US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a recent statement on X, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf underscored Lebanon’s pivotal position within the two-week ceasefire with the US, cautioning that any breaches would have severe repercussions, following a series of intense Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.

Iran’s delicate ceasefire hangs in the balance, according to experts, as reports emerge of IRGC commanders pushing for retaliation against Israel’s ongoing strikes in Lebanon. University of Tehran Professor Mohammad Eslami cautioned that Iran’s negotiators are under immense strain to safeguard Lebanon’s interests within any potential agreement.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Eslami emphasized that Iran’s stance is guided by strategic considerations. If the US fails to prevent Israel from targeting Lebanon during a ceasefire, Tehran will be left questioning the US’s ability to restrain Israel from attacking Iran once a deal is reached. This concern is driving Iran’s approach to the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad.

Eslami underscored Iran’s significant bargaining power, citing that it was the US that initially agreed to Iran’s proposals for a ceasefire. He noted that Iran possesses at least three months’ worth of war capacity, should negotiations falter. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a potent card in Iran’s hand, with energy and financial markets on the brink of collapse before the ceasefire was implemented. Eslami attributed the Trump administration’s decision to engage in talks to the impending economic crisis, which the ceasefire effectively averted.

Eyewitnesses in Beirut’s Ain el-Mreisseh district are grappling with the grim reality that at least four individuals are entombed beneath the rubble. According to civil defence personnel on the scene, the victims are deceased, not survivors. Following an all-night search operation, the focus has shifted to recovery efforts. Amidst the devastation, distraught family members are gathering what remains of their loved ones’ belongings, a poignant reminder of the lives left shattered. The community remains in a state of collective shock, struggling to come to terms with the loss.

The South Korean foreign ministry has announced that its top diplomat, Cho Hyun, will be leading a special delegation to Iran to engage in discussions on regional affairs and strengthen bilateral ties. During a recent phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Cho expressed support for the recent US-Iran ceasefire agreement and underscored the significance of unimpeded maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanon’s Minister of Information, Paul Morcos, has conveyed the stance of President Joseph Aoun following a cabinet meeting, as per the president’s directives.

Following a prolonged 40-day hiatus, the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque has swung open its doors once more, allowing Muslim faithful to resume their prayers and rituals.

Ship tracking data analyzed by industry experts indicates that a lone oil products tanker and five dry bulk carriers navigated the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, despite Iran and the US having agreed to a two-week ceasefire. This development comes as a stark contrast to the pre-conflict era, when the critical waterway witnessed a significantly higher volume of maritime traffic.

A pivotal day has dawned in Iran, coinciding with the 40th day since the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s former supreme leader. State television is broadcasting images of massive crowds converging in various locations, extending far beyond Tehran’s city limits to encompass the nation as a whole. Despite the deeply divided nature of Iranian society, these gatherings have brought people together in a shared display of solidarity.

However, this is not a singular event. In recent days, diverse groups of Iranians have been assembling to voice their discontent over the US-Israeli airstrikes. Evening gatherings, often accompanied by the waving of Iranian flags, have become a common sight. While not all attendees are necessarily aligned with the government, the current climate has instilled a sense of urgency in many. During a recent visit to one such gathering, I witnessed firsthand the fervor of the crowd, with some individuals even expressing opposition to the ceasefire, advocating instead for continued military action to avenge the losses and devastation inflicted upon Iranian society.

In an Al Jazeera interview, Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani envoy to the United Nations, emphasized that the responsibility falls on the United States and President Trump to guarantee that Israel does not undermine the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad.
Lodhi stressed that it is not Pakistan’s reputation at stake, but rather the credibility of the United States, which had assured Islamabad that the ceasefire would be upheld and that no provocative actions would jeopardize the truce or the talks.
As Lodhi pointed out, Pakistan’s role in the conflict is that of a mediator, not a direct party, and its ability to influence the outcome is limited. Ultimately, it is up to the two main parties involved to determine the course of the negotiations.

Maleeha Lodhi, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations, has informed Al Jazeera that Islamabad’s interpretation of the US-Iran ceasefire aligns with Tehran’s stance – Lebanon is an integral part of the agreement.
According to Lodhi, Pakistani officials had sought clarification from their American counterparts before the ceasefire came into effect, specifically inquiring whether they could exert pressure on Israel to desist from its actions. Lodhi revealed that they received assurances from the Americans that they would indeed rein in Israel.
The recent spate of deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon has heightened concerns in Islamabad regarding the ceasefire’s prospects and Iran’s potential response, Lodhi noted. She expressed her apprehensions about the uncertain fate of the ceasefire, citing Israel’s actions as a major contributor to the prevailing uncertainty.
Lodhi’s remarks come as an Iranian delegation is expected to arrive in Islamabad later today for high-level talks, although the identity of its leader remains unclear.