US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A recent surge in missile and drone attacks has prompted the UAE’s Ministry of Defence to launch a counter-effort, as officials work to mitigate the threat and restore stability.

Ahead of a pivotal vote at the UN Security Council scheduled for this Friday, Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, has cautioned against any aggressive interference – whether within the Security Council itself or elsewhere – in the sensitive situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi’s warning comes as a proposed resolution, which could grant UN member states the authority to employ defensive measures to ensure the Strait’s access, is set to be put to a vote.

In a recent article published in Foreign Affairs, a prominent US-based journal, Javad Zarif, Iran’s former Foreign Minister, has proposed a strategic plan for his country to achieve a decisive victory and secure a mutually beneficial agreement that would effectively bring an end to the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.

A recent surge in the number of vessels traversing the Strait of Hormuz has been reported by Windward, a maritime intelligence firm. The data indicates that 16 ships navigated the critical waterway on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive day of increased transits. Notably, all 16 vessels opted for a route passing through Larak Island, a development that suggests multiple countries are engaging in diplomatic efforts with Iran to facilitate passage. This trend may signal a potential rise in transits in the coming days. Despite the uptick, the current traffic levels remain significantly lower than pre-conflict norms. Prior to the outbreak of war on February 28, approximately 130 vessels were transiting the strait daily, as per UN Trade and Development statistics.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, a spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that six aerial threats were successfully neutralized by the country’s air defences within the past few hours.

In a recent post on X, former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif elaborated on his proposal to bring an end to the conflict between the United States and Iran, as outlined in a blueprint he had previously published in Foreign Affairs. This blueprint, which he believes holds the key to Iran’s victory, was met with a mix of emotions for Zarif, who feels a deep sense of outrage towards the aggressive behavior and derogatory remarks of former US President Donald Trump.

A devastating strike on the Pasteur Institute, a pivotal research facility, has left a lasting impact on downtown Tehran, situated mere steps away from the Supreme Leader’s office, which was also targeted on the first day of the assault. The Pasteur district has borne the brunt of relentless air raids since the outset of the US-Israeli operation.

Iranians are outraged, viewing the attack as a war crime, given the institute’s critical role in producing life-saving vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, a vital contribution to global health. However, this is not an isolated incident; multiple healthcare facilities have been targeted, with reports emerging of pharmaceutical companies in and around the capital coming under fire over the past two to three days.

The escalating tensions between the US and Iran have led to a significant spike in global oil prices, with Brent crude, the international benchmark, experiencing a notable 8 percent increase on Friday, reaching a high of $109 per barrel.

Avichay Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, has confirmed that a targeted operation by the air force resulted in the elimination of 15 Hezbollah operatives. The operation was carried out in response to intelligence gathered by Israel’s 146th Division, which identified the group as planning to launch anti-tank missiles against Israeli territory. According to the military, the operation also yielded the seizure of various arms, including rifles and grenades. Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or the reported casualties.

In a surprise assault, a Red Crescent relief warehouse in Iran’s Bushehr province came under attack from a drone, according to the Iranian relief organisation.

The assault, which occurred at approximately 5am in the Choghadak area, resulted in significant damage to the facility, including the destruction of two relief containers, two buses, and emergency vehicles, as reported by Fars news agency.

Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in the incident.