US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Observers have noted a notable decrease in the frequency of Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours, particularly in the Beirut region.
Since the intense assault on Wednesday, the Lebanese capital has seen no further strikes, although military activity persists in the southern areas.
While it’s uncertain whether this reduction is deliberate or coincidental, Israeli media outlets have made it clear that US pressure on the Israeli government is being cited as the reason behind the de-escalation of the conflict in Lebanon.

The global energy landscape is set to be significantly affected by Iran’s plan to impose transit fees on ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a move that has raised eyebrows in Washington. This development has sparked concerns about Iran’s increasing influence over global energy supplies, a situation that the US is keen to avoid.
Beyond the Hormuz issue, the upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to be marred by another contentious topic: the situation in Lebanon. Iranian officials have indicated that the country views the ceasefire in Lebanon as comprehensive, yet ongoing Israeli airstrikes continue to target various locations, casting a shadow over the prospects for a lasting peace.

Eyewitnesses in the Lebanese town of Haneen confirm that Israeli military operations have resulted in the demolition of several homes in the area.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that rockets have been launched from southern Lebanon, with some of them reportedly landing in the Galilee region of northern Israel.

Reports are emerging of a sudden escalation in the conflict, with multiple rocket attacks launched from Lebanon into northern Israel. According to the Israeli military, a total of 60 projectiles were fired into the region after midnight, with some of the longer-range rockets striking the cities of Ashdod and Haifa. The situation has sparked widespread concern, particularly given the threat posed by Hezbollah’s continued ability to target key areas in southwestern Israel.

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Israeli fighter jets have launched a series of strikes against the town of al-Majadel, situated in the southern part of the country within the Tyre district.

Tension permeates the air in Islamabad as the city gears up to host a high-stakes diplomatic meeting between the US and Iran on Saturday, following a devastating six-week conflict that has claimed thousands of lives across the Middle East.
A key thoroughfare leading to the Red Zone – a hub for government buildings in the capital – has been sealed off, with a visible military presence deployed throughout the city.
Roads in the vicinity are dotted with checkpoints, and with a public holiday declared today, traffic is at a near standstill.
The Serena Hotel, a prominent landmark in the heart of the Red Zone adjacent to the Foreign Ministry headquarters, has been taken over by security personnel, with guests asked to vacate the premises.
According to a recent update from Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan on X, the Iranian delegation – set to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi – is now anticipated to arrive later today, after an initial announcement was made for a Thursday night arrival that was subsequently deleted.
The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, is also expected to arrive in Islamabad later this evening, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff – the two individuals who previously spearheaded negotiations with Iran before the conflict escalated.

Reports from the Kuwaiti military indicate that a daring aerial incursion was thwarted in the country’s airspace overnight.
The National Guard has confirmed substantial destruction at one of its facilities, underscoring the precarious nature of the current ceasefire.
Citizens are deeply concerned about the escalating violence and its potential consequences.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a scathing statement, denouncing the attacks as heinous acts perpetrated by Iran and its affiliated groups, including factions and armed organizations.
This condemnation specifically targets Iran-backed entities in Iraq, a country with which Kuwait shares a border.
Over the past fortnight, officials have consistently pointed to Iraq as the source of these attacks, which have targeted Kuwait’s airport, commercial ports, and oil infrastructure on multiple occasions.
The international community is eager to see an end to the conflict, with the Gulf region’s nations – including Lebanon – seeking to uphold the fragile ceasefire.
Yesterday, several Gulf states issued strongly worded statements in response to Israeli airstrikes, underscoring the need for de-escalation and a resumption of diplomatic efforts.

A recent wave of polls published in Israeli media outlets has shed light on the precarious situation facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The surveys reveal a stark divide in public opinion, with a significant 58 percent of respondents harboring doubts about the effectiveness of the current ceasefire and Israel’s gains in its conflict with Iran.
Conversely, a substantial 79 percent of those polled expressed unwavering support for continuing military operations against Hezbollah, with a particular emphasis on dismantling its presence in Lebanon.
As Netanyahu navigates this complex landscape, he is also facing mounting pressure from abroad, particularly from the United States. However, in the past 24 hours, voices from Germany, Canada, and other global entities have added their weight to the chorus, urging him to uphold the ceasefire.
This confluence of domestic and international expectations is poised to create a challenging environment for Netanyahu in the lead-up to the elections, given that the majority of the Israeli electorate may not be in favor of adhering to the ceasefire.

The fragile truce between Iran and the US has yet to yield a clear timeline for oil and gas prices to rebound to pre-conflict levels, leaving many to wonder when normalcy will be restored.
According to maritime expert Rockford Weitz, professor of practice at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, pinpointing a specific timeframe for price recovery is premature.
“We’re dealing with the most significant market disruption in history,” Weitz noted, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has seemingly taken down a social media post where he allegedly referred to Israel as a “plague on humanity”. The move comes after Israel’s prime minister’s office expressed outrage over Asif’s comment, labelling it “unacceptable”.