US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Iran is developing a comprehensive system to oversee and regulate passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that has been subject to restrictions for countries attempting to traverse it.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, this framework will apply to nations that maintain diplomatic relations with Iran, whether friendly or neutral.
A senior official at the Foreign Ministry revealed that Tehran is working on establishing a framework to manage and facilitate navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while countries deemed hostile to Iran will be prohibited from passing through.
In a separate development, the deputy foreign minister has confirmed that consultations have taken place with Oman, which controls the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz.
Given the geographical layout, with the Iranian side being deeper and more suitable for large vessels, most ships opt to navigate through the Iranian side, making it the preferred route.

According to Dr HA Hellyer, a Middle East expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC, the US administration’s response to reports of a downed jet will be influenced by the unfolding events over the next few hours. “The trajectory of the situation will ultimately dictate the US response,” he notes in an interview with Al Jazeera.

Dr Hellyer speculates that if the pilots are found, capturing and broadcasting them on television could have severe repercussions in the US, potentially prompting Donald Trump to escalate the situation further. He attributes the unpredictability of US policy to the country’s centralized decision-making process, which is largely driven by a small group of individuals at the top.

The UK has dispatched a cutting-edge air defence system, codenamed Rapid Ranger, to the Gulf area. This short-range system is specifically engineered to neutralize drone threats, boasting an effective range of approximately 8km and the capability to engage fast-moving targets. On Friday morning, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged in a discussion with the crown prince of Kuwait regarding the deployment. This move is part of a broader military presence in the Gulf, with another system en route to Saudi Arabia, where it will be seamlessly integrated into the kingdom’s comprehensive defence infrastructure.

Unverified reports are emerging in the United States of a US F-35 being shot down over Iranian territory, sparking concern at the highest levels of the administration.
Eyewitnesses in Iran claim to have spotted a parachute, fueling speculation about the fate of the aircraft, which was reportedly involved in a US bombing raid in the country’s central region.
The presence of helicopters and a refuelling aircraft in the area suggests a rescue operation is underway, but the Iranian government is attributing the downing of the US jet to their own air defence systems.
However, President Donald Trump has contradicted this claim, stating that the Iranian air defence capabilities were severely impaired, making it impossible for them to launch such an operation.
Recent intelligence suggests that Iran’s missile and drone capabilities remain intact, with a significant arsenal still at their disposal, including coastal defences, air defences, and operational drones.
This development highlights Iran’s continued threat to American forces, one month into the conflict, and raises questions about the effectiveness of US military operations in the region.

The Israeli military has announced the commencement of targeted airstrikes against critical infrastructure in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and a comprehensive campaign of strikes against strategic targets in Tehran, the capital of Iran, according to official updates posted on its Telegram channel.

The destruction of two key bridges in the Bekaa Valley has effectively severed the primary routes for trade and travel between western Bekaa and the rest of Lebanon. This targeted action is part of a broader military strategy Israel has been implementing over recent weeks, which has seen the demolition of at least six major bridges spanning the Litani River and connecting the north and south of the country. As Israeli forces seek to consolidate control over southern towns and villages, they aim to isolate the region from the rest of Lebanon. This calculated move reflects Israel’s tactical and strategic objectives, despite Hezbollah’s continued ability to launch strikes deep within Israeli territory. The prevailing sandstorm, originating from the African continent, has provided a veil of cover for both Israeli troops and Hezbollah, contributing to an intense atmosphere of aerial activity, gunfire exchanges, and explosions.

Iranian state-run news outlet Mehr is citing reports that a US helicopter, deployed in a search operation for the commercial airliner allegedly downed in Iranian airspace, has itself been struck by a projectile.

Initial reports of the incident emerged from a photograph of an ejected pilot’s seat, which sparked a flurry of information about US helicopters entering Iranian airspace. Subsequent developments have revealed clashes in a remote region shared by three Iranian provinces, characterized by challenging terrain. These provinces are situated on the periphery of the country, with Khuzestan bordering the Gulf and Lorestan adjacent to Iraq. Iranian authorities and media sources have posited that the F-15 aircraft in question may have originated from Iraq.

Eyewitnesses in northern Israel confirm a sudden escalation of tensions, as multiple reports indicate seven rockets have been launched from southern Lebanon into the region. The Israeli Home Front Command has confirmed that air raid sirens were triggered in the coastal city of Nahariya and surrounding areas in northwestern Israel.

Fresh allegations of a US fighter jet being brought down over Iranian airspace have reignited debate over Tehran’s assertions of dominance in the skies.
According to Iranian state media, a US military jet was reportedly downed, prompting an ongoing search operation. A US official, who wished to remain anonymous, corroborated this information to Reuters, stating that a US aircraft had indeed been shot down.
Throughout the conflict, the majority of losses have been sustained by US-operated drones.