US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Amid an administration grappling with a disjointed approach to the ongoing military campaign, JD Vance has maintained a measured distance from the conflict. However, the vice president has become a key player in a high-stakes diplomatic push spearheaded by Pakistan to prevent a potentially catastrophic escalation of the war.
Insiders privy to the mediation efforts in Pakistan have confirmed that Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s army chief, engaged in a conversation with Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This call was part of an extensive mediation effort initiated by Pakistan in late March, which included a high-level meeting in Islamabad on March 29, bringing together foreign ministers from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in a concerted bid to bring an end to the hostilities. The meeting followed a preceding consultation in Riyadh on March 19, where the same regional powers began to harmonize their stance.
Earlier, at a cabinet meeting on March 26, President Trump formally recognized Vance’s role in the diplomatic effort by instructing him to brief officials in Iran.

A leading expert has sounded the alarm over the potential for radioactive contamination in the event of continued US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, citing a dire risk to regional safety.
Alicia Sander-Zakre, a senior policy advisor with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, emphasized that military action is a flawed strategy for achieving non-proliferation objectives.
She noted that the ongoing bombardment has effectively barred international inspectors from entering Iran, thereby hindering their ability to assess the full scope of the country’s nuclear arsenal.
In light of this, Sander-Zakre urged all parties to reinitiate diplomatic talks and work towards a mutually acceptable resolution.

A fresh barrage of missiles originating from Iran has been reported by the Israeli military as being directed towards Israeli territory.
According to a military statement, Israel’s defense systems are actively engaged in intercepting the incoming threat.

A devastating US missile strike on the Iraqi city of Basra, situated near the Iran border, has claimed the lives of at least three civilians and left six others severely injured, according to a security source speaking to Al Jazeera. The attack, reportedly originating from Kuwaiti territory, resulted in a series of direct hits on an orchard, an agricultural storage facility, and a residential dwelling within the Al-Zubair area, causing extensive damage to two pickup trucks in the process.

In light of ongoing conflict, the US diplomatic mission in Riyadh has issued a cautionary notice to American citizens, urging them to reassess their travel plans to Saudi Arabia. This warning comes in response to a travel alert issued by the Saudi government. Furthermore, the US embassy has suggested that Americans may want to reconsider participating in the upcoming Hajj, a sacred Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

In response to an unspecified concern, Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has issued a directive for residents to remain indoors between midnight and 6am (21:00 GMT Tuesday to 03:00 GMT Wednesday), citing the need for a precautionary measure.

Iran’s envoy to the UN has reaffirmed the nation’s stance, categorically dismissing the notion of a temporary ceasefire. Instead, they are seeking a lasting peace agreement coupled with verifiable assurances that future conflicts can be avoided. This stance is a resounding declaration of Iran’s refusal to accept a ceasefire, opting for a comprehensive end to the ongoing hostilities. In response to Trump’s warning of eradicating Iran’s “civilisation”, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson countered that the strength of a civilised nation will ultimately prevail over the principles of brute force. Despite this, it is evident that the divide between the two sides remains substantial, making it a daunting task to bridge the gap.

According to Dania Thafer, executive director of the Gulf International Forum, a Washington, DC-based organization, the Gulf states’ financial influence may not be sufficient to sway President Trump’s stance. Thafer notes that business and economic concerns hold significant sway over Trump, particularly given the Gulf states’ initial importance in his global strategy. Trump’s visits to the region and investments in Gulf countries demonstrate the extent of his reliance on these nations. However, Thafer suggests that Trump’s actions indicate a willingness to risk these interests in pursuit of his goals. As US allies, the Gulf states are undoubtedly important, but their interests appear to be secondary to those of Israel, which Thafer believes benefited from the recent conflict. The implications for the Gulf states are concerning, and Thafer warns of potential consequences for the region.

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, sharply criticized the Security Council’s draft resolution today, labeling it “grossly unbalanced, prejudiced, and indefensible.”
The resolution, he argued, grossly distorts the situation on the ground by unfairly pinning blame on Iran, which is actually the target of aggression, while conveniently overlooking the underlying causes of the current crisis.
According to Iravani, Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz are a legitimate exercise of the country’s inherent right to self-defence.
Meanwhile, regional countries have denounced Iran’s de facto closure of the Gulf waterway and ongoing attacks on their territories as a clear breach of international law, including the fundamental right to unimpeded maritime navigation.

Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant has become a focal point of concern for Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, who warns that US and Israeli strikes on the facility would be tantamount to a reckless gamble.
Aslani points out that targeting the plant, which is integral to Iran’s energy infrastructure, could have far-reaching consequences, including a potential nuclear catastrophe and severe environmental degradation.
Moreover, Aslani argues that the US is deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, rather than a military target, which he believes constitutes a clear breach of international law and elevates the risk of a catastrophic disaster.