US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

With the conflict now spanning over a month, the US and Israel are intensifying their assault on Iranian infrastructure, targeting key sites near the capital as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate.

According to a statement from the Israeli Army, missiles have been fired from Iran and are currently en route to Israel, prompting a swift response from the country’s defense systems.

Confirming a disturbing trend, the World Health Organization has documented over 20 incidents of violence targeting healthcare facilities in Iran since March 1, resulting in a minimum of nine fatalities, including a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
A devastating blow was dealt to Iran’s medical infrastructure when a historic facility, the Pasteur Institute in Tehran, dating back to the early 20th century, was struck, leaving it severely impaired and unable to provide essential health services.
This attack, along with strikes on a psychiatric hospital and a critical manufacturing facility producing vital treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis, has left a significant impact on Iran’s healthcare system.

During a joint press conference in Seoul, marking the beginning of French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit, he and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung committed to collaborative efforts to restore maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This commitment was made a day after the UK convened a virtual gathering of 40 nations to address the crisis through a unified response.

Reports from Kuwait’s state-run news agency indicate that the strategic oil refinery at Mina al-Ahmadi has been targeted for a third time in the span of just two weeks, sparking heightened tensions in the region.
The refinery, one of the largest in the Middle East, plays a vital role in meeting Kuwait’s domestic energy demands, underscoring its significance to the country’s economic stability.
As the situation unfolds, our correspondents have confirmed multiple incidents of Iranian aggression across the Gulf, with alarm systems activated in the UAE and Bahrain within the past few hours. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has successfully intercepted six drones, highlighting the escalating threat level.
Given its proximity to Iran, Kuwait is uniquely vulnerable to potential attacks, with the two countries separated by a mere 80km (50 miles). Furthermore, Kuwait’s shared border with Iraq has raised concerns that Iranian-affiliated groups operating in the region may also be involved in the recent attacks.

A blaze broke out at the Habshan gas facility, a significant Emirati gas processing site, following an incident involving a projectile that caused debris to fall. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, no casualties have been reported, and operations at the complex have been temporarily halted as authorities work to address the situation.

Following a lull in missile strikes from Iran into Israel earlier today, Hezbollah’s relentless bombardment of northern Israeli communities has persisted, with estimates indicating the group has launched approximately 200 rockets within the past 24 hours. As the conflict with Hezbollah intensifies, Israeli army officials have been vocal about their intentions to clear a three-kilometre radius along the Israel-Lebanon border, extending into southern Lebanon. Although the government has yet to endorse this plan, it underscores the army’s own strategic considerations.

According to sources, the Israeli army aims to ensure that no residents inhabit villages and communities near the border, arguing that this measure would significantly reduce the threat to northern Israeli communities. However, the army has also acknowledged the need for restraint, ruling out the disarming of Hezbollah as a war objective. Recent weeks have seen mounting evidence suggesting that the Israeli army may have initially underestimated Hezbollah’s military capabilities, particularly in terms of its arsenal and missiles capable of reaching central Israel.

Lebanon’s medical infrastructure is facing unprecedented devastation as a result of Israel’s relentless bombardment, prompting warnings from healthcare experts that the country’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, a month into the escalated conflict, Israel’s military actions have resulted in the tragic loss of 53 medical personnel, the destruction of 87 ambulances and medical facilities, and the forced closure of five hospitals.
Luna Hammad, the Lebanon medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), has underscored the dire situation, stating that Israeli strikes and blanket evacuation orders are severely limiting access to medical care and severely curtailing the capacity of healthcare services to operate effectively.

Despite a boost in Japan and South Korea’s key market indicators, Chinese equities suffered a downturn on Friday, partly fueled by concerns over escalating tensions.
Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped 0.7 percent, mirroring losses from previous trading sessions.
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index and Shenzhen Component Index both took a 1 percent hit.

US President Donald Trump issued a warning on his Truth Social platform, hinting at a potential intensification of strikes on Iranian civilian facilities, claiming the military had yet to fully dismantle existing targets in the country. Trump ominously stated that bridges and electric power plants would be the next targets. The targeting of hospitals, universities, and other non-combatant structures raises serious concerns about the adherence to the Geneva Conventions, which outline the rules governing the conduct of war. These incidents have occurred since the US and Israel initiated hostilities on February 28.