US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has voiced strong disapproval over US President Donald Trump’s recent warnings of potential attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, labeling them “unhelpful” and potentially destabilizing.
According to Luxon, such aggressive posturing is unwarranted, as further military intervention would only exacerbate the situation. “The key takeaway is that we must prevent this conflict from escalating further,” Luxon emphasized in an interview with Radio New Zealand.
Luxon expressed concern over Trump’s weekend threats, which included targeting civilian sites such as bridges and reservoirs. “Any actions of this nature would be utterly unacceptable,” Luxon stated firmly.

In a poignant display of defiance, a Lebanese girl has rung the church bell in a southern Lebanese town, proclaiming a powerful message of unity and solidarity with her Shia Muslim neighbours, who were allegedly told by Israeli authorities not to be sheltered by Druze and Christian leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has confirmed that a scheduled phone conversation is in the works with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This development comes as Japan continues to maintain diplomatic channels with both the US and Iran, with the aim of fostering dialogue and reducing tensions.

In a parliamentary address, Takaichi clarified her previous statement regarding the planned call, emphasizing the need for open communication with key global leaders. The announcement follows the release of a second Japanese national who had been detained in Iran since January.

As the number of US Congress members opposing Trump’s threatened military escalation against Iran continues to rise, a Democratic senator has voiced strong opposition to the plan, labeling it a stain on the nation’s military and reputation.
Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a decorated Naval pilot and former NASA astronaut, expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of targeting Iran’s nonmilitary sites, including power plants and bridges.
Kelly emphasized that such actions would undermine the principles of strength, discipline, and professionalism that America is known for, and could lead to a breach of international laws governing armed conflict.
In a scathing critique, Kelly stated that issuing orders to intentionally harm civilians would be a lasting blemish on the US military and the country as a whole.

Tensions in the Middle East are casting a shadow over global markets, with oil prices hovering near a critical threshold of $110 per barrel as the clock ticks down to US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz.
Investors are bracing for potential repercussions as the Tuesday deadline draws near, with Trump warning of targeted strikes on key civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if Iran fails to comply.
The price of Brent crude futures has increased by 0.4 percent to $110.19 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures have surged 0.8 percent to $113.31.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 has experienced a volatile session, erasing initial gains to trade 0.2 percent lower, while South Korea’s Kosdaq has declined 0.75 percent as of 02:20 GMT on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index has also slipped 0.22 percent as of 02:30 GMT.

According to a social media update from US Central Command (CENTCOM), the organization overseeing US military operations in the Middle East, its forces have successfully engaged more than 13,000 Iranian targets. The statement also highlighted the significant impact on Iranian naval capabilities, with over 155 vessels either damaged or destroyed. Notably, CENTCOM’s Operation Epic Fury involves a coalition of US assets, including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as a diverse array of aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighter jets and B-52 bombers.

A synagogue in the heart of Tehran has been hit by a projectile reportedly fired by US-Israeli forces, according to an Iranian news agency.
Mehr News Agency shared a disturbing 12-second video on Telegram, showcasing rescue efforts amidst the devastation, as well as damaged books and debris scattered across the site.
Historically, Iran has been home to a significant Jewish community, with an estimated 20,000 Jews still residing in the country, as documented by the Minority Rights Group.

Iran’s patience has worn thin following the second strike on the South Pars gasfield, a development they perceive as a deliberate attempt by the US and Israel to cripple the country’s vital infrastructure and undermine its people’s well-being. From the outset, Tehran had made it clear that such aggressive actions would not be tolerated, viewing them as a harbinger of a more sinister intent to dismantle the nation’s very foundations. In response to the initial strike, Iran had vowed to retaliate, and now, with the second attack, their ire is palpable. While the main facility remains intact, the targeting of two electricity-generating units suggests a calculated effort to disrupt operations, potentially tempering Iran’s reaction. Nevertheless, the Iranian government sees this escalation as a stark indication that the US and Israel are not genuinely committed to peace and dialogue.

A Japanese citizen, reportedly the Tehran bureau chief for NHK, has been released from Iranian detention, as per information relayed by Japanese news agency Kyodo on Tuesday. This development follows a report from the same source, which cited government sources, stating that the individual was one of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran back in January.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu had previously announced in mid-March that a Japanese national, detained in Iran the previous June, had been freed.

Reports are emerging of a heightened air campaign targeting Iranian territory, with recent strikes believed to have taken place in the vicinity of Tehran’s Mehrabad international airport, a facility that has been repeatedly hit since the conflict began.
As the aerial bombardments persist, Iranian authorities are attempting to justify their 10-point proposal in ongoing negotiations, which seeks a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire. They fear that a ceasefire would be nothing more than a tactical maneuver, allowing the US and its allies to resume hostilities at a moment’s notice, as has occurred in the past. Iranian officials are adamant that a lasting peace deal is necessary, one that would prevent future aggression and provide compensation for past damages, including the right to impose taxes on the Strait of Hormuz and address the situations in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq.