US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Senate Democrats, led by Cory Booker, are set to revive a long-standing effort to bring the US military campaign in the Middle East under congressional scrutiny. The move comes as a direct response to what they perceive as President Trump’s overreach in military decision-making.

Booker emphasized on social media that the American public has not given its consent for the ongoing war, yet continues to bear the costs. He stressed that the president’s actions must be checked, citing the need to prevent further escalation.

The Democrats’ push is rooted in the War Powers Resolution, a landmark legislation enacted in 1973 following the US withdrawal from Vietnam. This law establishes clear guidelines for presidential authority as commander-in-chief, requiring congressional approval or a declaration of national emergency to justify military action.

Taking to TruthSocial, the US President emphasized that American military presence in and around Iran will persist until the terms of a proposed agreement are fully adhered to. This includes the deployment of US naval vessels, aircraft, and personnel, as well as additional munitions, armaments, and other necessary resources to counter a weakened adversary. The President acknowledged that non-compliance with the agreement is unlikely, but warned that if it does occur, the consequences will be severe and unprecedented.

Alain Kortbaoui, the director of emergency medicine at the Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui in Beirut, described the state of the patients his team was treating following Israel’s extensive strikes across Lebanon as one of utter bewilderment.
Kortbaoui shared with Al Jazeera that the hospital was currently caring for four individuals with severe injuries, none of whom seemed to grasp the gravity of their situation.
The first patient to arrive had suffered a devastating blow, with two floors collapsing on top of him, leaving him groggily regaining consciousness with no recollection of the events that transpired.
Meanwhile, another patient, whose condition was deemed critical, was struggling to regain her bearings, with Kortbaoui suspecting a possible brain injury, prompting the team to conduct urgent scans with the assistance of a neurosurgeon.

Conversations with Tehran residents in downtown Tehran reveal a complex emotional landscape regarding the US-Iran ceasefire. While some expressed cautious optimism, others voiced profound skepticism, with many questioning whether diplomacy can truly bring about a lasting peace.

A local woman expressed her hope for a peaceful day without violence, stating, “If even a single day passes without bloodshed, it would be a blessing. I was deeply disturbed by the constant killing, to the point where I couldn’t even stay in my own home.”

A man shared his concerns, pointing out that the ceasefire holds little significance as long as the rules of war are being disregarded and the Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue. He specifically referenced the ongoing disregard for the rules of war.

Another woman expressed her doubts about the truce’s sustainability, saying, “It’s all a theatrical performance orchestrated by Trump. We have no faith in this ceasefire.”

US crude futures experienced a sharp rebound earlier today, reversing the previous day’s decline, which had been triggered by US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran. This development marked a significant shift from the market’s earlier reaction, where oil prices plummeted by 14 percent and briefly touched $90.40 per barrel before stabilizing near $95. The sudden turnaround in the market’s fortunes was accompanied by a surge in global stock indexes.

Thousands of devotees poured into the revered Jerusalem compound at dawn, as Israeli authorities ended a prolonged period of restrictions that had been in place for nearly six weeks.

A fragile two-week ceasefire has been brokered between the US and Iran, marking a tentative step towards peace after 40 days of conflict. The truce, set to be formalized in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, includes a crucial provision allowing oil and gas shipments to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway, which typically handles 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas exports, has been a focal point of the crisis.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains shrouded in uncertainty following a series of developments in the wake of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Lebanon. According to a statement from US President Donald Trump, the waterway is expected to be fully reopened, but the current situation is far from normal. On Wednesday, a limited number of vessels managed to pass through the chokepoint, a stark contrast to the pre-war average of around 130 daily vessels. The situation took a turn for the worse when Israel launched its attacks on Lebanon, prompting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to declare that the move was a breach of the ceasefire. In response, the IRGC suspended all shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the IRGC later announced alternative routes for vessels to avoid potential sea mines, fueling speculation about the presence of mines in the area. While it is unclear whether the sea has been mined or if this is simply a tactic of intimidation, the possibility of mines poses a significant challenge. Even if all parties agree to reopen the Strait, clearing any mines could take an extended period of weeks, months, or even years.

The Japanese equity market has taken a step back as investor enthusiasm for a US-Iran ceasefire has begun to wane, prompting a more guarded approach following a previous session’s significant price surge. The Nikkei share average currently stands at 56,036.75, a 0.4% decline as of 02:00 GMT, and is poised to break a four-session winning streak if the current downward trend continues. Meanwhile, the broader Topix index has also retreated, dipping 0.5% to 3,755.52. Overnight, Nikkei 225 Futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange surpassed the 57,000 mark. Just one session prior, the Nikkei had skyrocketed 5.4% to its highest level in over a month, buoyed by hopes that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen following Trump’s agreement to a two-week ceasefire with Iran.

In a somber tone, Antoine Zoghbi, the president of the Lebanese Red Cross, expressed his deep concern in his office at the Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut, following Israel’s most intense assault on Lebanon since the conflict began in early March.
Zoghbi recounted the events of the previous night, his voice laced with frustration, as he spoke to Al Jazeera. “The unprovoked strikes caught us off guard, targeting multiple areas simultaneously,” he said. “Their aim was to inflict maximum damage and suffering, leaving a trail of pain in their wake.”
As the sole provider of blood supplies to Lebanon’s hospitals, the Lebanese Red Cross has issued a public appeal for blood donations. The urgent need for blood has arisen due to Israel’s relentless bombardment on Wednesday, which resulted in a staggering number of casualties, particularly in hospitals overwhelmed with patients.
Zoghbi noted that a significant number of people responded promptly to the call for blood donations in the aftermath of the attacks. “In times of crisis, the Lebanese people consistently demonstrate their resilience and solidarity,” he observed.