US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

The Nikkei share average has taken a step back, losing momentum as optimism surrounding a US-Iran ceasefire began to dissipate. Investors, having experienced a significant surge in the previous session, are now adopting a more measured approach. The Nikkei’s decline of 0.4 percent, to 56,036.75 as of 02:00 GMT, threatens to end a four-session winning streak if the current trend continues. Meanwhile, the Topix index has also slipped 0.5 percent to 3,755.52. Overnight, Nikkei 225 Futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange briefly surpassed the 57,000 mark. Just a day prior, the Nikkei had surged 5.4 percent to its highest level in over a month, driven by hopes that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen following Trump’s agreement to a two-week ceasefire with Iran.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains shrouded in uncertainty following the escalation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
According to a statement from US President Donald Trump, the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be fully reopened, as per the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
However, early Wednesday morning, a limited number of vessels were spotted navigating the chokepoint, a stark contrast to the pre-war average of 130 daily vessels.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded to Israel’s aggression by claiming that the ceasefire had been breached, prompting them to suspend all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Later, the IRGC issued a statement through a state-affiliated Iranian news agency, revealing that alternative routes would be made available to ships to avoid potential sea mines in the area.
The presence of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz remains a mystery, with the IRGC’s intentions unclear – whether it’s a tactic to intimidate or a genuine concern for the safety of passing vessels.
If the Strait of Hormuz is indeed mined, the process of clearing the area could be a drawn-out and complex endeavor, potentially taking weeks, months, or even years to complete, even if all parties agree to reopen the waterway.

A sharp increase in US crude futures was observed earlier this morning, following a period of decline on Wednesday, as a result of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran. This move had a significant impact on the market, causing oil prices to plummet by 14 percent and settle near $95 per barrel, with prices dipping as low as $90.40 at one point. However, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices rebounded strongly, rising $2.68, or 2.84 percent, to $97.09 a barrel by 22:18 GMT on Wednesday. Meanwhile, global stock markets experienced a surge in the early hours of the day.

Thousands of pilgrims converged on the revered Jerusalem shrine at dawn today, as Israeli authorities ended a prolonged period of restrictions that had been in place for nearly eight weeks.

Conversations with Tehran residents reveal a complex mix of emotions regarding the US-Iran ceasefire, with some expressing cautious optimism and others voicing deep-seated skepticism. The prevailing sentiment, however, is one of uncertainty, as many Iranians question whether diplomacy can truly bring about lasting peace.

A local woman expressed her hope for a ceasefire, stating, “If even a single day passes without violence, it would be a welcome respite. It would bring us joy, I assure you. When I witnessed the bloodshed, I was so distraught that I couldn’t even stay in my own home.”

A man shared his reservations about the ceasefire, arguing, “It’s meaningless as long as our fallen leader remains unburied and the rules of war continue to be disregarded.” He specifically highlighted the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon as a prime example of this disregard.

Another woman expressed her doubts about the truce’s longevity, saying, “It’s all a theatrical show that Trump is putting on. We have no faith in this ceasefire.”

Alain Kortbaoui, the director of Emergency Medicine at Lebanon’s Geitaoui Hospital in Beirut, described the state of the patients they were treating as one of profound disorientation. He revealed to Al Jazeera that the hospital was currently caring for four individuals with severe injuries sustained during Israel’s extensive military operations across Lebanon.

According to Kortbaoui, none of these patients were fully aware of their surroundings, with one individual, who had suffered a crushing blow when two floors collapsed on him, only just beginning to regain consciousness. This patient, however, had no recollection of the events that led to his hospitalization.

Kortbaoui further stated that the patients they were treating were still trying to grasp the situation, with one severely injured woman believed to have sustained a brain injury. As a result, medical staff were conducting urgent scans in collaboration with a neurosurgeon to determine the full extent of her injuries.

Senate Democrats, led by Cory Booker, are determined to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East by forcing a vote on a War Powers Resolution. This move aims to curb the president’s authority to engage in military actions without congressional approval, a power that was initially restricted by the War Powers Resolution of 1973, introduced in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

Booker emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the American people have not authorized the war and are still bearing the consequences. He criticized the president’s actions as “reckless war-mongering” and called for an end to the unauthorized military actions. In a social media post, Booker urged that the president’s powers as commander-in-chief be exercised only when war is declared by Congress or in response to a national emergency.

On his TruthSocial platform, the US president emphasized that American forces will remain stationed in and around Iran until all conditions of a recent agreement are met. This includes deploying US naval vessels, aircraft, and personnel, along with necessary supplies and equipment to counter any potential threats. Trump expressed confidence that the agreement would be upheld, but cautioned that if it is not, the consequences will be severe and unprecedented. He reiterated that the agreement prohibits Iran from developing nuclear capabilities and guarantees the safety of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohammed Wishah, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher, lost his life in a drone attack near the outskirts of Gaza City on Wednesday. This tragic incident marks the 12th Al Jazeera journalist to fall victim to Israeli aggression in Gaza since the country’s military campaign began in October 2023. The broader conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 262 journalists and 700 Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip since Israel declared a ceasefire in October 2025.

In a strongly worded statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the devastating Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, which have claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, including children. The Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized that Guterres is deeply troubled by the escalating civilian casualties and the loss of life.

Guterres warned that the ongoing military operations in Lebanon pose a significant threat to the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, reiterating his urgent appeal for all parties to immediately halt hostilities. The UN chief reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict, and that a peaceful resolution must be pursued.