US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

We’re bringing you real-time updates from the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel, as they take action against Iran. Our comprehensive coverage will keep you informed about the latest developments, responses, and expert insights from the Middle East and the world at large. For a complete overview of our coverage, visit our site from April 2.

Following productive diplomatic efforts, the Philippines has secured a guarantee of safe passage for its ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This breakthrough marks a crucial milestone for the country, underscoring the strait’s continued importance as a major shipping route.
In a series of high-level discussions with Iran, the Philippines sought to establish its status as a non-hostile nation, thereby facilitating the receipt of oil shipments. Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro hailed the talks as successful and reported that her Iranian counterpart had committed to ensuring the unimpeded and expedited passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, along with their energy supplies and crew members.

Despite escalating tensions in the region, a significant shift in market sentiment has been observed in Asia, where energy prices are still on the rise, with Brent crude trading at approximately $110 per barrel, an 8 percent increase from earlier. This uptick, however, has not dampened investor spirits, as some of the region’s key markets have started to recover from yesterday’s sharp losses.

South Korea’s KOSPI has seen a notable 3 percent increase, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 has risen by around 1 percent. The Easter weekend has seen some markets in the region, including Singapore, close temporarily, but the main markets affected by the energy crisis have shown resilience.

The ongoing talks between Iran and Oman, coupled with reports of a draft proposal for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, appear to be alleviating concerns about energy supplies in the region. Many Asian countries rely heavily on imports from the Middle East, making this development a crucial factor in the market’s response. It seems that investors are more focused on the energy supply situation than the crisis itself, with concerns about energy flows into the region driving market sentiment.

The reversal of fortunes in the market is a welcome change from the previous day’s losses, and it remains to be seen how long this trend will last. Nevertheless, the improved mood among investors is a positive sign, and it will be interesting to observe how these developments play out in the coming days.

Iran and Oman are engaged in negotiations to establish a joint framework for overseeing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that underpins the global economy. According to the Iranian state-run news agency IRNA, the talks aim to develop a comprehensive “protocol” for the strait, which serves as a vital artery for global trade, facilitating the passage of approximately a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies during times of peace. The strategic location of the strait, situated between Iran and Oman, has become increasingly contentious since the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran on February 28. In response, Iran has effectively restricted navigation for most vessels, with the exception of ships from select countries that have secured agreements with the Iranian government. The specifics of the proposed Iran-Oman protocol remain unclear, raising questions about its potential acceptance by other regional and international stakeholders. Meanwhile, neighboring Gulf countries have emphasized their desire to be included in any future plans for the Strait of Hormuz, given the significance of their energy exports to the global market.

A sudden energy crisis has beset Pakistan, largely due to the escalating conflict between the US and Israel and Iran. Initially, at the beginning of this year, Pakistan found itself with an excess of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), a surplus that had been building for several years. However, a sharp decline in demand, from a high of 8.2 million tonnes in 2021 to 6.1 million tonnes by late 2025, brought about by the increasing affordability of solar panels and reduced factory output, has now turned this excess into a looming shortage. As a country heavily reliant on imported gas from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and lacking emergency reserves, Pakistan’s shift from surplus to deficit has been precipitous.

Iranian authorities have reportedly downed a second American F-35 as it flew over central Iran, according to a statement from the Fars News Agency, a media outlet affiliated with the IRGC. The agency claimed the aircraft was thoroughly ravaged and crashed, with no details available regarding the fate of the pilot due to the catastrophic damage sustained by the plane. Mehr News Agency corroborated this account, suggesting that the pilot’s ejection was unlikely due to the intense explosion resulting from the crash. The US Central Command has yet to comment on the matter, but had previously disputed an earlier IRGC claim of downing a US fighter jet.

With the specter of a prolonged conflict looming, global markets are poised to continue their downward trajectory, according to Eric Golson, a renowned economist at the University of Surrey. Golson cautions that the markets are finally coming to terms with the harsh reality of a drawn-out, long-term conflict, a prospect that economists and markets alike view as inherently negative.

As Golson sees it, governments worldwide will attempt to ease business operations in the coming weeks, potentially offering a temporary reprieve for markets. However, he concedes that the problems at hand are multifaceted and far-reaching, suggesting that market fluctuations will persist despite any short-term gains.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has voiced strong criticism of Iran’s actions in relation to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that has far-reaching implications for global trade and commerce.
Following a virtual meeting convened by the UK, which brought together representatives from 40 countries to address the blockage, Wong emphasized the devastating impact of Tehran’s actions on communities worldwide, with the most vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of the economic strain.
In a statement posted on X, Wong highlighted the focus of the meeting on exploring diplomatic and civilian avenues to ensure the safe and unobstructed passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. She noted that participating ministers reaffirmed the importance of collaborative efforts to resolve the crisis, while reiterating Australia’s commitment to de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Reports from Kuwait’s state news agency indicate that a drone assault targeted an oil refinery in Al Ahmadi, which is managed by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, at the beginning of Friday morning.
According to a statement on X, the drone strikes triggered fires in several operational areas, but fortunately, no personnel were harmed in the incident.
Crews specializing in emergency response and firefighting have been dispatched to the affected site.
A prior alert on X had cautioned that Kuwait was under threat from hostile missile and drone attacks.

A video released by Iran’s Press TV features army spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari cautioning that, in the event of US strikes on Iranian power plants, Iran will retaliate by targeting regional energy facilities and telecommunications companies with significant American investment.