US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A sharp increase in fuel costs has been felt by hundreds of millions of people in various African nations over the past month, directly linked to the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel and Iran.

Iraq’s Oil Ministry has initiated oil shipments through Syria, utilizing tankers to transport the crude, with the aim of bolstering the country’s economy. According to a ministry statement, collaboration with the Syrian government is underway to guarantee the secure transportation of the oil to its intended export destinations. The ministry emphasized that export operations will be gradually expanded to boost oil volumes and contribute positively to Iraq’s economic development.

Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s UN Ambassador, has expressed the need for further refinement in the country’s proposed UN Security Council resolution, which aims to empower all necessary measures to safeguard commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Alrowaiei noted that ongoing dialogue with Security Council members is underway to harmonize perspectives and craft a draft that can garner widespread support, thereby facilitating its adoption at the earliest opportunity.

Bahrain, currently at the helm of the 15-member council for the month of April, has distributed a revised draft resolution that omits a previous explicit reference to binding enforcement, in an effort to address concerns from other nations, particularly Russia and China.

However, a UN diplomat has revealed that China, Russia, and France had raised reservations about the new draft before it could be finalized under the council’s silence procedure, which stipulates that a resolution is adopted if no member objects.

Hezbollah militants have unleashed a series of coordinated strikes against Israeli military personnel and settlements, according to a statement from the Lebanese group. The attacks included a rocket assault on the Nahariyya settlement in northern Israel and a barrage of artillery shells on a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the Shomera settlement. Additionally, Hezbollah claimed to have twice targeted a concentration of Israeli troops in the town of al-Bayyadah, in southern Lebanon, with a rocket barrage and a drone.

A senior World Bank executive has expressed deep unease about the impending economic fallout from the war in Iran, warning that it will have far-reaching impacts on inflation, employment, and food availability. The official, who spoke to AFP, revealed that the international institution is engaged in urgent discussions with its member states to identify pressing needs and devise a coordinated response to the crisis. The World Bank has recently forged a strategic alliance with the International Monetary Fund and the International Energy Agency to facilitate a unified aid effort. According to the executive, countries in Asia and Africa are particularly susceptible to the energy, price, and supply chain disruptions caused by the conflict. The official indicated that, within a few weeks, the institution will have a clearer understanding of the needs of various governments and countries affected by the crisis.

A devastating dual air assault, allegedly carried out by US-Israeli forces, has left a trail of destruction in Tal Afar, a town in northern Iraq, where the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) have suffered a significant loss. According to an official announcement from the PMF, the 53rd Brigade was the target of the coordinated strikes, resulting in the tragic demise of the commando battalion commander and one other soldier. Furthermore, four personnel from the unit were injured in the attack.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently engaged in a high-level discussion with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, focusing on pressing regional issues and international initiatives aimed at mitigating regional tensions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for a drastic change in the approach towards his country, questioning the effectiveness of US policies and the widespread dissemination of misinformation about Iran. In a pointed critique, Pezeshkian asked whether the US government truly prioritizes its own interests, as stated in the ‘America First’ doctrine.

He also implored Americans to form their own opinions about Iran by considering the experiences of those who have visited the nation, which is home to nearly 90 million people, and the achievements of Iranian immigrants. “Take note of the numerous accomplished Iranian expatriates,” Pezeshkian said, “who have earned advanced degrees in Iran and now hold esteemed positions at top universities worldwide or contribute to cutting-edge technology firms in the West. Do these facts align with the distorted narratives about Iran that you are being fed?” he inquired.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the world is at a critical juncture, and that continuing down a path of hostility towards Iran will only lead to further costs and futility. He framed the choice between confrontation and engagement as a pivotal one, warning that its outcome will have far-reaching consequences that will shape the future for generations to come.

The US-Iran conflict has become a battle of competing narratives, with the American government pushing a narrative of triumph and the Iranian establishment countering with a story of oppression and self-defense. In a direct appeal to the American people, the Iranian president emphasized that his country has never initiated a war and harbors no animosity towards American citizens. He urged the public to look beyond partisan rhetoric and reexamine the historical and current realities of the situation. The president stressed that Iran’s actions are driven by a legitimate right to self-defense, rather than aggression, and that the consequences of attacks on Iranian infrastructure and civilians extend beyond the country’s borders. As Iran has already rejected calls for a ceasefire, the president’s message appears to be an attempt to present a contrasting narrative, one that highlights Iran’s right to defend itself and underscores the complexities of the conflict.

According to a recent statement from the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) on X, a conversation between United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Trump touched on regional matters. This development comes as WAM reported an earlier incident in which shrapnel from a drone interception struck a farm in the al-Rifaa area of Fujairah city, resulting in the tragic loss of a Bangladeshi national. Authorities are currently addressing the situation.