US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Al Jazeera correspondent Rosalind Jordan is reporting from Washington, where the US capital is witnessing a stark partisan divide in response to the recent ceasefire. While both parties have expressed support for the truce, Republican voters are increasingly voicing opposition to the war, citing concerns that US military strikes have overstepped their bounds. According to recent polls, this sentiment has been building over the past 40 days, with many Republicans feeling that President Trump’s comments on Easter Sunday crossed a critical threshold. The president’s remarks, which appeared to threaten Iran’s destruction, have sparked unease among Republican voters, who are now questioning the president’s approach to the conflict. In contrast, Republican lawmakers are framing the ceasefire as a success for the administration’s “peace through strength” policy, downplaying the concerns of their base. Meanwhile, the US delegation for the upcoming Islamabad talks is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. However, the format of the talks – whether direct or mediated – remains uncertain. Additionally, pressing questions surround the presence of over 50,000 US troops in the region and the estimated $1bn daily war costs, as well as the $200bn supplemental budget request still pending before Congress.

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council has issued a call to the nation to stand as one, pending the completion of the details surrounding their recent military triumph, as reported by the IRNA news agency.

In a statement, the council extended its congratulations to the Iranian people on this hard-won victory, while stressing the importance of continued vigilance and prudence on the part of the authorities until the full extent of their success is confirmed. The council also underscored the need for the Iranian people to remain united and cohesive during this period.

The council’s statement highlighted Iran’s significant achievements, in conjunction with its allies in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine, which have delivered a series of crushing blows to their adversaries over the past 40 days. These actions, the council declared, will be etched in the collective memory of the world as a testament to the unyielding resolve of the Iranian people and their allies.

Following a two-week ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump, the stage is set for diplomatic talks centered on a comprehensive 10-point peace initiative put forth by Iran to bring an end to the conflict. According to the US president, this proposal holds promise, being deemed “workable”.

A forthcoming Iranian entry into ceasefire negotiations may create tension in Tehran’s alliance with Hezbollah, according to Samir Puri, a visiting war studies lecturer at King’s College London. Puri suggests that the differing views on the scope of the ceasefire, with Israel excluding Lebanon and Iran potentially including it, could strain Iran’s relationship with the militant group.

Puri believes that the Iranians will likely be informed that the ceasefire is contingent upon their agreement that Lebanon is not part of the deal. He notes that regardless of the outcome, Israel has successfully increased pressure on Iran’s support for Hezbollah, which has been a cornerstone of their alliance since Hezbollah’s inception in the early 1980s.

In a statement from its Foreign Ministry, Qatar has hailed the US-Iran ceasefire announcement as a vital initial step towards de-escalation, while underscoring the urgent need to build upon it to prevent further escalation in the region. The ministry highlighted the significance of a full commitment to the ceasefire, stating that this would pave the way for a sustained period of calm and create the necessary conditions for dialogue.

The ministry also emphasized the importance of Iran taking the lead in immediately halting all hostile actions and practices that undermine regional stability and respect the sovereignty of neighboring states, thereby preventing a repeat of such incidents. Furthermore, Qatar stressed the need to safeguard maritime routes and ensure the freedom of international navigation and trade in accordance with international law, which would contribute to the preservation of regional stability and global supply chains.

Following a series of ultimatums, Israeli military forces have carried out a targeted strike on the Lebanese city of Tyre, prompting concerns for the safety of its residents. Concurrently, the Israeli army has issued mandatory evacuation orders to residents residing in various districts of Beirut, including Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tawhidat al-Ghadir and Shiyah. The escalating conflict in Lebanon has already resulted in the displacement of at least 1.2 million people nationwide. In a separate incident, an Israeli air raid in the coastal city of Sidon claimed the lives of at least eight individuals, occurring just hours before Pakistan announced a ceasefire between the US and Iran had taken effect. Notably, Israel has stated that the proposed ceasefire will not extend to Lebanon.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, describing it as a vital opportunity to ease tensions, halt missile launches, revive maritime trade, and lay the groundwork for a more enduring peace.

In a conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Kallas emphasized the importance of maintaining a pathway for mediation, given that the root causes of the conflict remain unresolved. As she prepares to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Kallas plans to address the ongoing conflict in more detail.

In response to the US-Iran ceasefire declaration, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has hailed the development as a vital initial move towards reducing tensions in the region. The ministry underscored the need for swift progress in building upon this breakthrough to avert further escalation of hostilities.

A statement from the ministry highlighted the significance of adhering strictly to the ceasefire agreement, which would pave the way for a lasting calm and create an environment conducive to dialogue. It also emphasized the imperative for Iran to take the lead in halting all aggressive actions and practices that undermine regional stability and respect the territorial integrity of neighboring countries, thereby preventing future breaches.

Furthermore, the ministry stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime routes and upholding the principles of international law to ensure the free flow of global trade and commerce, ultimately contributing to regional stability and the preservation of global supply chains.

India has expressed its approval of the recent two-week truce between the United States and Iran, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation, constructive dialogue, and diplomatic efforts in swiftly resolving the ongoing conflict.
“Given the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians and the resulting disruptions to global energy supplies and trade routes, we anticipate that unobstructed maritime passage and the uninterrupted flow of international commerce will be maintained through the Strait of Hormuz,” the Indian Foreign Ministry stated in a formal announcement.

In a fresh warning, the Israeli army’s Arabic language representative has cautioned residents of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tawhidat al-Ghadir and Shiyah to vacate their homes, echoing a recurring message since Israel escalated its military campaign in Lebanon on March 2, following retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah.