US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

We’re currently in the midst of a comprehensive update, so let’s summarize the essential information:

According to Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Iran-based Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, the Iranian delegation has not departed for scheduled talks in Pakistan with the US this weekend, as a result of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon.

Aslani pointed out that the Iranian side has expressed reluctance to proceed with negotiations in Islamabad, citing the continued Israeli strikes against Lebanon as a major obstacle. This development, he noted, has created a sense of uncertainty surrounding the talks.

Furthermore, Aslani highlighted that the US has made some adjustments to its 10-point plan, which was initially seen as a viable framework, even by the US president. This shift has exacerbated a “trust deficit” that has long plagued relations between Iran and the US.

Aslani explained that Iran’s distrust of the US has been a persistent issue, and the recent changes have reignited concerns about the US’s reliability. This, in turn, may put pressure on the Iranian delegation from the public, who may question why Iran is engaging in dialogue with the US despite being attacked twice during previous negotiations.

Israel has intensified its ground assault on southern Lebanon, focusing on the strategic town of Bint Jbeil. The military operation, which has been underway for an extended period, has seen Israeli forces establish control over hilltop positions and surrounding villages. Recent developments indicate a push into the outskirts of Bint Jbeil, as evidenced by Hezbollah’s claims of targeting Israeli troops in the area. This comes amidst a surge in hostilities, with Hezbollah attributing over 50 attacks to their forces within the past 24 hours. Notably, a significant number of these incidents involved cross-border fire into Israel, which had temporarily ceased on Wednesday following a regional ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. However, Israel’s stance that Lebanon was not part of the agreement led to Hezbollah’s resumption of fire.

Despite ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Asian equities are experiencing a boost as investors weigh the implications of the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran. Key market indices in Japan, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong are currently trending upward, while Australia’s ASX 200 has slipped by more than half a percent. The upward trajectory of oil prices remains a pressing concern, driven by worries over the potential for continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the uncertain stability of the ceasefire.

Israeli airstrikes have persisted into the night, targeting various regions in southern Lebanon, including Sidon and Nabatieh, as well as a car struck by a drone. Meanwhile, a surveillance drone hovered above the capital for an extended period, prompting the Israeli military to issue a fresh evacuation order for the southern suburbs of Beirut, specifically the Jnah district. This area, home to two hospitals, has become a focal point of concern for the World Health Organisation, which has highlighted the dire situation at these facilities. With 450 patients in need of urgent care and no alternative medical options available, the hospitals are operating at maximum capacity. The crisis is further exacerbated by the fact that hospitals across Lebanon are already overwhelmed, struggling to cope with the influx of over 1,000 injured individuals from Israel’s strikes on Wednesday. As the death toll remains uncertain, the situation continues to deteriorate.

Despite the fragile ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, six months ago, Israeli restrictions are still severely limiting the delivery of critical medical and humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in Gaza, according to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a London-based aid organisation.

The organisation reports that Israel’s ongoing blockade has left Gaza’s healthcare system severely under-resourced, with more than half of essential medicines depleted and 64 percent of cancer medications inaccessible. Furthermore, nearly half of the hospitals in Gaza remain closed, and not a single facility is fully operational, MAP stated. The organisation also highlighted that 90 hospital generators are out of commission due to the lack of spare parts and fuel, which are being blocked by Israeli authorities.

MAP’s assessment reveals that over 18,500 patients, including approximately 4,000 children, are in urgent need of medical evacuation, but their transfer remains heavily restricted.

In a move that is not typically seen, Saudi Arabia has publicly disclosed the impact of Iranian attacks on its oil production infrastructure, with the Ministry of Energy revealing that key facilities have been repeatedly targeted.
These facilities include gas plants, oil production sites, pipelines, export terminals, storage tanks, and others, with the East-West pipeline emerging as a particularly crucial component. Not only does it play a vital role in Saudi Arabia’s economic stability, but its disruption also has far-reaching implications for the global energy market.
According to Saudi officials, the pipeline has been attacked on multiple occasions, resulting in a significant reduction of 700,000 barrels of oil per day in its capacity. Furthermore, the Manifa production plant has also been hit, leading to a daily decrease of 300,000 barrels of oil output.

The fragile calm in the region has failed to spark a significant increase in shipping activity through the vital Strait of Hormuz, as only a limited number of vessels have managed to navigate the waterway since Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week truce. According to data from Kpler, a market intelligence firm, just five vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, a decline from the 11 that had passed through the day before. On Thursday, seven vessels made the journey, Kpler reported. Meanwhile, Lloyd’s List Intelligence estimates that more than 600 vessels, including 325 tankers, remain anchored in the Gulf due to the ongoing blockade of the strait.

In a unified stance, envoys from 65 nations have rallied behind Indonesia’s UN representative, Umar Hadi, in issuing a collective rebuke against the violence targeting UNIFIL personnel, specifically the tragic loss of three Indonesian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

According to Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, Iran’s primary objective is to reestablish its position within the global economy. Speaking from Washington, DC, Vatanka noted that Iran’s potential financial gains from controlling the Strait of Hormuz are overshadowed by the benefits of having US sanctions lifted.

Iran’s 10-point proposal, Vatanka explained, centers on the removal of primary American sanctions, which would pave the way for US investment in the country. This move, though seemingly unlikely at present, would mark a significant step towards normalizing relations with the US. Additionally, Iran seeks the removal of secondary sanctions, allowing other countries to engage in free trade and investment with Iran.

Vatanka emphasized that Iran’s true potential lies in becoming a fully integrated member of the global economy, rather than relying on the Strait of Hormuz as a source of revenue. While Iran could potentially generate up to $100 billion annually by leveraging the strait, this approach would not bring about the country’s normalization.