US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

The US president has described Israel as a reliable ally, stating that they will adhere to his directives and cease hostilities unless provoked, at which point they will have no alternative but to respond.

A devastating blow to Iran’s leadership has left the nation reeling, as high-ranking officials fell victim to Israeli and US strikes, sparking intense speculation about the current state of power within the country’s governing hierarchy.

A militant faction known as Saraya Awliya al-Dam has taken credit for a high-impact operation at the Baghdad International Airport, specifically targeting the fuel storage facilities at Victoria Base.
According to a statement disseminated via Telegram, the group asserted that its objective was to disrupt the airport’s critical energy infrastructure, which it claimed was achieved through a precise strike on the base’s generator fuel tanks.
Reports from security sources, as relayed by the AFP news agency, had initially indicated that a drone assault was directed at the US diplomatic and logistical hub within the airport complex.

Observing the escalating tensions between the US and Iran, analyst Barbara Slavin notes that the increasing presence of US forces in the region is a concerning indicator. Slavin, a fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC, expressed her concerns to Al Jazeera, citing the president’s recent statements and actions as evidence of a strategic misstep.

Slavin pointed out that Trump’s comments, particularly his boast about bombing Iran back to the Stone Age, followed by his enthusiastic sharing of videos depicting the destruction of a significant bridge, suggest a tone of triumphalism rather than a genuine pursuit of peace. According to Slavin, Trump’s actions are an attempt to deflect attention from the war’s disappointing outcome, which has failed to meet his initial expectations.

Trump had anticipated that the Iranian regime would collapse following the January protests, and that Israel’s targeted strikes would be enough to topple the 47-year-old system in power. However, these predictions have proven to be unfounded, leading Slavin to conclude that Trump’s latest threats are a desperate attempt to salvage his Iran policy.

At a recent UN Security Council meeting, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, strongly condemned the escalating violence in the Middle East, emphasizing that it poses a threat to neighboring countries with which Russia enjoys friendly relations.
According to Iranian state media, Nebenzia directly implicated the US and Israel in the crisis, stating that their actions constitute an unjustified act of aggression against the sovereign territory of Iran, which has led to the current precarious situation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sounded a dire warning about the escalating chaos in the Middle East, demanding an immediate cessation of the cycle of violence and devastation.

Guterres emphasized that as the conflict in the Middle East persists, the toll on human lives and infrastructure intensifies, and the threat to global stability escalates, with indiscriminate attacks spreading unchecked. He underscored that the repercussions of the conflict are now being felt far beyond the immediate region.

Contrary to claims made by the IRGC, the Dubai Media Office has categorically denied reports that an Oracle data centre was the target of an attack within the emirate.

Following a month-long hiatus due to regional tensions, Israel’s Leviathan offshore gasfield is poised to resume operations, as per an announcement from the country’s Energy Ministry. The facility, operated by Chevron, has been idle since February 28, when hostilities commenced, according to a report from the Reuters news agency.

A statement from an Energy Ministry spokesperson, as cited by Reuters, indicates that after conducting thorough assessments and weighing all relevant factors, the decision has been made to reactivate the Leviathan platform. This move is expected to bolster the supply of natural gas to the local market, with an additional platform being integrated into the production system.

With an estimated 635 billion cubic metres of recoverable reserves, the Leviathan field remains one of the most substantial natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has made a proposal to share his country’s expertise in navigating maritime waterways, specifically in the Black Sea, with nations seeking to ensure the continued accessibility of the Strait of Hormuz.
During a virtual meeting attended by approximately 40 countries, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha represented Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine possesses valuable knowledge and capabilities in safeguarding sea lanes and reopening maritime traffic. He expressed willingness to collaborate with international partners, leveraging Ukraine’s technological prowess and expertise to bolster their efforts. However, he declined to provide further details on the potential scope of cooperation.
Ukraine’s military has developed innovative technologies, including advanced sea drones, which have enabled them to achieve significant victories against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea over the past four years, thereby preventing Moscow from dominating the waterway. This achievement is part of a broader effort by President Zelenskyy to promote Ukraine’s defense technologies, as evidenced by his recent tour of Middle Eastern countries, where he showcased the country’s capabilities in countering drone threats, many of which are of Iranian origin, developed over the course of four years.

In a stern warning to perpetrators, Iraq’s Prime Minister al-Sudani has made it clear that his government will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of those responsible for attacks on state assets and foreign entities. This marked shift in security policy was unveiled during a high-level intelligence briefing, where al-Sudani instructed security forces to take a robust stance against individuals and groups involved in targeting critical national institutions, diplomatic missions, and the kidnapping of foreign nationals.