Iran Israel

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced that investigators will probe potential breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law by all parties involved in the Lebanon conflict. • The escalation, featuring Hezbollah attacks and an extensive Israeli air and ground campaign, has resulted in over 3,660 deaths and the displacement of more than one million people. • This conflict opens a new front in the Middle East, intensifying fears of a wider regional war and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

• The United States launched a second consecutive day of military strikes against Iran, following Donald Trump's vow to "hit them hard again" after accusing Tehran negotiators of deception. • Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, stated that these attacks have jeopardized ongoing ceasefire negotiations and accused Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts. • The situation is further complicated by allegations from Iran that Israel is simultaneously violating the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, threatening a wider regional escalation.

• The US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on April 8 following weeks of intense conflict and retaliatory attacks. • The agreement aims to halt hostilities and initiate protracted negotiations between the two nations. • Key diplomatic priorities include reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and resolving long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.

• Former President Donald Trump claimed that Iran shot down a helicopter on June 9, 2026, and vowed that the United States would "respond" to the incident. • The claim comes amid escalating tensions involving a broader US-Israel military conflict against Iran and ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon. • This escalation signifies a critical spike in regional instability, potentially leading to direct military confrontations between major global powers and Middle Eastern states.

• South Korean stocks opened sharply higher on Tuesday, recovering from a significant plunge of over 8 percent in the previous trading session. • The rebound was driven by a recovery in major technology shares and positive investor sentiment regarding the strong business fundamentals of AI-related sectors. • Market stability was further supported by news of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, reducing geopolitical tensions that had previously pressured shares.

• South Korean stocks surged by more than 8% on Tuesday, reclaiming the 8,000-point threshold after a similar percentage plunge in the previous session. • The market rebound was driven by a shift toward risk-on sentiment following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. • Investor confidence was further bolstered by ongoing optimism surrounding the artificial intelligence boom, which helped lift shares and the won.

• Asian stock markets experienced cautious gains driven by a recovery in AI-related sectors and signs of de-escalation between Israel and Iran. • Market performance was mixed across the region, with Singapore’s Straits Times index rising 1.1% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.2%. • The shift reflects investor optimism regarding geopolitical stability and the continued growth potential of artificial intelligence technologies.

• Asian stock markets experienced a cautious rise driven by a recovery in AI-related sectors and a perceived de-escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. • The U.S. dollar weakened as risk sentiment improved following the halt of strikes between the two Middle Eastern nations. • Indian shares have underperformed compared to their regional peers due to investor anxiety regarding high oil prices and their impact on India's import-dependent economy.

Netanyahu acknowledges pause in fighting in TV speech but vows forceful response to future attacksMiddle East crisis – live updatesFears of a return to a full-scale regional war in the Middle East eased on Monday when Israel and Iran said they had halted attacks on each other after an appeal from Donald Trump to “immediately stop shooting”.Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, acknowledged the halt in fighting with Iran in a televised speech, but vowed to respond “with force” to future attacks. Continue reading...

• The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 surged on Monday, driven primarily by a rebound in chip and technology stocks. • Oil prices saw a decrease in gains following the cessation of military strikes between Israel and Iran. • Campbell's reported a 32% year-over-year drop in operating earnings for its Snacks segment, which includes the Goldfish brand, for the fiscal third quarter.

• Israel's air force launched strikes against targets in Iran following a series of escalating military exchanges between the two nations. • Donald Trump has urged both sides to cease hostilities, calling for a return to peace and diplomacy to avoid further violence and destruction. • The strikes occur while negotiators are reportedly working with international partners to secure a peaceful diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict.

The arch-enemies’ exchange had the potential to derail the push for an end to the broader Middle East conflictMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael and Iran have returned to active war for the first time since a ceasefire was agreed two months ago in an exchange of rocket fire that threatened efforts to end the conflict.Donald Trump, who started the war in February alongside Israel but has since attempted to present himself as a mediator – told the two sides to stop shooting and said “final negotiations” on peace were proceeding. By late afternoon on Monday, the attacks had stopped. Continue reading...

• Pope Leo is continuing his visit to Spain on June 8, with scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and members of the Spanish Parliament. • The pontiff's itinerary includes prayers at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral and a gathering with the Catholic community at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. • In sports, world number two Alexander Zverev secured his first major title by defeating Italy's Flavio Cobolli in a five-set match on Sunday.

Despite Donald Trump’s calls for calm, Israeli military says it struck military targets in central and western Iran in response to attacks by TehranIsrael strikes Iran despite Trump plea as Middle East crisis threatens to escalateHello and welcome to our live coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.Israel launched airstrikes early on Monday targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire from Tehran, attacks that threatened to drag the wider Middle East back into a regional war.Iran’s attacks appeared to be in retaliation for Israel strikes on Beirut’s Dahiyeh southern suburb area targeting Hezbollah infrastructure despite the truce agreement with Lebanon. Two people were killed and 20 wounded in Beirut, the Lebanon health ministry said.A missile was launched from Yemen towards Israeli territory, the Israeli military said, adding its aerial defence systems were operating to intercept the threat. Israel’s rescue services say there were no reports of casualties or impacts.Oil prices jumped more than 3% after Iran’s strikes, with the price of Brent crude – the international benchmark – rising 3.29% to $96.15 a barrel in early trading on Monday.Iran’s missile barrage was the the first since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, said US bases and assets in the region were now “legitimate targets”.The strait of Hormuz will be opened but under new conditions to be set by Iran and Oman, including a transit fee, Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, told the Russian newspaper Izvestia – a position Trump strongly opposes.Trump said Netanyahu would have no choice but to accept whatever deal the US negotiated with Iran because “I call the shots”, the Financial Times reported. “He won’t have any choice,” Trump said. “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots.” Continue reading...

Latest exchange of attacks threatens to drag Middle East into regional war and comes after US president said ‘I call all the shots’, not Israel’s PMMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael launched airstrikes on central and western Iran on Monday in apparent defiance of Donald Trump after he urged restraint over a reprisal attack by Tehran in an escalation that threatens to drag the Middle East back into a regional war.It was the first exchange of direct strikes between the two enemies since a ceasefire paused the US-Israel war with Iran in April. Iran’s attack came in response to earlier strikes on Beirut by Israel. Continue reading...

• Indian stock markets crashed on Monday, with the Sensex dropping 800 points and the Nifty falling below 23,150. • The downturn extended to broader markets, as the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices both declined by approximately 1.5%. • The crash is attributed to geopolitical instability following Iran's attacks on Israel, triggering a wider Asia-Pacific sell-off including South Korea’s Kospi, which plunged 8%.

• The BSE Sensex and Nifty50 are expected to open lower today, as indicated by GIFT Nifty trends. • This negative outlook is driven by escalating geopolitical tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which have also caused crude oil prices to rise. • Market volatility is anticipated throughout the week as equities react to a combination of domestic developments and overseas factors.

• US-Iran war talks remain clouded by uncertainty as both Washington and Tehran issue conflicting messages regarding the status of negotiations. • In Lebanon, fighting persists between Israel and Hezbollah, indicating that the fragile ceasefire agreement is failing to hold. • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Shlomi in northern Israel on Thursday, reaffirming his commitment to border security while emphasizing a diplomatic approach of flexibility and firmness.

The US said the ceasefire was contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militiaIsrael and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities, the Trump administration has announced, as the US looks to overcome one of the largest barriers to reaching a broader deal to end the war with Iran.The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia and the evacuation of all its operatives from the country’s south, a joint statement released by the US state department said after negotiations in Washington. Continue reading...

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli army to expand its military invasion of Lebanon as of Sunday, May 31, 2026. • The escalation is part of a broader conflict involving a war between Israel, the United States, and Iran. • This expansion signifies a significant increase in regional hostilities and a shift in the scale of Israeli ground operations.

• Following US-Israel strikes and subsequent Iranian counter-strikes, a broader conflict has escalated involving Israel and Hezbollah. • On 28 February 2026, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany condemning Iran's military actions. • The UK response emphasizes the urgent need for a resumption of diplomacy to prevent further regional destabilization.

• Diplomatic efforts are underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following closures linked to the 2026 Israel/US-Iran conflict. • The strait serves as a critical global maritime chokepoint, essential for the transport of oil, gas, and other vital supplies. • Restoring access is a priority to stabilize global energy markets and prevent widespread economic disruption caused by supply shortages.

• On May 29, 2026, Tehran announced that a ceasefire agreement with the United States has not yet been reached amidst ongoing conflict. • The updates follow a series of military engagements involving the US-Israel war on Iran and continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon. • This stalemate highlights the persistent diplomatic tension and the difficulty of securing a peace deal despite escalating regional violence.

US president’s move comes as both sides try to prevent fresh ceasefire breaches scuppering a potential dealMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has circulated a draft peace agreement for the war with Iran among allies including Israel as both sides try to prevent fresh breaches of the ceasefire escalating out of control and scuppering any deal.In an attempt to speed up the negotiations, Pakistan‘s foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, will fly to Washington on Friday to meet his US counterpart, Marco Rubio. Continue reading...

• A Horn Institute publication says the U.S.-Israel war on Iran has widened into a broader conflict with effects that are now reaching Africa. • The analysis describes mounting diplomatic and security dilemmas for African states as regional shockwaves spread beyond the Middle East. • It underscores how a confrontation centered on Iran can affect global alignment, trade routes, and political positioning far from the battlefield.

Netanyahu’s joint war with the US began with talk of regime change in Tehran but may leave him with few strategic gainsMiddle East live – latest updatesWhen Donald Trump launched a pre-emptive war on Iran with Israel in February, many in the country hailed the campaign as the crowning triumph of Benjamin Netanyahu’s political and diplomatic career.Three months on the regime is still in power in Tehran, Trump is chasing a deal that will reopen the strait of Hormuz to oil tankers, and the reported terms have provoked alarm, dismay and anger in Israel. Continue reading...

Populist former president’s falling-out with the Tehran regime allegedly drew him into a takeover plotUS and Israel hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leaderFor all their outward differences, there always seemed to be things that linked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Donald Trump.A visit to the then Iranian president’s rather humble Tehran neighbourhood nearly 20 years ago highlighted cost of living problems that prefigured those facing Trump now. Continue reading...

Airstrike at the start of the war was aimed at freeing populist ex-president from house arrest, US newspaper claimsMiddle East crisis – live updatesFresh questions have been raised over the US and Israeli effort to depose the Iranian regime after it was claimed that Israel wanted to put the populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power.Ahmadinejad’s turbulent presidency from 2005 to 2013 was marked by incendiary attacks on Israel but he recast himself as a critic of the regime and champion of the poor after falling out with the supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Continue reading...