US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

According to a high-ranking Lebanese government source, the country is now focusing on securing a ceasefire as a precondition for engaging in direct negotiations with Israel.
The source revealed to Al Jazeera that any future talks would be facilitated by the United States and spearheaded by Simon Karam, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as Lebanon’s ambassador.
This development follows a stark warning from Israel’s foreign minister, who stated unequivocally that the conflict will not be brought to an end.

A grim milestone was reached in Lebanon on Wednesday as the country’s Health Ministry confirmed that the death toll from the previous day’s Israeli airstrikes had surpassed 303, resulting in a significant loss of life.

Islamic Relief Lebanon’s Sana Basim has characterized Israel’s assault on Lebanon as the most catastrophic moment the country has faced, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
With hospitals operating at maximum capacity, medical staff are struggling to cope with the sheer volume of casualties, Basim revealed in an interview with Al Jazeera, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the attack.
While the physical damage is evident, Basim emphasized that the true extent of the disaster lies in its psychological toll on the affected population.
For many, the displacement has been a recurring nightmare, with those who fled to Beirut just a month ago now facing another traumatic ordeal.
In an effort to provide relief, the government has established shelters, but these facilities are severely overcrowded, accommodating only a fraction of the displaced – approximately 12 to 15 per cent – leaving the remainder to fend for themselves, often taking refuge in mosques or makeshift camps by the sea.

In a statement made in Washington, DC, NATO chief Mark Rutte acknowledged that the US’s NATO allies have been hesitant in their response to US requests regarding Iran, yet noted that nearly all of them are fulfilling the US’s requirements. The ongoing conflict has highlighted vulnerabilities within the military alliance, with some nations expressing reservations about both the initial assault and the ongoing consequences. US President Trump has repeatedly criticized countries that failed to support the attack on Iran or provide backing during the conflict.

According to Palestinian authorities, as confirmed by Israeli news source Haaretz, a Palestinian minor has succumbed to injuries sustained in Jalazone camp, situated in the northern region of the occupied West Bank. Haaretz has released disturbing footage depicting individuals rushing down an alleyway, carrying the lifeless child. Prior to this, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the child had suffered severe injuries after being targeted by Israeli military forces.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately obstructing a ceasefire, citing the prospect of imprisonment as his primary motivation. Araghchi also cautioned US President Trump against allowing Netanyahu’s actions to undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the conflict, warning that such a move could have severe economic repercussions for the US.

In a televised address on Iran’s state-owned television, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized that his nation is not bent on conflict, yet remains resolute in defending its legitimate interests and entitlements.

Details have begun to surface about the direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, which were precipitated by US pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The talks did not arise from an Israeli proposal, but rather as a response to US demands for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon over the next two weeks to facilitate potential breakthroughs in negotiations with Iran.
Last night’s heated Israeli cabinet discussions were reportedly sparked by the US request for a lull in fighting, which would allow for a conducive environment for diplomatic engagement.
In a statement made earlier today, Netanyahu’s announcement appears to be a nod to the Lebanese government’s repeated signals of willingness to engage in direct talks with Israel, provided a ceasefire is established first.
However, Israeli Defence Minister’s comments suggest that Israel will continue its military operations and airstrikes, with some officials hinting at a partial de-escalation, but not a complete halt in hostilities.

Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Fayyad has categorically rejected any prospect of direct negotiations with Israel, asserting that the Lebanese government should first secure a ceasefire as a non-negotiable prerequisite for further action. This stance comes in response to Netanyahu’s announcement that he has ordered his cabinet to initiate direct talks with Lebanon at the earliest opportunity. In a related development, Fayyad emphasized that the Lebanese government’s position should also prioritize the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the repatriation of displaced individuals to their ancestral homes.

A high-profile delegation from Iran, set to engage in talks with the US in Islamabad, boasts a wealth of negotiation experience, according to Hamid Reza Ghlamzadeh, director of the Tehran-based Diplohouse think tank. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Ghlamzadeh highlighted the team’s unique blend of political and military expertise, which he attributed to their deep-rooted connections with the IRGC.

Ghlamzadeh noted that key members of the delegation, including Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, possess a profound understanding of the IRGC, having spent years immersed in its inner workings.

The delegation is rounded out by Foreign Minister Araghchi, who has a proven track record of navigating complex negotiations with the US, including several high-profile talks that ultimately fell apart following US strikes on Iran.

Ghlamzadeh emphasized that Iran’s primary objectives in these talks are to maintain the current ceasefire, exert pressure on the US and Israel to cease hostilities, and secure Lebanon’s inclusion in any eventual ceasefire agreement.