US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

The Pasteur Institute, a leading research center and vaccine manufacturer, suffered a devastating blow when it was hit by a targeted strike in downtown Tehran, mere steps away from the Supreme Leader’s office. This assault marked the beginning of a relentless barrage of air raids in the Pasteur neighborhood, which has continued unabated since the start of the conflict.

Eyewitnesses describe the scene as a war crime in the making, given the Institute’s vital role in producing life-saving vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, a crucial contribution to global health. However, the Pasteur Institute is not the only healthcare facility to have been targeted in the conflict. Reports have emerged of multiple hospitals and pharmaceutical companies being hit across the capital and its surrounding areas over the past few days.

The escalation of tensions in the region has led to a significant surge in oil prices, with Brent crude, the global benchmark, experiencing a notable 8 percent increase on Friday, reaching a value of approximately $109 per barrel.

Avichay Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, revealed that 15 Hezbollah operatives were eliminated in a targeted operation in southern Lebanon. According to a statement posted on X, the 146th Division of the Israeli Defense Forces had pinpointed the group, which was subsequently neutralized by air force strikes for attempting to launch anti-tank missiles at Israeli targets. Israeli forces reportedly seized a cache of arms, including rifles and grenades, in the aftermath of the operation. Hezbollah has yet to verify the incident or provide information on potential casualties.

In a surprise early morning assault, a Red Crescent aid depot in Iran’s Bushehr region was struck by a drone, according to the Iranian humanitarian group.
The targeted facility, situated in the Choghadak area, was hit around 5am, resulting in significant damage to two relief containers, two buses, and emergency response vehicles, as per reports from Fars news agency.
Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.

The ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has caused significant disruptions to the global oil and gas markets, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining blocked for over a month.
Following a speech by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to intensifying strikes against Iran for 2-3 weeks, oil prices continued to skyrocket.
Despite its heavy dependence on Iran for oil, China has managed to mitigate the impact of the oil crisis to a significant extent.
One of the key factors contributing to China’s insulation from the crisis is its reliance on smaller, independent refineries known as “teapot refineries.” These facilities have capitalized on low-cost oil resulting from international sanctions, stockpiled oil reserves, and increased imports from countries such as Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.
For more information on the diverse strategies China is employing to minimize the effects of the energy crisis triggered by the war, click here.

Within the past 24 hours, a total of 148 individuals have been treated for injuries, according to the latest statistics provided by Israel’s Ministry of Health.
Since the onset of hostilities with Iran in late February, a staggering 6,594 people have been hospitalized, the ministry revealed on Friday.

A recent escalation in rhetoric from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has sent shockwaves through the international community, as the US and Israel continue their relentless assault on Iranian infrastructure. According to Mohamad Elmasry, a professor of media studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Hegseth’s candid remarks have raised eyebrows, particularly his blunt characterization of “rules of engagement” as ineffective.

Elmasry notes that Hegseth’s frankness sends a clear message: the United States is willing to disregard established norms, as evidenced by the US president’s veiled threats to target civilian infrastructure. This development takes place against the backdrop of five weeks of unrelenting bombardment, during which the US and Israel have launched devastating attacks on hundreds of hospitals, dozens of schools, and thousands of residential homes. Elmasry warns that this pattern of behavior may be indicative of a larger trend, one that could see the US and Israel intensify their assault in a manner reminiscent of Israel’s military tactics.

An Iranian military operation has resulted in significant damage to a key desalination plant in Kuwait, prompting emergency response teams to implement backup plans and ensure uninterrupted water supply and facility security, according to reports received on Friday. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

With the war between the US, Israel, and Iran now spanning over a month, the military campaign is gaining momentum as the US and Israel launch a series of strikes targeting key infrastructure in and around the Iranian capital.

A barrage of missiles originating from Iran is currently on a trajectory towards Israeli territory, prompting the Israeli military to activate its defensive systems in an effort to intercept the incoming threat. According to a statement from the Israeli Army, its defense systems are operational and working to mitigate the potential danger.