The latest developments in the Middle East war:
Trump mulls Pakistan delay plea
The White House said US President Donald Trump was studying a last-minute request from mediator Pakistan to extend his 8:00 PM (midnight GMT) deadline for Iran to make a deal by two weeks.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made his appeal to Trump in a post on X, also requesting Iran agree to a two-week opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said earlier Tuesday that “a whole civilization will die” if Tehran fails to make a deal.
Blasts in Baghdad, Doha, UAE
Five explosions were heard Tuesday night in central Baghdad, where the US Embassy is located, AFP journalists reported.
Blasts were also heard in the Qatari capital of Doha, while the UAE said its air defences were responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran.
Five people injured in Israel
Israel’s emergency services said five people in northern Israel were injured following missiles from Iran and rockets from Lebanon.
The Israeli military warned of an increased risk of inbound attacks as Trump’s midnight GMT deadline approached.
Iran ready
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on X that “no threat is beyond our preparedness and intelligence,” following Trump’s ominous warning of civilizational destruction.
‘Unacceptable’
Without specifically naming Trump, Pope Leo XIV said threats to inflict widespread damage on civilian targets in Iran were “unacceptable” and could breach international law .
Kuwait stay-at-home warning
Kuwait asked residents to avoid going outside from midnight until Wednesday morning, hours ahead of the US deadline.
US warns against Hajj
The US Embassy in Riyadh urged American citizens in a post on X to reconsider travelling to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage next month due to security concerns.
UN probe blames Israel, Hezbollah
Three UN peacekeepers who died in two separate incidents in Lebanon in March were likely killed by Israeli tank fire in one case and by a Hezbollah improvised explosive device (IED) in the other, according to a United Nations probe.
Tehran synagogue struck
The Israeli military expressed regret over “collateral damage” to a synagogue in Tehran caused by an overnight strike it said was targeting a senior Iranian commander.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian media reported that the Rafi-Nia Synagogue in central Tehran had been “completely destroyed”.
Israel warns Lebanon ships
The Israeli military urged all vessels in the maritime zone off the coast of southern Lebanon to immediately head north of the city of Tyre, warning that it would operate in the area.
US journalist’s Iraq release
Iraq’s powerful Kataeb Hezbollah armed group announced that it would release US journalist Shelly Kittleson, a week after she was kidnapped in Baghdad.
Russia, China veto Hormuz resolution
Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a text already diluted from the green light Gulf states had sought to use force to protect the key shipping lane.
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