- US aircraft carrier returns -

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, dispatched to the Middle East ahead of the outbreak of war with Iran, returned home to the United States on Saturday after a 326-day deployment, the Pentagon said.

The Ford's deployment saw it take part in US operations in the Caribbean and later the Middle East to participate in combat operations against Iran.

- Iranian World Cup team to depart -

Iran's World Cup squad will travel to Turkey on Monday for a training camp, friendlies and to complete visa applications before heading to the United States, head coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Saturday.

Iran and the US cut diplomatic ties in 1980, and the players are expected to use their time in Turkey to complete the necessary procedures for obtaining visas before their kick off game against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles.

- Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon -

Israel's military said Saturday that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, bringing its losses to 21 personnel since the war with Hezbollah began in early March.

- Israel strikes Lebanon -

Israel launched new airstrikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a day after the two countries agreed to extend a truce following talks in Washington.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on at least five villages in the south, preceded by an exodus of residents towards the southern city of Sidon and the capital Beirut.

- Pakistan minister arrives in Tehran -

Pakistan's interior minister arrived in Tehran on Saturday "to facilitate" the peace talks between Iran and the United States that have stalled despite a fragile ceasefire, Iranian media reported.

His visit to Tehran comes days after that of Pakistan's influential army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.

- Deadly fuel price riots in Comoros -

Days of protests in Comoros over rising fuel prices, stemming from the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, turned deadly Saturday when one person died following overnight clashes with police, officials said.

- European countries seeking Hormuz transit: Iran -

Iranian state television said Saturday that European countries were in talks with Tehran over transit for ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Following the passage of ships from East Asian countries, notably China, Japan and Pakistan, we received information today indicating that Europeans have also begun negotiations with the Revolutionary Guards navy" state television reported, without elaborating.

- Iraq oil drop -

Iraq's oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz plunged to just 10 million barrels in April, compared to the usual 93 million, the country's new oil minister said.

A founding member of the OPEC oil cartel, Iraq normally exports the majority of its crude through the crucial waterway, but like other exporters in the oil-rich region, it has been left scrambling for alternative routes after Iran blockaded the strait.

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