US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A sharp rise in fuel prices has ignited widespread protests in Mauritania, where the government has implemented significant price hikes in response to the escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has sent oil prices skyrocketing worldwide and threatens to fuel inflation and social unrest.
Petrol prices in Mauritania have jumped by 15.3 percent, while diesel prices have increased by 10 percent, prompting comparisons to the 1973 oil crisis by Economic Affairs Minister Abdallah Ould Souleymane.
The fuel price surge has led to a wave of protests, prompting police to arrest dozens of individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in an effort to quell the unrest.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nicolas Haque provides an on-the-ground report.

Israel’s military has wrapped up a recent series of airstrikes against key infrastructure targets in Iran, specifically in the capital city of Tehran, while concurrently engaging Iranian missiles in mid-air. In response to the heightened threat, the Israeli government has issued a security alert to mobile phone users in designated areas, advising them to seek shelter in designated safe zones.

In a recent update, Stephane Dujarric, a UN spokesperson, revealed that the total number of registered displaced individuals in Lebanon has surpassed 1.1 million, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the country’s population. According to Dujarric, approximately 137,000 of these displaced persons are currently residing in shelters, while the majority are scattered across host communities or makeshift settings, often facing significant barriers to accessing essential services.

Reports of loud explosions in Damascus and the surrounding region were attributed to the successful interception of Iranian-fired missiles by Israeli air defences, according to Syrian state television.

Reports from the ground indicate a significant escalation in the aerial campaign targeting Iran, with fresh strikes being carried out in the vicinity of Mehrabad International Airport, a key facility that has been repeatedly hit since the conflict began.
As the bombardment continues, Iranian officials are attempting to justify their 10-point demand in negotiations, which encompasses a far-reaching agreement to bring an end to the conflict, rather than simply a temporary ceasefire.
They believe that a ceasefire would be a mere ruse, potentially allowing the US to resume hostilities at any moment, and that the enemy is merely laying the groundwork for an even more intense aerial assault, as has been the case in the past.
Iranian leaders are adamant that they require a comprehensive deal that guarantees the aggression will not be repeated, and this agreement must extend to other regional players, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and potentially Iraq.
Furthermore, they are seeking compensation, including the right to impose taxes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Following our initial report of blasts being heard in Tehran, our correspondent Mohamed Vall, who is stationed in the Iranian capital, has revealed that the explosions may have occurred near Mehrabad International Airport, situated south of the city.
According to Fars news agency, a second location has been identified as the site of the explosions: Karaj, a western suburb of Tehran. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

According to Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute, US President Donald Trump retains the ability to extend the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without compromising his credibility, provided he identifies a diplomatic opportunity to do so.
Parsi notes that Trump’s lack of credibility gives him a degree of freedom to act unilaterally, a notion underscored by his repeated extensions of the deadline over the past 35 days.
While Trump’s credibility has not suffered significantly from these extensions, the question remains whether the warring parties can find common ground for a potential agreement that would lead to a ceasefire.
Trump has set a deadline of 8pm Eastern Time on Tuesday (00:00 GMT, Wednesday) for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply will result in the destruction of power plants and bridges across the country.

Iran’s stance in the ongoing conflict is shaped by its assessment of its current situation and its perception of itself as a victor, having successfully repelled multiple attacks on its territory. Despite ongoing hostilities, the country remains intact, and its defenses remain unbroken. Iranian officials assert that their military arsenal is substantial and that they possess an advantageous position due to their ability to counter two of the world’s most powerful militaries. They are seeking a resolution that would prevent future aggression, which is why they are pushing for an end to the war, rather than a mere ceasefire. They fear that a ceasefire would merely provide an opportunity for their adversaries to regroup and launch another assault. Furthermore, Iran is demanding a revised framework for the Strait of Hormuz, one that would enable it to impose taxes on passing vessels, thereby compensating for the losses and destruction incurred during the conflict. Additionally, they are seeking the lifting of long-standing sanctions, which they believe were unjustly imposed. By presenting these conditions, Iran is signaling that it does not regard itself as defeated in the war, and that these terms are essential for its emergence from the conflict with its national integrity and sovereignty intact.

Reports from Japanese news agency Kyodo indicate that a second Japanese citizen, who was taken into custody in Iran last January, has been released, as confirmed by government sources on Tuesday.
Details suggest that the freed individual is the Tehran-based chief correspondent for Japanese broadcaster NHK, according to Kyodo’s findings.
In mid-March, Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu had announced the release of one of the two Japanese nationals detained in Iran since last June, and subsequently reaffirmed his commitment to utilizing diplomatic channels to secure the release of the remaining detainee.

A revised proposal addressing Iran’s threat to the Strait of Hormuz is poised to come before the UN Security Council for a vote today. The resolution, the result of negotiations initiated by Bahrain two weeks ago, has garnered the support of other oil-exporting Gulf nations. Initially, a more robust draft faced potential vetoes, prompting a watered-down version.

The latest draft, obtained by AFP on Monday, calls on Iran to cease its attacks on commercial vessels and refrain from any actions that could impede navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, unlike earlier drafts, it does not explicitly grant permission for the use of force. Instead, it urges states to collaborate on defensive measures to ensure safe passage, including escorting merchant vessels.

The draft also encourages international coordination to prevent attempts to close or obstruct navigation through the strait. It makes clear that the Council is prepared to consider additional measures against any entity that undermines freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The vote is scheduled for 15:00 GMT, just nine hours before US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree to a deal or face potential military action targeting its power plants and bridges.