Top US commander visits aircraft carrier, Gaza talks in Egypt and other Mideast news

Adm. Brad Cooper, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, visited the USS Lincoln, praising its leadership for prioritizing mental health and resilience. The USS Lincoln has been deployed in the region for over 240 days, supporting the U.S. war against Iran. Cooper also met with leaders in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner had a rare meeting with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt, as well as with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The Israeli military struck two Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon, killing at least 11 people. Iran has demanded that Qatar allow Iranian air force experts to investigate the disappearance of three Iranian pilots in March.