US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that his country will not hesitate to strike Hezbollah whenever the need arises, following a series of devastating Israeli airstrikes that targeted Lebanon the previous day.
In a statement posted on his X account, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s unwavering commitment to taking decisive action against Hezbollah, asserting that the group’s aggressive actions against Israeli civilians will be met with swift and precise retaliation.
Netanyahu’s message was unequivocal: any entity that poses a threat to Israeli civilians will be held accountable, and Hezbollah will continue to be a prime target until Israel’s northern residents can live without fear of harm.

For those who may have missed our updates, we’re providing a summary of the key events that have unfolded on day 41 of the ongoing conflict.

Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former envoy to the United Nations, has informed Al Jazeera that Islamabad’s interpretation of the US-Iran ceasefire mirrors Tehran’s stance – Lebanon’s inclusion is implicit. Lodhi revealed that prior to the ceasefire, Pakistani officials had sought assurance from their American counterparts that Israel’s aggression in the region would be curtailed, and they received a positive response.

The European Union has unequivocally rejected the notion of imposing tolls on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that unrestricted access to this critical Gulf waterway is essential. Iran’s suggestion to charge for passage through the Strait was met with strong opposition from the EU, which insists that freedom of navigation must be preserved without any payment or toll. According to European Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni, international law guarantees this right, essentially ruling out any form of toll or payment.

The 40th day since the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s former supreme leader, has brought an unprecedented display of unity across the country. State television has broadcast images of large crowds gathering not only in Tehran but in various other locations, a testament to the widespread sentiment. Despite the nation’s deeply divided social landscape, people from different walks of life are converging to express their views.

In recent days, Iranians from diverse backgrounds have been coming together to protest against the US-Israeli strikes. At night, numerous gatherings have taken place, with participants waving Iranian flags in a show of solidarity. While not all attendees may share the same views on the government, the shared sense of urgency has brought them together.

During a recent gathering, I had the opportunity to speak with attendees, who expressed a range of opinions. Some even voiced their opposition to the ceasefire, advocating for continued retaliation against the US-Israeli strikes, which they believe are responsible for the suffering and destruction inflicted upon Iranian society.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani envoy to the United Nations, emphasized that the responsibility lies with the US and President Trump to guarantee that Israel does not disrupt the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad. Lodhi pointed out that it is the Americans who made commitments to Pakistan regarding the ceasefire’s sustainability and the avoidance of provocative actions that could jeopardize the talks. According to her, this situation is not entirely within Pakistan’s control, as Islamabad is merely an intermediary in the conflict, rather than a direct party involved.

Following a prolonged 40-day hiatus, the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque has swung open its doors once more, welcoming Muslim devotees after a lengthy period of restricted access.

Ship-tracking data analyzed by Reuters indicates that just six vessels – including five dry bulk carriers and a single oil products tanker – navigated the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours. This meager traffic persists despite the ceasefire, with the number of vessels passing through the critical shipping route remaining alarmingly low since hostilities erupted on February 28. Daily sailings have averaged a mere handful of vessels, a stark contrast to the pre-conflict average of 140 vessels per day.

A high-ranking Korean diplomat, Cho Hyun, is being dispatched by Seoul’s foreign ministry to engage in talks with Iranian officials, focusing on regional dynamics and the state of bilateral ties. During a recent phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Cho expressed support for the Iran-US ceasefire agreement and underscored the significance of unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos, who briefed the press after a cabinet session, President Joseph Aoun has unequivocally denounced all Israeli military actions.