US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

According to Omar Rahman, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, the hastily negotiated US-Iran ceasefire agreement has been met with reservations from all parties involved, as evidenced by the ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.

Rahman pointed out that the 10-point plan proposed by Iran and the 15-point plan put forth by the US are fundamentally incompatible on several key issues. This stark divergence has been viewed as a complete failure by US President Donald Trump, he noted.

Reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) indicate a series of intense air strikes targeted various sections of Nabatiyeh, a major city in southern Lebanon, with the state security office being a primary focus of the attacks.
The assault resulted in widespread destruction of multiple buildings and the loss of at least eight state security personnel, with NNA characterizing the incident as a “horrific massacre”.
Emergency responders are currently transporting injured individuals to medical facilities for treatment, according to NNA.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has vehemently denounced Israel’s authorization of 34 fresh settlements in the occupied West Bank, branding it a blatant disregard for international law and pertinent UN Security Council resolutions.
The Israeli cabinet’s decision, reportedly made on April 1, was revealed by Peace Now, an Israeli monitoring group, despite Netanyahu’s administration refraining from making an official statement.
Israeli media outlets broke the news on Thursday, following clearance from the military censor to publish the information.
The OIC issued a stern warning that the move is designed to sabotage the two-state solution and urged the global community to take decisive action against Israel’s transgressions against Palestinians.

Islamabad has been transformed into a heavily fortified city, with a massive deployment of security personnel numbering nearly 10,000. These include police, military personnel, and elite commandos tasked with ensuring a seamless security setup. To facilitate this, schools and offices in the vicinity have been closed for the day.

I am currently situated within the Red Zone, the governmental hub of Islamabad, where all access roads have been sealed off. As the first delegates begin to arrive, Pakistani officials remain tight-lipped about the identities of the visitors and the nature of their discussions.

This high-stakes diplomatic scenario has been weeks in the making, with negotiators overcoming significant obstacles before securing Pakistani mediation. Initially scheduled for today, the talks have been postponed to tomorrow due to logistical complexities. Despite these challenges, officials and ministers I’ve spoken to remain optimistic about the potential outcomes of the negotiations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been chosen to host the 2029 annual gatherings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s economic influence.
In a statement on X, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, expressed his pride in the UAE’s selection, describing it as a testament to the country’s robust financial standing and the international community’s growing trust in its capabilities. He noted that the global meetings, which will bring together representatives from 190 countries, including central bank governors and finance ministers, will serve as a crucial platform for shaping global economic policies and charting the course of the international economy’s future.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the decision to withdraw Spain from a Civil Military Coordination Centre established in Kiryat Gat, following a longstanding pattern of Spain’s vocal opposition to Israel’s military actions in various regions, including Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon. This move comes in response to Spain’s persistent criticism of Israel’s policies and military campaigns, which Netanyahu views as a personal affront to the Israeli army’s reputation for upholding high moral standards.

According to Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group and a seasoned participant in US-Iran talks, the forthcoming round of negotiations will be fraught with obstacles due to a profound lack of trust between the two nations.
Vaez pointed out that the Iranian public is likely to recall Donald Trump’s abrupt withdrawal from the nuclear agreement during his initial term, as well as two separate incidents of US military action against Iran within the past nine months while diplomatic efforts were underway.
He emphasized that the contentious issues at hand are inherently intricate and technically demanding, necessitating a high degree of diplomatic finesse and perseverance to resolve.
Vaez further stated that the Trump administration’s past behavior has consistently demonstrated a notable absence of these essential qualities, including patience, discipline, and a commitment to sending qualified experts to facilitate meaningful negotiations.

According to Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, Tehran is poised to set several non-negotiable conditions for future discussions with the US.
Vaez emphasized that Iran’s insistence on control over the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to be compromised, as it transcends mere territorial concerns.
He highlighted the country’s skepticism regarding potential sanctions relief from the Trump administration, stating that Iran requires economic resources for reconstruction and a reliable source of revenue.
In Vaez’s assessment, control of the strait is crucial for Iran’s economic survival, likening it to a vital lifeline.
Furthermore, Vaez predicted that Iran will insist on its right to nuclear enrichment, even if it temporarily puts the exercise of this right on hold.
He noted that recognition of this right by the US is a non-negotiable aspect of any potential agreement.

A statement from Israel, indicating a willingness to initiate negotiations with Lebanon, appears to have been a strategic move by Netanyahu to alleviate mounting pressure from key international stakeholders, particularly the US and European nations, which have largely converged on the view that Lebanon’s inclusion in a potential US-Iran ceasefire is essential. This announcement also reflects Lebanon’s repeated overtures to engage in dialogue. Yechiel Leitem, Israel’s ambassador to Washington and a close associate of Netanyahu, has been appointed to lead the Israeli delegation, which will convene at the State Department. However, the prospects for meaningful discussions remain uncertain, given the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and Lebanon’s insistence that negotiations cannot proceed while hostilities persist.

Sources close to the situation in Islamabad have revealed that groundwork has been laid in advance of the high-profile visit. According to insiders, this preparatory work was underway even before the arrival of key dignitaries. As a result, a framework is now in place, which raises the question: where will negotiations begin? Will the US and Iran build upon previous agreements reached in Oman and Geneva, or will they start anew following the developments of the past six weeks?

I sought clarification from Pakistani officials on what constitutes success in these talks, and they emphasized that simply bringing the two sides together in one location would be a significant achievement. While the American and Iranian proposals remain vastly different, there is still optimism that the upcoming meeting will yield positive outcomes.