US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Israel’s military forces have confirmed that a new barrage of missiles has been fired from Iranian territory, targeting Israeli soil.

A devastating Iranian missile strike has claimed the lives of four individuals in Haifa, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s leading ambulance service. The tragic incident has resulted in the loss of four lives, with all missing persons subsequently accounted for. Those affected include a 35-year-old woman, as well as a man and a woman in their 80s, and a man in his 40s.

The militant organization, backed by Lebanon, has reportedly launched a string of attacks against Israeli military positions.
Hezbollah claimed that its combatants unleashed a barrage of rockets on Israeli forces stationed in multiple locations within the towns of Ainata and Maroun al-Ras.
Furthermore, the group stated that its forces successfully targeted a Merkava tank with a missile in the town of Rashaf, situated in southern Lebanon.

In the picturesque hills of Mount Lebanon, roughly an hour’s drive from Beirut, a once-thriving educational institution has been transformed into a makeshift sanctuary for families forced to flee their homes in southern Lebanon due to ongoing Israeli military operations. The schoolyard, once a vibrant hub of student activity, now serves as a distribution point for humanitarian aid, its playground equipment eerily still. Clothing and personal belongings are strung between windows, while inside the classrooms, desks have been cleared to accommodate makeshift beds for the displaced.

Aymane Malli, a 49-year-old father, stood beside his five-year-old son, Jad, his voice laced with a mix of desperation and resilience. “It’s incredibly challenging,” he acknowledged. “However, I’ve come to accept it as a necessary evil, as I must ensure my family’s well-being and survival.” Malli is among approximately 100 individuals who have sought refuge at the Qabr Chamoun school, a number that pales in comparison to the overwhelming demand for shelter.

According to Action Against Hunger, a staggering number of displaced families have been turned away from the Qabr Chamoun school due to its full capacity, with over 400 individuals left without a safe haven. The organisation is providing critical support to more than 43,000 displaced individuals across 247 collective shelters, a testament to the scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Lebanon.

A significant escalation in air strikes has been observed in Tehran, with far-reaching consequences. According to a statement from the IRGC, Majid Khademi, the head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization, lost his life in the attacks. The past few hours have seen relentless bombardment in the eastern, western, and southern regions of the capital, starting from the early morning hours.

In the northern sector, a particularly notable incident occurred at the Sharif University of Technology, which was targeted in the initial hours of the morning. The extent of the damage is evident in the available footage, marking the latest in a series of university attacks. Notably, this is not the first time such institutions have been hit, with previous strikes targeting three major universities across the country.

In conversation with the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, it was revealed that over 30 universities nationwide have been affected by the air strikes. Beyond the capital, a longer list of cities has been subjected to intense bombardment, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, including women and children.

Iran has begun to discuss potential retaliatory measures, with a strong message from the Joint Military Headquarters’ spokesperson hinting at more severe and crushing counterattacks.

Islamabad’s diplomatic channels are abuzz with activity, according to insiders who describe the situation as “high-stakes negotiations.” They stress that delicate matters are best handled privately, away from public scrutiny. The Pakistani officials I spoke to likened the challenge to mediating a contentious dispute among peers, where managing inflated egos and bridging deep-seated mistrust are the primary objectives. This sentiment echoes the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman’s assertion that Tehran has been repeatedly targeted by the US and Israel. Consequently, any potential rapprochement or agreement raises legitimate concerns about the safety of Iranian leaders, particularly if they are required to engage in direct talks. To address these concerns, Pakistani diplomats are engaging with various Iranian stakeholders, including clerical leaders, diplomats, and military commanders, including those associated with the IRGC.

In the narrow confines of Yasser’s 10-by-10-foot ice cream shop, three stacked refrigerators hold the key to supporting his family of five and maintaining a fragile independence. The 45-year-old shop owner’s livelihood hangs in the balance, vulnerable to even the slightest disruption in supply and demand. A single misstep – a price hike or a decline in customer spending – could send his business into a tailspin.

Yasser’s concerns are now compounded by the Houthi rebels’ involvement in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. As the Houthis, who control Sanaa, the city where Yasser resides, continue to escalate their involvement, he fears the worst. “The moment Israel responds militarily, our meager comforts will be stripped away,” Yasser warned. “Fear, price increases, and fuel shortages will suffocate us, leaving the outcome of the conflict uncertain.”

The Houthis’ first attack on Israel in support of Iran took place on March 28, with the group vowing to continue their strikes until their objectives are met. Although their efforts have been limited and intercepted by Israel, the threat of escalation remains. The Houthis’ history of targeting shipping in the Red Sea has left civilians in Sanaa on edge, and even the prospect of limited involvement in the war has sparked widespread fear.

Ship-tracking information indicates that two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, Al Daayen and Rasheeda, which had been carrying cargoes from Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility, reversed their course after heading eastward towards the Strait of Hormuz. According to data from Kpler and LSEG, the vessels had loaded their LNG cargoes in late February, marking a significant development that would have been the first LNG transit through the strait since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began on February 28. Notably, the Al Daayen tanker was reportedly signaling for a Chinese destination at the time. Both tankers are owned by QatarEnergy, although the company has yet to comment on the situation.

Iran’s atomic energy chief, Mohammad Eslami, has written to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director, expressing deep concern that the agency’s failure to take decisive action against recent attacks on the Bushehr nuclear facility has effectively given a green light to further aggression. Eslami pointed out that the Bushehr power plant, Iran’s sole operational nuclear facility, has been targeted four times, with the most recent incident occurring on April 4, resulting in the death of a security personnel and injuries to others. He warned that such attacks pose a significant risk of radioactive material release from an operating reactor, with potentially catastrophic consequences for local populations, the environment, and neighboring countries. Eslami characterized the attacks as a blatant disregard for international law and criticized the agency’s response as inadequate, arguing that mere expressions of concern are insufficient to deter further attacks.

Esmail Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, has denounced US threats to destroy the country’s infrastructure as egregious breaches of international law, warning that any nation supporting Washington will be jointly liable for its actions.

Baghaei emphasized that issuing such threats constitutes a war crime, citing US statements about targeting energy and industrial infrastructure while giving Israel a free hand to attack civilian targets as clear examples of war crimes under both international humanitarian law and the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Iran’s diplomatic efforts will continue in tandem with its military defense, Baghaei stated. He underscored that the nation’s priorities remain safeguarding its national interests, ensuring national security, and upholding the legitimate demands of the Iranian people.

Baghaei issued a stark warning to the international community, stating that any nation collaborating with the US in committing these crimes will be held accountable and face the consequences of war crimes and crimes against humanity.