US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a bid to restore calm to the volatile region, China has urged all parties involved in the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations to seize the opportunity for peace and swiftly bring stability to the Middle East.
According to a statement made by China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson at a recent press briefing, the country is eager to see the parties capitalize on this chance for peace and promptly restore stability to the region.
On Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated China’s commitment to facilitating a peaceful resolution, stating that Beijing will persist in its efforts to de-escalate the situation and ultimately bring an end to the conflict.

In a significant development, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, marking the first official communication between the two nations since Iran’s military campaign against its Gulf neighbours commenced during the conflict.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a stern warning against any infringement of the fragile ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, emphasizing the need for unwavering commitment to peace.
In a solemn address to the Italian parliament, Meloni cautioned that the path to stability is precarious and must be pursued with unrelenting resolve.
She underscored the significance of restoring “freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz for both Italy and the European Union, a crucial step towards cementing a lasting peace.

Amichai Chikli, Israel’s diaspora affairs minister and a prominent figure within the ruling Likud party, has publicly denounced the ceasefire with Iran as a misguided decision. In an interview with Israel’s 103FM radio, Chikli expressed his concerns, stating that the timing of the ceasefire was ill-advised. He drew parallels with other nations that have been brought to their knees through firm resistance, citing examples such as the Japanese Empire and Nazi Germany. Chikli also estimated the likelihood of the ceasefire holding, suggesting a 50 percent probability.

For years, the US-Israel axis has been convinced that a heavy-handed approach would ultimately force Iran to relinquish its independence and submit to external control. However, this strategy has backfired spectacularly.
By steadfastly resisting pressure, Iranians have transformed a desperate fight for survival into a powerful emblem of defiance – a poignant reminder of humanity’s capacity for resilience.

Maritime expert and director of the Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi, C Uday Bhaskar, expressed his concerns to Al Jazeera about the precarious state of the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as “very uneasy”.
Bhaskar pointed out that the markets are gripped by anxiety due to the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s new regulations, which have yet to be clearly defined.
He noted that since the US-Iran ceasefire was announced, only a handful of ships have traversed the Strait of Hormuz, a significant drop from the usual pre-war traffic of approximately 135 vessels.
Bhaskar suggested that the outcome of the ceasefire talks in Islamabad on Friday may bring some clarity to the situation, particularly regarding Iran’s proposed new route for ships.
Moreover, Bhaskar emphasized the importance of caution for vessels navigating the strait, given Iran’s claim of having laid mines to deter any potential amphibious assault from the US.
He drew a parallel with the Iran-Iraq war, during which waters were also mined, but ships were able to safely transit by avoiding hazardous areas.

Iran’s atomic energy chief, Mohammad Eslami, has made it clear that the country’s uranium enrichment activities will continue unabated, defying any attempts to restrict them.

Energean, a leading oil and gas company, has been notified by Israel’s Energy Ministry to resume operations at the Karish natural gas platform, located off Israel’s Mediterranean coastline, in the wake of the US-brokered ceasefire with Iran. The platform had been temporarily shut down since February 28, when hostilities between the US and Iran commenced, due to concerns over safety. According to a statement from the Energy Ministry, Energean has been instructed to proceed with a safe restart of production and operations at the Karish site. In a separate confirmation, Energean stated that it is diligently working to safely relaunch production and restore normal operations in accordance with its established protocols.

Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine confirmed that the devastating impact of Wednesday’s Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and other parts of the country has resulted in a staggering 203 fatalities and over 1,000 casualties.

A fragile peace has been brokered between the US and Iran, with a two-week ceasefire coming into effect on Wednesday morning, paving the way for negotiations to commence in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday. This temporary truce, negotiated after 40 days of conflict, includes a crucial provision allowing the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that normally handles 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments. However, despite the reopening of this critical trade route, the global energy crisis remains unresolved, with far-reaching implications.