US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Our live coverage is coming to a close, but we’ll be continuing to provide updates on a new page. Here’s a rundown of the day’s major happenings:
A search operation is currently underway in southwestern Iran to locate one of the crew members of a jet fighter that crashed, while the other crew member has been safely rescued.
US forces have reported that a Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search mission came under Iranian fire, but managed to avoid being shot down.
Iran claims to have downed a second US aircraft, an A-10 Warthog, in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz.
Kuwait has confirmed that a water desalination plant and an oil refinery were targeted by Iranian forces. However, Tehran has denied any involvement in the desalination plant attack.
Iran has rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
In a separate development, Israel has carried out a military operation in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, destroying two key bridges that serve as a vital transportation route for goods and people to the rest of the country.

As our live coverage comes to a close, our comprehensive 24-hour reporting on the conflict will persist unabated. Stay tuned for the most recent breaking news, expert insights, and diverse perspectives on the war’s progression.

Reports have emerged of a second Iranian missile attack targeting central Israel, following earlier incidents in southern Israel that we’ve been covering.
According to YNet, a blaze erupted in a residential apartment in Rosh Haayin, while a building in Petah Tikva and streets in Tel Aviv sustained significant damage. Emergency responders were also deployed to Bnei Brak.
Channel 12 news reported a separate incident in Givatayim, describing it as a “fall.” We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

According to Phyllis Bennis, a fellow with the Institute for Policy Studies, the downing of a US fighter jet and the ongoing search for one or two missing airmen will significantly complicate the White House’s efforts to persuade Americans to support the war on Iran, including even the most ardent supporters of President Trump’s MAGA base.

Bennis told Al Jazeera that the incident will be particularly challenging for the White House to justify, given their recent emphasis on the claim that the US maintains control over Iranian skies, a claim now rendered dubious by the downing of the fighter jet.

While the full extent of Iran’s air defenses remains unclear, it’s evident that they possess capabilities capable of countering US attacks, Bennis noted.

The incident is likely to have a profound impact on the US public, particularly Trump’s MAGA base, which has thus far been a stalwart supporter of the war, Bennis observed.

As the search for the missing pilots continues, the uncertainty surrounding their fate will likely erode support for the war, Bennis said. “This development changes the dynamics of the debate,” she stated, “albeit not necessarily the military calculus, but certainly the narrative.”

Reports from Israeli media indicate that a missile strike originating from Iran has struck southern Israel, resulting in a fire at a location within the southern Negev region.
YNet news has confirmed that an industrial area in the Negev suffered damage as a result of the Iranian firing in that direction. At present, there are no concerns about potential hazardous material leaks, according to YNet.
Firefighting personnel have been dispatched to the scene, as per Channel 12. No immediate reports of injuries have been received.
The incident also triggered alarm systems in the Arad and Dead Sea areas, as stated by Channel 12.
The missile strike on southern Israel occurred shortly after a suspected drone attack sent warning signals in northern Israel, specifically in the Western Galilee region.

Reports are emerging that a series of explosions in and around Damascus were triggered by Israeli air defenses successfully intercepting a barrage of Iranian missiles, according to Syrian state television.

In response to the escalating fuel costs stemming from the conflict in Iran, the French government has unveiled a vital loan program aimed at providing relief to small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the economy ministry, this three-year financing scheme is specifically tailored to support businesses operating within the agriculture, fishing, and transportation sectors, offering loans of up to 50,000 euros ($57,600).

The US labor market has staged a remarkable recovery in March, defying the specter of economic instability fueled by trade tensions and the escalating conflict with Iran. According to the latest job report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate took a sharp downturn, with non-farm payrolls experiencing a significant surge of 178,000 new jobs. This marked a notable rebound from February’s downwardly revised loss of 133,000 jobs. The current unemployment rate stands at 4.3 percent. Notably, the healthcare sector was a major beneficiary of this job growth, adding a substantial 76,000 positions – a figure surpassing the sector’s average monthly increase of 29,000 over the past year. The White House has hailed this month’s jobs report as a testament to the effectiveness of Trump’s economic policies in stimulating domestic growth.

Reports of explosions in Damascus and its surrounding areas have been attributed to Israeli air defenses successfully intercepting a barrage of Iranian missiles, according to Syrian state television.

Reports are emerging from Syrian state media of multiple blasts occurring in and around the capital city of Damascus.