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Lebanese state media say the latest Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least seven people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting threatens an interim deal between the United States and Iran to end their war. Lebanon’s National News Agency said the strikes on Saturday hit the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages. The reports say at least seven people are trapped under the rubble. Mediators are scrambling to halt the fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group, after a heavy exchange killed at least 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers on Friday.

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The American push for high-stakes talks with Iran has hit a snag. Iranian officials didn't travel to Switzerland as planned for the talks and are insisting that fighting in Lebanon must stop first. That's according to three regional officials and person familiar with the matter. They weren't authorized to comment publicly. The officials say the situation is fluid as Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to renew their ceasefire after a period of intense fighting in southern Lebanon. Vice President JD Vance was prepared to meet with Iranian counterparts this weekend at a Swiss mountain resort before his trip was abruptly postponed.

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Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group agreed to halt the heavy fighting in southern Lebanon that had threatened to unravel an interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran. That's according to officials who spoke Friday to The Associated Press. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah immediately confirmed the truce. It came after a heavy exchange of fire killed 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers. Hezbollah and Israel went to war shortly after the outbreak of the wider conflict, with Hezbollah firing rockets and drones at civilian communities in northern Israel and Israel seizing large swaths of southern Lebanon.

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A new AP-NORC poll finds that Trump’s approval on Iran remained low, at 34%, even as a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations materialized. The survey was conducted June 11-17, just after Trump called off threats to escalate the war with Iran. Respondents answered as Trump announced a deal with Iran and authorized an end to the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The poll concluded just before the deal was signed Wednesday. Trump’s overall presidential approval also held steady at 37%. Only about one-third of U.S. adults approve of his handling of Israel as tensions grow between the two countries.

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World shares are mixed, with markets in Greater China closed for holidays. U.S. futures declined as optimism over the U.S.-Iran deal to end their war was dimmed by the postponement of high-stakes talks on reopening negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and getting oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Sentiment has also been hit by expectations that central banks including the Federal Reserve will keep raising interest rates to try to curb inflation. On Thursday, the S&P 500 rose 1.1% and the Dow industrials added 0.1%. The Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9%. U.S. markets will be closed Friday for Juneteenth.

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Many Lebanese from the country's south hope the U.S.-Iran deal marks the start of better times. But their hopes are mixed with skepticism after too many ceasefires that had failed to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Adnan Kaour returned on Thursday to check on his home in the southern coastal city of Tyre, just a week after Israel issued warnings for all of its residents to evacuate. He found a pile of rubble and shattered glass. Still, he hopes for peace and an end to the war so that "everyone can go back to their homes.” Fighting in southern Lebanon, still underway on Wednesday, could derail the U.S.-Iran deal.

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The White House says Vice President JD Vance is delaying his trip to Switzerland to lead nuclear negotiations with Iran. The postponement follows reports that Iran is delaying its delegation due to Israel's military actions in Lebanon. The U.S. recently lifted its blockade, allowing oil tankers to move through the Strait of Hormuz. This initial agreement has faced criticism for potentially conceding too much to Iran. Vance defends the deal, stating Iran must comply with U.S. demands first. The agreement requires Iran to dilute its uranium stockpile and renounce nuclear ambitions. Shipping through the strait has started to normalize.