Shafaqna India: Current Developments Following Israel-US Strikes on Iran:
No deal, no retreat: Iran answers US pressure with strikes and defiance
Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, a day after President Donald Trump said the country had 48 hours to cut a deal or face “all Hell”.
However, in a counter-statement, Iran warned the US and Israel that the “entire region will become a hell for you” if attacks escalated, according to Iranian media reports.
Kuwait and Israel said their air defences were responding to the latest attacks from Iran, part of the war that erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes that triggered retaliation by Tehran.
The war has spread conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy. Iran’s forces maintain a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane and strike economic targets in Gulf neighbours they see as linked to the US-Israeli war effort.
The economic strikes are also going the other way. An Israeli or US strike on a petrochemical hub in the southwest of Iran killed five people Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, referring to an ultimatum issued on March 26.
“Time is running out — 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them.”
Iran’s central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump’s threat was a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action”. Echoing Trump’s language, he warned that “the gates of hell will open for you”.
Thousands pour into Baghdad streets to condemn US actions
Tens of thousands of supporters of Iraqi leader Moqtada Sadr rallied in Baghdad and across the country on Saturday, condemning Israel and the United States and demanding an end to the war.
The massive crowds came as the Middle East war was due to enter its sixth week after strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28.
Iraq has been unwillingly drawn into the conflict, with strikes targeting US interests on its soil as well as attacks against pro-Iran groups in the country.
Israeli army plans to strike near Syria-Lebanon border crossing
The Israeli military said on Saturday it would strike an area near the main crossing between Syria and Lebanon, urging residents to evacuate immediately as it continued its attacks across Lebanon.
Israel has carried out strikes across Lebanon and launched a ground invasion in the south since March 2, when Hezbollah entered the war in the Middle East on the side of its backer Iran.
“Due to Hezbollah’s use of the Masnaa Crossing for military purposes and smuggling of combat equipment, the (Israeli army) intends to carry out strikes on the crossing in the near future,” said the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, urging people to leave the area.
A Lebanese security source at the Masnaa border crossing told AFP they were “currently evacuating the crossing following the Israeli threat”.
Soleimani’s daughters deny US claim that niece, grand-niece were arrested
Iranian media on Saturday quoted two daughters of slain former Iranian covert operations chief Qassem Soleimani denying that two Iranian women arrested in the United States were their relatives.
Earlier, the US State Department had announced that a niece and a grand-niece of Soleimani had been arrested and stripped of their US residency. The statement identified the niece as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar. Her daughter was not named.
But, according to the Iranian news agency Fars, Soleimani’s daughter Zeinab said: “The US State Department’s claim is a lie: the people arrested in the United States have no connection to the family.”
Iranian state TV cited another daughter, Narjes, a member of Tehran’s Islamic City Council, as saying: “To this day, no member of the family nor any relative of Martyr Soleimani has resided in the United States.”
Israel eyes Iran energy targets as Trump issues fresh warning
Israel is weighing strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure and is awaiting a go-ahead from Washington, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing a senior Israeli defence official.
The official said any operation could be launched within days.
The remarks followed a renewed warning from President Donald Trump, who said Iran had 48 hours to reach an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz or face “Hell.”
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” he said, adding: “Glory be to GOD!”
‘Region will turn into hell’: Iran warns US, Israel against escalation
Iran’s military has warned the United States and Israel of sweeping retaliation if the conflict escalates further.
A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said any expansion of hostilities would trigger a wider regional response. “Do not forget that if aggression expands, the entire region will turn into a hell for you,” the spokesperson said.
He added, “The illusion of defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran has turned into a swamp in which you will sink.”
The warning comes after President Donald Trump renewed pressure on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying it would face “hell” if it fails to do so by Monday.
Araghchi flags radiological threat in letter to UN after fresh attack
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned of the risk of a radiological release following a fourth attack near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to a letter sent to the United Nations.
In the letter, Araghchi raised concerns over the potential consequences of continued strikes in the area, stressing that any damage to nuclear facilities could have serious environmental and human impacts.
He urged the international community to take note of the situation and called for steps to prevent further escalation around sensitive nuclear sites.
Dar, Araghchi hold phone call as Pakistan urges de-escalation
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the phone on the evolving regional situation.
During the call, both sides exchanged views on ongoing developments. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s support for efforts aimed at de-escalation and stressed the need to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact as the situation continues to unfold.
Iraq-Iran border crossing at Shalamcheh reopened after brief closure
Passenger movement returned to normal at the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran after it was closed following air strikes on the Iranian side that killed an Iraqi citizen, security sources and state news agency said on Saturday.
The crossing serves as one of the main routes for imports to Iraq of vegetables and other food supplies from Iran, traders and border officials say. Any prolonged disruption can quickly affect supplies to local markets.
The sources said at least five Iraqis were seriously wounded in the strikes, which hit a passenger reception area on the Iranian side.
A few hours after the strikes near Shalamcheh, Iraqi border authorities also briefly halted movement at the Safwan crossing with Kuwait after reporting explosions on the Kuwaiti side, Iraqi security and border officials said.
Hundreds of Israelis rally in Tel Aviv against war with Iran
Carrying anti-war banners and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hundreds of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest the war with Iran.
Demonstrators gathered in a central square, holding signs that read: “Don’t bomb – talk! End the endless war!” despite restrictions on mass gatherings imposed during the conflict with Iran.
“Police are trying to silence our voice,” Alon-Lee Green, the co-director of Israeli-Palestinian grassroots group Standing Together, told AFP.
“We are here to demand an end to the war in Iran, the war in Lebanon, and the war in Gaza which is still going on, as well as an end to the pogroms in the West Bank.
“In Israel, there’s always a war. So, if we’re not allowed to demonstrate, we will never be allowed to speak,” he added.
Protesters also voiced scepticism about the government’s justification for the war with Iran.
Far greater damage than reported in last month’s US Embassy strike: WSJ
An Iranian drone strike on the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia last month caused far greater damage than initially reported, current and former officials told The Wall Street Journal, highlighting Tehran’s ability to hit US assets in the kingdom.
The March 3 attack saw a drone slip past air defences around Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter and crash into the embassy compound. About a minute later, a second drone followed through the same breach and exploded, officials said.
Early statements from Saudi authorities suggested limited damage. However, US officials now say several floors were badly hit, with parts of the building left “unrecoverable.”
China opposes force clause as UN prepares Hormuz shipping vote next week
The US Security Council is now expected to vote next week on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said on Friday, but veto-wielding China has made clear its opposition to authorising any use of force.
A meeting of the Council’s 15 members was initially set for Friday, then rescheduled for Saturday. Several diplomats said it had now been postponed until next week, with no new date yet announced.
Bahrain’s UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reason for the delay. The resolution has faced resistance from China, Russia and others and has been toned down from its original form.
Tehran says it targeted Mossad HQ in Tel Aviv with ‘precision strike’
Iranian forces say they carried out a “precision strike” targeting the headquarters of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, in Tel Aviv, according to Tasnim News Agency.
The claim was made by Iranian military sources, who described the operation as a targeted and carefully executed attack on a key intelligence site.
However, there has been no independent confirmation of the strike or the extent of any damage.
Iran says US fighter jet downed by ‘new advanced defence system’
The US jet lost over Iranian territory exposes what Tehran calls the “false claims” by President Donald Trump that Washington had eliminated Iran’s air defence capabilities, according to Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al Anbiya central headquarters.
In a televised statement, Zolfaghari said the aircraft was shot down using Iran’s “new advanced defence system,” adding that “an advanced hostile fighter jet was also targeted south of Qeshm Island, crashing into the waters between Qeshm and Hengam Islands.”
Search-and-rescue operations continue for missing American airmen in Iran
Iranian and American forces were racing each other early Saturday to recover the crew of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war.
Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported American special forces had rescued one of two crew members.
Iran’s military also said it downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media saying the pilot was rescued.
The war erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran that martyred Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliation that spread the conflict throughout the Middle East, convulsing the global economy and impacting millions of people worldwide.
Iran offers reward for downed US pilot; Trump refuses to comment on response
President Donald Trump refused to reveal how he might respond if Iranian forces reach the downed American pilot, in a brief phone interview with The Independent on Friday. The pilot is the first US aviator to be shot down behind enemy lines since an A-10 ejection over Iraq in April 2003.
When asked what he would do if the pilot were captured or harmed, Trump said, “Well, I can’t comment on it because — we hope that’s not going to happen,” before ending the call.
His comments came as US and Israeli search-and-rescue teams combed the area for the airman, hours after he was forced to eject from his F-15 fighter over Iranian territory.
Following the incident, Iranian state TV urged residents to report any “enemy pilot” to authorities, offering a reward. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province said anyone who apprehends or kills the pilot would be “specially commended.”
FO stresses accuracy, rejects unfounded reports on regional conflict
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has slammed recent media reports linking the country to the ongoing regional conflict, calling them “fabrications” and a “misrepresentation” of official briefings.
“We categorically reject these false insinuations attributed to purported official sources as baseless and a figment of imagination,” FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in a statement shared on X.
He added that any attribution to official sources in this regard was incorrect.
Downing of US aircraft won’t affect talks with Iran, Trump tells NBC
US President Donald Trump said the reported downing of a US jet would not affect ongoing negotiations with Iran, NBC News reported.
In a brief phone interview, Trump declined to discuss details of search-and-rescue operations following the incident but expressed frustration over media coverage of what he described as a sensitive situation.
Asked whether the developments would impact talks with Tehran, he said: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war, Garrett.”
Tehran rejects US proposal of 48-hour ceasefire: state media
An unnamed source told Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency on Friday that Tehran had rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire.
The source said the proposal was made on Wednesday through another country, which was not named.
There was no immediate comment or confirmation from the US.
US-Iran ceasefire efforts reach dead end: report
Iran has officially told mediators that it is not willing to meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days and that the US demands are unacceptable, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The current round of efforts by regional countries led by Pakistan to reach a ceasefire between the US and Iran has reached a dead end.
Easter celebrations in Dubai called off over Mideast tension
All masses in Dubai have been cancelled because of the Middle East war, two Catholic churches in the United Arab Emirates posted on their websites on Friday, just ahead of Easter.
Following government directives, “all Masses at our Church are cancelled until further notice,” St Francis of Assisi Church at Jebel Ali in Dubai posted.
Putin, Erdogan hold call on Middle East situation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin said on Friday.
Putin and Erdogan discussed the situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin added.
148 injured in Israel in last 24 hours
At least 148 persons sustained injuries in Israel during the past 24 hours, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Israeli health ministry.
According to the ministry, 6,594 people have been hospitalised since late February in the Iranian strikes.Red Crescent reports drone strike on warehouse in southern Iran
A drone strike struck a Red Crescent relief warehouse in Iran’s Bushehr province early Friday, Fars news agency reported, citing the organisation.
The attack occurred around 5am in the Choghadak area, damaging two relief containers, two buses, and several emergency vehicles, as reported by Fars news agency.
No casualties have been reported.
Italy’s Meloni visits Gulf for energy security talks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously unannounced trip that will also include meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, government sources said.
The sources said the visit would reaffirm Italy’s support for the three nations in the face of Iranian attacks on their territories, and was also aimed at bolstering Italy’s national energy security through closer engagement with Gulf producers.
It is the first trip to the region by a leader from the European Union since the conflict was launched by the United States and Israel at the end of February.
US fighter jet shot down over Iran, search underway for crew: US official
A United States fighter jet was shot down over Iran, with a search operation underway to locate the crew, a US official told Reuters.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not offer further details. The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Search underway for pilot of downed US fighter jet: Iranian media
Iran’s Fars news agency on Friday said the army had launched a search for the pilot of a US fighter jet hit by an air defence system.
Contacted by AFP, the US Central Command (Centcom), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Military forces have launched a search operation to find the American fighter pilot who was hit earlier today,” Fars said.
Trump’s budget proposes 10% cut in discretionary spending, increased defence spending
US President Donald Trump on Friday requested a 10% cut in non-defence, discretionary spending for the 2027 fiscal year, and an increase to defense spending by $500 billion, according to a White House budget document.
The president’s proposed budget changes need to be approved by the US Congress, which requires bipartisan support, and the spending requests are often treated by lawmakers as suggestions.
“Savings are achieved by reducing or eliminating woke, weaponised, and wasteful programmes, and by returning state and local responsibilities to their respective governments,” the White House said in a budget fact sheet.
Trump says US can easily open Hormuz ‘with little a more time’
President Donald Trump on Friday said the US can open the Strait of Hormuz with a little more time.
“With a little more time, we can easily open the Hormuz Strait, take the oil and make a fortune,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Falling debris from drone injures 12 in Abu Dhabi: media office
Media office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that at least 12 people sustained injuries after drone debris fell from interception.
UK to deploy Rapid Sentry air defence system to Kuwait
Britain will deploy its Rapid Sentry air defence system to Kuwait to help protect British and Kuwaiti interests in the Gulf, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said on Friday, after an overnight Iranian drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil facility.
Starmer discussed the deployment in a call with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Friday morning, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
“The Prime Minister began by condemning the reckless overnight drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil refinery,” the spokesperson said. “He reiterated that the UK stands with Kuwait and all our allies in the Gulf.”
Middle East war pushes world food prices higher in March
World food prices climbed in March, due largely to higher energy costs linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Friday.
The FAO Food Price Index, which measures changes in a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4% from its revised February level.
“Price rises since the conflict began have been modest, driven mainly by higher oil prices and cushioned by ample global cereal supplies,” FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said in a statement.
But if the conflict lasts over 40 days and input costs remain high, farmers may reduce inputs, plant less, or switch crops, leading to lower future yields and affecting food supply and prices for the rest of this year and next, he said.
Over 20 medical sites targeted in Iran since March 1: WHO
The WHO chief has warned of escalating attacks on Iran’s health system, verifying that 20 healthcare facilities hit since March 1, Al Jazeera reported.
At least nine people have been killed, including a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said strikes have damaged key sites, including the century-old Pasteur Institute in Tehran, leaving it unable to continue providing services.
psychiatric hospital and a facility producing medicines for cancer and multiple sclerosis were also affected.
Former FM Zarif calls on Iran to declare victory
Former Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif has urged Tehran to declare victory and strike a deal to end the war with the United States and Israel, Al Jazeera reported.
In an article published in the US-based Foreign Affairs, Zarif said Iran should seek an agreement that would both end the current conflict and help prevent another.
The former diplomat, who led Iran’s negotiations with the United States and other powers over its nuclear programme for several years, outlined what he described as a blueprint for ending the war on terms favourable to Tehran.
Among the proposals, Zarif said Iran should offer limits on its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for an end to all sanctions.
He also said Tehran should be prepared to accept a mutual non-aggression pact with Washington, under which both sides would pledge not to attack each other in future.
Zarif further suggested economic engagement with the United States, saying such an arrangement could benefit both the Iranian and American people.
Trump threatens to strike Iran’s bridges and electric power plants
US President Donald Trump warned on Thursday about striking and destroying bridges and electric power plants in Iran in his latest threat to hit the country’s infrastructure.
The US military “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants,” Trump wrote on social media.
His post said that Iran’s leadership “knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”
Israel says air defences responding to latest missile launches from Iran
The Israeli military has said that more missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel’s territory, Al Jazeera reported, citing a statement.
In a statement, the military said air defence systems are operating to intercept the attack.
Over 600 schools and education centres hit in Iran
More than 600 schools and education centres have been hit by the US-Israeli attacks since February 28, Al Jazeera reported, citing statement of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
IRGC says Tel Aviv and Eilat military sites hit in latest strikes
The IRGC is claiming it has “destroyed” Israeli forces and military industrial companies with fresh strikes on bases Tel Aviv and Eilat, Al Jazeera reported, citing a statement.
US Army chief of staff asked to resign immediately
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has asked General Randy George to step down as chief of staff of the US Army, an official said Thursday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a report from US broadcaster CBS that said George had been asked to take immediate retirement.
The reason for the request was not immediately known, but CBS quoted a source as saying Hegseth wanted someone who would implement his and Trump’s vision for the Army.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later posted a statement on X that said George “will be retiring from his position… effective immediately,” without specifying a reason.
WHO warns conflict in Iran is jeopardising health services and staff safety
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a series of attacks on health facilities in Tehran amid the escalating Middle East conflict, according to the world health body’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Pasteur Institute, a century-old medical research centre, has suffered significant damage and can no longer provide health services, he said, adding that two of its departments had been collaborating with WHO.
The Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital and the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility, which produces medicines for cancer and multiple sclerosis, were also struck on 29 and 31 March respectively. No casualties have been reported from these incidents.
Since 1 March, WHO has verified more than 20 attacks on health care in Iran, resulting in at least nine deaths, including an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Attacks have also occurred outside Tehran, including an explosion near Imam Ali Hospital in Andimeshk, Khuzestan province, which forced its evacuation.
The WHO chief emphasised the toll on health workers, patients, and civilians, stating: “Peace is the best medicine.”
Zelenskyy says Ukraine can assist in ensuring freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz
President Zelenskyy has offered to provide Ukraine’s expertise in dealing with freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to countries considering how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Zelenskyy said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had taken part in a virtual meeting devoted to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, attended by about 40 countries.
“Ukraine has relevant expertise concerning sea waterways, concerning the defence and reopening of maritime traffic,” he said.
“If [our] partners are ready to act, we will consider how we can strengthen them, how we can apply our expertise, knowledge and technological potential.”
Zelenskyy offered no further details.
US denies Iranian claim of shooting down warplane near Strait of Hormuz
The US military’s Central Command has rejected a claim by Iran’s IRGC that it had downed an “enemy” fighter jet over the country’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
“All US fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran’s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times,” it said in a statement.
Iraqi militia claims attack on fuel storage at Victoria Base in Baghdad
Saraya Awliya al-Dam, an Iraqi armed group, claimed a strike on fuel tanks at Victoria Base in the Baghdad International Airport complex, Al Jazeera reported, citing a statement.
In a statement released on Telegram, the group claimed it had targeted “vital energy sources” at Victoria base today. The group specified that the strike hit fuel tanks used to power the facility’s generators.
Citing security sources, the AFP news agency reported earlier that a drone attack targeted the US diplomatic and logistics centre within the airport complex.
Russia calls for Middle East calm, warns US and Israel against escalation
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, has called for an end to violence in the Middle East and called on the US and Israel to “stop playing with fire”.
“The unprecedented escalation of violence in the Middle East is unfortunately affecting countries friendly to the Russian Federation,” he said at a UN Security Council meeting, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian state media.
“It is clear that the current situation is a direct result of an unjustified act of aggression by the United States and Israel against the sovereign territory of Iran.”
Death toll rises to 8 in B1 bridge attack near Tehran; 95 injured
The death toll from a “brutal American-Zionist attack” in Alborz province has risen to eight, with at least 95 wounded, Al Jazeera reported, citing a report from Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency.
The deputy for Security Affairs in the Alborz province confirms that the strike earlier today targeted the B1 bridge in Karaj, a major infrastructure project that was nearing completion.
Officials report that the casualties include residents of Bilghan village, commuters, and families who had gathered in the vicinity to observe Nature Day.
President Pezeshkian urges global health bodies to act over strikes on hospitals
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned US-Israeli attacks on medical facilities, calling on international organisations and health professionals to respond.
In a social media statement, he questioned what message was being sent by strikes on “hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and the Pasteur Institute”, describing them as a “crime against humanity”.
Referring to his background as a physician, Pezeshkian urged global bodies including the World Health Organisation, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders to take a clear stance.
He also called on medical professionals worldwide to speak out against attacks on healthcare infrastructure, which are protected under international humanitarian law.
FM Araghchi says strikes on Iran’s civilian sites show ‘moral collapse’ of enemy
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said that attacks on civilian infrastructure will not force the country to yield, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
In a social media statement, Araghchi criticised strikes targeting what he described as “civilian structures”, including unfinished bridges, arguing such actions reflected “defeat and moral collapse” rather than military strength.
He said the attacks would fail to weaken Iran’s resolve, insisting that damaged infrastructure would be rebuilt “stronger” than before. However, he warned that the long-term consequence would be reputational, claiming the strikes would inflict lasting harm on the United States’ global standing.
IRGC says ‘enemy fighter jet’ downed over Gulf near Qeshm
Iran’s IRGC claims that its air defences successfully targeted an “enemy fighter jet in the south of Qeshm Island”, Al Jazeera reported, citing the state media.
The statement did not specify which country the jet belonged to.
After being hit, the fighter jet crashed into the Gulf between Hengam Island and Qeshm Island, it added.
Pakistan, Turkiye agree to stay in close contact on regional developments
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday to discuss regional developments and bilateral cooperation.
During the call, Fidan acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy, particularly in addressing evolving challenges in the region following US-Israeli war on Iran started on February 28.
He also appreciated Islamabad’s efforts to encourage peaceful engagement among regional stakeholders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The two leaders discussed the Pakistan-China “Five-Point Initiative”, highlighting its significance in fostering peace, stability, and cooperation across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
France says G7, Arab states to discuss Hormuz amid rising tensions
The Group of Seven countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will hold a meeting next week to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said at a news conference on Thursday.
France currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7.
Iran army chief orders commanders to prepare for any attack: state media
Iran’s operational headquarters must monitor “enemy movements with utmost pessimism and accuracy” and be ready to counter any method of attack, the country’s army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump has said the Iran conflict is “nearing completion” and could end within weeks, but a parallel buildup of additional US troops in the Gulf has raised concerns that preparations may be underway for potential ground operations.
“No enemy troops should survive if adversaries attempt a ground operation,” state media quoted Hatami as saying.
State media shared a soundless footage showing Hatami in a room with three other army commanders and on a video call with about a dozen others. Reuters could not immediately verify when the footage was taken.
Putin, Saudi prince seek more efforts to end Mideast war
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Both sides emphasised the need for a rapid cessation of hostilities and the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to achieve a long-term settlement of the conflict,” the Kremlin said in a read-out of the call.
The call comes after Ukraine signed an air defence deal with Saudi Arabia as the Gulf nation grapples with Iranian drone attacks.
France says G7, Arab states to discuss Hormuz amid rising tensions
The Group of Seven countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will hold a meeting next week to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said at a news conference on Thursday.
France currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7.
Oil prices extend climb after Trump’s Iran speech
Oil prices extended gains on Thursday in the wake of US President Donald Trump threatening further heavy strikes on Iran, dampening hopes of de-escalation.
The main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, jumped 10.3% to $110.47 per barrel.
International benchmark Brent North Sea crude rose 8.2% to $109.40 per barrel.
Germany, China agree on need to reopen Strait of Hormuz: Berlin
Germany and China both want to restore the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and agree that individual states must not control sea lanes or levy tolls for passage, the foreign ministry in Berlin said on Thursday.
Iran not looking to restart uranium enrichment, says envoy
Iran is not looking to enrich uranium to the levels needed to build an atomic bomb, Tehran’s envoy to the United Nations’ atomic agency told AFP on Thursday.
Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said that US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic’s Bushehr nuclear power plant constitute a “war crime” under international law.
But Najafi argued that the justification, which alleged that Tehran was looking to enrich uranium to the purity needed to build an atomic weapon, was a “lie”.
In an interview with AFP, Najafi denied that Tehran had “restarted enrichment” of radioactive uranium following the US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities in June 2025.
“We didn’t start the claim that Iran would like to restart the enrichment, we didn’t restart enrichment, and it was a lie, a very big lie, like the other lies,” the Iranian envoy said in an interview with AFP.
The diplomat also insisted that targeting Tehran’s nuclear energy infrastructure would break international law, warning that a radioactive leak would contaminate the water supply and force civilians to evacuate.
“Any attack on the nuclear power plant in Bushehr would be in clear violation of international law, international humanitarian law,” Najafi said.
“Even during the war, it is prohibited to attack the facilities for use of the civilians, and such an attack would be a very big crime, a crime against humanity, a war crime.”
Attack on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant would be a war crime, says envoy
A US or Israeli strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant would constitute a “war crime” under international law, Tehran’s envoy to the United Nations´ atomic agency told AFP on Thursday.
Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Agency, also denied that Tehran had “restarted enrichment” of radioactive uranium following the US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities in June 2025.
Century-old Tehran health institute targeted, says Iran
A century-old medical research centre in Tehran has been attacked and severely damaged, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran’s Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour.
Kermanpour said the strike targeted the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a medical research centre founded in 1920.
In a post on X, he described the attack on the Tehran facility as a “direct assault on international health security” and called the institute a “century-old pillar of global health”.
Iranian steel factory reconstruction to take up to an year: company official
Iran’s Khuzestan Steel Company will need between six months and a year to restore operations after its facilities were damaged in a strike last week, a deputy director said, according to a report published on Thursday by a judiciary-linked news outlet.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had reported that the Khuzestan steel production factory, which uses sealed cobalt-60 and caesium-137 radioactive sources for gauging, was hit in the strikes last week.
“All modules and steel-making furnaces of this industrial complex have been damaged,” Deputy Director of Operations Mehran Pakbin said, adding that reconstruction efforts would rely on domestic capabilities.
33,000 Tehran homes hit in US-Israeli attacks: official
US-Israeli strikes have so far impacted around 33,000 homes in Tehran, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Tehran mayor’s office.
Abdolmohar Mohammadkhani, spokesperson for the Tehran mayor’s office, said the damage varies from minor issues — such as broken glass, doors, and windows — to cases requiring major reconstruction or full renovation.
He noted that 1,869 families are facing housing challenges, with approximately 1,245 already relocated to 23 residential complexes.
Mohammadkhani added that repair work has started on more than 4,000 housing units, either directly undertaken or financially supported by municipal authorities.
Iran says it will not accept ‘vicious cycle’ of war and talks
Iran will not tolerate a “vicious cycle” of war, negotiations and ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported, citing the country’s foreign ministry spokesman, after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran to agree to a deal within two to three weeks or face strikes on all of its power plants.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the ongoing conflict was “catastrophic not only for Iran, but for the entire region and beyond”.
“We will not tolerate this vicious cycle of war, negotiations, ceasefire, and then repeating the same pattern,” he said.
Baghaei said Iran would continue to fight back for as long as US-Israeli strikes continued, while reaffirming that Tehran did not regard its Gulf neighbours as enemies.
“We have repeatedly said that we are determined to continue our good-neighbourly relations with all of them. The problem is that the United States and Israel are exploiting their territories to carry out their military aggression against Iran,” he said.
Calling it an unjust war imposed on the Iranian people, Baghaei said Iran had no choice but to respond forcefully.
“This is an unjust war that has been imposed on the Iranian people. We have no choice but to fight back strongly,” he added.
China calls on all sides in Iran war to cease military operations
China urges all parties in the Iran war to cease military operations, and refrain from creating a more serious impact on the world economy and energy security, Mao Ning, spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters on Thursday when asked to comment on US President Donald Trump’s speech on Iran.
DPM Dar, Egypt’s FM discuss regional tensions in Middle East
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty on the evolving situation in the Middle East as part of a broader diplomatic outreach to ease regional tensions.
The Egyptian foreign minister also spoke with his counterparts of Turkiye, Qatar, and Bahrain on April 1 to coordinate efforts aimed at reducing escalation.
Iran rejects US ceasefire talks as ‘maximalist and irrational’
Iran said Thursday that Washington’s demands were “maximalist and irrational” and denied negotiations were taking place on a ceasefire to stop the war in the Middle East, according to Iranian media.
“Messages have been received through intermediaries, including Pakistan, but there is no direct negotiation with the US,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, quoted by the ISNA news agency.
He accused Washington of making “maximalist and irrational” demands, and said in comments carried on state television that Iran was ready for any attack, including an invasion by ground forces.
US citizens are ‘concerned’ about petrol prices: Trump
US president has acknowledged the economic pain that many in the US are feeling at the petrol pump with gas prices increasing by more than 25 percent than before the war started.
Trump suggested that the price hike is only temporary.
“Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home,” he said.
“This short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers in neighbouring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict. This is yet more proof that Iran can never be trusted with nuclear weapons.”
Trump shifts responsibility, tells nations to ‘just take’ Hormuz Strait
Although the US started the war unilaterally, US President Trump has put the burden on other countries to reclaim the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.
“Build up some delayed courage,” he said in a message to countries that import Gulf oil.
“[They] should have done it before, should have done it with us, as we asked. Go to the strait and just take it, protect it.”
Trum says Iran operation near finish, US will wrap up ‘very fast’
US President Donald Trump told the nation that Washington is “very close” to achieving its objectives in the Iran campaign.
“We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” Trump said in a prime-time address, signalling a rapid conclusion to US military operations.
He added that the core strategic objectives are “nearing completion,” suggesting the conflict could wind down soon, even as details on troop movements and timelines remain unclear.
Trump’s remarks come amid continued tension in the Gulf, with Iran denying any negotiations with Washington and maintaining its military posture.
Dubai airlines issue guidance as UAE denies Iranian travel restrictions
The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry said on Wednesday that claims regarding the residency status of Iranians in the Gulf country were “inaccurate,” affirming that the UAE embraces the Iranian community as an integral part of its diverse social fabric.
US-Israeli attack injures top Iranian foreign policy adviser, kills spouse
A senior Iranian foreign policy figure has been seriously injured in a US‑Israeli strike on his Tehran residence, Arab media reported.
Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and a former foreign minister, suffered severe wounds in the attack and was rushed to the hospital. His wife was reportedly killed.
Kharrazi has long served as a key adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and has retained his position under the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who opted to keep his father’s officials in place.
Trump slams ‘paper tiger’ Nato, says US doesn’t need ‘bad allies’ in Iran war
US President Donald Trump criticised some members of Nato, calling them “bad allies” and saying, “We don’t need them.”
He added, “We had some asks, and you know we spent trillions of dollars on Nato, and when we need them, which we never do, we never needed them here either. To be honest, I was really asking because I wanted to see what they’d do.
“The last thing I needed was Nato stepping in our way, because they’re a paper tiger,” Trump said, referring to the US campaign in Iran.
Iranian president says his country holds no hostility towards ordinary Americans
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a letter addressed to the American people that his country harboured no enmity towards ordinary Americans, Press TV reported on Wednesday.
He said in his letter that portraying Iran as a threat was “neither consistent with historical reality nor with present-day observable facts.”
Pezeshkian said that attacking Iran’s vital infrastructure targets the Iranian people, warning that such actions carried consequences that extend far beyond Iran’s borders.
French navy chief says China must engage more on Hormuz Strait
China will at one point have to engage more directly on how to restore oil traffic flows in the Strait of Hormuz because the number of vessels it has going through is probably insufficient, France’s navy chief said on Wednesday.
“We have not seen China’s navy step in to reopen the strait. On the other hand, there is direct political dialogue between Chinese and Iranian authorities to ensure that a certain number of vessels can pass. Will that be enough to restore normal traffic flows? I don’t believe so,” Admiral Nicolas Vaujour told the War & Peace security conference in Paris.
“As a result, China will probably have to engage more directly in the debate and show its impatience with the fact that the strait remains closed.”
Vaujour said France was working to bring a number of countries around the table at a political level first to determine the conditions under which the strait could be reopened in a lasting way.
Iran announces new wave of strikes on US, Israeli targets in region
Iran’s military announced on Wednesday evening a new wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases in the Gulf, though there was no immediate word from either of any direct hits.
In a statement, the military’s central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said the targets included Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast and Eilat on the Red Sea, as well as US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The announcement came hours before US President Donald Trump was set to make a highly anticipated address on the state of the war, which began on February 28 with a wave of US-Israel attacks against Iran.
Trump warned of cutting Ukraine arms unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition: FT
US President Donald Trump threatened to stop supplying weapons for Ukraine in order to pressure European allies to join a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the discussions.
According to the report, Trump threatened to stop supplies to PURL, Nato’s weapons procurement initiative for Ukraine funded by European countries.
Iran announces release of Pezeshkian’s ‘important letter’ to Americans
Iran is set to release an “important letter” from President Masoud Pezeshkian to the American people as the two countries remain engaged in over a month-long war.
The message the American people will be released in a few hours, Iranian official Mehdi Tabatabai wrote in a post on X.
Trump signals quick US withdrawal from Iran with option to return
The United States will be “out of Iran pretty quickly” and could return for “spot hits” if needed, President Donald Trump told Reuters on Wednesday, hours before he was scheduled to make a primetime address to the nation about the war.
Trump, in a phone interview with Reuters, said one element of his speech would be to express his disgust with Nato for what he considers the alliance’s lack of support for US objectives in Iran.
A transatlantic rift in Trump’s second term deepened after European allies rebuffed his request to help maintain safe passage for oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
He said he was “absolutely” considering withdrawing the United States from Nato, a treaty organisation ratified by the US Senate in 1949.
“They haven’t been friends when we needed them,” Trump said. “We’ve never asked them for much … it’s a one-way street.”
At least 14 injured after Iranian missile fire near Tel Aviv: Israel medics
Israel’s emergency services said 14 people, including an 11-year-old girl, were wounded near Tel Aviv on Wednesday during a missile attack that the military blamed on Iran.
Later in the day, medics said they were treating a 61-year-old man in mild condition with blast injuries in the north following fire from Lebanon, where Israeli forces are fighting Hezbollah.
On Wednesday morning, the military said it had identified a missile launched from Yemen, as well as four rounds of Iranian missiles, which activated air raid sirens across large parts of central and northern Israel.
In the central city of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, the Magen David Adom emergency service said it had treated and evacuated to hospital 14 wounded people, including an 11-year-old girl in critical condition with shrapnel injuries.
It said a 13-year-old boy and 36-year-old woman, also with shrapnel injuries, were in moderate condition, while a further 11 casualties were in mild condition.
US VP Vance engaged intermediaries on Iran war as recently as Tuesday: source
US Vice President JD Vance has been talking to “intermediaries” about the Iran conflict as recently as Tuesday, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump directed Vance to communicate privately that he was open to a ceasefire as long as certain US demands were met, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the source said.
Strait of Hormuz will not be opened by US president’s ‘ridiculous displays’: IRGC
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is “firmly and dominantly” under its control and “will not be opened to the enemies of this nation by the ridiculous displays of the US President,” Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday.
A short while ago, Trump claimed that the Iranian president had asked for a ceasefire, adding that he will consider it “when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear”.
Iran denies seeking ceasefire, calls Trump claim ‘false, baseless’
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said US President Donald Trump’s statement on Iran requesting a ceasefire was false and baseless, Iranian state TV reported on Wednesday.
Death toll from Israeli attacks rises above 1,300: Lebanon
Lebanon’s health ministry on Wednesday said that Israeli attacks have killed 1,318 people in the country since war erupted between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, raising a previous toll of 1,268 a day earlier.
The ministry statement said the toll included 91 women, 125 children and 53 health workers, with 3,935 other people wounded.
Iran to ‘welcome Russia as mediator’ to help resolve Mideast conflict
Iran would welcome Russia as a mediator to help resolve the conflict with the United States and Israel, Russia’s state‑run TASS news agency cited Iran’s envoy to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, as saying.
US senator links Trump’s Iran war to rising energy and living costs
Democratic Senator Chris Coons said on Wednesday that Americans are paying the price for President Donald Trump’s war in Iran.
He wrote on X that it’s “not just prices at the pump”, but also groceries, utility bills, and mortgages that have become more expensive.
Coons called the conflict a “war of choice”, warning that its economic impact is hitting ordinary families hardest.
IRGC says 100 missiles, drones used in latest wave of strikes
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that its latest coordinated attacks with its allied “resistance fronts” used over 100 heavy missiles and drones, alongside at least 200 rockets, Al Jazeera reported.
The IRGC said the attacks targeted various locations in Israel, as well as US military positions in the Gulf, including a site hosting US forces in Bahrain and a US helicopter unit at the al-Adiri base in Kuwait where it claims one helicopter was destroyed.
Attacks will continue with “full intensity and power”, said the IRGC in a statement carried by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster.
Germany reaffirms Nato commitment after Donald Trump remarks
A German government spokesperson reaffirmed Berlin’s commitment to the Nato defence alliance on Wednesday after comments by US President Donald Trump to Britain’s Daily Telegraph that he had moved beyond reconsidering his country’s membership.
“This isn’t the first time he’s done this, and since it’s a recurring phenomenon, you can probably judge the consequences for yourself,” said the spokesperson at a regular government press conference.
“It’s not my place here to comment on the American president’s words. I simply want to state on behalf of the German government that we are, of course, committed to Nato.”
Iran warns Bulgaria against allowing US access to its airports
Iranian authorities warned Nato member Bulgaria last month not to let the US use its airports for planes participating in military operations in Iran, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Stanislav Balabanov, a deputy with the “There is Such People” party, showed a note from March 18 in which the Iranian government protested against US military refuelling planes parked at Bulgaria’s Vasil Levski airport.
In the note, Iran said it “reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and national interests in accordance with international law.”
Later on Wednesday, in a statement to reporters, Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov confirmed the note and said: “Bulgaria is not at war.”
“No combat aircraft are being loaded over Bulgaria to participate in military operations,” he told reporters. “We maintain intact diplomatic relations with the Iranian side.”
Philippines pushes Iran talks to secure oil passage through Hormuz
The Philippines has sought safe passage for desperately needed oil shipments in a meeting with Iran, a presidential spokeswoman said Wednesday, as the import-dependent archipelago jockeys with other regional countries for fuel.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro said she had explored “key avenues for cooperation” in a meeting with Iranian ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh that included the Philippines’ energy secretary.
“Building on the momentum of our Political Consultations last November 2025, we are committed to deepening our cooperation across all fronts, particularly energy cooperation,” she said in a post on social media platform X.
Presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro later told reporters that Lazaro had sought safe passage through the strait for oil shipments bound for the Philippines.
Lazaro was expected to speak with Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday to formally secure those commitments, she said.
French minister rules out Nato role in Hormuz Strait
Nato is a military alliance that ensures the security of the Euro-atlantic area and is not designed to carry out operations in the Strait of Hormuz that would breach international law, France’s junior army minister said on Wednesday.
“Let me remind you what Nato is. It is a military alliance concerned with the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. It is not designed to carry out operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which would be a breach of international law,” Alice Rufo said at the War & Peace conference in Paris.
US President Donald Trump said he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of Nato after allies failed to back US military action against Iran, according to an interview with Britain’s Daily Telegraph.
IEA chief says Middle East oil supply disruptions to rise in April, hit Europe
Oil supply disruptions from the Middle East will rise in April and will hit Europe as supplies dwindle due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol said.
“The loss of oil in April will be twice of oil loss in March, on top of the loss of LNG… The biggest problem today is the lack of jet fuel and diesel. We are seeing that in Asia, but soon, I think, in April or May, it would come to Europe,” Birol told a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, the head of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
UN rights chief urges Israel to repeal death penalty law
The UN’s top human rights official has urged Israel to repeal a newly passed law reinstating the death penalty, warning it could be applied almost exclusively to Palestinians.
Volker Türk said the legislation, approved by Israel’s parliament, raised serious concerns about discrimination and compliance with international law.
He called on Israeli authorities to reconsider the measure, stressing that capital punishment in such a context risked undermining fundamental human rights protections.
The UN rights chief also warned that the law could further inflame tensions, given its potential impact on Palestinians.
The law, which passed late on Monday, is expected to be struck down by Israel’s Supreme Court following an appeal by rights groups as it has elements in breach of an international convention, Israeli legal experts said, adding it is unlikely that any executions will actually be carried out.
The UN rights chief on Tuesday said the legislation violated international humanitarian law.
Direct Iran talks possible, Rubio says, as US eyes war’s end
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington could hold direct talks with Iran at some point, signalling a potential diplomatic opening even as the war enters its fifth week.
Speaking to Fox News, Rubio said the United States can now see “the finish line” in the conflict.
“We can see the finish line. It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming,” he said.
Rubio added that no country was taking steps that were “in any way impeding our mission,” underscoring Washington’s confidence in its military campaign.
He also said the US would need to re-examine its relationship with NATO after the war, hinting at broader strategic shifts once the conflict ends.
UAE backs force to reopen Hormuz, calls on US to act, reports WSJ
The United Arab Emirates has urged the United States to take control of key islands in the Strait of Hormuz, including Abu Musa, as part of efforts to reopen the vital waterway, The Wall Street Journal reported.
According to the report, the UAE has begun pushing Washington and other partners to ensure the strait is opened “by any means necessary,” amid severe disruption to global energy flows.
The UAE is also willing to join military action to force the waterway open, the report said, underscoring rising regional pressure as the conflict intensifies.
Trump will address US on Iran today: White House
US President Donald Trump will provide an update on Iran in an address to the nation today, the White House said.
According to spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s speech is scheduled for 9 pm Wednesday US time (6 am Thursday in Pakistan, PKT).
The address is expected to cover the ongoing US-Israel operations in the region, as well as the administration’s plans regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and military capabilities.
War on Iran could end in two to three weeks, says US president
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US could end its military campaign against Iran within two to three weeks.
“We’ll be leaving very soon,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that the exit could take place in two or three weeks.
At least eight people in latest Israeli strikes in south Lebanon
Israeli strikes in south Lebanon killed at least eight people on Tuesday, one of them a paramedic, according to the health officials.
In separate statements, the ministry said a strike in the Tyre district killed three people and wounded 19 more, while another attack in the Sidon district killed four.
A third strike in the Bint Jbeil district hit a gathering point for the Risala Scouts — a rescue organisation run by Hezbollah ally the Amal movement — killing a paramedic and wounding 13 other people.
Trump abandons inflation-hit ordinary Americans for Israel, says Ghalibaf
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised US leadership on X, saying ordinary Americans are struggling with rising gas prices.
“I just read about Sarah and others in the U.S. skipping meals because gas prices keep climbing,” he wrote.
Ghalibaf added that the situation reflects a shift in US priorities. “It’s not America First anymore… it’s Israel First,” he said.
Pope hopes Trump seeking to exit war, calls for halt to violence
Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday that he hoped that US President Donald Trump was looking to end the war in the Middle East, as he called for a halt to the violence.
“I’m told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war, hopefully he’s looking for an off-ramp, hopefully he’s looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing,” the pope told journalists.
Tehran remains open to talks after “betrayal”, says Iran envoy
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said Tehran feels betrayed but remains committed to peace, welcoming Islamabad’s mediation efforts while defending Iran’s nuclear record and accusing the United States of bad faith.
In a series of posts, he said Iran had previously “participated seriously” in two rounds of talks, amidst both suffered attacks”.
“Again, as firm believer in the power of dialogue and out of good will, Iran stood keen on political/diplomatic solutions and participated seriously in 2 rounds of talks – amidst both suffered attacks”, Moghadam said.
“As a peace loving nation, Iran has always gone for dialogue rather than war.”
Iran rejects trust in US talks, cites history of failed deals
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Al Jazeera that Tehran sees no reason to trust the United States, saying it has “no faith” negotiations would yield results and that the level of trust is “zero”.
“We don’t see honesty,” he said, adding that Iran has “never had a good experience” with US talks. He pointed to past negotiations, including a deal Washington later abandoned, as well as more recent rounds that he said were followed by attacks.
Araghchi says Iran ready for ground war, warns US against “mistake”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran does not fear the prospect of a US ground operation, in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera.
“We are waiting for them,” he said, adding he does not believe Washington would “dare” such a move and that Iran has the strength to respond.
Araghchi said Iran did not start the war and had acted in self-defence, pointing to damage inflicted on US assets and personnel in the region, including surveillance and refuelling aircraft.
He added that Iran was fully prepared to confront any ground attack and warned against what he called a potential “mistake.”
Europe resists US military moves amid escalating Iran war tensions
France and Italy have pushed back against some US-Israeli military operations, sources said on Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump criticised Nato allies in Europe as unhelpful in the month-long war in Iran, highlighting divisions.
The decisions came against a backdrop of tensions between Washington and key partners over the war. Earlier this month, Trump called longtime Nato allies “cowards” over their lack of support. On Tuesday, he slammed countries that did not help in the US-Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, Spain defended its decision to fully close its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran.
Trump also singled out Britain as being unhelpful, just as Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles and Queen Camilla will pay a state visit to the US in late April.
Iran’s Araghchi says have been receiving ‘direct messages’ from US envoy Witkoff
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he has been receiving direct messages from US special envoy Steve Witkoff but they do not constitute “negotiations”, Al Jazeera TV cited him as saying on Tuesday.
The messages include threats or exchanged views delivered through “friends”, he added.
France expresses surprise over Trump’s criticism of military overflights
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Tuesday it was “surprised” by Donald Trump’s criticism of France, stressing the country’s position on US military overflights had not changed.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US president lashed out at France, saying it did not let “planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory.”
“We are surprised by this tweet,” the French presidency said, referring to Trump’s post in which he accused France of being “very unhelpful” in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
“We confirm this decision, which is consistent with France’s position since the start of this conflict,” the Elysee Palace said.
“France has not changed its position since day one,” the presidency said.
WSJ reports Trump willing to end Iran war without reopening Hormuz
US President Donald Trump told aides he is willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed and leave a complex operation to reopen it for a later date, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing administration officials.
Iran dismisses US peace terms, says no direct talks held with Iran since Feb 28
Denying any direct talks with the US, Iran said on Monday that US peace proposals conveyed via intermediaries — following talks between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye — were “unrealistic, illogical and excessive.”
“Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press conference.
Soon after Baghaei’s remarks, Trump said in a social media post that the United States was in talks with a “more reasonable regime” to end the war in Iran, but he also issued a new warning over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ambassador Sheikh says Pakistan acting in good faith to facilitate ME peace talks
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, on Tuesday said the country’s role as a mediator in the recent US-Iran dispute is meant to serve broader regional interests.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Sheikh said Islamabad is grateful for the trust shown by both Washington and Tehran. “We are thankful to both sides for placing their confidence in Pakistan,” he said.
He described the situation as “an extremely complex matter involving political, economic, and regional factors,” and stressed that diplomacy is a gradual process. “Diplomacy is a gradual process that takes time,” Sheikh said.
US pump prices hit $4 a gallon on global energy supply disruptions
The US national average retail price of gasoline crossed $4 a gallon for the first time in more than three years on Monday, data from price-tracking service GasBuddy showed, as the US-Israeli war with Iran rages on.
US to decide on working with Ghalibaf within a week, says Trump
US President Donald Trump said the United States expects to know within a week whether it can work with Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the New York Post reported.
“We’re gonna find out,” Trump said when asked about Ghalibaf. “I’ll let you know that in about a week.”
Trump also claimed a major shift within Iran’s leadership, saying the old guard had effectively been replaced by a new group he described as more workable.
“There has been total regime change because the regimes of the past are gone and we’re dealing with a whole new set of people,” he said. “And thus far, they’ve been much more reasonable.”
Jeddah moot flags Iran escalation, calls out Israel over worship restrictions
Leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan warned during a summit in Jeddah that Iranian attacks on key and civilian facilities mark a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional security, according to a joint statement.
The statement — also backed by the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt — condemned Israel’s restrictions on Muslim and Christian worship in Jerusalem as a “flagrant violation of international law”, as access to Al-Aqsa Mosque remains limited.
Oil spill feared after Iran hits Kuwaiti tanker at Dubai port
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said a giant Kuwaiti crude oil tanker, Al Salmi, was directly targeted in what it described as an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port in the United Arab Emirates, causing damage to the vessel and a fire onboard, the state news agency KUNA said on Tuesday.
The corporation said the tanker was fully loaded at the time of the incident and warned of a possible oil spill in surrounding waters, adding no casualties were reported and an assessment of the damage was underway, KUNA added.
Israeli PM diverges from Washington, won’t set deadline for Iran war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday in an interview with US outlet Newsmax that he doesn’t want to “put a schedule on” the timeline for ending the war with Iran, signalling a reluctance to commit to a fixed end date.
Netanyahu’s comments contrast with signals from the US administration that they hope to wind down their military operations in the Middle East “soon,” highlighting differences in approach between Washington and Jerusalem over how to conclude the conflict.
Araghchi says Saudi Arabia brotherly nation, Iran hits only ‘enemy targets’
Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Monday that Tehran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and “considers it a brotherly nation,” distinguishing its Gulf diplomacy from its actions against perceived threats.
In a post on X, Araghchi added that Iran’s operations target “enemy aggressors” who show no respect for Arabs or Iranians and cannot provide security, pointing to recent strikes on aerial command positions.
He also called for the removal of US forces from the region, reflecting Tehran’s continued assertiveness amid tensions with Washington.
‘Big mistake’ to turn ‘desires into news’ against Iran, warns Ghalibaf
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has accused adversaries of spreading their “desires as news” while threatening Iran and calling that a “big mistake.”
He said if “they hit one, they’ll take several back” and vowed that under the leadership of the Supreme Leader, the Iranian people would make enemies “regret the aggression” and reclaim their rights.
The comments come against a backdrop of high tensions between Tehran and Washington, with each side trading warnings even as diplomatic efforts continue to end the war in the Middle East
Iran decides to impose shipping tolls in strategic Hormuz, bans US, Israel
Iranian state media reported Monday that a parliamentary commission had approved plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to oil and gas shipments that has been effectively closed due to the Middle East war.
Citing a member of the parliament’s security commission, state TV said the plan involved, among other things, “financial arrangements and rial toll systems” and “implementing the sovereign role of Iran”, as well as cooperation with Oman on the other side of the Strait.
It also included the “prohibition of Americans and the Zionist regime from passing through”, as well as a ban on other countries imposing sanctions on Iran.
Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime. Since the war began, crossings have plummeted by around 95%, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, with the impact felt across global energy markets.
White House says Trump may ask Gulf states to fund Iran war
US President Donald Trump would be interested in calling on Arab countries to pay for the cost of the Iran war, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday, adding that she thinks Trump would have more to say on the issue.
Leavitt, asked at a news briefing whether Arab countries would step up to help pay for the war, said she would not get ahead of the Republican president but that it was an idea that Trump had.
“I think it’s something the President would be quite interested in calling them to do,” Leavitt said.
Chinese container ships successfully transit Hormuz on second attempt
Two Chinese container ships sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday on their second attempt to leave the Gulf after turning back on Friday, ship-tracking data showed.
The critical waterway has effectively been shut since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.
The vessels sailed in close formation out of the strait and into open waters, data on the MarineTraffic platform showed.
IRGC foreign wing chief signals shift in regional power dynamics
The commander of the foreign operations branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a rare message on Monday hailing Iranian proxy groups for helping create a “new regional order”.
Esmail Qaani became head of the Guards’ Quds Force after the killing of Qassem Soleimani in a US strike in Iraq in 2020.
His message, just the second attributed to him since the US-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28, was posted on X under the handle @general_Qaani, although the social media giant then rapidly suspended the account with a note that “X suspends accounts which violate the X Rules.”
Qaani said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to create a “security belt across the region” but the actions of Tehran-backed groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen had “exposed the regime’s false promises”.
“Get used to the new regional order,” he said. Qaani was reported to have been killed in the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June, but re-emerged in public.
Rubio voices optimism, says received positive messages from Iranian officials
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday voiced hope for working with elements within Iran’s government, saying the United States privately had received positive messages.
Rubio said there were internal “fractures” inside the Islamic republic and that the United States hoped that figures with “power to deliver” take charge.
“We are hopeful that that’s the case,” Rubio told ABC News programme “Good Morning America.”
“There are clearly people there talking to us in ways that previous people in charge in Iran have not spoken to us in the past, some of the things they’re willing to do,” he said.
Pakistan assured of diesel, jet fuel supplies by Kuwait
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Monday held a meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi to discuss bilateral relations, energy cooperation, and regional developments.
Malik expressed gratitude to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) for assuring full facilitation to Pakistani-flagged vessels for any likely lifting of diesel and jet fuel from Kuwait despite global and regional challenges.
Speaking on regional peace and stability, the federal minister said that Pakistan wishes to see all brotherly countries remain peaceful and secure.
Missile hit distillates tank in Haifa, confirms Israel’s Oil Refineries
Israel’s Oil Refineries confirmed on Monday that a missile attack hit a distillates tank in the northern city of Haifa, with no material damage.
It said no casualties resulted from the attack.
Nato neutralises fourth Iran-launched ballistic missile in Turkish airspace
A ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace before being shot down by Nato air and missile defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkiye’s defence ministry said on Monday.
The incident marked the fourth such incident since the start of the Iran war, following three earlier interceptions by Nato systems earlier this month that prompted Ankara to protest and warn Tehran.
The ministry said all necessary measures were being taken “decisively and without hesitation” against any threat directed at Turkiye’s territory and airspace.
Israeli military claims targeted university in Tehran
Israel’s military said on Monday that it had struck a university in Tehran run by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, claiming the institution was used for advanced weapons research.
“In recent days, one of the IRGC’s central military infrastructure sites was recently struck, located within the compound of Imam Hossein University — the IRGC’s primary military academic institution, which also serves as an emergency asset for the regime’s military bodies,” a military statement said.
Iranian lawmakers review possibility of leaving NPT, says foreign ministry spokesperson
Iran’s parliament is reviewing a possible exit from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, while insisting Tehran has not and will not seek nuclear weapons.
“What is the benefit of joining a treaty in which bullying parties at the international level not only do not allow us to benefit from its rights but also attack our nuclear facilities?” Baghaei said, adding that Tehran would respect the treaty as long as it is a member.
Israeli military says soldier wounded in Lebanon has died
An Israeli soldier has died of his wounds after fighting in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported, quoting the army.
Ben Zion, 19, was seriously injured before being taken to a hospital for treatment, it said.
This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon since the resumption of attacks in early March to six.