US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A joint statement from 15 European foreign ministers has shed more light on their stance on the Middle East conflict.
The ministers emphasized the significance of UN peacekeepers in the region while calling on Israel to seize the opportunity for direct negotiations offered by the Lebanese government.
In their statement, the diplomats expressed their support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as it carries out its mandate.
The statement also condemned the attacks on UNIFIL contingents, highlighting the unacceptable loss of life among peacekeepers, including the tragic killing of Indonesian peacekeepers.
The foreign ministers urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire agreement that came into effect in November 2024, as well as fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 from 2006, which called for a complete halt to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
The ministers strongly urged Israel to accept the Lebanese government’s invitation to engage in direct negotiations.
The European diplomats stressed that supporting stability in Lebanon is crucial for achieving lasting peace and security in the Middle East, and that de-escalation is urgently required, with diplomacy taking centre stage.

Contrary to claims of seeking a truce, Iranian officials have consistently maintained that their objective is not a temporary ceasefire, but rather a lasting peace that brings an end to the conflict.
Reports from the ground in Tehran confirm a series of aerial assaults, with two recent strikes targeting areas east of the city.
Simultaneous attacks were also reported in various regions across the country, escalating into overnight strikes within the city limits of Tehran.
A notable incident occurred in the morning, when a significant attack was launched near the former US embassy in Tehran, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing campaign of strikes.

In a unified statement, 15 European foreign ministers from countries such as Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and Italy expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Lebanon, where a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. According to the ministers, the conflict has already forced 1.2 million people – approximately 25 percent of the population – to flee their homes, leaving them internally displaced.

The ministers highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, citing a staggering death toll of over 1,000 people, predominantly civilians, including children, aid workers, and journalists, as per the Health Ministry of Lebanon’s reports. The diplomats strongly criticized Hezbollah’s decision to launch an attack on Israel in support of Iran and called for an immediate halt to all hostile actions against Israel, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The escalation of the conflict in Lebanon is a direct consequence of the US-Israel war on Iran, which began after Iran-aligned Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. Notably, this marked a significant escalation, as Hezbollah had not launched an attack on Israel since a ceasefire came into effect in November 2024, despite repeated Israeli breaches of the agreement.

Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, the French navy chief, has warned that China will eventually need to become more involved in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing the current number of Chinese vessels passing through as insufficient. Speaking at the War & Peace security conference in Paris, Vaujour expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of existing diplomatic channels between China and Iran, suggesting that direct Chinese involvement will be necessary to restore normal shipping traffic.

In a joint declaration, the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank have announced the establishment of a collaborative task force to optimize their collective response to the war’s far-reaching economic and energy repercussions.
The newly formed coordination group will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the war’s effects on various countries, facilitate a unified response, and rally key stakeholders to provide vital assistance to nations in crisis, according to the international organizations.

A recent posting on X by the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice programme has issued a public appeal for assistance in gathering information regarding recent assaults on key US facilities in Iraq, including the US Embassy in Baghdad and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre, as well as the US Consulate General in Erbil, situated in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
In the posting, the programme announced a $3 million reward for any information that could lead to the identification of Iran-aligned armed groups and other perpetrators behind the attacks.

In a recent escalation of the conflict, a total of 309 Israeli personnel have suffered injuries, with 10 fatalities reported, since the commencement of hostilities with Lebanon and Iran, as per the military’s latest assessment.

In a recent announcement, Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, revealed that the company will be withdrawing more than 200 of its personnel from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant this week. According to Likhachev, who made the statement on Rossiya-24 state television, approximately 50 Rosatom staff members will choose to remain at the facility, all of them volunteering for the role. This decision comes amidst a series of Israeli strikes targeting Bushehr and other Iranian nuclear sites in recent days.

Reports from the Mehr news agency indicate that Kashan Passenger Airport in Isfahan province was targeted by a joint US-Israeli military operation late in the evening, as per the province’s deputy governor.

During a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the shared commitment to upholding international norms and democratic principles.
He underscored the need for a swift return to tranquility, stating that a ceasefire, coupled with unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz, is essential.
Takaichi concurred, highlighting the significance of rapidly defusing the conflict and safeguarding the critical waterway to ensure uninterrupted trade.
At a joint press conference held at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, Takaichi stressed the importance of bolstering Japan-France ties in the face of an increasingly complex global landscape.