Iran war, day 93: Trump not rushing deal; Israel expands Lebanon incursion
Al Jazeera Staff
President Donald Trump says he is “not in a hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, as the Israeli military captures a strategic fortress in southern Lebanon for the deepest incursion in 26 years. Iran warns of escalation, shoots down a U.S. drone, and unveils a new naval attack vessel.
President Donald Trump said he is “not in a hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, as the Israeli military announced it had captured a strategic fortress in southern Lebanon, marking its deepest incursion into the country in 26 years.
Speaking on Fox News, Trump said negotiations with Iran are progressing “slowly but surely” and that the U.S. is achieving what it wants. He stressed: “The only guarantee I must have is that there will be no nuclear weapons.”
U.S. media reported that Trump demanded several changes to the preliminary deal with Iran during a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday. The New York Times said Trump “hardened the terms” of the potential framework, while Axios reported the president called for “many modifications” to the preliminary agreement his envoys had reached with Iran.
Iranian state media reported on a proposed memorandum with the U.S., including a deal to release $12 billion in frozen assets. However, the White House previously dismissed similar reports as “fabricated.”
In Iran
A senior Iranian commander warned of a stronger response to any act of aggression. Deputy Army Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari declared: “The enemy should know that any act of aggression against the country's territory will face a stronger response than before.”
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a U.S. drone conducting a “hostile mission” in its waters. The Iranian army also unveiled its latest naval attack vessel, named 27 Rajab, capable of speeds up to 100 knots (185 km/h) and equipped to launch long-range cruise missiles.
The U.S. military said its forces “neutralized” a Gambia-flagged vessel attempting to travel to an Iranian port. Iran accused the U.S. of betraying diplomacy by continuing its naval blockade.
In Lebanon
The Associated Press and Reuters reported that Israeli forces captured Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif, near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate areas south of the Zahrani River and conducted airstrikes on the towns of Arnoun, Kfar Tebnit, Kfar Remman, and surrounding areas.
Israeli military spokesperson Ella Waweya said a “large-scale operation” was underway in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Salouqi area. The military also issued “precautionary directives” after detecting fire from Lebanon targeting communities in northern Israel.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched earth policy” as Israeli forces expanded their ground invasion, advancing deeper toward the city of Nabatieh.
In Israel
The Israeli military announced that ground forces had entered Lebanon to “expand the Forward Defense Line,” conducting offensive operations beyond the Litani River. A 21-year-old soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, and four others were wounded.
In the U.S.
Trump said the U.S. is deliberately not targeting the Iranian military, citing Iraq as an example of a failed approach: “What happened with Iraq was stupid.” The U.S. Congress is pushing a plan to integrate U.S.-Israeli military forces, deepening cooperation on weapons research, production, and technology.
