US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Pakistan remains committed to brokering a peace agreement between the United States and Iran, despite acknowledging that its efforts are being hindered by significant obstacles. This determination was expressed by Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during a recent media briefing in Islamabad, where he sidestepped questions about the nature of these challenges. Andrabi’s comments came on the heels of a provocative statement by US President Donald Trump, who warned Iran that it would face severe consequences if it failed to accept Washington’s terms for a peace deal.

Pakistan has been at the forefront of a multinational initiative aimed at facilitating negotiations between the US and Iran. Andrabi emphasized that Islamabad will continue to work towards creating an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue among all relevant parties. He noted that both the US and Iran have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to serve as a neutral intermediary in this process.

In a recent phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged in discussions aimed at accelerating the resolution of the Middle East conflict. According to a Kremlin statement, both leaders underscored the urgency of halting hostilities and bolstering diplomatic initiatives to achieve a lasting peace agreement.

The call follows Ukraine’s recent signing of an air defence pact with Saudi Arabia, a move prompted by the Gulf nation’s own struggles with Iranian drone attacks. Seeking to leverage its expertise in countering Russian drones, Ukraine has proposed a reciprocal exchange of its relatively affordable drone interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles employed by Gulf nations to combat Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

During their conversation, Putin and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince also highlighted the adverse effects of the crisis on global energy security, citing disruptions to energy production and transportation as a major concern.

In a move that underscores its commitment to neutrality, Austria has turned down a series of US requests to utilize its airspace for military operations targeting Iran, citing the country’s strict neutrality law. According to Austria’s defence ministry, the decision was made in accordance with the nation’s long-standing policy of military non-involvement.

A ministry official confirmed that multiple requests had been submitted by the US, although the exact number was not disclosed. Each case is being evaluated individually in close coordination with the Austrian Foreign Ministry, as per standard procedure.

While Austria has not implemented a blanket ban on US overflights, it is scrutinizing each request on a case-by-case basis, the ministry stated. This stance is in contrast to Spain, which has taken a more assertive stance against the war by closing its airspace to US military planes involved in the conflict. Italy has also denied the US the use of a military base in Sicily for similar reasons.

In a stark warning to Iran, US President Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday to unleash a devastating military campaign that would reduce the country to a prehistoric state. His words were swiftly echoed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who took to X to reiterate the ominous message: “Back to the Stone Age.” This phrase, a euphemism for the destructive power of carpet bombing, implies a complete dismantling of modern infrastructure, leaving a nation in a state of primitive simplicity. However, Trump’s threat is not an isolated incident, but rather a continuation of a long-standing US tradition of issuing veiled threats to carpet bomb its adversaries during military interventions.

An earlier incident involving a highway bridge connecting Tehran to Karaj, a major western city, has taken a tragic turn. According to Alborz province’s deputy governor, who spoke with Iran’s ISNA news agency, the assault resulted in the loss of two lives. Several others were transported to medical facilities for treatment, as confirmed by the official. Fortunately, there have been no reports of disruptions to essential services such as electricity, water, or environmental hazards linked to the attack.

The government’s response to Israel’s recent actions has left many residents in southern Lebanon feeling disillusioned and uncertain about their future. The people most affected by the situation are those who have been displaced from their homes, and they are struggling to come to terms with the possibility that they may never be able to return.

The displacement of over 600,000 people, as mentioned by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, has left a lasting impact on the region. The systematic destruction of homes, farmland, and roads by Israeli forces has only added to the sense of uncertainty and fear among the local population. In recent days, the town of Bayada has seen widespread destruction, with homes and farmland being targeted overnight. Similarly, the towns of Naqoura and Debl have also been affected, with controlled demolitions taking place in the latter.

The Lebanese people are watching these events unfold with growing concern, and many are left wondering if they will ever be able to reclaim their homes and return to their normal lives. The lack of confidence in the government’s ability to address these concerns has only added to the sense of unease and uncertainty that pervades the region.

A nationwide poll following the US president’s speech revealed a sense of disappointment among the American public, as their pressing concerns about soaring fuel prices and the Strait of Hormuz crisis remained unaddressed.
The prevailing sentiment on Thursday morning centered around the lack of a concrete solution to the high fuel costs plaguing Americans, as well as the global community.
In contrast, the US president framed the issue as an investment in the nation’s future, a perspective unlikely to alleviate the current economic strain.
Furthermore, the president’s initial objectives in the conflict, including dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and neutralizing regional proxies, have yet to be achieved.
The latest development in the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which the US president has failed to resolve.

Eyewitnesses describe a series of intense airstrikes carried out by Israeli forces, which have struck the Lebanese towns of Sultaniyeh, Aita al-Jabal, al-Jumayjimah, and Tibnin in the southern region.

In a bid to expedite a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict, Germany’s top diplomat Johann Wadephul engaged in a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, according to a statement released by the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin. The two nations share a common objective of ensuring unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with neither side willing to see individual states dictate control over sea lanes or impose tolls for passage. Germany believes that China’s significant influence with Iran could be leveraged to encourage the latter towards a negotiated settlement and an end to hostilities with the Gulf states.

A forthcoming high-level meeting between the Group of Seven and the Gulf Cooperation Council is set to take place next week, with the agenda centered on the pressing concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. France, currently presiding over the G7, will facilitate the discussion.