US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Islamabad has been transformed into a heavily fortified city, with a staggering 10,000 security personnel, comprising police, military, and special forces, deployed across the capital. The city’s residents are experiencing a rare day off from work and school, allowing for a seamless security operation. I’m reporting live from the Red Zone, where all roads leading to the governmental area have been sealed off, effectively isolating the zone from the rest of the city.

As delegates begin to arrive, Pakistani officials remain tight-lipped about the identities of the visitors and the nature of their discussions. The stakes are high, with weeks of negotiations culminating in this critical moment. Despite a few dramatic days, Pakistani mediation efforts have finally borne fruit, paving the way for tomorrow’s talks. Officials and ministers I’ve spoken to are cautiously optimistic about the potential outcomes of the discussions, which were initially scheduled for today but have been postponed due to logistical challenges.

A series of intense air strikes has ravaged significant areas of Nabatiyeh, a city in southern Lebanon, with a state security office among the hardest-hit targets.
According to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), the aerial bombardment resulted in the destruction of multiple buildings and the loss of at least eight state security personnel, with the incident being labeled a “horrific massacre” by NNA.
Emergency responders are scrambling to transport the injured to medical facilities for treatment, as per NNA.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has strongly denounced Israel’s approval of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, branding it a blatant disregard for international law and a direct contravention of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

According to information from Peace Now, an Israeli monitoring group, the Israeli cabinet made the decision on April 1, although the Netanyahu administration has yet to issue an official statement. Israeli media outlets disclosed the development on Thursday, following clearance from the military censor for publication.

In a stern warning, the OIC urged the global community to take decisive action against Israel’s ongoing transgressions against Palestinians, which it believes are designed to sabotage the two-state solution.

According to Omar Rahman, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, the US-Iran ceasefire agreement was hastily implemented without full acceptance from all parties involved. This dynamic is currently unfolding in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, he noted. The Iranian 10-point plan for peace and the US 15-point plan are significantly divergent on several key issues, Rahman pointed out. In the view of US President Donald Trump, this situation is regarded as a complete and utter failure.

A devastating Israeli air attack on a carwash facility in the Jba’a town of Lebanon’s Nabatieh governorate has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives, as confirmed by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). The victims comprised the carwash proprietor, his two offspring, and three other individuals who were present at the site when the strike occurred.

Reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency indicate that a Lebanese couple was injured in an Israeli airstrike as they departed the border village of Mari. The couple was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital by Red Cross teams for medical attention.

In a series of coordinated airstrikes, Israeli forces have struck various locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, including At-Tiri, Beit Yahoun, the city of Bint Jbeil, al-Ansar and Sohmori, over the past hour.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching a precision-guided missile attack on the Israeli naval base in the Port of Ashdod.

In a development that could potentially reshape global trade dynamics, Iran’s parliamentary proposal suggests that transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be payable in the country’s official currency, the rial, as confirmed by an Iranian consulate general in Mumbai on Friday.

Experts have been speculating that Iran and China are actively exploring ways to challenge the US dollar’s status as the global reserve currency, according to recent insights shared with Al Jazeera.

Iran’s imposition of a de facto toll system during its blockade of the strait following US-Israeli strikes had previously required commercial vessels to pay transit fees in Chinese yuan, as reported by multiple sources.

While the exact number of vessels that utilized the yuan payment option during the blockade remains unclear, at least two had made such payments by March 25, as documented by Lloyd’s List this week.

As the US vice-president traveled to Islamabad for high-stakes discussions with Iranian officials, he made it clear that any insincere overtures would be met with skepticism.
“We’re prepared to engage in constructive dialogue if the Iranians demonstrate genuine interest in negotiations,” he stated.
“However, if they attempt to manipulate or deceive us, our team will be unyielding in its stance.”

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated the group’s unwavering resolve to continue its resistance, emphasizing that it will persist as long as the organization remains operational.

In a statement issued by Hezbollah on Friday, Qassem underscored the group’s assertion that the Israeli enemy suffered a decisive defeat on the ground, rendering a large-scale invasion impossible.
Qassem also highlighted Hezbollah’s unyielding stance against Israeli aggression, pointing out that despite the enemy’s relentless attacks, the group’s missile capabilities have proven resilient and effective.
He further emphasized that Hezbollah will not accept a return to the status quo, and urged the international community to refrain from making concessions that would benefit Israel at the expense of the group’s rights and interests.

As the US vice-president traveled to Islamabad for high-level talks with Iranian representatives, he emphasized the importance of genuine negotiations.
“We’re prepared to engage in constructive dialogue if the Iranians demonstrate a genuine commitment to peaceful discussions,” he stated.
“However, if they attempt to manipulate or deceive us, they’ll encounter a negotiating team that’s not easily swayed.”