Lebanon wants talks with Israel to end the fighting

"Iranian health officials contend the U.S. and Israeli campaign has killed 1,200 people there. Lebanese authorities report 500 deaths in an Israeli assault. And we go next to Lebanon, where NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi has been covering this from Beirut."

"Well, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said that President Trump is trying to put, quote, "psychological pressure" on Iran. And they vowed to continue standing up to the U.S. and Israeli aggression with, quote, "courage and strong will." It also said that the Iranian armed forces are waiting for the U.S. Navy at the Strait of Hormuz."

"The reaction elsewhere in the region has been pretty muted. But we know that the Gulf is calling for an end to the war and a return to negotiations. The price of oil soared yesterday as Iran targeted oil installations in the Gulf."

The conflict in the Middle East has escalated with substantial casualties: Iranian health officials report 1,200 deaths from U.S. and Israeli campaigns, while Lebanese authorities document 500 deaths from Israeli assaults. President Trump indicated the war is "very complete" and suggested potential victory, causing stock markets to surge. However, uncertainty remains about the conflict's trajectory. Iran's Revolutionary Guard dismissed Trump's statements as psychological pressure and vowed continued resistance. The Gulf region is calling for negotiations and an end to hostilities. Oil prices surged following Iranian targeting of Gulf oil installations. Lebanon's leadership has signaled willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Israel to resolve the fighting.

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