US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

While a select group of nine nations is thought to possess nuclear arms, numerous other countries leverage nuclear technology for non-military applications such as power generation, medical research, and scientific inquiry.
The question remains: who holds the authority to grant or deny nuclear capabilities to a nation? And what criteria justify excluding Iran from its pursuit of a nuclear program? Al Jazeera correspondent Yasmeen Eltahan provides insight.

Oil prices surged in early Asian trading hours, fueled by investor anxiety over the ongoing disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as a fragile truce between Iran and the US is strained by Israel’s continued airstrikes in Lebanon. As of 01:00 GMT on Friday, Brent crude oil futures had climbed 0.87 percent to $96.75 per barrel, while US oil futures rose by more than 1 percent.

US President Donald Trump had previously criticized Iran for its handling of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that it was “failing miserably” in allowing vessels to pass through the critical shipping route. Trump also cautioned Tehran against imposing tolls on ships navigating the waterway. Furthermore, the aftermath of recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil production facilities has resulted in a significant reduction of the kingdom’s output by approximately 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) and a corresponding decrease in throughput on its East-West Pipeline by 700,000 bpd, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

According to Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Iran-based Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, the conflict has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, it was a desperate struggle for survival, but it has evolved into a more calculated pursuit of strategic advantages.

Aslani, speaking to Al Jazeera from Tehran, attributed this shift to a new dynamic in the region, particularly with regards to the Strait of Hormuz. He believes Iran is now poised to capitalize on this changed landscape. Nevertheless, Aslani cautioned that trust remains a major concern as Iran prepares to engage in mediated talks with the United States in Pakistan this weekend.

Iran’s concerns stem from past incidents, including a breach of negotiation terms by Israel on the first day of talks and a subsequent statement by the United States that Iran would be barred from enrichment, contradicting the 10-point plan proposed by Iran.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Jeremy Scahill from The Intercept’s sister publication, The Intercept’s Drop Site News, shed light on the implications of the temporary halt in hostilities between the US and Iran. Scahill clarified that the Iranian government has deliberately refrained from describing the pause in fighting as a “ceasefire.” Furthermore, Tehran has issued a stern warning, stating that its military remains prepared for action, with its “fingers remaining on the trigger.”

Weeks ago, the possibility of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel was initially floated, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. Lebanon and Israel have been in a state of war for several decades, a reality that has persisted despite the recent escalation. When the idea of direct talks was first proposed by Lebanese officials, Israel dismissed it outright. However, it appears that Israel’s stance has undergone a significant shift, and they are now more receptive to the idea. In contrast, the Lebanese government remains resolute, with President Joseph Aoun emphasizing that any talks must be preceded by an immediate ceasefire. Amidst the renewed push for negotiations, Hezbollah’s stance remains a crucial factor, with the party insisting that a ceasefire must precede any movement towards direct talks with Israel.

Further information on these high-profile negotiations can be accessed by visiting the provided link.

In a move aimed at bolstering diplomatic efforts, South Korea has designated a new special envoy to Iran, with the envoy set to arrive in Tehran shortly, as per an official announcement from the country’s Yonhap News Agency.
Former diplomat Chung Byung-ha, who previously served as South Korea’s ambassador to Kuwait, has been appointed to the new role, which entails coordinating the secure transit of South Korean vessels and citizens in the Middle East amidst the ongoing conflict in Iran, according to Yonhap.
The appointment was made public on Friday, following a phone conversation between South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi the previous day.
Yonhap reports that 26 South Korean-linked vessels continue to be stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains largely inaccessible to shipping due to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.

According to Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, Iran’s aspirations for economic revival hinge on the removal of US sanctions. In an interview with Al Jazeera from Washington, DC, Vatanka emphasized that Iran’s primary objective is to rejoin the global economy.

Iran’s proposed 10-point plan, Vatanka explained, centers on the removal of primary American sanctions, which would facilitate American investment in the country. This notion, though seemingly counterintuitive, underscores Iran’s willingness to engage with the US.

Furthermore, the plan seeks the removal of secondary sanctions, allowing other countries to freely invest and trade with Iran. Vatanka noted that Iran’s potential gains from becoming a normal country far outweigh the revenue it could generate by leveraging the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip.

While Iran may potentially earn up to $100 billion annually by exploiting its strategic location, Vatanka argued that this approach falls short of achieving normalcy. By contrast, embracing economic integration and normalcy would offer Iran a more substantial and sustainable advantage.

A coalition of 65 UN ambassadors, led by Indonesia’s Umar Hadi, has issued a unified condemnation of the violence targeting UNIFIL peacekeepers, specifically highlighting the tragic loss of three Indonesian personnel in a recent incident in southern Lebanon.

The Strait of Hormuz has witnessed a significant decline in shipping activity since the US and Iran announced a temporary halt in hostilities, casting doubt on the prospects for a rapid resolution to the ongoing energy crisis. On Wednesday, a mere five vessels navigated the critical waterway, a stark contrast to the 11 that had passed through the day prior. Meanwhile, seven vessels successfully crossed the strait on Thursday, according to data from market intelligence firm Kpler. As the situation remains volatile, Lloyd’s List Intelligence reports that over 600 vessels, including 325 tankers, continue to be stuck in the Gulf due to the ongoing blockade of the strait.