US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A prominent public policy expert, Sultan Barakat, has expressed concerns that Israel’s escalating rhetoric with the US may indicate a potential nuclear attack. According to Barakat, Israel could resort to a tactical nuclear strike to assert its nuclear status without triggering widespread devastation.

Barakat, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, pointed out that Trump’s inflammatory language, describing a “big surprise” that would “kill civilisation,” aligns with the possibility of a limited nuclear attack. Israel’s nuclear capabilities, though never officially acknowledged, are widely accepted as a reality.

Barakat noted that Israel has historically employed its nuclear capabilities as a deterrent, but this strategy failed to prevent Iran’s retaliatory attacks. He suggested that Israel now feels compelled to demonstrate its nuclear prowess in a controlled manner, avoiding a catastrophic fallout across the region.

Tactical nuclear weapons, designed for battlefield use, possess lower explosive power compared to their strategic counterparts. Barakat believes that Israel may be planning to use such a weapon to showcase its nuclear capabilities without unleashing widespread destruction.

The White House has dismissed claims of US plans to use nuclear weapons against Iran, but Barakat’s warnings underscore the escalating tensions in the region.

A statement from the Israeli military has alerted residents of the Shabriha district in southern Lebanon’s Tyre to evacuate their homes without delay.
According to a post on X, the Israeli army has announced plans to take decisive action “in the near future” against Hezbollah in the area, advising residents to relocate north of the Zahrani River.
This warning marks the latest in a series of displacement threats issued by Israel’s military during its invasion, which has already led to the displacement of over 1 million people in southern Lebanon.

Iran’s joint military command spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, has issued a warning that the country’s armed forces will inflict significant damage on the infrastructure of the United States and its allies, ultimately forcing them to relinquish control of the region’s vital oil and gas resources for an extended period.

In a statement released through Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Zolfaghari confirmed that Iranian forces launched a multi-pronged attack against US and Israeli interests across the Middle East, involving ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. The assault targeted over 30 sites in various cities within central and southern Israel, he stated.

Axios has learned that the White House is now cognizant of a proposal put forth by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, a response to the proposal is forthcoming. This development comes amidst a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran, which have deteriorated significantly over the past few days following the US president’s back-to-back threats issued over the weekend and on Monday.

Insiders suggest that securing a comprehensive agreement between the two parties will be a daunting task, making it increasingly likely that interim measures will be pursued. This shift towards more manageable steps may involve the involvement of neutral third-party mediators, such as Turkiye, Egypt, or Pakistan, as seen in the current situation.

Publicly, both the US and Iran have adopted a stance of assertiveness, rather than a willingness to compromise. This rigid posture makes it challenging to envision any outcome other than a narrow window of opportunity for achieving an interim solution. The parties are reportedly seeking a two-week ceasefire as a potential stepping stone towards a more lasting resolution.

The absence of any public appearances by Trump has not dampened the fervor surrounding his earlier statement, in which he ominously predicted “a whole civilisation will die tonight”, referencing Iran. This ominous forecast has sparked widespread concern, with Trump clarifying that while he hopes it doesn’t come to pass, he believes it’s a likely outcome. As the deadline draws near, the escalating tensions around Kharg Island have become increasingly alarming, eerily mirroring Trump’s dire warning. This intensification of rhetoric, particularly from Trump, has reached a fever pitch, prompting a unified rebuke from Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill. They have denounced the president’s language as “sick” and warned that Republicans who fail to intervene will be held accountable for the consequences. In stark contrast, Republicans on Capitol Hill have voiced their unwavering support for Trump’s stance, citing the long-standing threat posed by Iran to American lives in the region. They argue that it’s time for decisive action, and Trump’s threats of further military strikes have earned their backing.

Reports from Iraq indicate that Iraqi air defences successfully downed three incoming drones, which subsequently crashed into the Tigris River, as confirmed by local sources.
Incidents of rocket attacks resulted in two individuals sustaining injuries, with one of the projectiles striking the al-Amal al-Shaabi area of al-Amiriyah.
Additionally, two rockets impacted the US military’s Camp Victory base situated near Baghdad International Airport, leading to outbreaks of fires, according to an informed security source.

Israeli military officials warn of a heightened risk of Iranian missile strikes on major Israeli cities, with a significant portion of the population residing in the central region already under fire throughout the day.
Incidents have also been reported in the southern area, where Iranian missiles have been launched at Beersheba, Dimona, and surrounding communities, resulting in at least two notable incidents.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has become the latest international leader to counterbalance Trump’s stern stance, issuing a statement that cautions against holding the Iranian population accountable for their government’s actions.

Tensions are running high in the Gulf states as they take measures to safeguard their territorial integrity, airspace, and the well-being of their populations. A series of loud explosions echoed through Doha in the past few hours, marking the first such incident in approximately two weeks. According to Qatar, its military successfully intercepted a missile attack. Meanwhile, the UAE has reported incoming missiles, with its defence ministry confirming repeated engagements with missile and drone threats. Reports also indicate that sirens were activated in Bahrain earlier. The US State Department has issued a warning, advising American citizens to seek shelter. Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has taken a precautionary step by instructing citizens and residents to remain indoors from midnight to 6am.

With the looming deadline for Trump’s ultimatum to Iran looming large, experts caution that any further military action may lead to a prolonged and expanded conflict, ultimately thwarting the US’s hopes for a swift victory.

Naveed Shah, the political director at Common Defense, a US-based advocacy group led by military veterans, warns that if the ongoing regional war is not swiftly brought under control, its reach and scope will only continue to expand.

According to Shah, targeting Iran’s infrastructure will not expedite a resolution to the conflict, but rather prolong it. “What we need,” Shah emphasized in an interview with Al Jazeera, “is to identify a path towards de-escalation, a way to declare a decisive victory and extricate ourselves from this prolonged and devastating conflict.”