Missile Strike

• Russia launched a major barrage of cruise and hypersonic missiles targeting Ukrainian power plants and industrial facilities on April 12, damaging critical energy infrastructure across multiple regions. • Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted approximately 60% of the incoming missiles, but strikes on Kharkiv and Dnipro left thousands without electricity and damaged a major steel production facility. • The escalation comes as Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine, with military analysts warning the campaign aims to weaken Ukraine's ability to sustain military operations through summer.

• Israeli warplanes conducted targeted strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on April 9, resulting in significant structural damage to militant infrastructure, prompting retaliatory rocket fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border into northern Israel. • The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported 12 cross-border missile launches from Lebanon and three Israeli air sorties within a 24-hour period, marking the most intense exchange since last month's ceasefire agreement. • Regional diplomatic channels convened emergency talks through US and French intermediaries, with UN Secretary-General expressing concern that "uncontrolled escalation could trigger wider Middle Eastern conflict" involving additional state and non-state actors.

• The Israeli Defense Force conducted widespread strikes targeting Iran's missile and nuclear infrastructure on Thursday, marking escalation in the month-long Operation Roaring Lion with strikes on facilities including the Arak Reactor. • Oil prices surged and US stock markets fell sharply Thursday amid renewed uncertainty about potential conflict resolution, with investors expressing doubt over prospects for ending the Iran war. • The escalation coincides with Houthi forces joining the conflict through attacks on Israel and a critical April 6 deadline for potential wider regional military engagement.

• Houthi forces backed by Iran have initiated their first direct attacks on Israel since the broader conflict with Iran escalated, marking a significant expansion of regional hostilities. • The strikes represent Iran's strategy to broaden the conflict through proxy forces, testing Israeli air defenses and expanding the geographic scope of the war. • The US is responding by deploying additional military forces to the region while Secretary of State Rubio emphasized the conflict is expected to conclude within weeks.

Israeli PM says ‘there’s more to come’ while Iran’s IRGC promise to attack ‘without restraint’ if conflict continuesMiddle East crisis – live updatesAn Iranian missile struck central Tel Aviv on Tuesday and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to continue striking Tehran and Lebanon, dimming hopes of de-escalation after Donald Trump played up the chances of a deal to end the conflict.“There’s more to come,” Netanyahu said in remarks that appeared to corroborate those of three Israeli officials who told Reuters they thought it was improbable that Iran would accept US demands in any new round of negotiations. Continue reading...

Israeli air defence systems fail to intercept at least two projectiles during attacks on cities of Arad and Dimona Middle East crisis live – latest updatesIranian ballistic missile barrages wounded about 100 people in southern Israel on Saturday, striking the cities of Arad and Dimona after air defence systems failed to intercept at least two projectiles.Among the injured were a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both reported to be in serious condition. Continue reading...

• UK Cabinet ministers confirmed agreement allowing US use of British bases for defensive operations to degrade Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. • The decision supports collective self-defense amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes against Iranian threats to regional shipping lanes critical for global oil supply. • This bolsters US efforts in the fourth-week war, where Trump claims near-victory but deploys more forces, impacting oil prices and international alliances.