Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Egyptian FM Speaks To Israeli And Iranian Counterparts To Uphold 'Peace'

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Tensions reached their peak Saturday since the Israel-Hamas war began in Oct 2023 as Iran attacked Israel in retaliation of Syria airstrike that killed at least 13.

Background

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Iran launched its first direct military assault against Israel on Saturday. According to the Israeli military, Iran dispatched over 200 drones laden with explosives towards Israel. Subsequently, Iran declared that it had also deployed significantly more destructive ballistic and cruise missiles.The threat of an Iranian attack on Israel had been looming following an airstrike earlier in the month, widely attributed to Israel, which obliterated Iran's consulate in Syria, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals, including two high-ranking Iranian generals. In a statement issued on early Sunday, the Israeli Defence Forces reported that the "vast majority" of missiles launched by Iran were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.US President Joe Biden urged the Group of Seven advanced democracies on Sunday to stand together in denouncing Iran for its unprecedented and largely unsuccessful aerial assault on Israel, aiming to prevent a broader regional crisis, according to reports from AP. The United States provided support to Israel in intercepting and neutralising numerous drones and missiles launched by Tehran, constituting Iran's inaugural direct military strike on Israel.Earlier, White House official John Kirby, speaking on ABC's "This Week" programme on Sunday, stated that the United States will continue assisting Israel in self-defence efforts but is not seeking conflict with Iran, as reported by Reuters. When asked about potential Israeli retaliation against Iran, Kirby reaffirmed the US's unwavering commitment to defending Israel and aiding in its self-defence efforts.“And as the president has said many times, we don’t seek a wider war in the region. We don’t seek a war with Iran. And I think I will leave it at that,” Kirby added.Iran asserted in its communication to the United Nations that the operation was carried out in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defence, as stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter. 

16/04/2024 23:50:28

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: US treasury secretary warns strengthened sanctions on Iran

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Treasury would use its sanctions and work with partners to "continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity." Speaking in a news conference in Washington, DC, Yellen said: “From this weekend’s attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran’s actions threaten the region’s stability and could cause economic spillovers”, as quoted by CNN.

16/04/2024 21:33:11

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Egyptian Foreign Minister speaks to Israeli and Iranian counterparts to uphold 'peace'

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry spoke to his Israeli and Iranian counterparts stressing upholding "tranquility and peace," as world leaders aim to contain the risk of a wider regional West Asia war.

Shoukry told CNN that the reciprocal attack between Israel and Iran is “in no way conducive to dealing with the long-standing issues and conflicts in the region.”

“This will get us into a never-ending cycle of reprisal that will only lead to a wider-scale confrontation, with very severe consequences for both peoples in both countries,” Shoukry said, as quoted by CNN. 

16/04/2024 19:48:35

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Germany's foreign minister flying to Israel to de-escalate tensions

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to Israel on Tuesday in a bid to de-escalate the Israel-Iran conflict, after Iran's unprecedented strikes, CNN reported.

“It is incredibly important for us as the German government in these fragile times that we all work together to contribute to de-escalation for the entire region," Baerbock said during a joint news conference, as quoted by CNN. She slammed Iran for allegedly not being interested in regional peace and said the leadership wanted to add fuel to the fire.

 

16/04/2024 18:46:16

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Israeli Army Says '2 Armed' Drones Exploded Near Northern Town After Entering From Lebanon

 Israeli army says 'two armed' drones exploded near northern town after entering from Lebanon, AFP reported.

16/04/2024 15:25:16

Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: 'Smallest action against Iran's interests will be met with severe, painful response,' Raisi says

Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, has issued a stern warning against any perceived threat to Iran's interests, stating that even the slightest action will be met with a severe and extensive response. In a recent call with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Raisi justified Iran's recent attack on Israel as an act of legitimate defense, CNN reported. He reiterated Iran's commitment to retaliation, asserting, "The smallest action against Iran's interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response against all its perpetrators."

Raisi's remarks come in the wake of heightened tensions in the region following Iran's military operation dubbed "Honest Promise."

16/04/2024 13:02:45

Iran Closed Nuclear Facilities In Wake Of Israel Attack, Says IAEA Chief

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi was asked whether he was concerned about the possibility of an Israeli strike on an Iranian nuclear facility in retaliation for the attack.

"We are always concerned about this possibility. What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government that yesterday (Sunday), all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations," he said.

16/04/2024 10:30:11

Ready To Advance Cooperation: China Tells Iran

“China is ready to steadily advance practical cooperation in various fields with Iran and promote greater development of China-Iran relations," Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in a phone call on Monday.

 

16/04/2024 09:57:41

US NSA Jake Sullivan Postpones His Visit To India Amid Middle East Crisis

Due to ongoing events in the Middle East, US National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan (in file pic) has postponed his trip to India this week. NSA Sullivan looks forward to holding the iCET annual review at the next earliest possible date and remains personally committed to advancing our deeply consequential and multifaceted partnership with India: US Embassy Spokesperson. 

16/04/2024 09:53:19

Hamas Slashes Number Of Hostages It Is Willing To Release In Ceasefire Deal

Hamas has slashed the number of hostages it is willing to release during the first phase of a proposed ceasefire deal by more than half, an Israeli source close to the negotiations said, CNN reported.

16/04/2024 07:17:33

IDF Chief Thanks CENTCOM, US And Others For Taking Part In Operation Iron Shield

15/04/2024 15:10:19

Israel's War Cabinet To Meet Today

Israel's war cabinet will meet today at 2:00 p.m. local time to discuss its response to Iran's unprecedented assault on Saturday night, an Israeli official has told CNN.

15/04/2024 13:17:41

Israel Warns Gaza Residents That North Is A 'Dangerous Combat Zone', Advises 'To Stay Away'

Israel warned Gaza residents that the north of the strip is "a dangerous combat zone" through social media and airdropped leaflets, CNN reported.

The military's Arabic spokesperson posted an "urgent" message on X directing Gazans "to stay in the humanitarian areas and shelters in the southern part of the Strip and avoid attempting to return to the north of the Strip" to "ensure your safety."

15/04/2024 12:08:15

Dutch Embassy In Iran And Northern Iraq To Remain Closed

In wake of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, the Dutch embassy in Tehran will continue to be closed to the public as a precautionary measure, CNN reported.

Likewise, the Dutch consulate-general in Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, will also remain closed.

15/04/2024 11:15:43

Iran Attack On Israel Adds To Airline Troubles In Middle East

Global airlines faced disruptions to flights on Monday after Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel further narrowed options for planes navigating between Europe and Asia.

At least a dozen airlines have had to cancel or reroute flights over the last two days, including Qantas, Germany's Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air India.

This was the biggest single disruption to air travel since the attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, according to Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, which monitors airspace and airports.

(Reuters)

15/04/2024 10:50:36

Flight Operations Resume At Iranian Airports

Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency reported that airports in the Iranian capital of Tehran resumed flights at 6:00 a.m. local time on Monday. 

15/04/2024 10:10:05

Malaysia, Indonesia Urge Restraint To Stop Escalation In Middle East

Malaysia and Indonesia have released seperate statements urging restraint following Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel, CNN reported.

As predominantly Muslim nations in Southeast Asia, both countries reiterated their support for Palestinian rights and causes. It's notable that Malaysia and Indonesia do not officially recognise Israel.

15/04/2024 09:35:36

Educational Activities To Resume In Israel After Iran Attack

Taking to its X handle, IDF announced, "As part of the changes, it was decided to resume educational activities all over the country. Educational activities will be allowed in the conflict line and Gaza perimeter guidance areas subject to restrictions."

15/04/2024 09:19:28

Blinken Reaches Out To Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Amid Middle East Crisis

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday reached out over phone to the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, while Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had calls with his Saudi and Israeli counterparts, amid signs of an escalating crisis in the Middle East following Iran's strikes on Israel.

Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, which Tehran said was in response to the April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria.

(PTI)

15/04/2024 09:17:55

India Urges Iran To Release 17 Indian Crew Members

India has urged Iran to release 17 Indian crew members who are aboard a container ship seized by Iran on Saturday.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar stated that he had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, regarding "the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries."

15/04/2024 08:52:07

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Condemns Iran's Attack On Israel

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday condemned Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel. Speaking with media, PM Kishida stated: "The attack further aggravates the current situation in the Middle East. We are deeply concerned and strongly condemn such an escalation," CNN reported. 

15/04/2024 08:51:13

UN Chief Says Middle East 'On The Brink' And 'Can’t Afford More War'

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned the international community Sunday against deeper descent into conflict, addressing the Security Council during a meeting over Iran's weekend attack on Israel.

"Neither the region nor the world can afford more war," Guterres said.

"The Middle East is on the brink," he told the Security Council.

(AFP)