US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a candid conversation with Al Jazeera, Iran’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Reza Salehi Amiri, characterized the devastation in his country as a calculated assault on the nation’s heritage. Speaking from the site of the destruction, Amiri underscored the significance of the damaged structures, which he claimed were more than just physical remnants.

The notion of a new Iranian regime is a misconception, as the current power structure remains largely unchanged. Key figures such as Ghalibaf, who has been entrenched in the system since the 1980s, and Ahmad Vahidi, the founder and current commander of the IRGC, continue to hold influential positions. Meanwhile, Masoud Pezeshkian is the sole president, leaving questions about Trump’s alleged communication with him. Furthermore, there is no clear indication that Pezeshkian was the one requesting a ceasefire, leaving room for speculation and uncertainty.

Asserting its authority, the IRGC declares that the Strait of Hormuz remains firmly under its control and will not be compromised by the US President’s boastful declarations. This statement comes in response to Trump’s recent claim that the Iranian president had requested a ceasefire, with the US President hinting that he might consider it once the Strait is fully accessible and secure.

Javad Zarif, Iran’s former Foreign Minister and founder of the Payab Research Institute, has cautioned GCC nations that their reliance on foreign military bases undermines their sovereignty. In a recent X post, Zarif reflected on the decades-long trend of GCC governments outsourcing their security, describing these foreign bases as incubators for conflict. He also noted that while US President Donald Trump’s tenure may be nearing its end, Iran’s enduring presence in the region will persist. Zarif emphasized the importance of self-reliance in security matters, advocating for a collective approach that prioritizes regional stability.

Reports from Israeli media indicate a significant amount of destruction in Kiryat Shmona, a city situated in northern Israel, following a Hezbollah artillery barrage. The assault occurred after a series of warning sirens sounded near the Israeli-Lebanese border. According to Israeli media, a single individual was left injured in Kiryat Shmona due to a rocket attack originating from Lebanon.

Despite failing to secure control over major population hubs, Israel has been actively targeting smaller, largely deserted towns near the border, which suffered significant damage during the 2024 conflict. A recent blast in one of these towns has brought to light the Israeli military’s plan to systematically destroy homes and clear out the area. According to the Israeli military, this policy will continue unabated, rendering the affected towns uninhabitable. The development has sent shockwaves through Tyre and southern Lebanon, where approximately 60,000 residents remain, with only a fraction having chosen to stay. As the situation unfolds, residents are grappling with the decision of whether to remain and weather the storm or seek alternative accommodations.

In a statement made prior to his televised address this evening, President Trump has alleged that Iran’s leader is seeking a ceasefire.

Reports indicate that coordinated bombings have struck the eastern and northwestern outskirts of Ahvaz and the city of Mahshahr, with the security liaison to the Khuzestan governor’s office confirming the incidents.

In a social media update, Trump stated that he would give serious thought to an alleged Iranian ceasefire proposal once the Hormuz Strait is completely unobstructed and secure.

In a stern rebuke, the UN’s Human Rights chief has sounded the alarm over a chilling trend of curbing free expression in the Middle East, particularly in Israel and the US, amidst the ongoing conflict.
Volker Turk issued a stark warning, highlighting a disturbing escalation of government-imposed restrictions on citizens exercising their fundamental rights to free speech and peaceful assembly across the region.
Turk’s statement also targeted attempts to muzzle the press, citing Israeli military censorship authorities’ stringent controls and a US Federal Communications Commission threat to revoke broadcast licenses for coverage deemed critical of the war.