US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

An expert has voiced concerns over the far-reaching repercussions of US President Trump’s characterization of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states as “really strong allies” in conjunction with Israel, citing the potential for destabilization in the region.
Sultan Barakat, a professor of public policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, emphasized that Trump’s remarks may be interpreted as a warning to Iran that the GCC nations are now aligned with the US in its military actions against the country, despite the GCC states not being consulted on the matter.
Barakat also highlighted the implications of Trump’s threats to continue targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure, which may be seen as a breach of international humanitarian law and could have a profound impact on the GCC region.

During a high-profile visit to South Korea, French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the futility of military action in resolving the complex standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Macron cautioned that US-Israeli strikes against Iran would fail to address the core issue of Tehran’s nuclear programme, advocating for a diplomatic approach instead.
The French leader emphasized that without a viable framework for negotiations, the situation in the region could rapidly escalate within a short period, potentially leading to renewed instability.
Macron also expressed skepticism about a proposed military operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz, deeming it impractical and fraught with significant risks.
He pointed out that any such operation would be excessively time-consuming and vulnerable to counterattacks from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which possesses a formidable arsenal of ballistic missiles and other advanced capabilities.

The threat of a massive assault on Iran’s vital civilian infrastructure, encompassing power and desalination plants, has sparked intense backlash from experts and human rights advocates. This proposed action, which would add to the already staggering number of over 113,000 civilian sites reportedly targeted in the conflict, has been denounced as a blatant disregard for international law.

Former US diplomat Stephen J Rapp, who previously served as the US ambassador-at-large for war crimes, unequivocally stated that any attacks on desalination plants would constitute a war crime, leaving little room for doubt. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called upon Congress to halt funding that could escalate the conflict and to launch an investigation into US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for potential war crimes.

The US-Israeli campaign against Iran is unfolding in tandem with Israel’s declared intention to target civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Israel’s military has announced plans to demolish homes near the border, prompting Medical Aid for Palestinians to accuse Israel of adopting a strategy eerily reminiscent of its actions in Gaza, where it has forcibly displaced a significant portion of the population.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas recently engaged in a conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on pressing global issues such as economic stability and energy security.
According to Kallas, Iranian attacks on non-military vessels have severely disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a pressing need to ensure safe and unrestricted passage through the waterway in accordance with international maritime law. This concern takes precedence, she emphasized, as the EU seeks to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait without any tolls or restrictions. In addition to discussing the Strait’s security, Kallas also touched on the EU’s relationship with China.

According to Iranian state media, the IRGC has claimed responsibility for a military operation targeting an Amazon cloud computing facility in Bahrain, citing the information provided by the IRNA news agency.

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, over 600 schools and education facilities have been affected by the recent US-Israeli strikes, which began on February 28.

In a significant move, the government of Pakistan has increased the price of petrol to 458.4 rupees per litre, marking a substantial 43% surge, while diesel prices have also been hiked to 520.35 rupees per litre. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik made the announcement, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the crisis, which he stated has not only engulfed the entire region but is now a global phenomenon.

In a recent statement on X, the EU’s top diplomat emphasized the bloc’s commitment to supporting UN efforts in establishing humanitarian corridors through the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate the export of essential goods such as food and fertilizers. Kallas noted that the EU possesses the necessary tools to monitor and expedite transit, which could aid in this endeavor. The EU’s Aspides naval mission has reportedly assisted 1,700 vessels in the Red Sea, and Kallas urged for an expansion of this operation. Following a meeting convened by the UK on the Strait of Hormuz, Kallas underscored the gravity of the situation, cautioning that the EU cannot afford to lose another critical trade route.

Following an earlier announcement by the Israeli military of a missile launch originating from Yemen, the Houthi movement has issued a statement through its affiliated media outlet Al Masirah, confirming attacks on Israeli targets.

Pakistan has implemented a price increase for petrol and diesel, with petrol now costing 458.4 rupees ($1.64) per litre and diesel priced at 520.35 rupees ($1.86) per litre. The decision was announced by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who noted that the global energy crisis has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the region but the world at large.