Editors led with President Trump's decision to freeze plans for expanded military strikes against Iran, a shift that dominated morning coverage and set the day's tone. Reports cited stockpile concerns and a tactical pause, while Iran warned of wider war if US attacks resumed. This development reframed regional diplomacy: attention turned to the upcoming Trump-Netanyahu summit, which Israeli officials said would determine the timing of a 'knockout blow' against Iran.
In parallel, the Lebanese state continued to assert sovereignty. The army reported ongoing Israeli violations in the south, including dynamiting in Kfar Tebnit and a water station bombing in Merkaba. President Aoun briefed Macron on his Washington visit and discussed post-UNIFIL arrangements, while Speaker Berri's anticipated visit to Baabda signaled a potential distancing from Hezbollah. Prime Minister Salam traveled to Baghdad to revive the Iraq-Syria-Lebanon oil pipeline.
By evening, Ayatollah Khamenei's letter to Hezbollah fighters, calling defense of Lebanon a strategic Iranian policy, competed with a US report warning that an 'attack' threatened the Lebanon-Israel agreement.