US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Speaking on behalf of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan at the United Nations Security Council, the Bahraini foreign minister expressed his nation’s collective disappointment with the council’s inaction.
The foreign minister stated that the countries were disheartened by the failure to adopt the resolution presented to the council, emphasizing that this inaction constituted a dereliction of the council’s responsibility in addressing a serious and pressing issue that necessitated swift and decisive action.
The foreign minister further noted that the draft resolution had been expected to serve as a crucial step towards a lasting solution that would safeguard the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that, according to international law, should not be subject to obstruction by any country.

The UAE’s diplomatic delegation to the UN expressed profound disappointment at the Security Council’s inability to adopt a crucial resolution aimed at countering Iran’s illicit aggression and safeguarding global economic stability.
In a statement posted on X, the UAE emphasized the importance of maintaining the Strait of Hormuz as a vital international waterway, open to all nations, and underscored the need to preserve the freedom of navigation. The UAE also stressed that no country should be empowered to disrupt global trade and precipitate an economic catastrophe.
The UAE’s statement made it clear that the Security Council’s inaction does not diminish the gravity of the crisis or its unwavering commitment to promoting international cooperation to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s envoy to the United Nations has reaffirmed the country’s stance, stating that a temporary truce is unacceptable and that a lasting peace can only be achieved through verifiable assurances that prevent future conflicts. This assertion underscores Iran’s long-held position that a ceasefire is not a viable solution, and instead, a comprehensive end to hostilities is the ultimate goal. In response to President Trump’s warning of annihilating Iran’s “civilisation”, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson countered that a nation’s sophistication and resilience will ultimately triumph over the application of brute force. As tensions persist, it has become increasingly evident that the divide between the two sides is substantial, and bridging this gap will undoubtedly require a concerted and challenging effort.

According to Dania Thafer, executive director of the Gulf International Forum, a Washington, DC-based think tank, the Gulf states’ financial influence over Trump may not be sufficient to alter his course of action. Thafer notes that business and economic concerns hold significant sway over Trump, particularly given his initial reliance on the Gulf states as a cornerstone of his global strategy. During his presidential campaign, Trump sought investments from the Gulf states and maintained substantial business interests within the region.

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has strongly denounced the Security Council’s draft resolution, labeling it “grossly unbalanced, prejudiced, and unsustainable”.
According to Iravani, the resolution “grossly distorts the situation on the ground” by unfairly assigning blame to Iran, which he claims is the actual victim of aggression, while conveniently overlooking the underlying causes of the ongoing crisis.
Iravani emphasized that Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz were taken in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence.
Regional nations have condemned Iran’s effective blockade of the Gulf waterway and ongoing attacks on their territories as a clear breach of international law, including the principle of freedom of maritime navigation.

Iran’s stance on a temporary ceasefire remains resolute, with its UN representative unequivocally dismissing the idea and instead advocating for a lasting peace agreement backed by verifiable guarantees to prevent future conflicts. This stance is a reaffirmation of Iran’s long-held position, underscoring its refusal to accept a ceasefire and its demand for a definitive end to the ongoing hostilities. In response to President Trump’s threat to eradicate Iran’s “civilization,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson countered that the strength of a civilized nation will ultimately prevail over the tactics of brute force. The significant disparities between the two sides’ positions suggest that bridging the gap will be a challenging and arduous process.

A devastating incident has unfolded in Basra, a city in southern Iraq situated close to the Iranian border, where a reported US missile strike has claimed the lives of at least three civilians and left six others wounded, according to a security source speaking to Al Jazeera.

In light of the ongoing conflict, the US diplomatic mission in Riyadh has cautioned American nationals against visiting the kingdom, in accordance with a travel alert issued by the Saudi government.

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has issued a directive for residents to remain indoors between midnight and 6am local time, corresponding to 21:00 GMT Tuesday and 03:00 GMT Wednesday, in a bid to exercise caution.

A leading nuclear expert has cautioned that continued US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant pose a grave threat of radioactive contamination, according to an Al Jazeera interview.

Alicia Sander-Zakre, policy chief at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, emphasized that military action is an ineffective means of achieving non-proliferation objectives.

She highlighted the crippling impact of ongoing strikes, which have effectively barred international inspectors from entering Iran to assess the full scope of its nuclear arsenal.

Sander-Zakre urged all parties to return to the negotiating table, citing the need for a collaborative approach to resolve the crisis.