US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Iranian officials are asserting that their forces conducted a drone assault on American military aircraft stationed at the al-Azraq airbase in Jordan.

According to RIA news agency, Russia plans to request a ceasefire from the United States and Israel to facilitate the safe departure of approximately 200 Rosatom staff members from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. This final evacuation phase is slated to take place next week, as confirmed by Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. Likhachev stated that the evacuation route details will be shared with relevant authorities in Israel and the US, and all available channels will be utilized to ensure strict adherence to the ceasefire during the convoy’s movement.

According to Iranian state media outlet IRNA, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken decisive action against an Amazon cloud computing hub in Bahrain, issuing a stark warning to those responsible for recent attacks.

A high-stakes diplomatic initiative is underway, as the UK brings together foreign ministers from 40 countries to tackle the crippling gridlock in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime artery that has been effectively severed by Iran in response to the conflict sparked by the US and Israel.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that a virtual summit, convened by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday, will scrutinize all feasible diplomatic and political avenues to revive the waterway.

Iran’s retaliatory strikes on commercial vessels and the looming threat of further aggression have brought nearly all traffic in the strait to a standstill, severing a vital lifeline for global oil supplies and sending petroleum prices skyrocketing.

The US, which had previously stated that securing the waterway is not its responsibility, is notably absent from the gathering, which marks a concerted effort by the international community to address the crisis.

In a swift response to a brazen aerial attack, Kuwait’s defense forces successfully downed two Iranian cruise missiles and 13 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, thwarting a potential threat to national security.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed profound disappointment that Iran persists in targeting GCC states and Jordan, including their civilian infrastructure, with devastating consequences.
Iran’s actions, he emphasized, have resulted in the senseless loss of innocent lives and the intimidation of citizens and residents, leaving a trail of trauma in their wake.
Furthermore, Iran’s decision to block the Strait of Hormuz and restrict international navigation has posed a significant threat to the global economy, demonstrating a blatant disregard for international law.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister underscored that his country has submitted a draft resolution to the UNSC, condemning Iran’s attempt to control international navigation at the Strait of Hormuz as unlawful and unjustified, and urging a decisive response.
Bahrain is now seeking a vote from the Council on Friday to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

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In a swift response, Qatar’s Defence Ministry announced that its military successfully thwarted an aerial assault involving multiple drones originating from Iran earlier today. According to a social media statement, the country’s Armed Forces, blessed by divine providence, effectively intercepted and neutralized all incoming drones.

A joint report by the United Nations and the African Union, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, has sounded a warning that prolonged conflict could lead to a substantial decline in Africa’s economic growth. According to the report, the continent’s GDP growth could be reduced by 0.2 percentage points in 2026 if the conflict in the Middle East drags on for more than six months.

The report, presented at the United Nations Economic Commission meeting in Tangier, highlights the devastating impact of the conflict on Africa’s economy, particularly in areas dependent on shipping routes, energy, and fertiliser supplies. The longer the conflict persists, the greater the risk of a significant slowdown in economic growth across the continent, the report warns.

While the report does not provide a detailed analysis of the potential impact on inflation, it cautions that the conflict could trigger a cost-of-living crisis, with some countries more severely affected by fertiliser shortages than rising oil prices. Notably, the Middle East accounts for nearly 16 percent of Africa’s imports and 11 percent of its exports, underscoring the region’s critical role in the continent’s economic dynamics.

Italy’s foreign minister has issued an urgent appeal for the creation of a critical supply route for essential goods, including fertiliser, through the Strait of Hormuz to avert a looming food catastrophe in Africa.
According to a statement from Antonio Tajani, who joined a virtual meeting on Iran coordinated by Britain, securing the passage of fertilisers and other vital humanitarian aid through the Strait of Hormuz is of paramount importance.
In a joint effort with international counterparts such as the Dutch Minister and the Deputy Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Tajani stressed the need for swift collaboration with the UN to establish a ‘humanitarian corridor’ as soon as possible, prioritising the transportation of fertilisers and other critical goods to prevent a devastating new food crisis, particularly in African nations.