US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a statement on X, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for the US-Iran ceasefire to encompass Lebanon, citing the necessity for Hezbollah to disarm. Kallas pointed out that Israel’s military actions are putting the fragile truce at risk, particularly in light of the recent strikes that resulted in hundreds of casualties, which she deemed to be disproportionate and difficult to justify under the pretext of self-defence.

In a devastating escalation of violence, four Lebanese soldiers lost their lives amidst a broader wave of Israeli aggression that claimed over 200 lives on Wednesday. The onslaught occurred just as the US-Iran ceasefire took hold, highlighting the complex and volatile nature of the region’s conflict.

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated as the Lebanese militant group accuses Israel of deliberately targeting civilians in its military operations. According to Hezbollah, Israel’s inability to achieve its objectives, including disarming the group, has led to a pattern of civilian casualties.

However, Hezbollah’s situation has become increasingly precarious due to its reliance on Iran to broker a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran has indicated that extending the ceasefire to Lebanon is a key component of its deal, but Israel and the US have rejected this proposal, with both countries maintaining that Lebanon is not part of the agreement.

As a result, Hezbollah continues to launch rocket attacks across the border and attempts to hinder Israel’s ground invasion in the south. Despite its efforts, Israel’s control of the skies and its ability to inflict damage and loss of life have put immense pressure on the Lebanese population and government.

Hezbollah’s reliance on Iran to exert leverage and silence the conflict has yet to materialize, despite assurances from Iranian officials, leaving the group in a vulnerable position.

In a massive display of solidarity, Tehran witnessed a sea of protesters yesterday, commemorating the 40th day since the passing of Iran’s revered Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has issued a revised advisory, cautioning airlines to exercise caution when navigating Middle Eastern and Gulf airspace, with the warning set to remain in effect until April 24.
A six-week period of escalating tensions in the region has led to a significant escalation of air travel disruptions, marked by a sharp increase in jet fuel costs and a substantial number of flight cancellations in the Gulf region.

Abbas Masjedi Arani, director of Iran’s Forensic Medicine Organization, disclosed that US-Israeli strikes during the conflict resulted in over 3,000 fatalities within Iran’s borders. In an interview with Mizan Online, a prominent Iranian news outlet, Masjedi Arani stated that approximately 40% of the deceased were initially unidentifiable, prompting ongoing collaboration between forensic experts and the judiciary to verify and process the casualty reports.

A Reuters report reveals that Russia is poised to reap a substantial windfall from the ongoing oil and gas crisis sparked by the US and Israeli assault on Iran. According to the agency, Russia’s primary oil revenue is expected to nearly double in April, reaching approximately 700 billion roubles ($9 billion) due to the mineral extraction tax on oil output. This significant increase is attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that handles around one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows, following the US and Israeli air raids on Iran at the end of February. As a result, Brent futures skyrocketed past $100 per barrel, leading to a substantial boost in Russia’s oil revenue.

In a stern appeal, Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has demanded that Iran unreservedly allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz without any prerequisites or conditions.
According to Al Jaber, Iran’s stance on the Strait is tantamount to coercion, as evidenced by its statements and actions, which subject passage to permission and political leverage. This, he emphasized, is not an exercise in freedom of navigation but rather a form of coercion.
Noting that the Strait was not created or constructed by any nation, Al Jaber pointed out that it is a natural waterway governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees the right of transit. He stressed that this right should not be treated as a privilege subject to grant or withdrawal.
Al Jaber underscored the importance of the Strait’s unobstructed passage, stating that global energy security and economic stability depend on it. He warned that the weaponization of this critical waterway in any form is unacceptable.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officials have disseminated a chart outlining alternative navigation paths in the Strait of Hormuz, enabling vessels to circumvent potential minefields, as per reports from local news sources.
A designated “high-risk zone” is marked on the chart below, prompting the IRGC Navy to stress the necessity of coordinating with them to ensure safe passage.
Ships that previously traversed the southern section of the Strait, near Oman, are now being directed to take a more northerly route, which places them closer to the Iranian coastline.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump indicated that the United States will maintain a military presence in and around Iran until a genuine agreement is reached and fully implemented. Trump warned that if this does not occur, the consequences will be severe and unprecedented. Amin Saikal, a renowned expert on Middle Eastern affairs and author of Iran Rising, expressed skepticism about Trump’s approach, suggesting that the president’s aggressive rhetoric may not be effective in persuading Iran. Saikal noted that both sides are still in the early stages of a fragile ceasefire and are engaging in a game of diplomatic posturing.