US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a call for expanded peace, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas advocates for Lebanon’s inclusion in the US-Iran ceasefire, emphasizing that Hezbollah’s disarmament is essential. Her statement comes as Israeli military operations strain the fragile truce, with Kallas pointing out that recent strikes have resulted in significant loss of life, challenging the notion that such actions constitute self-defence.

In the aftermath of a devastating escalation, at least four Lebanese soldiers lost their lives in a series of Israeli strikes that claimed over 200 lives on Wednesday, a day when a US-Iran ceasefire was supposed to take hold.

Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine confirmed a significant escalation in casualties following a wave of Israeli airstrikes that struck Beirut and other regions in Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in at least 203 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries.

Energean, a major oil and natural gas company, has been given the green light by Israel’s Energy Ministry to resume operations at the Karish natural gas platform in the Mediterranean Sea. This decision comes after the US brokered a ceasefire with Iran, effectively ending the conflict that had led to the platform’s shutdown since February 28. The platform had been temporarily closed due to safety concerns that arose during the US-Israel war on Iran. In response to the Energy Ministry’s directive, Energean has confirmed receipt of the notice and is now working to safely restart production and resume normal operations at the Karish site in accordance with its established protocols.

Iran’s atomic energy chief, Mohammad Eslami, has made it clear that the country’s uranium enrichment programme will not be subject to any limitations. In a statement reported by the Iranian Students’ News Agency, he confidently asserted that external attempts to restrict Iran’s enrichment activities will ultimately prove unsuccessful.

Maritime expert C Uday Bhaskar, director of the Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi, cautions that the current state of affairs in the Strait of Hormuz is marked by considerable unease.
“The ambiguity surrounding Iran’s proposed new regulations has created a ripple effect, manifesting as heightened market anxiety,” Bhaskar explains to Al Jazeera.
He notes that since the US-Iran ceasefire was announced, the Strait of Hormuz has seen a drastic reduction in shipping activity, with only a handful of vessels transiting the waterway, a stark contrast to its pre-war average of approximately 135 ships.
Bhaskar suggests that the upcoming talks in Islamabad on Friday may shed more light on Iran’s proposed new shipping route, potentially providing some much-needed clarity.
He emphasizes the importance of exercising caution when navigating the strait, given Iran’s recent statements about laying mines to deter potential US amphibious assaults.
Bhaskar points out that this caution is not a new development, as waters were mined during the Iran-Iraq war, and ships were able to safely transit the area by avoiding hazardous zones.

For years, the US-Israel alliance has been convinced that its policy of intimidation and pressure would ultimately force Iran to relinquish its independence and submit to its will. However, this strategy has backfired.
Through their unwavering determination, Iranians have transformed a desperate fight for survival into a powerful emblem of defiance – a poignant reminder of humanity’s capacity for resilience.

Amichai Chikli, Israel’s diaspora affairs minister and a prominent figure within the ruling Likud party, has publicly expressed his disapproval of the recent ceasefire with Iran, labeling it a grave miscalculation.

In an interview with Israel’s 103FM radio, Chikli candidly shared his views, stating that he believes the ceasefire was a premature decision. Drawing parallels with notorious regimes, he emphasized the need to assert dominance over such nations, citing the examples of the Japanese Empire and Nazi Germany. Chikli also estimated the likelihood of the ceasefire holding, placing the probability at a mere 50 percent.

In a bid to expedite regional calm, China has implored the US and Iran to expedite a ceasefire framework, thereby paving the way for stability in the Middle East.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed the country’s hope that the relevant parties can seize this opportunity for peace and swiftly restore stability to the embattled region.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to mitigating the crisis and ultimately bringing an end to the conflict.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a stern warning to any party that might compromise the fragile peace agreement between the US and Iran, emphasizing the need for unwavering commitment to its terms.
In a passionate address to the Italian parliament, Meloni cautioned that the path to lasting peace hangs precariously in the balance, underscoring the imperative of relentless pursuit to prevent a catastrophic return to conflict.
She underscored the significance of restoring unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital concern for Italy and the European Union.