Iran: Data show partial restoration of internet connectivity

Israeli forces have begun operating beyond what is known as the "Yellow Line" in south Lebanon, military sources confirmed to AFP and Reuters.

Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire on a near-daily basis despite a ceasefire in effect since April 17.

Israeli troops have until now been operating inside the self-declared "Yellow Line," where they have carried out large-scale demolitions since.

The "Yellow Line" is different from the UN demarcated "Blue Line" that marks the ​border between Lebanon and Israel after Israel's withdrawal in 2000.

The area that Israel is operating in runs around 10 kilometres (6 miles) deep inside Lebanese territory, a military official told AFP.

"The IDF is operating in a targeted manner beyond the Forward Defence Line in order to remove direct threats to the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF troops, in accordance with the directives of the political echelon," the military official said, adding that "specific details regarding soldiers' locations cannot be provided."

The move comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the army would ​intensify strikes against the Iran-backed militant group

Iran's vice president Mohammad Reza Aref said the government has taken the first steps to restore internet access.

The announcement comes after a near-total blackout has been in place in Iran since war with the US and Israel broke out in late February.

Iranian ‌state media had reported yesterday that President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an order to ⁠reopen international ​internet ​access.

"The first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken," the Iranian vice president said in a post on X, adding that the demands of Iranians "will be fulfilled." 

According to a post on X by the internet monitoring group Netblocks, live data showed partial restoration of internet connectivity in Iran.

Iran said that air defenses had responded to US military with Iranian news agencies reporting that a US drone had been shot down.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned against any US violation of the ceasefire agreement and said it had the right to retaliate.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry accused the US of "continuing its illegal and unjustified actions since the ceasefire."

The ministry said that "in the past 48 hours, committed a gross violation of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said missile sites and boats were targeted in southern Iran on Monday, describing the action as "self-defense strikes" aimed at protecting US military personnel.

CENTCOM said the targeted vessels were trying to lay mines in the Gulf.

A man had been hanged in Iran after being convicted of cooperating with and carrying out espionage for Israel's intelligence agency.

"Gholamreza Khani Shakarab was executed on charges of intelligence cooperation and espionage in favour of the Zionist regime," the Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online website reported.

Tuesday's execution is the latest in a series carried out by the Islamic Republic for security-related offenses since the war with Israel and the United States began on February 28.

The man was from the Iranian city of Ardabil and had been living in Turkey. He was arrested by Iranian security forces whilst travelling in Iraq.

The Norway-based human rights group Hengaw said he had been denied access to a lawyer of his choosing and criticized the lack of transparency in the judicial process.

Hengaw also said the man’s brother is imprisoned in Iran.

At least 12 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to state media.

State-run news agency National News Agency reported that the attacks took place late on Monday in the Bekaa Valley.

The reported strikes come after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had authorized intensified strikes targeting Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) didn't comment specifically on this latest report but said that it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the eastern parts of the country.

The strikes come just days before delegations from Israel and Lebanon are due to meet for direct talks in Washington.

Israel and Hezbollah have carried out strikes on one another repeatedly despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17.

Its not clear whether negotiations between Iran and the US over ending the war will include Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a deal with Tehran remained within reach despite the US military launching new strikes on Iran.

"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress," Rubio told reporters during an official visit to India.

"I think it's a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it'll take a few days," he added. "The president's expressed his desire to make it. He's either going to make a good deal or no deal."

Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz was "going to be open one way or the other," adding: "What's happening there is unlawful, it's illegal, it's unsustainable for the world, it's unacceptable."

An Iranian blockade of the vital shipping channel has strangled global fuel supplies and caused oil prices to rocket.

Rubio’s statement came shortly after the US military’s Central Command announced that it had launched "self-defense" strikes against Iran, with targets including missile launch sites and boats laying mines.

The US military said it had carried out "self-defense" strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines.

The strikes were done "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," but the military was "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire," Captain Tim Hawkins, US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement.

Further details were not immediately available.

It was not immediately clear how these strikes would impact ongoing talks between the two sides amid a ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.

There were fluctuations to the price of oil on Tuesday but it remained below $100 (€85.90) per barrel.

We're tracking the latest US strikes in southern Iran, which the US military said was necessary to protect US troops from the threats posed by Iranian forces.

Despite the new strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes an agreement with Iran is still possible, although he expects it to take a few days.

The latest actions threaten a ceasefire between the US and Iran that began on April 8. The war has caused significant disruptions to the global economy with a severe blocking of energy flows.

DW will bring you the latest developments from the region. Thank you for joining us.