US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Pakistan remains committed to facilitating negotiations between the US and Iran, despite acknowledging the presence of obstacles in its efforts to broker a peace deal. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, Islamabad will continue to promote dialogue and facilitation, despite the challenges it faces.

Andrabi made the comments during a media briefing in Islamabad, hours after US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran, stating that it would face severe consequences if it failed to accept Washington’s terms for a peace deal. Pakistan has been at the forefront of a multilateral initiative aimed at bringing the US and Iran to the negotiating table.

While Andrabi declined to specify the nature of the obstacles hindering Pakistan’s efforts, he emphasized Islamabad’s commitment to creating conditions conducive to “meaningful negotiations among relevant stakeholders.” The US and Iran have reportedly expressed confidence in Pakistan’s role as a neutral intermediary in the process.

In a recent phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged in a discussion centered around the need for accelerated diplomatic and political initiatives to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to a Kremlin statement, both leaders concurred on the necessity of swiftly halting hostilities and bolstering diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting resolution to the crisis. This call for action comes on the heels of Ukraine’s recent agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish a joint air defence system, a move aimed at countering the threat posed by Iranian drone attacks.

The Ukrainian government, which has been defending against Russia’s full-scale assault since 2022, has sought to leverage its expertise in intercepting Russian drones to assist Gulf nations under attack by the same Iranian-designed Shahed drones. In exchange, Ukraine has proposed trading its relatively affordable drone interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles used by the Gulf states to counter Iranian drone threats.

During their conversation, Putin and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince also underscored the adverse impact of the crisis on global energy security, citing problems with energy production and transportation stemming from the conflict.

Let’s get you up to speed:

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced plans to send his personal envoy to the Middle East in a bid to bolster diplomatic efforts, as he reiterates his call for a swift and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In a stark warning to the United States and Israel, Guterres emphasized that the time has come to bring an end to the devastating war that has already caused immense human suffering and severe economic repercussions. He also urged Iran to cease its attacks on neighboring countries, highlighting the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
Guterres, who has consistently advocated for a swift end to the conflict, cautioned that the situation is on the brink of escalating into a larger, more far-reaching war. The conflict’s far-reaching impact is already being felt globally, he noted.

A grim update from Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reveals a staggering 1,345 fatalities and 4,040 injuries resulting from Israeli strikes on the country since March 2. According to the latest figures from the Health Emergency Operations Center, a total of 125 children and 91 women have lost their lives in the conflict. The ministry’s daily report highlights a particularly distressing 24-hour period, during which 27 lives were lost and 105 people were injured.

Iranian officials are interpreting US President Donald Trump’s assertions as misleading, given the ongoing barrage of attacks by Iran against Israel and the surrounding region. Concurrently, Tehran’s influence appears to be resurgent through its proxy forces, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and factions in Iraq. This perceived disconnect suggests that Trump’s administration may be increasingly entangled in the complexities of the Iranian conflict, potentially rendering a swift exit challenging. Reports have emerged of a devastating attack on the historic Pasteur Institute in Tehran, a renowned center for vaccine development that has been a cornerstone of the country’s healthcare sector for over a century. The institute suffered complete destruction. Additionally, a critical bridge connecting Karaj to Tehran was targeted, just a day after Trump’s warning to strike bridges within the country. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of violence affecting multiple cities in the region.

A second assault on the vital Karaj highway bridge has been confirmed by Iran’s Fars news agency, as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of a previous attack. According to Fars, the latest incident unfolded amidst ongoing rescue efforts to assist those injured in the initial strike, which occurred while emergency responders were still on the scene. Authorities in Alborz province have issued a warning to the public to steer clear of the affected area, following earlier reports of a US-Israeli operation that resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left numerous others injured.

A high-level gathering of the UN Security Council is currently underway, focusing on collaborative efforts between the UN and Gulf nations to ensure stability and security in the Middle East region. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Stocks on the US stock exchange plummeted in response to a sudden spike in oil prices, which occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time address from the White House on Thursday evening.

Approximately half an hour into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had dropped by 1.0 percent, reaching a value of 46,108.16.
The S&P 500, a widely diversified index, declined by 0.9 percent, settling at 6,516.01, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.3 percent, closing at 21,556.30.
In a televised address from the White House on Wednesday, Trump stated that the US was nearing its goals but cautioned that further military action could propel Iran into a state of severe economic and social regression.

GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi strongly denounced recent Iranian aggression, labeling it a brazen infringement on the sovereignty of Gulf nations.

Al-Budaiwi emphasized the pressing need for an immediate halt to these attacks, and for the swift restoration of peace, stability, and tranquility in the region. He also underscored the importance of safeguarding global energy markets, international supply chains, and the security of air and maritime navigation.

In a stern warning to Iran, al-Budaiwi reaffirmed the inherent right of GCC member states to defend themselves in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. He made it clear that GCC nations will take all necessary measures to protect their sovereignty and ensure their security.