US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has confirmed that the nation’s air defences are actively countering a missile threat. In a public advisory, the Authority urged citizens to seek shelter and stay informed through official websites, where they can access the latest warnings and updates.

US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the conflict with Iran is nearing its end has been overshadowed by Israel’s intensifying military campaign, which includes airstrikes in Iran and a ground incursion in southern Lebanon. As the number of civilian casualties rises and critical civilian infrastructure comes under increasing attack, questions are being raised about whether Israel is adopting a strategy reminiscent of its Gaza operations. In an exclusive interview, we sit down with Danny Ayalon, Israel’s former deputy foreign minister, to discuss the implications of this approach.

In response to escalating tensions in southern Lebanon, Syria has sealed off the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon, citing concerns over potential Israeli military action in the area. Mazen Alloush, a spokesperson for Syria’s General Authority for Ports and Customs, emphasized that the crossing is strictly reserved for civilian use and does not serve any military objectives. Strategically situated northwest of Damascus, the crossing connects the Syrian capital to Beirut via a major highway. The move comes as Israel continues to launch airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, resulting in the displacement of over 1.2 million people since the onset of the latest conflict.

A heightened US strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility could unleash a radioactive fallout that would imperil the Gulf states on the opposite side of the Persian Gulf, according to a Middle East expert and former US negotiator.
Alan Eyre, a seasoned diplomat and distinguished fellow at the Middle East Institute, cautioned that a nuclear disaster or radioactive leak at Bushehr would have devastating consequences for the region’s countries.
Eyre, who played a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear agreement, pointed out that the prevailing wind and tidal patterns in the Gulf would likely carry radioactive particles westward, away from Iran, but warned that the impact on water desalination facilities would be severe.
While studies suggest that the concentration of radioactive material might not be as lethal as the Chernobyl disaster, Eyre emphasized that the threat of radioactive contamination in the water poses a significant risk to the Gulf states’ water supply.
The reliance of these countries on desalination plants to provide their water makes them particularly vulnerable to the consequences of radioactive contamination, according to Eyre.

Former US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen Rapp has warned that both sides in the conflict involving Iran could be held accountable for violating international law. According to Rapp, the principles of international law apply equally to all parties involved, regardless of who initiated the conflict. He emphasized that the legitimacy of military targets is a crucial factor in determining whether a war crime has been committed. Rapp cited examples of universities and oil facilities in the Gulf being targeted, arguing that these are illegitimate targets in the context of the war.

Rapp contended that the US and Israel lacked a valid legal justification for launching the conflict against Iran, drawing parallels with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He noted that an international court is being established in Europe to prosecute Russian leaders for their actions, and suggested that a similar outcome could occur in the case of Iran. Rapp stressed that the only legitimate justification for war is self-defence, which requires a genuine and imminent threat of attack. He cautioned that the prospect of Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities does not provide a valid reason for an attack without UN Security Council approval.

Rapp acknowledged that countries in the Gulf may have a legitimate self-defence argument in relation to the Strait of Hormuz, particularly if their economic livelihood is under threat. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of seeking UN Security Council approval before taking military action.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy has confirmed that Iranian drones have launched a coordinated assault on two critical water distillation and power generation plants within the country’s borders.
According to Fatima Abbas Johar Hayat, a ministry spokesperson, the “heinous act of aggression” has resulted in substantial material losses and the temporary shutdown of two electricity production units.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, Hayat noted.
This recent attack marks the latest in a series of strikes targeting Kuwait’s vital infrastructure, following previous drone assaults that ignited a fire at the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex and inflicted significant damage on a government office complex.

Italy’s aviation sector has been dealt a blow as four major airports have implemented refuelling restrictions due to a severe shortage of fuel, as reported by L’Unione Sarda. The affected airports, namely Milan Linate, Venice Marco Polo, Bologna, and Treviso, have been notified by Air BP Italia, the primary fuel provider, through an official bulletin to airlines. While the reasoning behind the decision remains unclear, one thing is certain: emergency services such as air ambulances will continue to receive uninterrupted refuelling support.

In a move to comply with the Trump administration’s request, Planet Labs, a leading satellite imaging company, has decided to indefinitely withhold visual data from Iran and the surrounding conflict region in the Middle East. This decision builds upon a 14-day delay on Middle East imagery that the company had previously implemented, which itself expanded on an initial 96-hour delay. The initial delay was intended to prevent adversaries from utilizing the imagery for attacks against the US and its allies. Planet Labs has stated that it will withhold imagery dating back to March 9, and anticipates the policy to remain in place until the conclusion of the conflict.

Reports from Iranian authorities confirm that the assault resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and left 170 others injured.

A high-ranking Iranian security official has cautioned that the country is progressing steadily in its military campaign, pinpointing a specific target, and has hinted at a dramatic turn of events awaiting the US and Israel. According to a statement relayed by the Fars news agency, the official questioned the accuracy of the US’s military objectives, labeling as “ridiculous” President Trump’s threats to target Iranian infrastructure. The official attributed these threats to the US’s failure in its military operations, including the loss of warplanes.

The official ominously declared, “A major shock is in store for America and its regime; it’s merely a matter of time.” The official also suggested that any potential US actions in southern Iran could potentially alter the timing of the conflict to Iran’s advantage. Furthermore, the official highlighted Iran’s expertise in asymmetric warfare, stating, “We have learned valuable lessons in this field, and we know how to exhaust our enemy.”