US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A significant breakthrough in diplomatic relations has been achieved, as Lebanon’s ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Maacoud, engaged in a landmark phone conversation with her Israeli counterpart, Yechiel Leiter, marking the initial direct contact between the two nations.
The unprecedented exchange has paved the way for a meeting between the ambassadors at the US State Department next Tuesday, where they will focus on establishing a ceasefire and outlining a framework for formal negotiations under the auspices of the American government.
US Ambassador to Beirut, Michel Issa, also played a key role in facilitating this development.

According to a Qatari defence official speaking to Al Jazeera, the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which serves as a hub for US assets, does not house any US personnel involved in military operations against Iran. This assertion comes in the wake of Iran’s pre-ceasefire attacks on Qatar and other Gulf states hosting US assets, which Tehran claimed were providing support to the US war effort – a claim the Gulf nations vehemently dispute.

A high-level Iranian delegation has descended upon Islamabad for a series of high-stakes talks, as confirmed by state television. Notably, a contingent of Iranian parliamentarians has also been part of this diplomatic entourage, according to local Iranian media outlets.

Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf has brought a delegation to Islamabad, where they are set to engage in discussions with US representatives, according to Iranian media sources.

According to Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, Israel’s intensifying strikes in Lebanon seem to be deliberately undermining the ceasefire negotiations, effectively drawing Iran back into the conflict. Mortazavi expressed this view in an interview with Al Jazeera, suggesting that Israel’s actions may be undertaken without explicit US approval. Her analysis indicates that Israel’s ultimate goal is to sabotage the ceasefire and provoke Iran into violating it, thereby reigniting the conflict – a scenario that has yet to occur.

A chorus of criticism is echoing through the halls of Congress today, with senators and House members holding Trump accountable for the nation’s economic woes, as fresh Consumer Price Index figures reveal a sharp spike in inflation, directly tied to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Despite the absence of a ceasefire, the Lebanese government is pushing forward with efforts to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. According to a government source, a pivotal three-way telephone conversation is scheduled to take place this evening, involving the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon to the United States in Washington, as well as the US ambassador to Lebanon, who will be joining from Beirut. The primary objective of this call is to establish a preliminary meeting date, which would serve as a precursor to potential talks, despite the ongoing lack of a ceasefire and internal opposition within Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s key demands include an Israeli withdrawal and the stipulation that any subsequent discussions must be mediated by a neutral third party. In a recent demonstration in Beirut, hundreds of Hezbollah supporters gathered outside Parliament, brandishing flags of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah, in a show of dissent against the Prime Minister’s call for the disarmament of Hezbollah. The protesters’ message was one of disillusionment with the government, which they perceive as failing to protect their interests, and a conviction that Hezbollah, in their eyes a vital guardian, should not be the focal point of disarmament efforts.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, underscored the importance of a conducive environment for negotiations, stating that adherence to ceasefire terms is indispensable for productive talks.
As the parties prepare for discussions, the US and Iran have displayed divergent perspectives on the initial truce that brought an end to hostilities, with a notable point of contention being the situation in Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah continue to be at odds.

In a swift and targeted operation, Israeli military forces reportedly struck nearly 100 Hezbollah strongholds across three distinct regions – Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon – within a minute on Wednesday, resulting in an estimated 180 Hezbollah fighters losing their lives.

The Gulf region’s fragile peace was put to the test in the aftermath of the ceasefire declaration, with many expecting a swift end to Iranian aggression.
However, the past 24 hours have seen a far-from-ideal start, with Kuwait’s Defence Ministry confirming the interception of seven drones in its airspace. According to the ministry, these drone attacks were allegedly orchestrated by Iranian aggression, despite Tehran’s denials.
The finger of blame has been pointed at Iran and its regional allies, with Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry issuing a scathing statement condemning the attacks as “Iranian aggression” and those of its proxies. The US State Department has also implicated Iran-affiliated armed groups in Iraq, accusing them of launching attacks from Iraqi territory.
While the initial days of the ceasefire have been marred by these incidents, there have been some encouraging developments. Bahrain’s Defence Forces reported no hostile missile or drone activity in the past 24 hours, while the UAE confirmed no ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, or incoming drones had been detected from Iran. Furthermore, the latest reported attack on Qatar occurred two days prior, offering a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution.