US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

A joint declaration by foreign ministers from 15 European nations has shed more light on their stance on the ongoing conflict in the region.
The European diplomats reaffirmed their backing for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as it carries out its mandate, and expressed outrage over the attacks on UNIFIL contingents that resulted in the tragic loss of Indonesian peacekeepers’ lives.
The ministers emphasized the need for all parties to uphold the November 2024 ceasefire and fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006 to bring an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
In a call to action, the European diplomats urged Israel to seize the opportunity for direct negotiations with the Lebanese government, as proposed by the latter.
The European ministers stressed that fostering stability in Lebanon is crucial to achieving lasting peace and security in the Middle East, and that a swift de-escalation of tensions is imperative.

Reports of loud booms echoing through various areas of Dubai have been attributed to successful interceptions carried out by local authorities, according to official statements.

For those who have just tuned in, here’s a quick rundown of what’s been happening:

Observing the Israeli government’s current trajectory, it’s clear they aim to inflict maximum harm on Iran before the impending deadline set by Donald Trump to conclude the conflict. With the initial goal of ousting the Iranian regime and installing a more favorable administration having faltered and unlikely to succeed, Israel is now prioritizing preventing Iran from rebounding. The underlying assumption is that if the war concludes and Iran struggles to regain stability, the resulting turmoil could be advantageous for Israel, as long as Iran remains in disarray.

A senior official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters has publicly asserted the ineffectiveness of US and Israeli military forces in the face of Iran-aligned armed groups operating in the area. According to a statement carried by Fars news agency, the official’s comments reflect the perceived vulnerability of these foreign forces.

In a dramatic escalation of military action, Israel has unleashed a barrage of over 400 air strikes on key infrastructure in Tehran over the past 48 hours, utilizing a staggering 650 munitions in the process. According to a statement from the Israeli army, the air force launched a coordinated assault on dozens of sites within the heart of the Iranian capital, with the primary objective of crippling the Iranian regime’s infrastructure.

The military operation, which unfolded under the cover of darkness, targeted approximately 15 critical facilities linked to the Iranian Defence Ministry, including a central complex that serves as a hub for the country’s weapons production.

A heartfelt letter from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is being shared with the American public, with further details to follow in the coming hours.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has forcefully countered the notion of Iran as a security threat, asserting that such portrayals are fundamentally at odds with the country’s rich historical heritage. In a letter addressed to the American people and broadcast by the state media outlet Press TV, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s enduring legacy as one of the world’s oldest continuously thriving civilizations.

“Iran’s name, character, and identity are deeply rooted in a storied past that defies the notion of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination,” he wrote. “Throughout its modern history, Iran has consistently chosen the path of self-defense, never initiating conflict, yet unwavering in its resolve to repel those who have sought to encroach upon its sovereignty.”

Pezeshkian argued that the depiction of Iran as a danger serves the interests of external powers. “The perception of Iran as a threat is not grounded in historical reality or present-day facts,” he stated. “Rather, it is a product of the shifting political and economic agendas of the powerful, who seek to manufacture an enemy in order to justify pressure, maintain military dominance, sustain the arms industry, and control strategic markets.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attributes the country’s ongoing skepticism towards the United States to a complex web of historical grievances and punitive measures. While initial interactions between the two nations were characterized by mutual respect, a series of pivotal events has irreparably strained relations.

Pezeshkian pointed to the 1953 coup d’etat as a pivotal moment in the deterioration of US-Iran relations, describing it as a brazen act of foreign interference that thwarted Iran’s efforts to assert control over its own natural resources. He emphasized that this intervention set a disturbing precedent for future US actions in the region.

The president noted that US support for the rule of Reza Shah Pehlavi and backing of Saddam Hussein further eroded trust between the two nations. Additionally, sweeping sanctions and unprovoked military aggression, including two instances of bombing during negotiations, have contributed to a deep-seated distrust of the US among the Iranian people.

Pezeshkian underscored the profound impact of ongoing military aggression and recent bombings on the lives, attitudes, and perspectives of the Iranian people, underscoring the need for a fundamental shift in US policy towards Iran.

In a scathing critique of the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, President Pezeshkian raised pointed questions about the true motivations behind US military action in the region, suggesting it’s a costly endeavor for both Iranians and Americans.
He posed a stark inquiry: “Was Iran’s supposed threat sufficient to justify such aggressive behavior?”
Pezeshkian also highlighted the devastating consequences of US actions, including the harm inflicted on innocent civilians and the destruction of vital medical facilities.
He further questioned the role of Israel in the conflict, suggesting that the US is fighting on behalf of its ally, driven by Israeli interests.
“Does Israel’s apparent desire to see Iran defeated at any cost – even if it means sacrificing American lives and resources – reveal a profound manipulation of US policy?”