Iran-Israel war LIVE: Israel, Lebanon say extending ceasefire despite new strikes

Home News World Hundreds of people have died in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes despite the truce announced on April 17 Updated - May 16, 2026 10:34 am IST Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Marjeyoun, Lebanon, May 15, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the United States announced on Friday (May 15, 2026), even as Israel carried out new strikes that it insists are not subject to the truce.At least six people ⁠were killed, including ‌three ‌paramedics, ‌and ⁠22 ⁠were wounded in an Israeli ‌strike on a civil ‌defence centre in ⁠southern Lebanon, the ‌Lebanese state news agency ‌said early Saturday (May 16, 2026).A day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Xi Jinping had offered China’s help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday (May 15, 2026) he had “received messages” from the United States saying it is willing to continue talks, and that he was open to any support, including from China.“We received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the interaction,” Mr. Araghchi told reporters in New Delhi. Mr. Trump said that the Chinese leader had also pledged not to send military equipment to aid Iran in its war against the United States and Israel.Follow the latest updates belowMay 16, 2026 10:34 UAE says all of its actions came under defensive measures to protect sovereignty, vital infrastructure 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 (May11, 2026) 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. - ReutersMay 16, 2026 09:57 China's U.N. ambassador criticises U.S. Hormuz resolution China’s U.N. ambassador on Friday (May 15, 2026) criticised a proposed U.S.-Bahraini resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, saying the content and timing were not right and passing it would ‌not be helpful.The draft resolution demands Iran halt attacks and mining in the strait, but ⁠diplomats have said it is likely to meet with Russian and Chinese vetoes if it comes to a vote. Both ‌countries vetoed a similar U.S.-backed resolution last month, arguing it was biased against Iran.The Pass Blue ‌news portal, which focuses on U.N. news, posted a ‌short ⁠clip of an impromptu interview with China’s ⁠U.N. envoy Fu Gong in which he said, when asked about the resolution: “We don’t think the content is right, and the timing is not right.- ReutersMay 16, 2026 09:50 U.S. 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 U.S. interests in Europe has been arrested and brought to the U.S. ⁠to face six terrorism-related counts, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday (May 15, 2026).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. Read more hereMay 16, 2026 08:59 Iran FM says U.S. willing to continue talks, open to China’s help Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday (May 15, 2026) he had “received messages” from the United States saying it is willing to continue talks, and that he was open to any support, including from China.“We received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the interaction,” Mr. Araghchi told reporters in New Delhi.Iran FM says U.S. willing to continue talks, open to China’s helpIran's FM Araghchi confirms U.S. readiness for talks and welcomes China's potential assistance in diplomatic efforts.May 16, 2026 08:48 Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefireIsrael has been pounding Lebanon and invaded its south in response to fire from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia movement that is not part of the ceasefire diplomacy.Israel, Lebanon agree to extension of ceasefire despite new strikesIsrael and Lebanon extend ceasefire by 45 days after U.S.-brokered talks, aiming for lasting peace and security. Published - May 16, 2026 08:51 am IST