US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

As jubilation erupted in Tehran’s Engelab Square over the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran, the US, and Israel, many Iranians expressed skepticism about the motivations behind the agreement. One woman, speaking to Reuters, questioned whether Washington and Tel Aviv genuinely sought a peaceful resolution, suggesting instead that they aimed to regroup and recharge. “America has consistently demonstrated its intentions,” she said, recalling past instances when the US had attacked Iran despite negotiations. “This ceasefire is likely a ploy to regain its footing,” she added, echoing the sentiments of others who wondered if the US had truly changed its ways. Another Iranian questioned whether the US’s nature was capable of transformation, while a third person speculated that the ceasefire was merely a tactical maneuver to buy time for Israel.

According to Al Jadeed TV, Israeli military units have unleashed a barrage of artillery fire on the town of Baraachit in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in the region. This development follows a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who clarified that the recently brokered truce between the US and Iran does not extend to Lebanon. The agreement, mediated by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had previously been touted as a comprehensive ceasefire, with Sharif explicitly stating that it would apply to all parties, including those in Lebanon and other areas.

A social media watchlist has identified two suspicious wagers on Polymarket, a platform for speculative betting on global events, that coincided with the US ceasefire with Iran. One individual successfully wagered $400,000 on the precise commencement of the US operation against Iran and the subsequent ceasefire date, which was achieved on Wednesday, according to the X account Polymarket History.

Polymarket has faced criticism over potential insider trading due to an uptick in anonymous accounts placing remarkably well-timed bets on US policy decisions. A surge in suspicious wagers was initially flagged by X users earlier this year following US President Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela, and this pattern has persisted throughout the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

In a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, it has been confirmed that the recent ceasefire agreement does not encompass Lebanon. According to the statement, Israel has agreed to a temporary halt in strikes against Iran, contingent upon Iran’s immediate actions: the opening of strategic waterways and an end to all attacks targeting the US, Israel, and neighboring countries. The statement also emphasized Israel’s backing for the US initiative aimed at preventing Iran from posing a nuclear, missile, and terrorism threat, despite the fact that Iran does not currently possess nuclear capabilities.

A statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office has clarified the country’s stance on the recent ceasefire agreement.
Citing Israeli media reports, the statement emphasized that Israel endorses President Trump’s decision to temporarily halt airstrikes against Iran, provided that Iran promptly reopens the straits and halts all attacks on the US, Israel, and neighboring countries.
The statement also underscored Israel’s backing for US efforts to eliminate Iran’s nuclear, missile, and terror threats, with the US reportedly assuring Israel of its commitment to achieving these objectives in upcoming negotiations.
Notably, the statement explicitly stated that the two-week ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, in contrast to claims made by the Pakistani prime minister.

An unofficial confirmation has emerged that Israel has tacitly accepted the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, although an official statement from the government is still pending.
Many Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seem to be disapproving of the ceasefire, which has been met with skepticism in recent weeks.
Netanyahu’s past actions, particularly his alleged role in derailing the Oman-brokered talks and steering US President Donald Trump towards conflict, have raised concerns about his stance on the ceasefire.
In a recent phone call to Trump, Netanyahu had another chance to express his reservations about the ceasefire, this time during a conversation congratulating the US President on the successful rescue of two airmen downed in Iran over the weekend.

In a joint statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong expressed their support for the temporary Middle East truce, which has been brokered to facilitate negotiations towards a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The statement highlighted the severe consequences of Iran’s actions, including the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure, and oil and gas facilities, which have resulted in unprecedented disruptions to global energy supplies and subsequent spikes in oil and fuel prices.
Albanese and Wong emphasized the growing concern that the prolonged conflict poses to the global economy, as well as the escalating human toll. They extended their gratitude to the countries involved in mediating the ceasefire, namely Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, and reiterated Australia’s desire to see the temporary truce maintained and a peaceful resolution achieved.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed relief and gratitude that US journalist Shelly Kittleson has been safely released from captivity in Iraq, following a kidnapping that occurred several days prior. This development comes on the heels of a conditional release offer made by Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah, which stipulated that Kittleson depart Iraq immediately.

Despite remaining silent on the ceasefire, Hezbollah has resurfaced a January statement attributed to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, accompanied by an image of tattered US and Israeli flags. The statement boldly declares, “The enemy will be brought to its knees.”

A two-week truce agreement, brokered by Pakistan, is set to enable Iran and Oman to collect tolls from vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report from the Associated Press. A regional official, who participated in the negotiations, revealed that Iran intends to utilize the revenue generated for reconstruction efforts, while the intended use of Oman’s share remains unclear. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization, shared this information with the AP. Iran and Oman jointly possess territorial rights over the Strait of Hormuz.