US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Despite a two-week ceasefire brokered between the US and Iran, Maersk has not yet deemed the Strait of Hormuz secure enough to resume standard shipping practices. The Danish shipping giant, which temporarily halted cargo bookings to numerous Gulf ports last month, remains guarded in its approach, opting not to alter its current service offerings at this time. According to a company statement, any decision to navigate the Strait of Hormuz will be contingent upon ongoing risk evaluations, vigilant monitoring of the security landscape, and guidance from relevant authorities and partners.

According to Imtiaz Gul, a seasoned security analyst and director of Islamabad’s Center for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan’s position as a mediator between the US and Iran is precarious due to its delicate balancing act between geographical proximity to Iran and its military alliances with the US and Saudi Arabia. The shared 909km border with Iran underscores the complexity of Pakistan’s situation.

Gul noted that until recently, there was widespread doubt about Pakistan’s ability to successfully navigate this challenging environment. Now, Islamabad faces a new hurdle: if negotiations between the US and Iran do indeed take place, the outcome will depend on whether the US accepts at least some of the 10 proposals put forth by Iran, and whether the resulting deal can sustain the current two-week ceasefire.

A mix of guarded optimism and lingering apprehension pervades the streets of Tehran as residents cautiously welcome the ceasefire announcement, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Ali Hashem, who is on the ground in the Iranian capital. Hashem suggests that the prevailing sense of unease stems from a profound distrust between the US and Israel on one hand, and Iran on the other, which has been exacerbated by the failure of at least two previous rounds of negotiations to yield lasting peace.

The current state of negotiations between Iran and the US is marked by a notable dynamic: both parties are engaged in a debate over who has made concessions. This development is indicative of a potentially workable agreement. It’s essential to acknowledge that some form of compromise was necessary for progress, and both sides have had to make concessions to reach this point. Iran initially sought a permanent end to hostilities, rather than a temporary ceasefire. However, it appears to have accepted a temporary truce for the past two weeks. Furthermore, Iran may be forced to accept that Lebanon is not a part of the current negotiations, largely due to Israel’s involvement. This presents another challenge for the Iranian side. From the US perspective, it’s worth examining the concessions they have made. The US had demanded that Iran cease missile launches, yet Iran still retains the capability to do so. Additionally, a deal on highly enriched uranium, specifically 440 kilos, remains unresolved. Iran’s nuclear program is also a point of contention, as the country maintains that it is not developing a nuclear weapon. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a significant issue, with Iran seeking some level of control over the waterway, although it may not have complete authority.

At a Beijing press briefing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official expressed China’s approval of the US-Iran ceasefire, while also highlighting China’s own contributions to achieving long-term stability in the Middle East region.

With the situation now stabilised, Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority has swiftly implemented a decision to restore normal air traffic operations across the country, effective immediately.
According to a statement released by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the authority has declared that Iraqi airspace will be reopened to air traffic, commencing today, as a result of the return to normalcy.
Under this new measure, civilian flights are now permitted to resume, encompassing overflights, takeoffs, and landings at Iraqi airports, in strict adherence to established regulations and guidelines.
The authority has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the highest standards of air safety and security, while maintaining ongoing coordination with international organisations to guarantee seamless and efficient air traffic operations.

Following a breakthrough in diplomatic efforts, Iran has agreed to a two-week ceasefire, paving the way for talks to commence in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, on Friday. This development comes after US President Donald Trump agreed to halt attacks on Iran, contingent upon Tehran fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, the strategic waterway will be secured for two weeks through close coordination with the country’s military forces. Trump’s decision was influenced by a request from Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, who had urged Washington to extend its deadline for a deal and called on Iran to unblock the strait.

A strategic move by Israel to exclude Lebanon from a proposed Iran ceasefire is likely a coordinated effort with the US, according to Samir Puri, an expert in war studies at King’s College London. Puri suggests that the conflicting interpretations of the ceasefire’s scope could have significant implications for Iran’s relationship with Hezbollah in Lebanon. If Iran insists that the ceasefire includes Lebanon, it could lead to increased pressure on their ties with the militant group. Conversely, if Iran agrees that Lebanon is not covered by the deal, it would likely be a concession to Israel and the US, thereby weakening Iran’s support for Hezbollah, which has been a longstanding alliance since the early 1980s.

Following a US-brokered two-week ceasefire with Iran, the Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed that they have suspended their military campaign against the country, as per instructions from the government hierarchy.

A 14-day ceasefire declared by US President Donald Trump has opened the door for talks centered around a comprehensive 10-point peace initiative unveiled by Iran, which Trump deemed “workable” and worthy of consideration.