely rejects Iran's attempt to force a unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon and denies Iran and Hezbollah any role whatsoever in Lebanon. Following a long negotiation between the US, Israel, and Lebanon, representatives of the three countries signed a trilateral working framework aimed at leading to future agreements between Israel and Lebanon in order to end the conflict between the countries and reach a peace settlement. Israel will maintain its security zone along the Yellow Line border in Lebanon until the day Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in Lebanon are disarmed and no longer pose a threat from Lebanon to the territory of the State of Israel.

- PM Netanyahu Announces Lebanon Security Agreement right before Shabbos 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that negotiations in Washington between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States have resulted in a new security arrangement.

According to Netanyahu, Israel's key achievement is maintaining its security zone in southern Lebanon, which will remain in place as long as Hezbollah remains armed and continues to pose a threat. He also described the agreement as a significant setback for Iran, saying Israel, Lebanon, and the U.S. made clear that Tehran has no role in Lebanon through Hezbollah or any other terrorist organization. As part of the agreement, the Lebanese Army will begin taking control of two pilot areas on the recommendation of the IDF—one south of the Litani River and another in a limited area north of the Litani that the IDF says is no longer operationally necessary. Netanyahu stressed that Israel will continue to enforce its original security zone beyond the range of anti-tank missiles and will not allow Hezbollah or civilians to enter it, concluding: "Israel's security comes first."

- Trump accuses Iran of foolishly  firing 4 drones at ships in Hormuz. 

Trump: The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement. President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Bloomberg: Oman has informed European parties that there is no possibility of returning to the pre-war situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and that ships passing through the strait may be required to pay tolls.

- Iranian media: A "communication line" has been established between Iran and the US in the Strait of Hormuz.

- An Iranian source told the New York Times that Tehran is furious with Oman for allowing ships to pass through an alternative route in the Strait of Hormuz without coordinating with the IRGC. In response, Iran launched a drone at a ship in the strait to damage the passage and completely halt maritime traffic in the area.

-Four IDF soldiers, including two officers, were injured in a clash with a Hezbollah terrorist in southern Lebanon on Thursday night, the military said Friday, as Israel and Lebanon were set for another day of direct talks in Washington.

- The Israeli Air Force struck and killed seven Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon this morning, after they were identified transporting weapons near Israel’s buffer zone, the military says.

- Israel Defense Minister Katz posts a response to Qanni’s threats: “The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Qaani, has recently been issuing numerous threats toward Israel. It seems the image of a collaborator suited him much better than this ridiculous barrage of threats. Either way, if Iran attacks Israel, it will be its biggest mistake yet. Here, no Hormuz or firing at the population will help it. Nothing will stop us. Our forces are prepared to finish the job.”

-Israel and Lebanon on Thursday wrapped up a third day of US-mediated negotiations in Washington without an agreement on a partial Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, although the sides agreed to extend talks for an extra day.

- Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf States and the US State Department Secretary Marco Rubio:

1. Support the disarmament of all militias not affiliated with the Lebanese government.

2. Support negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

3. Continue negotiations with Iran to end the war and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

4. Peace in the region requires addressing Iranian threats, including drones, missiles, and support for terrorist proxies.

5. The Hormuz Strait must be opened and navigation through it must be free and without tolls.

6. All investment in Iran must be contingent on a final agreement.

7. Condemnation of attacks by Iraqi groups on neighboring countries.

- Hezbollah’s Chief Naeem Qasem is feeling good: “We declare this clearly: We have broken the 'US-Israeli project' and entered a new phase. America and Israel wanted to eliminate the existence of Iran by changing the regime and controlling the country, and they believed they could do so. Iran stood firm. Israel must leave without conditions or restrictions. There is no normalization and no cancellation of the state of hostility; there are no achievements for Israel, and there is no partial presence in the Lebanese land”