US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

According to a Lebanese government source speaking with Al Jazeera, a temporary halt in hostilities is contingent on the commencement of negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel has signalled its intention to persist with its military operations. Just hours prior, the Israeli military issued a warning to residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which have borne the brunt of aerial bombardments over the past five weeks. Ongoing strikes in the country’s south are accompanied by the ominous sound of a propeller-powered drone hovering above Beirut. The devastating impact of the past five weeks, coupled with Wednesday’s attacks, which resulted in 303 fatalities and 1,150 injuries, as reported by the Health Ministry, has left the population eagerly anticipating a ceasefire.

According to Hassan Ahmadian, a University of Tehran professor, Iran’s allies in the region, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, are united by their shared objective of countering the US and Israeli threats, despite their distinct national agendas. However, Ahmadian emphasizes that these groups are not simply Tehran’s proxies, as they all face a unified strategic challenge from the US and Israel.

According to a Ministry of Energy spokesperson, Saudi Arabia has temporarily ceased operations at several key energy facilities in response to a series of Iranian attacks, as confirmed by the official in a statement to the state-run news agency.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has made a scathing statement on social media, branding Israel as a malevolent force that poses a threat to humanity. He made these remarks while peace talks are ongoing, pointing out that Israel has been responsible for mass killings in Lebanon, following earlier atrocities in Gaza and Iran.

In a recent conversation with Iranian President Pezeshkian, Turkiye’s leader Erdogan emphasized that the US-Iran dialogue should be geared towards achieving a sustainable and enduring state of peace and tranquility.

Israeli military units have initiated a series of precision strikes against Hezbollah’s strategic strongholds in Lebanon, with further updates to follow as more information becomes available.

Economist Steve Keen has sounded the alarm over a potential catastrophe for global food supplies, citing the critical role that Gulf-produced fertilisers play in maintaining crop yields. The absence of these essential nutrients, Keen emphasizes, would have a direct and devastating impact on agricultural productivity.

With the Gulf region accounting for nearly a third of the world’s seaborne fertiliser trade, disruptions to these shipments pose a significant threat to global food security. According to a UNCTAD report, the Gulf region exports approximately 16 million tonnes of fertiliser by sea annually, with a substantial portion passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has recently secured control of.

Keen’s projections indicate that delayed fertiliser deliveries could lead to a staggering 30 percent decline in food output, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis.

According to Hamid Reza Ghlamzadeh, director of Diplohouse, a Tehran-based think tank, Iran’s delegation to Islamabad for talks with the US boasts a unique blend of expertise in politics and military affairs. Ghlamzadeh shared his insights with Al Jazeera, highlighting the team’s substantial connections to the IRGC.

Key figures like Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr have a profound background in the IRGC, Ghlamzadeh noted. They are joined by Foreign Minister Araghchi, who has extensive experience in negotiations with the US, including previous talks that were cut short following US strikes on Iran.

Ghlamzadeh emphasized that Iran is keen on maintaining the current ceasefire, leveraging the opportunity to pressure the US and Israel to halt hostilities and secure Lebanon’s inclusion in any potential ceasefire agreement.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced Israel’s ongoing military actions in Lebanon as utterly unacceptable, emphasizing that such actions should cease forthwith as a fundamental matter of principle. Despite acknowledging the difficulty in determining whether these strikes violate the ceasefire agreement, Starmer unequivocally stated that they are indeed wrong and should be halted immediately.

The emergence of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon has been facilitated by US pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The Israeli government’s decision to engage in these negotiations was not driven by domestic initiative, but rather by external influence.
Tensions ran high in the Israeli cabinet last night as officials debated the US request for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, which would allow for a potential breakthrough in negotiations with Iran.
In response to repeated signals from the Lebanese government expressing a willingness to engage in direct talks with Israel, provided a ceasefire is established, Prime Minister Netanyahu made a significant announcement earlier today.
However, Israeli Defence Minister’s stance remains firm, with no plans for a ceasefire, and instead, a continued military campaign against Lebanon.