US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Iran’s envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has revealed that an Iranian delegation will depart for Islamabad this evening, with the intention of engaging in discussions centered around Iran’s comprehensive 10-point peace plan.

Iranian officials have indicated that the Strait of Hormuz is operating under restricted conditions. Following the initial decision to close the waterway, they clarified that it would be accessible to all nations except those deemed adversaries. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has since emphasized that any passage through this strategic chokepoint must be coordinated with Iran. This stance was reinforced by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a recent phone call with the French President, where he described the current situation as a wartime condition, stemming from the ongoing Israeli and American strikes that led to the Strait’s closure.

Reports from Al Jazeera Arabic indicate that Israeli forces have launched a new assault on the Lebanese town of Habboush, located in the country’s southern region.
This follows earlier incidents of Israeli raids in the towns of Harouf and Al Duwair.

President Trump’s inner circle, particularly US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, holds significant sway over policy and strategy, particularly regarding Iran. Rubio’s proximity to the president and the trust he has earned grant him considerable influence in shaping decisions. Nevertheless, it is ultimately Trump who retains the final say in strategic matters, as acknowledged by those within the administration who are privy to the decision-making process.

Sources close to the president suggest that he is increasingly relying on his intuition, rather than traditional diplomatic channels, such as the State Department. This is evident in Trump’s own words, where he has stated that he trusts his instincts, even when they defy conventional wisdom. This approach is deeply rooted in Trump’s personality, which has long been characterized by skepticism towards US intelligence agencies and career diplomats.

This top-down strategy, which prioritizes presidential discretion over consensus-driven decision-making, has likely caused frustration among diplomats. They may feel that their expertise and insights are being disregarded, as policy experts, intelligence officials, and professional diplomats are often overlooked in the decision-making process.

A sense of utter dismay has gripped the nation, as the full extent of the devastation becomes apparent in Beirut’s capital city. The sheer magnitude of the destruction is a stark reminder that nowhere is truly safe. The Lebanese people are on high alert, fearing further attacks after Israel’s unannounced strikes yesterday. The Israeli military has vowed to pursue Hezbollah, citing its alleged relocation from the southern suburbs of Beirut to other areas within the city. This development has raised concerns among human rights organizations, who fear it may be used as a pretext for targeting civilian areas. The death toll stands at 182, with hundreds more injured, according to the Health Ministry. Hospitals were severely strained, and for many, the Israeli military’s actions have been seen as a brazen display of power, leaving a lasting sense of unease and uncertainty.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will embark on a two-day official visit to Qatar, coinciding with a critical period in India’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply chain. As the world’s most populous nation grapples with LPG shortages, the Indian government has taken measures to conserve cooking gas for households by rationing supplies to the industrial sector. The scarcity has led to widespread difficulties for consumers, with many parts of the country experiencing shortages of cooking gas cylinders, resulting in lengthy queues at distribution centres.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah finds itself in a precarious predicament, with its military actions driven by a perceived need to counter Israeli aggression. Initially, Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict was framed as a response to the assassination of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, the group has since shifted its narrative, attributing its actions to ongoing Israeli military actions along the border. As a result, Hezbollah has been launching cross-border attacks and thwarting Israeli attempts to establish a foothold in southern Lebanon. Notably, Hezbollah has insisted that any ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran must also address the Lebanon front, a demand that has been rebuffed by Israel and the US. The Israeli military’s continued attacks appear to be a deliberate signal that the conflict with Hezbollah will persist. A key aspect of this conflict is the lack of a clear front line, making it challenging to discern a definitive end to the fighting.

In a significant escalation of its military campaign, the Israeli Defense Forces have asserted control over a broader area of southern Lebanon, having launched a series of incursions over the past seven days.
According to the military, the operations have resulted in the deaths of numerous Hezbollah fighters, with Israeli troops also capturing a substantial cache of weaponry, encompassing firearms, ammunition magazines, and explosive devices.

Israel’s relentless assault on Lebanon shows no signs of abating, with the government intent on maintaining a separate front against Hezbollah despite any potential ceasefire.
The ferocity of these strikes has been evident since the initial announcement, prompting a limited retaliatory rocket barrage from Hezbollah that Israel is likely to exploit to undermine regional de-escalation efforts.
Israeli officials now concede they underestimated Hezbollah’s resilience, citing the group’s substantial arsenal of hundreds of rockets and thousands of battle-hardened fighters.
This reassessment is being used to justify continued military action, as Israel seeks to assert its dominance in the region.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu faces mounting pressure on the domestic front, where his promises of swift and decisive victories against Iran have begun to unravel.
With Iran’s ongoing bombardment of Israel casting doubt on Netanyahu’s war objectives, analysts warn that his failure to achieve these goals may prove more damaging than his inability to prevent the October 7 attacks.
As elections loom on the horizon and opposition leader Yair Lapid publicly criticizes Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, the Israeli leader’s ability to salvage his reputation will be a critical factor in the weeks ahead.

According to the latest figures from Israel’s Health Ministry, a staggering 7,451 individuals have been hospitalized following the outbreak of conflict with Iran, a development that has been ongoing since the war began.