Iran reviewing new US proposals, top security council says

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that Hezbollah was responsible for an attack in southern Lebanon that killed a French UN peacekeeper and wounded three others.

““All indications suggest that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah. France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest those responsible and assume their responsibilities alongside UNIFIL,” he wrote in a post on X.

Macron identified the dead peacekeeper as Florian Montorio, a French national, after the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL said one of its patrols had come under attack by “non-state actors.”

The Iran-backed group did not immediately comment on the attack, which came amid continued tensions in southern Lebanon despite efforts to preserve the ceasefire.

A container ship was hit by an unknown projectile about 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to some containers, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday.

UKMTO said no fires or environmental damage had been reported, and advised vessels to report any suspicious activity.

Iran’s judiciary said on Saturday it had ordered the identification and seizure of bank accounts, property and other assets belonging to individuals accused of cooperating with foreign services, hostile media and anti-establishment groups.

The judiciary named a number of public figures whose assets it said had been identified and frozen.

The statement described them as supporters of the United States and Israel without providing evidence for the accusations.

Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open, but believes the United States is trying to undermine the diplomatic track, the deputy foreign minister said on Saturday.

“We want the Strait of Hormuz to remain open, but the American side is trying to weaken the diplomatic path,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

He said there would be no blockade in the future and that no one could dictate terms to Iran.

He added that if war broke out again, Iran would respond with full force.

Iran International has received reports that an Iranian man was violently assaulted in central London. The Metropolitan Police are understood to be investigating.

The man has not been named. Sources say he was a professional working in the area and a peaceful opponent of the Iranian government.

The attack comes at a time of growing concern about threats, intimidation, and violence affecting people linked to Iran in Britain.

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