US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has announced plans to revive diplomatic ties with Iran by reopening the Spanish embassy in Tehran. According to Albares, the ambassador will resume his duties and facilitate Spain’s involvement in peace negotiations.

Market sentiment remains fragile as investors closely monitor the precarious ceasefire between the US and Iran, with the dollar index stuck at a relatively stable 99.07 despite a backdrop of widespread losses.
The dollar’s value against a basket of major currencies, including the yen and the euro, remained largely unchanged, with the euro experiencing a minor decline of 0.01 per cent to 1.1661 against the US currency, while the yen slipped 0.15 per cent to 158.81.

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan had taken to his X account to announce the arrival of an Iranian delegation in Islamabad for the night, but the post was subsequently removed. As of now, we are still awaiting official confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant authorities regarding the delegation’s composition, leadership, and the scope of their discussions. The Iranian side has indicated that the 10-point proposal it presented to the US, facilitated by Pakistani mediation, will serve as the foundation for the forthcoming negotiations.

The US’s wavering stance on war objectives and inflammatory rhetoric have alienated several key allies that might have otherwise collaborated on Iran, according to Sanam Vakil, a Chatham House analyst based in London. Vakil noted that the absence of clear objectives in the war planning has thwarted potential cooperation among allies.

A city-wide security clampdown is currently in effect in Islamabad, with key thoroughfares such as the Blue Area commercial district cordoned off. The restricted zone has been thoroughly sealed, and numerous entry points into the city are being closely monitored by law enforcement and military personnel. The high-stakes negotiations are set to take place at the Serena Hotel, where guests have been instructed to vacate their rooms in preparation.

According to the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, the Pakistani prime minister has extended an invitation to the Iranian delegation, despite lingering concerns among the Iranian public regarding the Israeli regime’s repeated transgressions. The Iranian team is expected to arrive in Islamabad later tonight, marking the first time since the conflict escalated that a delegation has undertaken a journey for peace talks.

While there is no official confirmation on the participation of US Vice President JD Vance, local expectations suggest he will attend the talks. However, the US president has cited security concerns as a reason for Vance’s potential absence, and his decision will serve as a crucial indicator of the talks’ prospects.

Tensions remain high on both sides, with doubts surrounding the Iranian position on the 10 key points and the maximum US positions that may not be acceptable to Iran. The fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance, and any significant incident in the region could potentially undermine the fragile peace.

Israel has reportedly secured a tacit agreement with the US administration to intensify airstrikes against Hezbollah until the militant group is fully disarmed, despite acknowledging a miscalculation in its assessment of Hezbollah’s military prowess. The Israeli military has expressed concern over mid-range missiles capable of striking central Israel, a development that appears to be a response to its perceived shortcomings in the Iran conflict. Since the ceasefire was declared, Israel has unleashed a barrage of attacks against Hezbollah, with the intensity of the strikes escalating since the early hours of yesterday. Israel has consistently maintained that its efforts against Iran and Lebanon are separate entities, but the current campaign against Hezbollah has sparked accusations that the government is shifting focus to distract from its electoral prospects. Military strategists have conceded that a complete disarmament of Hezbollah would necessitate a comprehensive takeover of Lebanon, a scenario deemed unrealistic. As a result, Israel is advocating for a political solution, one that would require the Lebanese government and military to assume responsibility for disarming the militant group, a proposal that is set to be scrutinized in the lead-up to elections.

Following a devastating Israeli onslaught that left a trail of death and destruction, Lebanon has observed a nationwide day of mourning, paying tribute to the at least 254 people who lost their lives and the over 1,165 others who were injured in a single day of relentless bombardment. As the country grapples with the aftermath, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has vowed to utilise all available political and diplomatic channels to put an end to the Israeli military’s brutal campaign.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has categorically stated that Lebanon is not bound by the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, a stance echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, who clarified that the US never made any commitments to include Lebanon in the deal. In a surprising twist, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a key role in mediating the ceasefire along with the country’s army chief, had previously suggested that the agreement encompassed a temporary halt in hostilities in Lebanon. However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has insisted that the terms of the agreement are crystal clear, warning that the US must choose between upholding the ceasefire or perpetuating war through Israeli aggression.

Israeli forces have confirmed that their recent airstrikes in Beirut resulted in the death of Ali Yusuf Harshi, a trusted confidant and chief aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem.
According to a military statement, Harshi held a position of significant influence as a close associate and personal advisor to Qassem.
In addition to targeting Harshi, the Israeli military reported conducting strikes against critical border crossings spanning the Litani River and key Hezbollah installations in southern Lebanon.

Iranian authorities have been issuing stern warnings to all parties involved, cautioning that any further aggression on Lebanese soil could have far-reaching consequences.
From high-ranking officials to security personnel, the message is clear: attacks on Lebanese territory are a direct affront to the ceasefire agreement, and a comprehensive halt to hostilities across the region, including the Lebanese front, is essential for a peaceful resolution.
The downing of a drone in central Iran yesterday has further escalated tensions, with Iranian officials now hinting at a potential withdrawal from the negotiating table if attacks persist.
The situation is further complicated by Iran’s strategic efforts to utilize the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip, leveraging its critical role in the global energy market.
Iran is reportedly considering imposing tariffs on ships passing through the strait, a move aimed at demonstrating its control over this vital chokepoint and solidifying its position in the ongoing negotiations.
As the situation remains precarious, all attention is now focused on Islamabad, where the Iranian delegation has arrived, and where a diplomatic settlement remains the only viable path forward.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House in London, believes that US President Trump’s alarming declarations have significantly heightened global anxiety over the escalating conflict. Vakil points to Trump’s inflammatory remarks, including a warning to Iran that its entire way of life was at risk, as a major contributor to the widespread fear of a catastrophic escalation.

Vakil, speaking to Al Jazeera, stated that Trump’s incendiary comments on Monday, prior to the ceasefire agreement, sent shockwaves across the region, leaving many sleepless and on edge. “The entire Middle East was gripped by a sense of panic,” Vakil said, “as people struggled to anticipate the potential consequences of Trump’s aggressive rhetoric.”

According to Vakil, Trump’s inflammatory language has created a volatile situation, where the risk of further escalation is ever-present, and the possibility of a counter-escalation is increasingly likely. “The ceasefire is a welcome development,” Vakil noted, “but Trump’s continued provocative statements raise serious doubts about the truce’s durability.”