Key facts
- The UN Security Council condemned the killing of UNIFIL peacekeeper Milovan Jovanovic in southern Lebanon.
- Jovanovic was the seventh UNIFIL peacekeeper killed since early March.
- The Israeli military killed one person in Maarakeh, southern Lebanon.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated a deal with the US to end the war is 'never been closer'.
- Sticking points remain regarding Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal.
- Four pro-Palestine activists were jailed in the UK for a raid on an Israeli arms firm.
The UN Security Council has condemned the killing of Milovan Jovanovic, a Serbian peacekeeper with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), who was the seventh peacekeeper to die since Israel intensified its operations in early March. The Israeli military reported killing one person in Maarakeh, southern Lebanon, and activating air raid sirens in Metula due to a hostile aircraft.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the war is "never been closer." He indicated that while initial agreements exist on issues like the Strait of Hormuz and frozen assets, significant sticking points remain concerning Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal. Araghchi suggested a 60-day period for further discussions to ensure a lasting peace.
US President Donald Trump reposted Araghchi's statement on his Truth Social platform, though he had previously criticized Iran for alleged leaks of deal details to state media, calling them "fake news." Separately, four activists from the group Palestine Action were jailed in the UK on 'terror' charges for a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems UK facility, causing over $1.34 million in damage to drones and weaponry.