US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A sudden energy crisis has beset Pakistan, largely due to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has drastically altered the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) dynamics. Initially, at the beginning of this year, Pakistan found itself with an excess of imported LNG, a situation that had persisted for three consecutive years. The downward trend in demand, which had peaked at 8.2 million tonnes in 2021, continued unabated, reaching 6.1 million tonnes by late 2025. The proliferation of affordable solar panels and factories’ reduced production had contributed significantly to this decline. As a country heavily reliant on Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for its imported gas, with no emergency reserves in place, Pakistan’s shift from a surplus to a shortage of LNG occurred with remarkable swiftness.

Central Iran witnessed the purported destruction of a second American F-35 by the IGRC, according to a statement from the Fars News Agency on Telegram. The agency reported that the warplane was completely obliterated upon impact, with the pilot’s fate remaining uncertain due to the catastrophic damage sustained by the aircraft. Iranian media outlet Mehr News Agency suggested that the pilot’s ejection was unlikely, given the ferocity of the explosion that accompanied the crash. The US Central Command has yet to comment on the claim, despite earlier disputing an IGRC assertion that it had downed a US fighter jet.

As global markets continue to reel from Trump’s recent remarks, economist Eric Golson warns that the outlook remains bleak, with a drawn-out conflict on the horizon. Golson, a professor of economics at the University of Surrey, believes that the markets are finally coming to terms with the harsh reality of a prolonged and potentially devastating war. According to Golson, the prospect of a resolution to the conflict is unlikely to be welcomed by economists and investors, who typically view such scenarios as negative. In an effort to mitigate the impact of the crisis, governments worldwide may attempt to ease business regulations, potentially providing a temporary reprieve for markets over the next fortnight. However, Golson cautions that the underlying issues remain, suggesting that market instability will persist in the short term.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has strongly condemned Iran’s actions in effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a move she claims is deliberately causing economic hardship for communities around the world. Wong made her comments following a virtual meeting convened by the UK, which brought together representatives from 40 countries to discuss the crisis. The meeting focused on exploring diplomatic and civilian avenues to ensure the waterway’s safe passage. According to Wong, the costs of Iran’s blockade are being disproportionately shouldered by the most vulnerable populations. While Australia is committed to de-escalation and a peaceful resolution, Wong emphasized that the country is not taking any aggressive action against Iran, nor is it deploying troops on the ground.

Reports from Kuwait’s state news agency indicate that a drone assault targeted an oil refinery in Al Ahmadi, managed by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, at dawn on Friday.
According to a statement on X, the drone attacks triggered fires in several operational areas, but fortunately, no staff members were harmed.
Crisis response and firefighting units have been dispatched to the site.
A prior alert on X cautioned that Kuwait was under threat from hostile missile and drone attacks.

Iranian military officials have issued a stark warning that if the US proceeds with plans to strike Iranian power plants, Tehran will retaliate by targeting regional energy and telecommunications companies with significant American investment.

The UAE Ministry of Defence is countering a surge in missile and drone attacks, with ongoing efforts to neutralize the threat.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned against any incendiary actions, encompassing UN Security Council involvement, as the deadline approaches for a vote on a proposed resolution that, if ratified, would empower UN member states to employ defensive measures to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

In a recent article for Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif, Iran’s former Foreign Minister, has called on his country to formally declare victory and negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement that would bring an end to the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. As a key figure in Iran’s nuclear negotiations with the US and other nations, Zarif has outlined a comprehensive plan to secure a favorable outcome for Tehran, effectively ending the war on its terms.

A recent uptick in ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz has been observed by Windward, a maritime intelligence firm. According to their data, 16 vessels navigated the critical waterway on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive day of increased activity. Notably, all 16 vessels utilized a route passing by Larak Island, a development that suggests multiple countries are engaging in negotiations with Iran to secure passage. This trend may signal a potential rise in transit numbers in the coming days. Despite the recent surge, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly below pre-conflict levels. Prior to the outbreak of war on February 28, approximately 130 vessels transited the strait daily, as reported by the UN Trade and Development.