Live Updates June 16, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 16, 2026U.S. using Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the GulfThe United States military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial and water drones as well as helicopters in an operation to guide convoys to awaiting tankers.Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSVessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSThe operation on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz employs a shuttling technique long used by Iran to skirt sanctions.Two specific locations where the oil transfers take place were identified by 11 people familiar with the operation – one off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and the other off Oman's port of Sohar.It started in early May, and at least 92 ships have been involved in the transfers, according to shipping data and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters.Lebanon's Health Ministry: 3,826 killed in fighting with Israel since March 2Lebanon's Health Ministry said on Tuesday that 3,826 people were killed and 11,851 were wounded in Israeli strikes in the country since the current round of fighting began on March 2.A man views the site of a previous Israeli strike in Kfar Sir in the Nabatieh district, Lebanon, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSA man views the site of a previous Israeli strike in Kfar Sir in the Nabatieh district, Lebanon, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERS Hezbollah says Iran has pledged to pursue Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in U.S. talksHezbollah ⁠has ‌received assurances from its ‌ally Iran that it ⁠will demand a withdrawal ⁠of Israeli troops from Lebanon in its next phase of talks with the ‌United States, Hezbollah's media ‌relations office told Reuters on Tuesday.A withdrawal would be the result of, and not a precondition for, continuing talks between Tehran and ⁠Washington following the signing of a memorandum of ‌understanding between ⁠the two countries ‌on Friday, Hezbollah said.The group told Reuters that ⁠there would be "no nuclear deal between Iran and the United States ‌unless the Israelis withdraw" from Lebanon.Belarus's Lukashenko tells Saudi channel Israel committed 'holocaust' in Gaza Belarus's President Aleksandr Lukashenko accused Israel on Monday of committing a "holocaust" in the Gaza Strip, drawing criticism from Israel's Foreign Ministry for antisemitism.Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Astana, Kazakhstan, May. Credit: Alexander Kazakov,AP Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Astana, Kazakhstan, May. Credit: Alexander Kazakov,AP In an interview with Saudi state-owned channel Al Arabiya, Lukashenko said that Israel "already [has] a bad reputation in the world because of the bombing of Gaza." It is a holocaust. Why do we speak about the Holocaust suffered by the Israelis while they themselves have killed so many people, women and above all, children?""Gaza is a HOLOCAUST."