US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A devastating enemy assault on a fishing vessel in the Iranian port of Jask has resulted in the tragic loss of two lives, as per the deputy governor of Hormozgan Province.
Jask port, a vital maritime hub, is situated in a geopolitically sensitive location, with the UAE and Oman situated directly across the water in the Gulf of Oman, south of the Strait of Hormuz.

A significant shift is underway in the US approach to diplomacy, with a growing reliance on informal networks and key individuals within the White House senior leadership, rather than the traditional State Department channels. This shift is exemplified by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leveraging backchannels to facilitate negotiations, rather than adhering to conventional diplomatic protocols. US diplomats have acknowledged a substantial divide between the US and Iranian positions on key issues, with significant differences in their respective goals. This disparity has contributed to a focus on interim agreements, rather than comprehensive deals. Observers in Washington’s foreign policy circles suggest that both the US and Iran are approaching negotiations from positions of assertiveness, rather than compromise, which may ultimately limit the scope for a diplomatic breakthrough.

European Council President Antonio Costa cautioned against military escalation, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts – spearheaded by regional partners – hold the key to achieving a lasting ceasefire and peace.

A US military spokesperson has disputed an earlier assertion by the IRGC that its forces had engaged a US amphibious assault ship, prompting the vessel to alter its course and retreat into the southern Indian Ocean.
According to a CENTCOM statement, the USS Tripoli, a key component of the US naval presence in the region, remains operational and continues to navigate the Arabian Sea in support of ongoing US military operations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has levelled scathing criticism at the US and Israel, alleging they are resorting to “blind assassinations” as a desperate attempt to mask their military shortcomings. According to Araghchi, these targeted killings have the opposite effect of what their perpetrators intend, instead galvanizing the Iranian people’s resolve to press on with their resistance.

The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) has condemned a US-Israeli strike on a uranium processing facility near Ardakan, in the Yazd province, which converts uranium ore into yellowcake, a crucial component in the production of nuclear fuel.

Iranian military personnel suffered a devastating loss yesterday in the Isfahan region, where four high-ranking officers were tragically struck down while conducting a counter-attack against US warplanes. According to a statement issued through the Fars news agency, the officers clashed in a fierce battle with enemy fighter jets, helicopters, armed drones, and support aircraft in the Mahyar area of Isfahan.

Former US State Department official Alan Eyre observed that both Iran and the US have taken an even more extreme stance than before the conflict escalated, hindering negotiations. This lack of progress stems from the vast gap between their positions and the ongoing war, which diverts the attention of potential negotiators away from diplomatic efforts.

Eyre pointed out that the US is pushing for a ceasefire due to the escalating economic repercussions of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, this leverage is Iran’s primary bargaining chip, as it prevents the US from forcing a ceasefire that would undermine its negotiating power.

According to Eyre, Iran’s goal is to avoid returning to the pre-conflict status quo, fearing that it would leave them vulnerable to future aggression from the US and Israel. To achieve this, Iran seeks a security arrangement that would prevent such conflicts and a means to rebuild its economy, which has been severely impacted by the war.

Marieke De Hoon, a University of Amsterdam expert in international criminal law, claims the US is openly declaring its own war crimes by vowing to show no mercy towards Iran and targeting civilian infrastructure.
According to De Hoon, deliberately attacking civilian targets defies international law, rendering such actions unlawful. In an interview with Al Jazeera, she emphasized the significance of the US and Israel’s rhetoric, which implies a blanket attack on the civilian population, effectively declaring war on innocent people.
De Hoon pointed out that the phrase ‘no quarter’ – which signifies a refusal to spare the lives of those who have surrendered – is strictly prohibited by law. Furthermore, she noted that reported Iranian attacks using cluster munitions on civilian areas would also constitute war crimes.

In a stark assessment, US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has indicated that the coming hours will see the most extensive US strikes against Iran since the start of the US-Israeli conflict, cautioning that the situation could deteriorate further if Iran fails to fully restore access to the critical Strait of Hormuz by tomorrow.