US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Israel’s military command has confirmed that a fresh salvo of missiles has been launched from Iranian territory, targeting Israeli soil. In response, the country’s air defence systems are actively engaged to neutralize the threat, with intercept operations underway.

According to Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, the US government’s communication strategy is marred by a lack of clarity as it endeavors to garner international backing for its regional goals.
Campbell told Al Jazeera that the White House’s decision to attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whether through diplomatic channels or military intervention, has elicited a tepid response from NATO allies.
Campbell observed that the US government’s senior ranks are sending out mixed signals. He attributes this ambiguity, in part, to the administration’s recent efforts to assemble a coalition of nations to collectively reopen the Strait of Hormuz, either through sustained diplomatic pressure or, if necessary, military action.
Campbell further noted that NATO allies and other countries have responded to the White House’s Operation Epic Fury with a lukewarm reception, characterized by noncommittal statements and a general lack of enthusiasm. He suggests that this muted response is a direct result of the administration’s failure to undertake essential planning steps prior to taking action, including building a coalition and preparing for potential outcomes.

In a statement, Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, offered his organization’s full support to the Syrian people, who have been rallying across the country to condemn Israel’s recent decision to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners. The protests, which have taken place in various parts of Syria, have been met with praise from Abu Obeida, who hailed the demonstrators as steadfast champions of the Palestinian cause.

“We extend our heartfelt admiration to the Syrian people, who have courageously taken to the streets to voice their support for the resistance and solidarity with Al-Aqsa and the prisoners,” Abu Obeida said in his statement. “Their voices have resonated with us, and we take immense pride in their unwavering commitment to the cause.”

The Israeli government’s decision to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners has been met with widespread condemnation from across the Middle East. Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, Israel has been expanding its military presence in southern Syria, carrying out regular raids in the region. The new Syrian authorities, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, have sought to resolve the issues with Israel through diplomatic means, but efforts to reach a security agreement have been hindered by regional tensions.

In a separate development, the Syrian government has announced that it has discovered and blocked two tunnels used for smuggling weapons to Hezbollah, which is engaged in fierce fighting with Israel in southern Lebanon.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces, a comprehensive series of airstrikes has been successfully executed against key government installations in Tehran, marking the culmination of a significant military operation.

A 13-year-old boy, a 36-year-old woman, and an 11-year-old girl were among those hurt in the recent Bnei Brak incident, where 14 individuals were treated by Magen David Adom emergency responders.
The emergency service transported the wounded to hospital, where the girl was listed in critical condition due to shrapnel injuries.
A 13-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman were in moderate condition, also suffering from shrapnel injuries, while the remaining 11 casualties were reported to be in mild condition.
According to the Israeli military, the injuries were a direct result of an Iranian missile strike.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attributes his country’s current skepticism of the US to a combination of factors, including foreign meddling and severe economic penalties.
Pezeshkian pointed out that, initially, relations between the Iranian and American people were not marked by animosity, but rather by cordial interactions.
However, he noted that the 1953 coup d’etat marked a pivotal moment in the deterioration of US-Iran relations, describing it as a covert American operation aimed at thwarting Iran’s efforts to nationalize its own resources.
Pezeshkian further stated that US support for the rule of former leader Reza Shah Pehlavi, backing of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, and imposition of crippling sanctions exacerbated the distrust.
He emphasized that the ongoing military aggression, including recent bombings, has a profound impact on people’s daily lives, attitudes, and perspectives.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has acknowledged receipt of communications via third-party channels, with officials stating that these messages are currently under scrutiny.

“We stand firm in our resolve to safeguard the nation against any form of aggression,” an official spokesperson emphasized, as reported by Iran’s IRIB news agency. “We are prepared to counter any type of assault, including a ground invasion,” the spokesperson added.

Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, had previously informed Al Jazeera that while messages from US special envoy Steve Witkoff had been received, this development did not signify the commencement of negotiations.

A recent survey conducted by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) reveals a stark divergence in opinions among Iranian Americans regarding the US-Israeli conflict. The poll indicates that nearly two-thirds of respondents (66%) are firmly opposed to the war, whereas approximately one-third (32.7%) express support for it. This shift in sentiment stands in contrast to an earlier NIAC poll taken at the outset of the conflict, which found Iranian American respondents to be nearly evenly divided.

NIAC attributes the growing opposition to the war among Iranian Americans to the devastating consequences of President Trump’s decisions, which have led to widespread civilian casualties and the destabilization of the country. When questioned about their reasons for opposing the war, respondents cited the alarming rates of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as the country’s precarious state of instability.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has acknowledged receipt of messages transmitted via intermediaries, with officials now scrutinizing the content of these communications.
In a statement, the ministry’s spokesperson emphasized that the Iranian people’s primary concern is to safeguard their nation against aggression, and they remain prepared to counter any form of attack, including a potential ground assault.
Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed Al Jazeera that, despite receiving messages from US special envoy Steve Witkoff, this development does not imply that Iran is engaged in negotiations.

In the past few hours, our publication has released a series of articles tackling different facets of the ongoing conflict. Some of the key stories to note include: