UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged an immediate de-escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, calling for a ceasefire amid growing fears of regional instability.

Senior U.S. officials are actively preparing for a possible military strike on Iran, indicating a potential escalation in Washington’s involvement in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. According to sources familiar with internal deliberations, discussions are underway across key federal agencies, with some suggesting that a strike could occur as early as the coming weekend.

US President Donald Trump said the two “very smart” leaders of India and Pakistan “decided” not to continue a war that could have turned nuclear, the first time in weeks he did not credit himself for stopping of hostilities between the two neighbouring nations.

The US State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review.

Moscow: Russia and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday called for an immediate cessation of the Israel and Iran conflict and an intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to resolve Tehran’s nuclear issue.

New York/Washington: Hours after holding a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he stopped a war between India and Pakistan.

Dubai: Explosions were heard in Iran's capital as Israeli warplanes pounded Tehran overnight and into Wednesday. Less than a week into the conflict, Israel says its aircraft have free rein over the city's skies.

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted with giant ash and smoke plumes again on Wednesday after forcing evacuations of villages and flight cancellations, including to and from the resort island of Bali.