US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a development following a statement by a Kremlin aide suggesting Russia’s potential access to the Strait of Hormuz, official news outlets have disclosed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to address concerns surrounding safe passage through the strategically vital waterway.

In a statement, Hezbollah confirmed that its fighters had launched a barrage of artillery fire against a cluster of Israeli soldiers and armored vehicles stationed in the Lebanese town of Shamaa, located in the country’s southern region.

International Organization for Migration Director Amy Pope has sounded the alarm over the likelihood of protracted mass displacement in Lebanon, a country ravaged by conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Expressing deep concern, she noted that the current level of devastation is compounded by the threat of further destruction, which would persist even if the war were to cease immediately.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding Iraq’s position outside the realm of conflict, emphasizing the country’s commitment to regional stability. In a statement, the ministry clarified that:

In a significant move, Pakistan has now set the price of petrol at 458.4 rupees per litre, equivalent to $6.20 per gallon, marking a substantial 43 percent increase. Diesel prices have also been revised to 520.35 rupees per litre, or $7.03 per gallon. The decision was made by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who noted that the crisis has a far-reaching impact, affecting not just the region but the entire globe.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief emphasized the bloc’s commitment to supporting United Nations efforts in establishing humanitarian corridors through the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate the passage of essential goods such as food and fertilizers. According to Kallas, the EU possesses the necessary tools to monitor and expedite transit, which could aid in this endeavor.

She underscored this point in a recent X post, highlighting the EU’s Aspides naval mission, which has successfully assisted 1,700 ships in the Red Sea and requires expansion. Kallas expressed her concern that the EU cannot afford to lose another critical trade route, following a meeting convened by the UK on the Strait of Hormuz.

Following an earlier alert from the Israeli military about a missile launch originating from Yemen, the Houthi movement has issued a statement through its affiliated media outlet Al Masirah, confirming attacks on Israeli targets.

UN Undersecretary-General for Human Rights Tom Fletcher has cautioned Al Jazeera that Lebanon’s precarious situation is marked by ominous indicators, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the escalating conflicts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has responded to recent US-Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure, asserting that such actions will not intimidate the Iranian people into submission.
Araghchi’s statement, published on X, featured a photograph of a damaged bridge and underscored the futility of targeting unfinished structures like the B1 bridge in Karaj, west of Tehran, which was hit earlier today, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals and multiple injuries.

In a strongly worded statement, three UN special rapporteurs have demanded a comprehensive and impartial probe into the Israeli military’s killing of three journalists in Lebanon, labeling the incident a flagrant assault on press freedom perpetrated by Israeli forces.

UN special rapporteurs Irene Khan, Morris Tidball-Binz, and Ben Saul issued their call to action on Thursday, underscoring that journalists engaged in their professional duties during armed conflict are entitled to civilian protection and must not be deliberately targeted or subjected to attack.

The experts condemned the deliberate killing of journalists not directly involved in hostilities as a grave breach of international human rights and humanitarian law, and a war crime. They based their assertion on the fact that the Israeli military had killed Al Mayadeen journalist Fatima Ftouni, her brother, freelance photojournalist Mohamad Ftouni, and Al-Manar’s Ali Shoaib in a targeted strike on their car in southern Lebanon on March 28.

The Israeli military had accused Ali Shoaib, a journalist for the pro-Hezbollah media outlet Al-Manar, of being a fighter with the Lebanese armed group, but provided no evidence to support this claim.