US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Following a lull in missile attacks from Iran into Israel earlier this morning, Hezbollah has maintained a steady barrage of rockets into northern Israel, with estimates suggesting the group has launched approximately 200 projectiles over the past 24 hours. This sustained pressure on Israeli communities raises questions about the Israeli army’s assessment of Hezbollah’s capabilities, particularly in light of recent claims that the military may have initially underestimated the group’s arsenal and range.

In a move that has yet to be approved by the government, Israeli army sources have been discussing a plan to demolish homes within a three-kilometre radius of the Israel-Lebanon border and further into southern Lebanon. This drastic measure is intended to prevent civilian presence in villages and communities near the border, thereby reducing the threat to northern Israeli communities. However, the army has also clarified that disarming Hezbollah is not a primary objective of their military campaign.

The relentless bombardment of Lebanon by Israel has brought the country’s healthcare infrastructure to the precipice of collapse, with experts warning that the deliberate targeting of medical facilities is a calculated effort to drive residents out of the southern region.
A month into the latest escalation of hostilities, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reports that 53 medical personnel have been killed, 87 ambulances and medical centers have been destroyed, and five hospitals have been forced to shut down, leaving a gaping void in the delivery of essential medical care.
According to Luna Hammad, the Lebanon medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Israeli strikes and blanket evacuation orders have severed the lifeline of healthcare services, severely limiting the ability of medical professionals to provide critical care to those in need.

In a stark contrast to Japan and South Korea’s benchmark indexes, which surged on Friday despite heightened tensions, China’s stock markets took a hit, with all major indices experiencing a downturn.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed with a 0.7 percent decline, building on losses seen in previous trading sessions.
Meanwhile, on the Chinese mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index and Shenzhen Component Index both dropped approximately 1 percent.

US President Donald Trump recently sparked controversy on his Truth Social platform by hinting at intensified military action against Iranian civilian infrastructure. He ominously declared that the US military had merely begun to dismantle what remained in Iran, and ominously cautioned that bridges and electric power plants would be the next to face destruction. This ominous warning underscores the gravity of the situation, as the targeting of hospitals, universities, and other civilian structures raises serious concerns about the adherence to the Geneva Conventions – a cornerstone of international humanitarian law governing the conduct of war. The following list highlights some of the civilian sites that have been impacted since the conflict escalated on February 28.

Italy’s economy minister has indicated that the European Union might reassess its stringent budget deficit regulations for member countries, amid ongoing economic repercussions from the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The minister’s comments come as the global economy continues to grapple with the aftermath of the crisis. Currently, the EU mandates that member states maintain budget deficits below 3 percent of their GDP. In an interview with reporters in Rome, Giancarlo Giorgetti expressed his opinion that a European-wide discussion on the matter may become unavoidable unless the economic situation improves. He also revealed that he has already brought up the issue with his European counterparts.

Iran’s military has issued a stark warning that it will escalate attacks across the region if the US proceeds with plans to target its critical infrastructure, sparking a potential escalation in tensions.
According to Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters, any US attempt to strike at Iran’s infrastructure would be met with a fierce response, leaving US and Israeli-linked assets and facilities vulnerable to attack.
Zolfaghari’s warning was prompted by US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to dismantle Iran’s vital infrastructure, including bridges, power plants, and energy facilities.
In the event of such an attack, Iran’s armed forces would target key US and Israeli-linked sites in the region, as well as assets in countries hosting American military bases, Zolfaghari stated.
He also emphasized that countries hosting US military bases must take steps to expel American forces if they wish to avoid becoming embroiled in the conflict.
This warning comes on the heels of Trump’s claim that US forces had destroyed Iran’s largest bridge, which he supported with images showing an under-construction suspension bridge between Tehran and Karaj collapsing.

A fresh wave of rocket attacks has been unleashed on the northern Israeli city of Haifa and its surrounding neighborhoods, according to Israeli officials. Medical professionals in the region have confirmed that at least six individuals have been injured, with some experiencing emotional trauma. Another person was struck by debris from the blast’s shockwave. Haifa, a key urban center in Israel, boasts a substantial population and serves as the site of the country’s largest oil refinery, which processes approximately 70 percent of Israel’s total refining capacity. This marks the city’s third time being targeted during the ongoing conflict.

CNN sources have revealed that US intelligence has concluded Iran still possesses approximately half of its missile launchers, despite a prolonged period of US and Israeli military action. Furthermore, the assessments suggest that Tehran continues to hold a substantial stockpile of one-way attack drones, with roughly 50 percent of its drone capacity remaining intact. This information appears to contradict statements made by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones has been significantly impaired, with most of its weapons factories and rocket launchers severely damaged. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously stated that ballistic missile attacks against US forces have decreased by 90 percent since the conflict began, and that one-way attack UAVs, also known as kamikaze drones, have seen a similar decline of 90 percent.

According to BFM TV, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM shipping conglomerate, one of the company’s container ships has successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz. The news was reported on Friday, but CMA CGM has yet to provide a statement regarding the matter.

For the second consecutive month, global food prices have surged to a new peak in March, eclipsing their December highs. According to the FAO Food Price Index, a benchmark for globally traded commodities, the average reading last month stood at 128.5 points, representing a 2.4 percent increase from February’s tally.
The United Nations has also revised its 2025 global cereal production forecast to a record-breaking 3.036 billion metric tonnes, a nearly 6 percent year-on-year boost. This development comes amidst ongoing concerns from the UN and other international bodies that the conflict in Ukraine continues to exert significant pressure on global food supply chains.