US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Yvette Cooper, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, emphasized that any US-Iran ceasefire agreement must extend to Lebanon, where ongoing Israeli military operations have resulted in significant loss of life. According to Cooper, as reported by Reuters, the ceasefire should also guarantee unimpeded shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, countering Iran’s proposal to impose transit fees for passage.

Co-founder of Ette Media, Jan Fran, has expressed disappointment over the Australian government’s muted reaction to the devastating Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, describing it as “unacceptably lukewarm.” Fran questioned whether the government’s response would be different if the victims were Westerners, asking if they would be focusing on more pressing issues or condemning the attacks outright.

Fran pointed out that Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s statement expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Lebanon without explicitly condemning the Israeli attacks, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for a ceasefire that includes Lebanon without providing further details. Fran, who is of Lebanese descent, found the lack of concern from Australian leaders and media to be deeply distressing, particularly given the scale of destruction and loss of life in Lebanon.

Fran believes that the government’s call for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire is the bare minimum they can do, given the dire situation unfolding in the country.

Reports are emerging of a fresh Israeli assault on the Lebanese town of Al Duwair, a location also referred to as Kherbet El Doueir, following earlier accounts of an Israeli raid on the nearby village of Harouf.

Our coverage of Trump’s statement on the US military’s continued presence in and around Iran has been ongoing. Below is the full text of his post:

“US forces, comprising ships, aircraft, and personnel, will continue to be stationed in and around Iran, bolstered by additional ammunition and weaponry, until the terms of the genuine agreement are fully met. If this agreement is not upheld, which is highly improbable, the situation will escalate into a conflict of unprecedented scale and intensity. It was previously agreed that Iran would forgo nuclear capabilities and ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz. This commitment remains in place, despite claims to the contrary. In the meantime, our military is gearing up and preparing for its next deployment, with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. AMERICA IS BACK!”

Reports from Al Jazeera Arabic indicate that Israeli military units have conducted a series of aerial assaults on the town of Harouf, located in the southern region of Lebanon.

In a statement made during a press conference in Brisbane, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that his government is resolute in its conviction that the recently brokered ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran should be extended to Lebanon. Describing the truce as a crucial development, Albanese noted that it remains a delicate peace, and his government is eager to see it yield a comprehensive agreement.

In a joint warning issued on Wednesday, the leaders of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) cautioned that skyrocketing prices for oil, natural gas, and fertilizers will inevitably trigger a surge in food costs and exacerbate global food accessibility issues.
The devastating impact of the Middle East conflict is being felt far beyond the region, with widespread disruption to food, fuel, and fertilizer supplies, the organisations stated.
According to the joint statement, the most vulnerable populations, including those in low-income, import-dependent economies, will bear the brunt of this crisis.

A maritime data provider, Kpler, has observed that the temporary truce between the US and Iran might lead to a slight decrease in disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz over the next fortnight. However, the firm emphasizes that this development does not signal a swift return to pre-conflict shipping norms. According to Kpler, many vessel operators are adopting a cautious approach, hesitant to significantly increase their exposure to the region due to the persistence of sanctions, insurance limitations, and banking restrictions. If the ceasefire is maintained, Kpler anticipates that safe passage capacity will recover to a maximum of 10-15 vessels per day, contingent upon potential tolls and still far below the 100 daily passages seen during times of peace.

In a scathing rebuke, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the devastating Israeli airstrikes that ravaged Lebanon on Wednesday, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, including children. According to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary-General expressed his strongest condemnation of the civilian casualties, describing the situation as deeply alarming. The escalating military conflict in Lebanon poses a significant threat to the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, prompting Guterres to renew his urgent appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Mohammed Wishah, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher, lost his life in a drone attack near Gaza City on Wednesday. This tragic event marks the 12th Al Jazeera journalist to fall victim to Israeli aggression in Gaza since the start of its military campaign in October 2023. The Israeli military’s actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 262 journalists in Gaza, as well as a staggering 700 Palestinians in the war-torn territory, since the signing of a “ceasefire” in October 2025.