LiveLive Updates June 25, 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 25, 2026UpdatesU.S. and Gulf countries in joint statement: 'No one will be forced to leave Gaza'The United States and Gulf countries issued a joint statement declaring that no Palestinians will be expelled from the Gaza Strip, and that Iran's ballistic missile threat must be addressed."No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to return," the statement, signed by the countries' foreign ministers, read.Palestinian kids play soccer in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana,AP Palestinian kids play soccer in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana,AP On the topic of Hezbollah, the statement said that "full Lebanese sovereignty cannot be achieved while non-state armed groups maintain military capabilities outside the Lebanese state authority." The countries' statement called for "the full disarmament of all such groups and the restoration of the Lebanese state's monopoly of force, while recognizing the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in doing so."The statement also welcomed "ongoing bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by the United States, aimed at creating the conditions for a lasting peace and security agreement between the countries" and emphasized the "importance of maintaining a negotiation process, which is not conditional on the outcomes of other conflicts."On Iran, the foreign ministers stressed their "shared objective of preventing Iran from ever developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon." Their statement also emphasized that "lasting regional peace and security requires addressing the full spectrum of Iran's threats, including its ballistic missiles, drones, and support of proxies in the region."The statement also rejected "any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the Strait [of Hormuz]."IDF chief: We need every male and female soldier, will balance between diversity and fulfilling the missionsIDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the army "needs every male and female soldier, every male and female commander."From left to right, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the IDF combat officers course graduation ceremony, Thursday. Credit: Ilan AssayagFrom left to right, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the IDF combat officers course graduation ceremony, Thursday. Credit: Ilan AssayagSpeaking at the combat officers course graduation ceremony, Zamir said the IDF's main challenge is to balance between "considering the diversity of the population and maintaining a framwork that enables the missions to be fulfilled."The IDF chief added that the army's cohesion is integralto its ability to score a victory.IDF has come under fire in recent weeks, both from rabbis opposing the integration of women combat soldiers and from women officers opposing the exclusion of women.The rabbis of 25 hesder yeshivas, which combine Jewish religious study with army service, have announced that they will no longer allow their students to serve in the armored corps "due to the integration of women combat soldiers."In response to the rabbis' calls, more than 250 women officers serving in the IDF called on the chief of staff to disavow "the exclusion of women in the military" and warned of harm to national security.On Wednesday, Zamir told Jewish religious leaders that the IDF will continue to work to expand the integration of women in key positions and in combat roles "without compromise."RECAP: VP Vance says U.S. and Iran agreed to set up direct channel with IRGC 'to settle disputes'Here are Thursday's latest updates:■ Three people were reportedly killed and one was wounded in a drone strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon, which medical and security sources attributed to Israel.■ Lebanon's Health Ministry said 4,230 people have been killed and 12,179 wounded since the current round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2.■ Israel must withdraw ‌on its own from ⁠Lebanon's entire territory ⁠or be forced to flee in defeat, the commander of the Iranian ‌Revolutionary Guard's ‌Quds Force, Esmaeil Qaani, said according to state media.■ The United States and Iran have agreed to create a direct channel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for reducing conflict, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with British news site UnHerd.■ Iran is seeking to earn billions of dollars charging security, safety and environmental fees in the Strait of Hormuz, officials familiar with the matter to The Wall Street Journal.■ Oil prices fell to pre-war levels as the United States said flows through the Strait of Hormuz were nearing normal and its top diplomat completed a Gulf tour aimed at shoring up support for a preliminary Iran deal.■ Israeli settlers pelted Palestinian homes with stones on the outskirts of the West Bank town of Halhul in what residents said was a response to the dismantling of a nearby settler outpost.Report: Iran seeking to earn billions charging Hormuz service feesVessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Monday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSVessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Monday. Credit: Stringer/ REUTERSIran is seeking to earn billions of dollars managing the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.The Iranian regime estimates that involved countries could make $40 billion per year in security, safety and environmental charges in the waterway, the report said, citing officials familiar with the matter.According to the report, Iran is taking inspiration from other waterways where states charge tolls for passage. Citing Iranian officials, the report said that Tehran is pitching the prospect to other countries in the region and to China, and is interested in other Gulf countries taking a share in the revenue.Read the full articleIran's FM after call with Omani counterpart: Determined to discuss Hormuz's future with neighboursIran and Oman will conduct dialogue over the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.Announcing a "productive call" with his Omani counterpart, Araghchi said, "We're determined and will do so in discussion with our neighbors."After recent Joint Statement in Muscat, had productive call with @badralbusaidi