- Infantino on Iran -

FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.

The war has thrown in doubt Iran's participation at the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11.

- Italy refusal -

Italy recently denied authorisation for some US aircraft headed to the Middle East on a combat mission to land at its Sigonella base, a defence ministry source and Italian media said.

Under the terms of agreements with the United States, some Italian bases can be used by US military aircraft, but only for logistical purposes, which was denied in this case on the grounds that there was not enough time to get parliament's approval.

- Deadly Iraq strike -

A strike in western Iraq killed two fighters from the former paramilitary Hashed coalition, the alliance said, blaming the United States and Israel.

The alliance, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is now part of Iraq's regular armed forces although it also contains pro-Iran factions.

- Riyadh blasts -

Multiple explosions rattled the Saudi capital Riyadh, according to an AFP journalist, the latest apparent barrage targeting the city as Iran carries out attacks across the Gulf region.

- 'Completely baseless' -

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected as "completely baseless" reports that the Islamic republic had fired missiles at Turkey and offered to jointly investigate the issue.

- 'Decisive' days -

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the next days of the Iran war will be "decisive" while refusing to rule out US ground forces playing a role in the conflict.

Hegseth also revealed during his first news conference in nearly two weeks that he had visited US troops in the Middle East over the weekend, and said that talks on ending the conflict were "gaining strength".

- 'Take it' -

US President Donald Trump said that countries that have not joined the Middle East war but are struggling with fuel shortages should "go get your own oil" in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said countries "that refused to get involved" should "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," adding that the United States would not help them.

- 'Closer to apartheid' -

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned as "a step closer to apartheid" a bill passed by Israeli lawmakers that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks.

- Fresh Beirut strikes -

A strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, AFPTV's live broadcast showed, after the Israeli military renewed its warnings for residents to leave.

- 'Unhelpful' France -

US President Donald Trump lashed out at France, saying it had been "very unhelpful" after not allowing planes with military supplies to fly over its territory.

- 'Grave violation' -

The EU demanded an investigation into attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, after three Indonesian troops were killed amid fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

- 'Demolished' -

Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said Israel's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the current war against Iran-backed Hezbollah.

"All the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza," he said.

- Fleeing Lebanon -

More than 200,000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria since fighting broke out between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, the UN refugee agency said.

- Pharmaceutical company hit -

US-Israeli strikes have hit and damaged one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Iran which produces anaesthetic and cancer drugs, the Iranian government said.

- 'Weeks to come' -

The Israeli military said it was prepared for weeks more fighting, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the war with Iran was beyond the halfway point.

burs-sbk/st