US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A revised resolution aimed at addressing Iran’s threat to the Strait of Hormuz is poised to be voted on by the UN Security Council today. The proposal, watered down from an earlier draft, has been the subject of negotiations between Bahrain and other Gulf countries reliant on oil exports for the past two weeks.

The initial robust drafts faced potential vetoes, prompting the current, more diluted version. The latest draft, obtained by AFP on Monday, calls on Iran to cease its attacks on commercial vessels and refrain from interfering with the transit passage or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, unlike its predecessors, this draft does not explicitly authorise the use of force. Instead, it encourages states to collaborate on defensive measures to guarantee the safety and security of navigation, including escorting merchant and commercial vessels. The draft also urges coordination to deter attempts to obstruct or interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The resolution expresses the Council’s willingness to consider further action against anyone undermining freedom of navigation in the strait. The vote is scheduled for 15:00 GMT, nine hours before US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree to a deal or face potential attacks on its power plants and bridges.

Reports from Japanese news agency Kyodo indicate that a second Japanese national who was taken into custody in Iran during January has been released, as confirmed by government sources on Tuesday.
Details suggest that the individual in question serves as the Tehran bureau chief for Japanese broadcaster NHK, according to Kyodo’s findings.
It was previously announced in mid-March by Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu that one of the two Japanese nationals detained in Iran back in June had been freed.
At that time, Motegi expressed a commitment to utilizing diplomatic channels to secure the release of the second detainee.

Iran’s stance in the ongoing conflict is firmly rooted in its perception of its current situation, where it views itself as having emerged victorious thus far. Despite being subjected to repeated attacks, the country remains intact and its defenses remain unbroken. Iran asserts that it possesses a substantial arsenal and holds a strategic advantage due to its ability to counter two of the world’s most formidable military powers. As a result, it is demanding a comprehensive resolution that precludes the possibility of future aggression. Rather than a temporary ceasefire, Iran seeks a definitive end to the war, as it believes a ceasefire would merely enable the enemy to regroup and prepare for another assault. Furthermore, Iran is calling for a revised order in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing it to impose taxes on passing ships as a means of compensating for the losses and devastation incurred during the conflict. Additionally, Iran is seeking the removal of long-standing sanctions, which it deems unjust. By presenting these conditions, Iran is signaling its refusal to accept defeat and its determination to emerge from the conflict unscathed, both nationally and internationally.

According to Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute, US President Donald Trump retains the flexibility to extend the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without suffering a significant loss of credibility, provided he identifies a viable diplomatic solution.
Parsi noted that Trump’s diminished credibility offers him a degree of freedom to act unilaterally, as his reputation has already been compromised to some extent. The expert pointed out that Trump has successfully extended deadlines multiple times over the past 35 days without experiencing a substantial decline in his credibility.
The key factor now is whether the warring parties can find a mutually acceptable pathway to a potential agreement, which could ultimately lead to a ceasefire, Parsi said. Trump has set a deadline of 8pm Eastern Time on Tuesday (00:00 GMT, Wednesday) for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply will result in the destruction of power plants and bridges across the country.

Reports from the ground indicate a significant escalation of the aerial campaign targeting Iran, with fresh strikes reportedly taking place near Tehran’s Mehrabad international airport. This key facility has been repeatedly hit since the conflict began, fueling concerns about the escalating situation.

As the air raids persist, Iranian officials are attempting to clarify their stance on the 10-point demands outlined in ongoing negotiations. These demands encompass a comprehensive agreement to bring an end to the conflict, rather than merely a temporary ceasefire. The officials believe that a ceasefire would be a tactical ploy, potentially allowing the US to resume hostilities at a later date. They fear that this could precipitate an even more intense aerial campaign, reminiscent of previous instances.

Iranian leaders are adamant that they require a definitive, comprehensive deal that guarantees the cessation of aggression. This agreement should encompass not only their own interests but also those of other regional actors, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and potentially Iraq. Furthermore, they are seeking compensation, including the right to impose taxes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Following a previous report of explosions in Tehran, our correspondent Mohamed Vall, who is based in the Iranian capital, initially suggested that the blasts may have occurred near Mehrabad international airport, situated south of the city.
Further information has now come to light from Fars news agency, indicating that explosions were also heard in Karaj, a western suburb of Tehran.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available regarding this unfolding situation.

Reports from the Syrian capital, Damascus, and its surrounding areas, indicate that a series of loud blasts were caused by the Israeli military successfully intercepting a barrage of missiles fired from Iranian territory, according to Syrian state television.

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Lebanon’s displaced population has swelled to over 1.1 million individuals, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the nation’s total population. Among those affected, approximately 137,000 are currently residing in shelters, as Dujarric revealed during a press briefing on Monday. The majority of displaced individuals, however, are scattered across host communities and informal settings, where they often face significant barriers to accessing essential services.

A sharp rise in global oil prices, fueled by the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel over Iran, has led to a wave of fuel price increases across African nations, threatening to spark inflation and social unrest. In Mauritania, the cost of petrol has skyrocketed by 15.3 percent, while diesel prices have jumped by 10 percent. Economic Affairs Minister Abdallah Ould Souleymane has likened the current situation to the 1973 oil crisis, a period of significant economic disruption. As a result, widespread protests have erupted in the country, prompting police to detain dozens of individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in an effort to quell the unrest.

In a recent escalation of military action, Israel’s armed forces have concluded a series of targeted airstrikes against strategic sites within Iran, specifically in the capital city of Tehran, while simultaneously engaging Iranian missiles in mid-air. As a precautionary measure, a warning alert has been dispatched to mobile devices in designated areas of Israel, advising residents to seek shelter in secure locations.