US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A devastating Iranian assault has compelled Emirates Global Aluminium to suspend operations at its critical Al Taweelah facility in Abu Dhabi, with a prolonged recovery period of up to 12 months anticipated.

The aluminium giant had earlier disclosed substantial damage to the site, prompting an abrupt halt in production at one of the Middle East’s most prominent aluminium smelters. The Al Taweelah plant holds a pivotal position within the global aluminium market, and its shutdown is likely to have far-reaching consequences for production and supply networks.

Abed Abou Shhadeh, speaking from Jaffa in Israel, cautions that Netanyahu’s assertions of success in Iran must be viewed with a critical eye, especially as the country endures ongoing attacks. According to Abou Shhadeh, Netanyahu’s rhetoric varies significantly depending on his audience, with a more assertive tone in Hebrew and a distinct narrative in English, particularly as he gears up for an election and touts promises of “complete victory.”

Abou Shhadeh notes that US discussions of a ceasefire are perceived as a hindrance for Israel, which is also grappling with challenges in Lebanon. “Their efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal are ultimately limited to damaging its infrastructure,” he observed, pointing out that such assessments have led to widespread frustration among the Israeli public, who had anticipated more decisive outcomes.

Abou Shhadeh advises that Netanyahu’s claims of triumph should be taken with a grain of salt.

According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC has reportedly launched a coordinated assault on Israeli combat support facilities in the western Galilee region, Haifa, and Kafr Kanna. The operation, a joint effort with the Islamic Resistance, involved a diverse arsenal of missiles and drones, including those propelled by solid and liquid fuels, as well as long-range and precision-guided missiles.

Reports are emerging that Kuwait has been subjected to a flurry of air raid sirens, with the country experiencing a particularly intense day. According to a spokesperson for the Kuwait Petroleum Company, firefighting teams have been battling blazes at multiple units at the Al Ahmadi Refinery, with efforts expected to yield containment in the near future, despite a prolonged struggle to extinguish the fires throughout the day.

Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, at least 12 individuals were left injured due to falling debris. In a separate development, Saudi Arabia successfully intercepted a series of missiles and drones, while Bahrain received air raid warnings at both the beginning and end of the day. The relentless barrage of attacks across the GCC region has resulted in a lack of respite for any of the member countries.

A devastating assault on a residential neighborhood in northern Tehran has resulted in the loss of at least three lives, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency. The area has been repeatedly targeted in the ongoing conflict, with past attacks in the capital yielding a significant number of civilian fatalities and widespread casualties.

The US President’s words suggest a cautious approach to the American public, downplaying the potential for conflict with Iran. However, his statement “easily open the Strait of Hormuz” implies a subtle escalation of the situation. By framing military intervention as a low-risk operation, Trump may be attempting to normalize the idea of forceful action. This could involve a range of measures, including mine clearance, naval escorts, and strikes against Iranian vessels posing a threat to tankers passing through the strait. The President’s mention of seizing oil from the strait raises concerns about violating international law, as it would involve taking resources intended for civilian use. The underlying motive behind Trump’s words appears to be exerting pressure on key international allies, such as China and South Korea, which heavily rely on oil transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. By doing so, he may be urging these nations to take responsibility for protecting the strait and ensuring its full reopening.

The identity of the downed jet remains unclear, with conflicting reports suggesting it could be an F-35, a single-seater, or an F-15, potentially housing two crew members. Iranian officials claim the aircraft was an F-35, while US authorities have yet to confirm the incident. Intelligence and military sources indicate a covert operation is underway in central Iran, prompting sightings of refuelling aircraft and helicopters scouring the area for wreckage, possibly to destroy sensitive information. The primary objective of the search efforts appears to be locating the crew, whose identities and fates remain unknown.

In a statement, Qatar’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the country has been subjected to a series of aerial assaults carried out by drones originating from Iran, with all incoming drones successfully thwarted and rendered inoperable.

Reports are emerging that seven rockets have been launched from southern Lebanon into northern Israel, prompting a swift response from local authorities. According to eyewitnesses, air raid sirens blared in Nahariya and parts of the Western Galilee, where the rocket fire was detected. As of now, there are no confirmed reports of injuries or property damage resulting from the incident.

The latest incident of a US aircraft being shot down over Iran has reignited debate over Tehran’s assertions of successfully targeting Western military aircraft.
According to Iranian state media, a US jet was brought down, prompting a search and rescue operation to be launched. A US official, who wished to remain anonymous, corroborated the incident to Reuters, stating that a US aircraft had indeed been hit by enemy fire.
Notably, the majority of losses suffered by the US military since the conflict began have been attributed to the downing of its unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.