US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Following an earlier report of a US search helicopter being targeted in Iranian airspace, it has been confirmed that the aircraft, a Black Hawk, was indeed struck by a projectile, as initially stated by Iran’s Mehr news agency.

Iranian officials have turned down a US offer for a 48-hour lull in hostilities, with the semi-official Fars news agency disclosing the development, citing an unnamed source.

Iran is poised to introduce a categorization system for countries, labeling them as adversaries, neutrals, or allies. Under this new framework, adversaries will be barred from traversing the Strait of Hormuz, while neutrals will be required to pay a toll. This development marks a significant shift in Iran’s stance. The classification of the United States and other Western nations, deemed adversaries, holds considerable weight. Meanwhile, the implications for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are far-reaching. Since the conflict began, a staggering 400 million barrels of oil have been removed from the global market. Prior to the conflict, nearly 20 percent of crude oil and 20 percent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) flowed through the Strait of Hormuz, but this has plummeted to a mere 5 percent of normal levels. The Gulf region boasts an impressive 33 percent of the world’s oil reserves and 21 percent of global natural gas reserves. Iran’s proposed changes to the Strait of Hormuz’s status would have a devastating impact on the GCC nations, prompting them to firmly reject the plan. The international community has long recognized the Strait of Hormuz as a vital waterway, protected by international agreements, and GCC countries are adamant that any attempt to alter its status would be unacceptable, particularly if it involves Iran charging them for passage.

A disturbing shift has taken place in the Middle East, where leaders responsible for war crimes are now openly disregarding international laws designed to safeguard civilians. For years, those accountable for such atrocities often claimed ignorance or innocence, but the current attitude of the US, Israel, and Iran is marked by brazen disdain for these norms. This alarming trend, if left unchecked, may signal the erosion of crucial protections for non-combatants.

In a recent statement, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern over a surge in attacks targeting healthcare infrastructure in Tehran, Iran. According to the WHO, at least 20 facilities have been confirmed as being under attack, with the Pasteur Institute in Tehran suffering significant damage from an air strike.

The WHO chief noted that the Pasteur Institute, a crucial hub for health services, was left unable to operate following the assault. However, Iranian officials have disputed this claim, stating that the facility’s operations remain uninterrupted. Despite this, production of vaccines and serums is expected to continue.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East appears to be expanding its scope, with Israel and the United States now targeting a broader range of infrastructure, including health, educational, and transportation facilities. A recent strike on a research facility at the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran has further heightened concerns about the safety of Iran’s healthcare system.

Reports indicate that President Trump has been informed about the situation surrounding the downed F-15, where one crew member is confirmed safe and a second is still missing. A rescue operation is underway, with the US military prioritizing the recovery efforts.

Details suggest that the US president will be apprised of the search-and-recovery operation’s status, which has been elevated to a high-priority mission by the US military. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has temporarily halted its strikes to allow the operation to proceed unimpeded.

Visuals shared on social media platforms show US military aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130, conducting low-altitude maneuvers in an attempt to locate and retrieve the missing crew member. However, experts and military sources warn that this high-stakes operation puts the US military at risk of further Iranian aggression.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia, where she is set to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first time an EU leader has visited the country since the onset of conflict.

Meloni’s two-day trip, which will also take her to Qatar and the UAE, is focused on demonstrating solidarity with Gulf nations facing aggression from Iran, while also safeguarding Italy’s energy interests in the face of escalating fuel costs.

A fatal incident occurred at the Habshan gas facilities in the UAE, resulting in the loss of an Egyptian life, following a fire sparked by debris from an intercepted aerial assault, as confirmed by the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
Additionally, four individuals sustained injuries – two nationals from Pakistan and two from Egypt – according to the media office.
The fire has since been brought under control, with the facilities incurring substantial damage.

In the midst of their ongoing conflict with Iran, the US and Israel have conducted a series of assaults on the country’s medical infrastructure, prompting a desperate plea from Iranian President Pezeshkian to the international community for assistance in addressing these attacks.
On Thursday, Pezeshkian reached out to global health organisations, specifically highlighting the vulnerability of the Pasteur Institute in Tehran, a critical hub that had been targeted just that day, according to Iranian officials.
Since the US and Israel initiated their airstrikes against Iran on February 28, a staggering 2,076 people have lost their lives, while 26,500 others have been left injured.

Reports are emerging from Kuwait that air raid sirens have begun to blare, prompting our correspondents in the region to share their observations.