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Iran live updates: US-Iran talks ongoing, Israel advances in Lebanon
Several weeks of peace talks are yet to produce a resolution to the conflict.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.
Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."
Key Headlines
- Death toll in Lebanon now 3,412 from Israeli attacks, health ministry says
- Any deal with US must secure 'rights of the Iranian people,' Ghalibaf says
- IDF advances north of Litani River, approaches city of Nabatieh
- 'Suspected' mine reported in Strait of Hormuz, Omani authorities say
- Hegseth calls talks with Iran 'productive'
Situation Room meeting has ended, White House says
President Donald Trump's meeting in the Situation Room about the possible draft deal with Iran has ended, according to a White House official.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
Negotiations still ongoing but agreement text has not been finalized, Iranian Foreign Ministry says
Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. are still ongoing and a text for a memorandum of understanding, an agreement, "has not yet been finalized," Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"What the Americans refer to as a 'maritime blockade' was an illegal action from the very beginning, both a violation of the ceasefire and an obstruction of international freedom of navigation. We need to see in practice whether they will actually follow through on this statement or if it is merely a propaganda claim," Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Iran’s State TV Friday.
"Regarding an agreement, as I said, as I speak to you now, message exchanges are continuing, but no final agreement has been reached," he said.
Iran says talks are focused on ending war, nuclear issues not being discussed
Iranian officials said negotiations with the U.S. are focused on ending the war imposed on Iran and nuclear issues are not being discussed in detail at this stage, according to Iranian Press TV.
The Strait of Hormuz has been under Iran's special measures since the imposed war began and is closed to hostile military vessels, however, commercial ships have transited through the route in coordination with Iranian authorities, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Baghaei also said Iran and Oman must establish mechanisms that both preserve their national interests and security as well as reassure the international community that shipping through this route is conducted safely.
Israeli forces cross Litani River in Lebanon, Netanyahu says
The Israeli military is fighting Hezbollah "head on" across several parts of Lebanon, including north of the Litani River, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday.
"Our forces crossed the Litani, they advanced into the controlled areas. We are also operating in Beirut, in the Bekaa, across the entire width of the front and are hitting Hezbollah head on," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.
Speaking from northern Israel, Netanyahu said, "From here, the battle against Hezbollah in the north is being waged."
A ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since mid-April but the IDF has said it continued to target Hezbollah in several parts of Lebanon.
Hezbollah has continued to attack Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and fire projectiles at northern Israel.
Since March 2, Israeli forces have killed at least 3,355 people and wounded another 10,095 across Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
On Friday, the IDF again urged residents from several towns and villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Zahrani River.
-ABC News' Dana Savir and Ghazi Balkiz