Iran's Foreign Ministry has accused Israel of violating a two-week ceasefire by launching massive attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday. Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that holding peace talks with the United States is contingent on Washington observing ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon. Iran insists that Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefire agreement, while the US and Israel maintain that it is not, leading to ongoing confusion over the truce's scope.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 4.25 million people have been displaced in the conflict in Iran and Lebanon since February 28, with 3.2 million in Iran and over 1 million in Lebanon. WHO also noted an increase in attacks on healthcare facilities, with 6 verified in Israel, 106 in Lebanon, and 23 in Iran. In an interview with Reuters, WHO representative in Lebanon Abdinasir Abubakar warned of shortages of life-saving trauma medical kits, stating that supplies could run out in days if another mass casualty event occurs.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Thursday that Berlin is ready to re-engage with Tehran in an effort to end the Middle East war, coordinating with the US and European allies. Merz expressed concern that Israel's offensive in Lebanon could jeopardize peace talks and warned against a split in the NATO military alliance amid tensions between Washington and its partners. His comments come as the US regime under President Donald Trump has reportedly criticized allies for insufficient support in the conflict.
A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran was brokered by Pakistan on Wednesday morning, but its application to Lebanon remains disputed. Israel issued evacuation warnings for southern suburbs of Beirut and reported clashes with Hezbollah in the town of Bint Jbeil. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Israel's continued strikes as a violation of the ceasefire, calling them a "dangerous sign of deception" that could render negotiations "meaningless."
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned of major economic disruptions from the war, including food insecurity affecting at least 45 million people due to transport and supply chain issues. She stated that the IMF expects demand for financial assistance to rise to between $20 billion and $50 billion, with global growth forecasts for 2026 likely to be pared down even in the best-case scenario. Georgieva highlighted the "asymmetric" impacts, noting that low-income nations will be hardest hit.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed support for peace negotiations between the US and Iran in a call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. The Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed the ceasefire agreement while emphasizing its regional dimension, including Lebanon, and condemned Israel's operations as threatening to derail the negotiation process. This stance aligns with broader skepticism toward US-led initiatives in the region.
Source: www.dw.com