What you need to know
- Hezbollah and Lebanon's government clash over latest talks with Israel
- Representatives of the two governments are meeting at the US Embassy in Rome
- The Trump administration claims, once again, it is close to a breakthrough in talks with Iran
- Meanwhile, another commercial ship came under fire near the Strait of Hormuz overnight
Follow DW for updates on the US-Iran war and the wider conflicts in the Middle East on Tuesday, August 4.
Hezbollah and Lebanon's government clash over Israel talks
Israeli and Lebanese negotiators met in Rome on Tuesday for a seventh round of US-sponsored direct talks, seeking to implement plans to remove Israel's military from its unilaterally imposed "buffer zone" near the de facto border.
Even as the talks took place, however, the powerful Iran-backed militia Hezbollah expressed their opposition to the process, casting doubt on the government in Beirut's ability to implement any agreements reached.
"All the direct negotiations will bring Lebanon nothing but shame, humiliation, disappointment and successive concessions," Hezbollah's chief Naim Qassem said in a televised address.
He alleged that President Joseph Aoun "has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive, which is incompatible with his role and with Lebanon's strength."
Lebanon's Prime Minister Naim Sawaf fired back in a post online, saying that "the greatest help to Israel was provided by those who uniltareally drew Lebanon into the adventures of futile wars ... and granted pretexts to attack our country."
Lebanon's government attempted to ordered Hezbollah not to attack Israel in response to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran but the attempt failed.
The talks in Rome are seeking to replace the Israeli military in southern Lebanese towns and villages with Lebanese troops, who should in turn pledge to disarm Hezbollah fighters and prevent them from attacking sites in northern Israel. The places where it takes effect are being called "pilot zones."
It was not clear how the Lebanese government plans to secure or enforce Hezbollah's cooperation.
Welcome to our coverage
Hello and welcome to our updates on the conflicts in the Middle East on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
The latest round of US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon are taking place in Rome, albeit to the apparent displeasure of the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the news on the talks between the US and Iran is less clear. The Trump administration is reporting a resumption of negotiations and indeed progress as it attempts to secure guarantees on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has been much more reticent, speaking only of bilateral discussions with Oman.
Amid the back and forth, another commercial vessel came under fire near the Strait of Hormuz overnight, with a fire breaking out on board.
We will be bringing you more on these and other stories from the Middle East in this live blog.