US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

With the looming deadline for Iran set by Trump, Israeli military officials anticipate a heightened risk of incoming fire in the hours ahead. In response, the military is urging Israelis to remain alert and has positioned itself for both defensive and offensive measures.

According to a high-ranking Iranian source who spoke with Reuters, Iran is currently giving serious consideration to Pakistan’s proposal. This development comes as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made a direct appeal to the US administration, specifically requesting a two-week extension on the deadline for an Iran deal and a temporary opening of the Strait of Hormuz during the same timeframe. Sharif emphasized that ongoing diplomatic efforts are yielding promising results and should be allowed to reach their conclusion.

The head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, has emphasized that safeguarding civilians is an unwavering obligation in any conflict scenario, citing it as a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law.

According to a recent update, US President Trump has been apprised of a proposal from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to extend the deadline for a deal by two weeks, with the added condition that Iran would temporarily open the Strait of Hormuz during this period.

A statement from Qatar’s Defence Ministry confirms the country has successfully countered a missile attack aimed at its territory, following a heightened threat warning and reports of missile interceptions audible over the capital city of Doha.

In a stern rebuke, Pope Leo has denounced US President Donald Trump’s alarming warnings to Iran, just hours before the looming deadline imposed by the American leader.
Speaking to the press as he departed his Italian retreat in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Pope Leo expressed his deep concern over Trump’s ominous statement that a collapse of civilisation would ensue if Iran fails to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
As a vocal advocate for peace in the region, Pope Leo urged the global community to mobilise and lobby their elected officials to intervene and put an end to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
In a related development, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a joint statement, urging Trump to exercise restraint and pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Democratic strategist James Butler predicts that the repercussions of ongoing hostilities will have a lasting impact on the US midterm elections in November. According to Butler, the effects of the conflict will be so profound that they will still be felt by the time voters go to the polls. “While Americans are known for their fleeting attention span, I believe the war’s economic consequences will linger,” Butler explained in an interview with Al Jazeera. “Even if the conflict were to end abruptly, the price of gasoline would not immediately decrease, and the ripple effects on the economy would persist.” Butler also warned that if Trump were to take a drastic and potentially disastrous approach, Republican candidates may choose to disassociate themselves from the president and his war policies. “While many Republican candidates have publicly expressed their support for Trump ahead of the November elections, I anticipate they will reassess their stance if he embarks on a reckless course of action, such as committing a war crime, as he has hinted at doing.”

North Star Opinion Research founder Whit Ayres notes that Trump loyalists will adhere to the former president’s stance on any given issue, including the war in Iran.
Ayres, president of the Republican-focused research firm, observed that Trump supporters, distinct from traditional Republicans, display an even stronger affinity for the war in Iran. This is largely due to their unwavering loyalty to Trump’s views and decisions.
According to recent Pew Research findings, a significant majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the conflict, with 61 percent expressing dissatisfaction and 37 percent in approval, as of March data.
While a substantial 70 percent of Republicans endorse the war and believe it is progressing positively, Ayres emphasizes that this does not necessarily translate to a desire for ground troops. He attributes this nuanced stance to lingering concerns among Americans stemming from past conflicts, such as the Iraq War.

With the looming deadline for Trump’s ultimatum to Iran, experts caution that any further military action could extend and intensify the conflict, ultimately leading to a protracted and potentially unwinnable war for the US.

Naveed Shah, a senior strategist at Common Defense, a non-profit organization founded by US military veterans, cautioned that unless the current regional conflict is swiftly brought under control, its scope and impact will only continue to expand.

“Targeting Iran’s critical infrastructure will not expedite a resolution to this conflict,” Shah emphasized in an interview with Al Jazeera. “Instead, it will likely prolong the war, making it increasingly challenging to find a viable exit strategy.”

With the deadline fast approaching, Iranian residents are bracing themselves for the worst.
Simultaneously, a wave of attacks has swept across the country, targeting key areas in the capital, Tehran.
The pressure is mounting, with vital infrastructure coming under siege, leaving residents on edge.
In response, protests have erupted in various parts of Tehran, with demonstrators taking a stand in defiance of the chaos, their voices echoing through the streets as they express unwavering solidarity with their nation.
Meanwhile, the iconic Milad Tower, a prominent landmark in Tehran, has been plunged into darkness, its lights extinguished as a precautionary measure, according to the municipal authorities.