Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss Iran’s military and economic situation, days after Israeli media reports claimed that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”.The meeting took place amid heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran. According to Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV, the discussions covered military developments, economic pressures and measures aimed at addressing the needs of the Iranian people.<h2>What was discussed?</h2>According to Press TV, Pezeshkian and Khamenei discussed the immediate needs of the Iranian population, the current circumstances surrounding the war and its future prospects, as well as developments on the military front. The two leaders also discussed measures to secure resources and manage spending related to the rial, foreign currency and energy. They also considered ways to strengthen Iran’s economic engagement with foreign partners, the report said.The meeting was also reported by the Farsi X account attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei.&nbsp;"In this meeting, detailed discussions were held on the country's issues and problems, particularly the provision of the people's livelihood needs, the current conditions of the third imposed war and the future ahead, developments in the military domain, solutions regarding the provision of resources and management of expenditures, "rial, foreign currency, and energy", as well as economic interactions with foreign parties," part of the post on X read.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-moots-rail-link-to-india-as-strait-of-hormuz-disruptions-threaten-trade-1786293938790">Russia moots rail link to India as Strait of Hormuz disruptions threaten trade</a><h2>Meeting follows reports about Khamenei’s health</h2>The meeting comes amid growing speculation over Mojtaba Khamenei’s health. Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency released an undated video showing Mojtaba Khamenei appearing to be in good health. The footage emerged after Israeli media reports claimed that the Supreme Leader was in critical condition and had been taken to a hospital. On Friday, Israeli media reported that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”.&nbsp;&nbsp;Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, and The Jerusalem Post, citing IranWire and sources close to Pezeshkian’s administration, reported that concerns over Khamenei’s health were circulating among Iran’s leadership. The reported meeting also came as Pezeshkian began his third year in office. He was elected president on July 6, 2024, after winning the July 5 election. He was formally appointed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 28 and sworn in on July 30. Pezeshkian’s election came months after then-President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash.<h2>No public appearance by Mojtaba Khamenei</h2>Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28. Since taking over the position, Mojtaba Khamenei has not made any public appearances and has instead communicated through written statements. The reported meeting with Pezeshkian comes at a sensitive time for Iran, with military developments, economic pressures and questions surrounding the Supreme Leader’s health adding to uncertainty across the country.

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian meets Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei amid US-Israeli war tensions, economic pressure and reports over Khamenei’s health

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss Iran’s military and economic situation, days after Israeli media reports claimed that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran. According to Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV, the discussions covered military developments, economic pressures and measures aimed at addressing the needs of the Iranian people. What was discussed? According to Press TV, Pezeshkian and Khamenei discussed the immediate needs of the Iranian population, the current circumstances surrounding the war and its future prospects, as well as developments on the military front. The two leaders also discussed measures to secure resources and manage spending related to the rial, foreign currency and energy. They also considered ways to strengthen Iran’s economic engagement with foreign partners, the report said. The meeting was also reported by the Farsi X account attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei. "In this meeting, detailed discussions were held on the country's issues and problems, particularly the provision of the people's livelihood needs, the current conditions of the third imposed war and the future ahead, developments in the military domain, solutions regarding the provision of resources and management of expenditures, "rial, foreign currency, and energy", as well as economic interactions with foreign parties," part of the post on X read. Also Read: Russia moots rail link to India as Strait of Hormuz disruptions threaten trade Meeting follows reports about Khamenei’s health The meeting comes amid growing speculation over Mojtaba Khamenei’s health. Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency released an undated video showing Mojtaba Khamenei appearing to be in good health. The footage emerged after Israeli media reports claimed that the Supreme Leader was in critical condition and had been taken to a hospital. On Friday, Israeli media reported that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”. Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, and The Jerusalem Post, citing IranWire and sources close to Pezeshkian’s administration, reported that concerns over Khamenei’s health were circulating among Iran’s leadership. The reported meeting also came as Pezeshkian began his third year in office. He was elected president on July 6, 2024, after winning the July 5 election. He was formally appointed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 28 and sworn in on July 30. Pezeshkian’s election came months after then-President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash. No public appearance by Mojtaba Khamenei Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28. Since taking over the position, Mojtaba Khamenei has not made any public appearances and has instead communicated through written statements. The reported meeting with Pezeshkian comes at a sensitive time for Iran, with military developments, economic pressures and questions surrounding the Supreme Leader’s health adding to uncertainty across the country.

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei amid war tensions, economic pressure and health concerns

Pezeshkian 'meets' Mojtaba Khamenei amid 'extremely critical' health reports. Here's what we know about the meeting

US President Donald Trump’s prolonged war with Iran has sharply reduced US weapons stockpiles, forcing the Pentagon to draw supplies from military positions in Europe and Asia and delaying deliveries to American allies, according to senior US and Western officials. The depletion of air-defense interceptors, long-range missiles and other critical munitions is raising concerns within military and intelligence circles that the United States could be less prepared for another major conflict. Analysts warn that Russia and China could interpret the shrinking inventories as an opportunity to test American power.&nbsp;The Iran campaign has consumed thousands of expensive precision-guided missiles, many of which rely on specialised components manufactured through a complex global supply chain. At the same time, US forces have used large numbers of air-defense missiles to counter Iranian attacks. Officials say the resulting shortages have become serious enough for the United States to delay some weapons deliveries to European and Asian partners. The war has also required the Pentagon to move ships, aircraft and air-defense systems from Europe and Asia into the Middle East. That redeployment has created additional pressure on equipment maintenance, military readiness and troop morale, officials said.&nbsp;The cumulative effect is a significant reduction in US firepower in regions where Washington has spent years preparing for possible confrontations with Russia and China. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected concerns about America's ability to conduct military operations, saying the United States has “more than enough firepower to carry out any operation the president orders at any time and place.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-weapons-are-absolute-evil-nagasaki-warns-world-on-81st-bombing-anniversary-1786267409413">‘Nuclear weapons are absolute evil’: Nagasaki warns world on 81st bombing anniversary</a><h2>Pentagon warned Trump about stockpile risks</h2>Before the Iran campaign began, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned President Trump about the risks of drawing further on already-depleted weapons inventories, according to two officials familiar with the discussions. Trump nevertheless proceeded, expecting the conflict to end quickly. Officials say concerns about dwindling munitions contributed to Trump's decision to abandon a major bombing campaign late last month. More than 1,500 Patriot interceptors have reportedly been used during the Iran war, while the current US inventory is estimated at fewer than 1,700, according to two people briefed on the stockpile.<h2>Trump administration pushes back on shortage reports</h2>Trump has reacted angrily to reports about US weapons shortages and has ordered a broad investigation into suspected government leaks. He has also called for criminal prosecutions of officials responsible for releasing sensitive information. According to people familiar with his private comments, Trump believes public discussion of weapons shortages could signal weakness to American adversaries. In public, he has dismissed concerns about depleted inventories or attributed shortages to the Biden administration.&nbsp;“Our defense companies are making more munitions than ever before, while rapidly expanding their plants and equipment at record levels,” Ms. Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a statement. “Anyone entrusted with access to classified military information who leaks it to the media is betraying that trust and breaking federal law, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also rejected reports of shortages, saying the United States has “everything required to strike at the time and place of the president’s choosing.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-escalates-russian-strikes-kill-three-including-child-kyiv-hit-by-fresh-attacks-1786197601922/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-escalates-russian-strikes-kill-three-including-child-kyiv-hit-by-fresh-attacks-1786197601922/embed</a><h2>Russia and China closely watching US inventories</h2>Russian and Chinese military planners are closely monitoring US weapons inventories, according to a US official familiar with defense intelligence. They can estimate American stockpile levels using publicly available information, including congressional budget documents and announcements from defense contractors, while also relying on intelligence gathered through satellites and other surveillance systems.

US weapons stockpiles face pressure after the Iran war as air-defense missiles and long-range munitions run low, raising concerns over Russia, China and Ukraine

US President Donald Trump’s prolonged war with Iran has sharply reduced US weapons stockpiles, forcing the Pentagon to draw supplies from military positions in Europe and Asia and delaying deliveries to American allies, according to senior US and Western officials. The depletion of air-defense interceptors, long-range missiles and other critical munitions is raising concerns within military and intelligence circles that the United States could be less prepared for another major conflict. Analysts warn that Russia and China could interpret the shrinking inventories as an opportunity to test American power. The Iran campaign has consumed thousands of expensive precision-guided missiles, many of which rely on specialised components manufactured through a complex global supply chain. At the same time, US forces have used large numbers of air-defense missiles to counter Iranian attacks. Officials say the resulting shortages have become serious enough for the United States to delay some weapons deliveries to European and Asian partners. The war has also required the Pentagon to move ships, aircraft and air-defense systems from Europe and Asia into the Middle East. That redeployment has created additional pressure on equipment maintenance, military readiness and troop morale, officials said. The cumulative effect is a significant reduction in US firepower in regions where Washington has spent years preparing for possible confrontations with Russia and China. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected concerns about America's ability to conduct military operations, saying the United States has “more than enough firepower to carry out any operation the president orders at any time and place.” Also Read: ‘Nuclear weapons are absolute evil’: Nagasaki warns world on 81st bombing anniversary Pentagon warned Trump about stockpile risks Before the Iran campaign began, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned President Trump about the risks of drawing further on already-depleted weapons inventories, according to two officials familiar with the discussions. Trump nevertheless proceeded, expecting the conflict to end quickly. Officials say concerns about dwindling munitions contributed to Trump's decision to abandon a major bombing campaign late last month. More than 1,500 Patriot interceptors have reportedly been used during the Iran war, while the current US inventory is estimated at fewer than 1,700, according to two people briefed on the stockpile. Trump administration pushes back on shortage reports Trump has reacted angrily to reports about US weapons shortages and has ordered a broad investigation into suspected government leaks. He has also called for criminal prosecutions of officials responsible for releasing sensitive information. According to people familiar with his private comments, Trump believes public discussion of weapons shortages could signal weakness to American adversaries. In public, he has dismissed concerns about depleted inventories or attributed shortages to the Biden administration. “Our defense companies are making more munitions than ever before, while rapidly expanding their plants and equipment at record levels,” Ms. Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a statement. “Anyone entrusted with access to classified military information who leaks it to the media is betraying that trust and breaking federal law, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also rejected reports of shortages, saying the United States has “everything required to strike at the time and place of the president’s choosing.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-escalates-russian-strikes-kill-three-including-child-kyiv-hit-by-fresh-attacks-1786197601922/embed Russia and China closely watching US inventories Russian and Chinese military planners are closely monitoring US weapons inventories, according to a US official familiar with defense intelligence. They can estimate American stockpile levels using publicly available information, including congressional budget documents and announcements from defense contractors, while also relying on intelligence gathered through satellites and other surveillance systems.

US weapons stockpiles are shrinking after the Iran war, raising concerns over air defenses, Ukraine aid and America’s ability to deter Russia and China

US is burning through its arsenal in Iran. Russia and China are watching closely

Iran has issued a sweeping list of demands that the United States must meet before the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz can fully reopen to maritime traffic, raising fresh uncertainty over the future of the major global shipping route. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced the conditions on Saturday in a statement carried by Iranian state media. His demands include an end to the US naval blockade and sanctions against Iran, the withdrawal of American military forces from the region, compensation for war damages and the release of frozen Iranian assets.&nbsp;Zolghadr also demanded an end to attacks against Iran’s regional allies and to what Tehran describes as US threats against Iran. The White House did not immediately respond to the demands. Under an earlier cease-fire agreement reached between Iran and the United States in June, sanctions were expected to be fully lifted only after a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. US officials have also previously maintained that Iran's frozen assets could be released only if Tehran agreed to give up its highly enriched uranium.&nbsp;The latest demands come as Iran and Oman continue negotiations over the future management and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway separating Iran from Oman and one of the world's most important energy shipping corridors. Iran effectively restricted traffic through the strait after the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran in February. The disruption has since raised concerns over global oil supplies, shipping costs and energy prices. Zolghadr's statement has complicated expectations that an agreement between Iran and Oman could soon restore normal commercial traffic through the waterway. It also puts additional pressure on US President Donald Trump as Washington weighs how to contain the crisis while limiting the impact on energy prices and American consumers.&nbsp;Iranian officials had already indicated on Saturday that the reopening of Hormuz was unlikely to happen immediately. Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said reopening the waterway was “not contingent on the Iran-Oman negotiations.” Speaking to Tasnim, an Iranian outlet affiliated with the Guards, Mohebbi said reopening the strait would depend “on the United States fully accepting Iran’s conditions.” He did not provide a complete list of those conditions, but said Washington must not interfere in Iran's negotiations with Oman or other countries.&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said Iran and Oman were “very close” to reaching an agreement, according to Tasnim. “However, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on other conditions, including the United States compensating for its violations of the Islamabad Memorandum,” Araghchi was quoted as saying. The Islamabad memorandum refers to the cease-fire arrangement reached between Iran and the United States in June with Pakistani mediation.&nbsp;The agreement called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a temporary easing of oil sanctions against Iran. However, its language was sufficiently vague that Washington and Tehran developed different interpretations of the terms. The United States supported a southern shipping route that would allow vessels to skirt Oman's coastline and avoid Iranian waters. Iran objected to the arrangement and warned vessels using the route, with some ships subsequently coming under attack.&nbsp;The cease-fire later collapsed, and Washington reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports. “The Americans were seeking to establish new routes through the Strait of Hormuz, and despite the warnings issued by our country, they sought to undermine Iran’s management of the strait,” Araghchi said. “Therefore, any violation of the memorandum of understanding or of Iran’s management of the Strait of Hormuz is absolutely unacceptable to the Islamic Republic of Iran.”&nbsp;Araghchi said Iranian and Omani officials were negotiating a temporary route through the waterway, while the two countries' militaries were working out the operational details. Officials familiar with the emerging arrangement have said it could formalize some of Iran's claims over the management of shipping through the strait. The hard-line demands from Tehran may also reflect growing domestic political pressure on Araghchi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both officials have faced criticism from Iranian hard-liners who oppose any agreement with Washington.&nbsp;Raz Zimmt, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said the statements from Mohebbi and Araghchi suggested that Tehran sees the Iran-Oman talks as being primarily about determining how the waterway could eventually be reopened. Even if Iran and Oman finalize an agreement, Zimmt argued that Tehran is unlikely to implement it without progress from Washington on the commitments made under the earlier memorandum, including the removal of the naval blockade and renewed sanctions relief.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-braces-for-brutal-winter-as-zelenskyy-warns-virtually-no-thermal-plants-remain-intact-1786202069888">Ukraine braces for brutal winter as Zelenskyy warns virtually no thermal plants remain intact</a><h2>New attack on commercial shipping</h2>The diplomatic uncertainty was accompanied by another maritime incident on Saturday. The United Arab Emirates said an Iranian attack had targeted a tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company while it was crossing the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC said Friday that at least 15 of its vessels had been attacked in the waterway since the conflict began. The incidents have reportedly resulted in one crew member being killed and 20 others injured.&nbsp;Oman's Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as “repeated attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” warning that such incidents violate international law and territorial sovereignty. At the same time, Oman said its negotiations with Iran were continuing in a positive environment and urged all sides to avoid actions that could undermine the progress already achieved.<h2>US seeks safe shipping route</h2>US Vice President JD Vance described Washington as being involved in the broader discussions with Oman and Iran during an interview with Fox News on Saturday. Vance said the talks were in “the middle of the game” and focused on creating a system that would allow commercial vessels to safely navigate the waterway.&nbsp;“What we’re really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely,” Mr. Vance said. “That includes of course demining, but it also includes a commitment from the Iranians that they’re not going to fire at commercial vessels.” Vance did not detail what concessions Washington might be prepared to make to Tehran. Instead, he emphasized the pressure currently facing Iran. “They’re hurting in a big way,” he said. “They want this thing to be over. The question is whether they’re able, their system is able, to give the things that are necessary for us to be happy.”<h2>Strait of Hormuz traffic remains severely disrupted</h2>The scale of the disruption is significant. According to maritime data company Kpler, slightly more than a dozen ships per day crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past week. Before the conflict, the waterway handled an average of about 130 ships daily.The actual number of vessels crossing is difficult to establish because some ships have switched off their automatic identification transponders to avoid detection by Iranian or US forces involved in the maritime confrontation.&nbsp;The latest Iranian demands therefore leave the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz dependent on more than the emerging Iran-Oman arrangement. For Tehran, the waterway appears to have become part of a broader negotiation with Washington involving sanctions, military deployments, frozen Iranian assets, regional allies and the terms of the June cease-fire.&nbsp;For the United States and its allies, the immediate priority remains restoring safe commercial navigation without allowing Iran to gain unacceptable control over one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. Until those competing demands are resolved, a full return to normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain.

Iran sets tough conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, demanding US sanctions relief, military withdrawal, compensation and frozen assets

Iran has issued a sweeping list of demands that the United States must meet before the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz can fully reopen to maritime traffic, raising fresh uncertainty over the future of the major global shipping route. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced the conditions on Saturday in a statement carried by Iranian state media. His demands include an end to the US naval blockade and sanctions against Iran, the withdrawal of American military forces from the region, compensation for war damages and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Zolghadr also demanded an end to attacks against Iran’s regional allies and to what Tehran describes as US threats against Iran. The White House did not immediately respond to the demands. Under an earlier cease-fire agreement reached between Iran and the United States in June, sanctions were expected to be fully lifted only after a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. US officials have also previously maintained that Iran's frozen assets could be released only if Tehran agreed to give up its highly enriched uranium. The latest demands come as Iran and Oman continue negotiations over the future management and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway separating Iran from Oman and one of the world's most important energy shipping corridors. Iran effectively restricted traffic through the strait after the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran in February. The disruption has since raised concerns over global oil supplies, shipping costs and energy prices. Zolghadr's statement has complicated expectations that an agreement between Iran and Oman could soon restore normal commercial traffic through the waterway. It also puts additional pressure on US President Donald Trump as Washington weighs how to contain the crisis while limiting the impact on energy prices and American consumers. Iranian officials had already indicated on Saturday that the reopening of Hormuz was unlikely to happen immediately. Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said reopening the waterway was “not contingent on the Iran-Oman negotiations.” Speaking to Tasnim, an Iranian outlet affiliated with the Guards, Mohebbi said reopening the strait would depend “on the United States fully accepting Iran’s conditions.” He did not provide a complete list of those conditions, but said Washington must not interfere in Iran's negotiations with Oman or other countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said Iran and Oman were “very close” to reaching an agreement, according to Tasnim. “However, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on other conditions, including the United States compensating for its violations of the Islamabad Memorandum,” Araghchi was quoted as saying. The Islamabad memorandum refers to the cease-fire arrangement reached between Iran and the United States in June with Pakistani mediation. The agreement called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a temporary easing of oil sanctions against Iran. However, its language was sufficiently vague that Washington and Tehran developed different interpretations of the terms. The United States supported a southern shipping route that would allow vessels to skirt Oman's coastline and avoid Iranian waters. Iran objected to the arrangement and warned vessels using the route, with some ships subsequently coming under attack. The cease-fire later collapsed, and Washington reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports. “The Americans were seeking to establish new routes through the Strait of Hormuz, and despite the warnings issued by our country, they sought to undermine Iran’s management of the strait,” Araghchi said. “Therefore, any violation of the memorandum of understanding or of Iran’s management of the Strait of Hormuz is absolutely unacceptable to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Araghchi said Iranian and Omani officials were negotiating a temporary route through the waterway, while the two countries' militaries were working out the operational details. Officials familiar with the emerging arrangement have said it could formalize some of Iran's claims over the management of shipping through the strait. The hard-line demands from Tehran may also reflect growing domestic political pressure on Araghchi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both officials have faced criticism from Iranian hard-liners who oppose any agreement with Washington. Raz Zimmt, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said the statements from Mohebbi and Araghchi suggested that Tehran sees the Iran-Oman talks as being primarily about determining how the waterway could eventually be reopened. Even if Iran and Oman finalize an agreement, Zimmt argued that Tehran is unlikely to implement it without progress from Washington on the commitments made under the earlier memorandum, including the removal of the naval blockade and renewed sanctions relief. Also Read: Ukraine braces for brutal winter as Zelenskyy warns virtually no thermal plants remain intact New attack on commercial shipping The diplomatic uncertainty was accompanied by another maritime incident on Saturday. The United Arab Emirates said an Iranian attack had targeted a tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company while it was crossing the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC said Friday that at least 15 of its vessels had been attacked in the waterway since the conflict began. The incidents have reportedly resulted in one crew member being killed and 20 others injured. Oman's Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as “repeated attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” warning that such incidents violate international law and territorial sovereignty. At the same time, Oman said its negotiations with Iran were continuing in a positive environment and urged all sides to avoid actions that could undermine the progress already achieved. US seeks safe shipping route US Vice President JD Vance described Washington as being involved in the broader discussions with Oman and Iran during an interview with Fox News on Saturday. Vance said the talks were in “the middle of the game” and focused on creating a system that would allow commercial vessels to safely navigate the waterway. “What we’re really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely,” Mr. Vance said. “That includes of course demining, but it also includes a commitment from the Iranians that they’re not going to fire at commercial vessels.” Vance did not detail what concessions Washington might be prepared to make to Tehran. Instead, he emphasized the pressure currently facing Iran. “They’re hurting in a big way,” he said. “They want this thing to be over. The question is whether they’re able, their system is able, to give the things that are necessary for us to be happy.” Strait of Hormuz traffic remains severely disrupted The scale of the disruption is significant. According to maritime data company Kpler, slightly more than a dozen ships per day crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past week. Before the conflict, the waterway handled an average of about 130 ships daily. The actual number of vessels crossing is difficult to establish because some ships have switched off their automatic identification transponders to avoid detection by Iranian or US forces involved in the maritime confrontation. The latest Iranian demands therefore leave the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz dependent on more than the emerging Iran-Oman arrangement. For Tehran, the waterway appears to have become part of a broader negotiation with Washington involving sanctions, military deployments, frozen Iranian assets, regional allies and the terms of the June cease-fire. For the United States and its allies, the immediate priority remains restoring safe commercial navigation without allowing Iran to gain unacceptable control over one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. Until those competing demands are resolved, a full return to normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain.

Iran demands sanctions relief, US military withdrawal and compensation before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, complicating talks with Oman

Strait Of Hormuz reopening: These conditions set by Iran could decide what happens next

West Asia is witnessing another dangerous escalation despite reports that Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a framework for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Fresh Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have heightened tensions, even as diplomatic efforts continue between Israel and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly warned Gulf nations that any fresh U.S. military action could trigger retaliation against critical infrastructure, including oil fields, refineries, electricity grids, water facilities, and transport networks. The developments come as Washington continues to pursue negotiations with Tehran while expressing concerns over divisions within Iran's leadership.

As uncertainty grows over the future of the Hormuz shipping route and the fragile Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, fears of a broader regional conflict continue to mount.

Iran Warns Gulf States of Retaliation | Israel Launches Fresh Strikes on Lebanon | GRAVITAS 

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again called off planned military strikes on Iran, saying he received requests from Iran and Gulf nations to avoid further escalation.

According to Trump, the temporary understanding includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Reports suggest Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to de-escalate the conflict, while the U.S. and Israel had reportedly been preparing one of the largest bombing campaigns against Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran has warned that any new American attack would trigger a powerful response targeting energy infrastructure across the Gulf region. U.S. embassies throughout the Middle East have also issued security alerts amid fears of a wider regional conflict.

Trump Halts Iran Attack After Gulf Pressure | Middle East Crisis Deepens

#Gravitas The search for Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has turned into a quest for the CIA and Mossad, where technology is falling short, and human intelligence is now taking centre stage.   

CIA & Mossad Try to Trace Mojtaba Khamenei Using Human Intel  | GRAVITAS 

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its fifth consecutive day as U.S. forces launched another wave of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities that Washington says threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Bandar Abbas, Rask, Chabahar, Qeshm, Bandar Imam Khomeini, and areas near Bushehr, where Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant is located. The U.S. Central Command also confirmed that it targeted a vessel accused of attempting to violate the renewed naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran reportedly responded by launching attacks against U.S. military positions in Bahrain and Kuwait.

U.S.-Iran war intensifies | Fresh American strikes hit Iran as Trump issues new warning to Tehran

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its fifth consecutive day as U.S. forces launched a fresh wave of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities linked to threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. Central Command, the military operation focused on strategic Iranian military infrastructure, while Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Rask, and areas near Bushehr.
The U.S. military also confirmed that it disabled a vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port after it allegedly violated the renewed naval blockade, further intensifying tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Iran reportedly launched attacks against U.S. military positions in Bahrain and Kuwait, while Iraqi Kurdish security forces intercepted and destroyed eight explosive-laden drones near coalition facilities.

U.S.-Iran war escalates: U.S. Launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump warns 'better behave' 

US President Donald Trump says Washington is ready for another round of negotiations with Iran, even as the US imposed fresh sanctions targeting key Iranian financial networks. Reports suggest new talks could take place in Switzerland, while Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman continue diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region. Meanwhile, Iran has rejected claims that it requested negotiations and has accused the US of violating previous understandings through renewed military action.


Trump agrees to fresh iran talks as us imposes new sanctions amid rising middle east tensions

US President Donald Trump threatened that the United States could eliminate Iran’s remaining leadership “with one shot” during the gathering at the funeral ceremonies of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. He added that Washington would refrain from doing so because it would leave no one to negotiate with. This comes as large crowds participated in the funeral attended by senior Iranian leaders. Representatives from several other countries also joined the ceremonies.“They are all there. One shot and we can take them all out, but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with...They are begging to make a deal,” Trump told Axios.The funeral began on July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Ceremonies are scheduled across several cities, including Qom, before concluding with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad on July 9. Large crowds have gathered across Iran, making the event one of the world's most closely watched developments.Trump also reacted to images of mourners, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, appearing emotional during the ceremonies. Saying he believed many Iranians disliked Khamenei, Trump questioned whether the public grief was genuine, remarking that the tears could be “fake.”Trump also claimed that both sides had agreed to pause talks for a week for the funeral. He also said that neither side would attack as Khamenei's funeral ceremonies were underway.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-knows-who-the-boss-is-trump-says-ahead-of-possible-white-house-meet-1783229474079">Netanyahu ‘knows who the boss is’: Trump says ahead of possible White House meet</a>Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, setting off a wider regional conflict. Because of the wartime situation, Iran delayed his burial despite Islamic tradition favouring funerals within 24 hours.Meanwhile, reports citing Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, Mojtaba Khamenei’s representative in India, said Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, would not attend the funeral because of security concerns and the threat of possible Israeli targeting.<h2>Iran prepared for mass deaths at funeral</h2>According to a report by a Germany’s WELT, Iranian authorities are preparing for 1,500 to 3,000 deaths during the funeral ceremonies of the late leader. The report, written by an anonymous journalist in Tehran, said that officials have prepared for contingency plans for a possible mass-casualty disaster during the event.Watch | Khamenei Funeral: Iran's Intel Ministry Vows To Avenge Late Supreme Leader's Blood<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/khamenei-funeral-iran-s-intel-ministry-vows-to-avenge-late-supreme-leader-s-blood-1783216603067/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/khamenei-funeral-iran-s-intel-ministry-vows-to-avenge-late-supreme-leader-s-blood-1783216603067/embed</a>&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump claimed the US could eliminate Iran's remaining leadership "in one shot" but chose negotiations instead. He also said both sides paused hostilities during Ali Khamenei's funeral.

US President Donald Trump threatened that the United States could eliminate Iran’s remaining leadership “with one shot” during the gathering at the funeral ceremonies of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. He added that Washington would refrain from doing so because it would leave no one to negotiate with. This comes as large crowds participated in the funeral attended by senior Iranian leaders. Representatives from several other countries also joined the ceremonies. “They are all there. One shot and we can take them all out, but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with...They are begging to make a deal,” Trump told Axios. The funeral began on July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Ceremonies are scheduled across several cities, including Qom, before concluding with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad on July 9. Large crowds have gathered across Iran, making the event one of the world's most closely watched developments. Trump also reacted to images of mourners, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, appearing emotional during the ceremonies. Saying he believed many Iranians disliked Khamenei, Trump questioned whether the public grief was genuine, remarking that the tears could be “fake.” Trump also claimed that both sides had agreed to pause talks for a week for the funeral. He also said that neither side would attack as Khamenei's funeral ceremonies were underway. Also read | Netanyahu ‘knows who the boss is’: Trump says ahead of possible White House meet Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, setting off a wider regional conflict. Because of the wartime situation, Iran delayed his burial despite Islamic tradition favouring funerals within 24 hours. Meanwhile, reports citing Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, Mojtaba Khamenei’s representative in India, said Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, would not attend the funeral because of security concerns and the threat of possible Israeli targeting. Iran prepared for mass deaths at funeral According to a report by a Germany’s WELT, Iranian authorities are preparing for 1,500 to 3,000 deaths during the funeral ceremonies of the late leader. The report, written by an anonymous journalist in Tehran, said that officials have prepared for contingency plans for a possible mass-casualty disaster during the event. Watch | Khamenei Funeral: Iran's Intel Ministry Vows To Avenge Late Supreme Leader's Blood https://www.wionews.com/videos/khamenei-funeral-iran-s-intel-ministry-vows-to-avenge-late-supreme-leader-s-blood-1783216603067/embed

US President Donald Trump claimed the US could eliminate Iran's remaining leadership "in one shot" but chose negotiations instead. He also said both sides paused hostilities during Ali Khamenei's funeral.

‘One shot and we can take them all’: Trump says US could strike Iran’s leadership at Khamenei’s funeral

Iran's IRGC Navy has warned vessels to strictly follow the routes announced by Tehran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, saying any movement outside those lanes is "dangerous" and prohibited. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the force said some authorities had announced a new shipping route without consulting or coordinating with the Islamic Republic. It described that move as unacceptable and warned that ships should not attempt to pass through any route outside the one approved by Iran.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-m-not-going-to-be-bullied-trump-gets-in-to-shouting-match-with-republican-senator-over-iran-war-as-questions-grow-over-peace-deal-1782346277095">'I'm not going to be bullied': Trump gets into a shouting match with Republican senator over Iran war as questions grow over peace deal</a><h2>Iran rejects alternative shipping lanes</h2>Tehran says recently announced routes through the Strait of Hormuz were introduced without its approval and are "unacceptable" and "dangerous"."A few hours ago, without informing or coordinating with the Islamic Republic of Iran, some authorities announced a new route for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is unacceptable and completely dangerous," the IRGC statement said, according to Iranian state media. It added that "The only permitted route for passing through the Strait of Hormuz is the routes announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran."The statement also stated that coordination with the IRGC Navy "through Channel 16" was a requirement "for passing through the Strait of Hormuz", while warning that "violating vessels will be dealt with."<h2>What new route through the Strait of Hormuz is the IRGC referring to?</h2>The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently introduced new evacuation routes to help move thousands of seafarers still stranded in the Gulf. Those routes include a passage close to the Omani coast for outgoing ships and another through Iranian waters for traffic in both directions.IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez said the agency hopes to see around 50 vessels evacuated each day through the new lanes.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-accuses-big-oil-companies-of-gouging-american-customers-says-gasoline-prices-better-start-going-down-a-lot-faster-usa-ogas-price-today-1782274625910">Trump accuses big oil companies of 'gouging' American customers, says 'gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster'</a><h2>Hormuz traffic slowly rebounds</h2>The warning comes at a sensitive moment for one of the world's busiest and most strategically important waterways.According to maritime tracking data, after months of blockades, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has finally started improving after Iran and the United States agreed to a memorandum of understanding on June 14. On Tuesday, Kpler recorded 25 commodity ship transits through the strait, with 17 more logged by Wednesday afternoon. That was down from 38 transits on Monday, but still above levels seen before the agreement.Between March 1 and June 14, the same data showed fewer than 10 daily crossings on average. Since June 15, that number has climbed to about 22 ships per day. In normal times, roughly 120 vessels pass through the strait each day, carrying about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports.Large crude carriers have also begun moving more freely. Kpler data showed three very large crude carriers crossed on Wednesday, together transporting 4.1 million barrels of crude oil out of the Gulf. On Tuesday, five VLCCs crossed the strait, three of them loaded. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran's IRGC Navy has warned vessels to use only Tehran-approved shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting newly announced evacuation routes and threatening action against ships that violate its instructions, even as traffic through the strategic waterway begins to recover.

Iran's IRGC Navy has warned vessels to strictly follow the routes announced by Tehran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, saying any movement outside those lanes is "dangerous" and prohibited. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the force said some authorities had announced a new shipping route without consulting or coordinating with the Islamic Republic. It described that move as unacceptable and warned that ships should not attempt to pass through any route outside the one approved by Iran. Also read | 'I'm not going to be bullied': Trump gets into a shouting match with Republican senator over Iran war as questions grow over peace deal Iran rejects alternative shipping lanes Tehran says recently announced routes through the Strait of Hormuz were introduced without its approval and are "unacceptable" and "dangerous". "A few hours ago, without informing or coordinating with the Islamic Republic of Iran, some authorities announced a new route for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is unacceptable and completely dangerous," the IRGC statement said, according to Iranian state media. It added that "The only permitted route for passing through the Strait of Hormuz is the routes announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran." The statement also stated that coordination with the IRGC Navy "through Channel 16" was a requirement "for passing through the Strait of Hormuz", while warning that "violating vessels will be dealt with." What new route through the Strait of Hormuz is the IRGC referring to? The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently introduced new evacuation routes to help move thousands of seafarers still stranded in the Gulf. Those routes include a passage close to the Omani coast for outgoing ships and another through Iranian waters for traffic in both directions. IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez said the agency hopes to see around 50 vessels evacuated each day through the new lanes. Also read | Trump accuses big oil companies of 'gouging' American customers, says 'gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster' Hormuz traffic slowly rebounds The warning comes at a sensitive moment for one of the world's busiest and most strategically important waterways. According to maritime tracking data, after months of blockades, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has finally started improving after Iran and the United States agreed to a memorandum of understanding on June 14. On Tuesday, Kpler recorded 25 commodity ship transits through the strait, with 17 more logged by Wednesday afternoon. That was down from 38 transits on Monday, but still above levels seen before the agreement. Between March 1 and June 14, the same data showed fewer than 10 daily crossings on average. Since June 15, that number has climbed to about 22 ships per day. In normal times, roughly 120 vessels pass through the strait each day, carrying about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Large crude carriers have also begun moving more freely. Kpler data showed three very large crude carriers crossed on Wednesday, together transporting 4.1 million barrels of crude oil out of the Gulf. On Tuesday, five VLCCs crossed the strait, three of them loaded. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran's IRGC Navy has warned vessels to use only Tehran-approved shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting newly announced evacuation routes and threatening action against ships that violate its instructions, even as traffic through the strategic waterway begins to recover.

'Violating vessels will be dealt with': IRGC warns ships to stick to designated routes in Strait of Hormuz as traffic picks up

The current B-52H bomber requires a five-person crew, including pilots, navigators, and an electronic warfare officer. However, upcoming B-52J radar upgrades will reduce this to a four-person team to operate the USD 84 million aircraft.

How many people does it take to operate a B-52 bomber?

The United States is planning to deport Iranians, facing over a 50 per cent chance of persecution or torture, to the Central African Republic, according to reports. Along with the Iranian citizens, Washington is also planning to deport several other migrants, reports Reuters, citing sources. The potential deportation of Iranian and other migrants comes as the US and Iran continue to be embroiled in conflict, with the two nations exchanging missiles earlier this week.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fact-check-did-israeli-troops-shoot-a-7-month-old-baby-shocking-new-video-challenges-idf-account-watch-1781161317025">Fact Check: Did Israeli troops shoot a 7-month-old baby? Shocking new video challenges IDF account</a><h2>Who are the Iranians the US is planning to deport?</h2>According to the report, among the Iranian deportees are two women who face potential persecution and torture if they are forced back to their home country, said their lawyer Emily Trostle. One of the women is a Christian convert, and another is a pro-democracy activist; both earlier obtained a form of protection ⁠known as withholding of removal from a US immigration judge, revealed the lawyer.This protection means that the judge believed they faced a risk greater than 50 per cent of persecution and torture in Iran. They were detained upon arriving in the US in November 2024.<h2>Why Central African Republic?</h2>Central African Republic, a chronically unstable country racked by violence and poverty, recently reached a deal to accept so-called third-country deportees from the US.An official briefed on the matter told Reuters that the first deportation flight with about 20 people is expected to leave as early as Thursday. Among the deportees are Syrians, Afghans, and a Turkish national with withholding of removal protection who fled political persecution.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/defend-the-rights-of-our-sisters-taliban-violently-disperses-rare-protest-for-women-s-right-what-happened-in-herat-watch-1781083706778">'Defend the rights of our sisters': Taliban violently disperses rare protest for women's rights. What happened in Herat? WATCH</a><h2>Trump's third country deportation deals</h2>The Trump administration has relied on deportation agreements with third countries, among them the Democratic Republic of Congo, a neighbour of the Central African Republic that is currently grappling with an Ebola outbreak, to remove people it cannot legally send back to their home countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Washington maintains that these agreements comply with the law. However, human rights organisations and advocates argue that the arrangements lack transparency and say that many deportees are eventually sent back to their countries of origin.<h2>What would happen to the deportees in Central African Republic?</h2>The deportees will be held in apartments in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, and are not expected to be sent on to other destinations immediately, the briefed official said. The official added that, under the agreement, ultimately hundreds of migrants could be deported there.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to deport Iranian, Syrian and Afghan migrants to the Central African Republic under a third-country agreement, raising concerns among human rights advocates.

The United States is planning to deport Iranians, facing over a 50 per cent chance of persecution or torture, to the Central African Republic, according to reports. Along with the Iranian citizens, Washington is also planning to deport several other migrants, reports Reuters, citing sources. The potential deportation of Iranian and other migrants comes as the US and Iran continue to be embroiled in conflict, with the two nations exchanging missiles earlier this week. Also read | Fact Check: Did Israeli troops shoot a 7-month-old baby? Shocking new video challenges IDF account Who are the Iranians the US is planning to deport? According to the report, among the Iranian deportees are two women who face potential persecution and torture if they are forced back to their home country, said their lawyer Emily Trostle. One of the women is a Christian convert, and another is a pro-democracy activist; both earlier obtained a form of protection ⁠known as withholding of removal from a US immigration judge, revealed the lawyer. This protection means that the judge believed they faced a risk greater than 50 per cent of persecution and torture in Iran. They were detained upon arriving in the US in November 2024. Why Central African Republic? Central African Republic, a chronically unstable country racked by violence and poverty, recently reached a deal to accept so-called third-country deportees from the US. An official briefed on the matter told Reuters that the first deportation flight with about 20 people is expected to leave as early as Thursday. Among the deportees are Syrians, Afghans, and a Turkish national with withholding of removal protection who fled political persecution. Also read | 'Defend the rights of our sisters': Taliban violently disperses rare protest for women's rights. What happened in Herat? WATCH Trump's third country deportation deals The Trump administration has relied on deportation agreements with third countries, among them the Democratic Republic of Congo, a neighbour of the Central African Republic that is currently grappling with an Ebola outbreak, to remove people it cannot legally send back to their home countries. While Washington maintains that these agreements comply with the law. However, human rights organisations and advocates argue that the arrangements lack transparency and say that many deportees are eventually sent back to their countries of origin. What would happen to the deportees in Central African Republic? The deportees will be held in apartments in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, and are not expected to be sent on to other destinations immediately, the briefed official said. The official added that, under the agreement, ultimately hundreds of migrants could be deported there.

The United States is reportedly preparing to deport migrants, including Iranians granted protection from return to Iran, to the Central African Republic under a controversial third-country arrangement. The move has triggered fresh concerns over safety, transparency and human rights.

US plans to deport Iranian migrants to Central African Republic despite persecution, torture concerns

Strait of Hormuz shutdown again as Iran delivered on its promise to resume "strict management" of the vital passage if US troops continue to enforce a blockade ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Scroll down to read more.

Strait of Hormuz shut again as over 10,000 US troops continue to enforce Iran blockade

The US–Israel–Iran conflict is entering a more volatile phase, marked by rising military threats, economic pressure and uncertain diplomacy. Iran has issued fresh warnings, with senior adviser Mohsen Rezaei threatening to target US ships in the Strait of Hormuz and take American soldiers hostage in the event of a ground invasion.On the economic front, Washington has imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil network, signalling continued pressure even as talks remain on the table. At the same time, the US Navy’s blockade has already disrupted shipping, though some vessels have still managed to transit Hormuz, exposing enforcement challenges.Diplomatically, a second round of US–Iran talks is under discussion, likely again in Islamabad, with support from China and mediation efforts by Pakistan.Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground remains intense. Israel has expanded operations in Lebanon, with its military chief ordering a “Hezbollah kill zone” in the south, even as reports suggest a possible ceasefire could emerge within days.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said US and Israeli goals remain “identical,” including dismantling Iran’s nuclear capability and Hezbollah. The broader fallout is growing. The World Bank has warned the war could push global hunger up by 20 per cent, while Iran has arrested suspected Israeli spies, pointing to an intensifying shadow conflict.<h2>Follow WION for all the latest developments, analysis, and live updates on the unfolding US‑Iran‑Israel crisis.</h2>

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Thursday that his country will launch “even more painful” strikes against Iran if it does not agree to a deal in negotiations with the United States.“Iran is facing a historic crossroads. This is their moment of choice, between a bridge to the future and an abyss of isolation and destruction,” he said.If Iran chooses the latter option, it will “very quickly discover” that targets Israel has not yet struck are “even more painful that the ones we have already attacked.”

Israel will launch ‘even more painful’ strikes, defence minister threatens Iran

US Central Command (Centcom) said on Thursday that 14 vessels have turned around over 72 hours.“US forces are focused, vigilant, and highly motivated as they execute a blockade on vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports,” Centcom said.

14 vessels turned around since blockade began: US military

Gen Dan Caine, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a press briefing on Thursday that US forces are ready to resume combat “at literally a moment's notice.”Caine also clarified that the US action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, rather than the Strait of Hormuz. It applies to all ships regardless of nationality heading into or from Iranian ports, he added."Enforcement will occur inside Iran's territorial seas and in international waters."

US forces ready to resume combat at a moment's notice: Gen Caine

The US has extended its maritime blockade on Iran to cover cargo shipments classified as contraband. According to a US Navy advisory, any vessels suspected of heading towards Iranian territory will be “subject to belligerent right to visit and search”. “These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search, and seizure,” the Navy said in an updated advisory after a blockade was imposed on Monday.

US Expands Iran Blockade, Warns Ships of Search and Seizure Over ‘Contraband’

US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth said that the US will maintain a naval blockade of Iran for as long as it takes.&nbsp;

US Defence Chief on naval blockade

Pope Leo has lashed out at the world leaders who spend billions on wars, adding that the world is “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”. “The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,” the pontiff said while on a visit to Cameroon after Trump attacked him again on social media.“They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.”

Pope Leo on war

Global stock markets advanced as investor confidence strengthened on expectations that the ceasefire in the Iran conflict might be prolonged, according to AP. In Europe, key indices such as the FTSE 100, CAC 40, and DAX each rose by around 0.5 per cent. Asian markets also saw gains, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbing 2.4 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index increasing 1.7 per cent to 26,394.26, and China’s Shanghai Composite Index closing 0.7 per cent higher.

Global Markets Rally as Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Investor Sentiment

An Israeli attack on a car on Lebanon’s Dar al-Baydar road that borders Syria has claimed the life of one person, the National News Agency reported.

1 died after Israeli attack in Lebanon-Syria border

Pakistani army chief Asim is scheduled to pay a visit to the US in order to mediate the next round of talks, Al Jazeera reported.

Pak army chief Asim Munir to visit US: Report

Turkiye voiced support for turning the ceasefire into a lasting peace deal to solve the conflict, according to Al Jazeera. “We will continue ‌to provide the necessary support for the ongoing ceasefire to turn into a permanent truce and eventually lasting peace, without becoming more complex and difficult to manage,” the Turkish defence ministry said at a ⁠weekly briefing.

Turkiye backs lasting peace deal to solve conflict

Amid reports of a possible talks between Israel and Lebanon, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday (Apr 15) has said that it has been possible due to Tehran’s insistence on such a truce being part of the one reached between the US and the Islamic Republic. Ghalibaf was hinting at Iran's conditions for ceasefire with US, in which it said that Israel should stop offensive against Hezbollah in Iran. Israel attacked Hezbollah after it stepped into the war between Iran, US and Israel, vowing to avenge the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ghalibaf's reaction came as US President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, confirmed that Israeli and Lebanese authorities will speak to each other on Thursday (Apr 16). <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-iran-and-axis-of-resistance-are-one-soul-iranian-parliament-speaker-ghalibaf-s-message-for-great-hezbollah-amid-israel-lebanon-talks-1776317061548">Read more</a>

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf's message for 'great Hezbollah' amid Israel-Lebanon talks

After the first round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir meets Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.<img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260416/image-1776335555432.jpeg">

Asim Munir meets Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf

Chinese FM Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi.Ambassador Xu Feihong said, “China supports maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks, which serves the fundamental interests of the Iranian people and reflects the shared expectations of countries in the region and the international community.”&nbsp;&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Chinese FM Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;China supports maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks, which serves the fundamental interests of the Iranian people and reflects the shared expectations of countries in the region… &lt;a href="https://t.co/aHCStfM3fq"&gt;pic.twitter.com/aHCStfM3fq&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/China_Amb_India/status/2044684127035924573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 16, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Chinese FM held a phone conversation with Iranian FM

US President Donald Trump said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday in what would be a historic first, but there was no confirmation from either side.Trump's announcement comes as Washington pushes to ease hostilities following the first direct talks between the two countries in decades this week, when their ambassadors met in the US capital.Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, attacked Israel.Since then, Israeli strikes in Lebanonhave killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than a million, despite international calls for a ceasefire, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country's south.

Trump says Israel, Lebanon leaders to hold talks Thursday

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese president Aoun, says minister

Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese president Aoun: Israeli minister

Asian stock markets rose to a record high in the S&amp;P 500 and NASDAQ, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.58% shortly after the open, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed 1.89 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index grew 0.68 per cent, and Taiwan’s Taiex was up 0.48 per cent. This comes amid optimism of the extension of the ceasefire and an Iran deal

Asian Stocks rally following Wall Street

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that they have secured 100 million litres of diesel to bolster energy security, amid an energy crisis around the globe, as the Hormuz blockade continues. “I can announce that my government has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel from two shipments," Albanese said to the reporters. The two tanker was from Brunei and South Korea.&nbsp;

Australia secures 100 mn litres oil from Brunei and South Korea

According to a report by the Times of Israel, the war with Iran has cost 35 billion shekels ($11.5 billion) from Israel’s budget. Israel's Finance Minister has warned of significant economic damage and a rise in government spending.&nbsp;

Israel's war with Iran cost $11.5 billion

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Medina and prays at the Prophet's Mosque, on the second day of his visit to Saudi Arabia, ahead of a possible new round of US-Iran peace talks.

Pakistan PM prayed at Prophet's Mosque in Medina

Democrats have unveiled a seven-page impeachment resolution against the Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. The resolution, being led by Rep Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, has six articles and makes major allegations of “high crimes and misdemeanours” in reference to the attack on Iran and the strike on alleged drug smuggling boats.

Democrats file impeachment article against Sec of Defence Pete Hegseth

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has urged Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. He said that it was the unanimous decision of the international community. He said that Iran's sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights should be respected as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, and freedom of navigation and safety in the Strait should be respected.&nbsp;

China's Foreign Minister urges to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz

Israel has bombed near the last remaining hospital in southern Lebanon, in Tibnin, a town approximately 10 km away from the border. It is the second consecutive day Israel has struck this area, clearly making it uninhabitable for people. Israel is attacking civilians in the pretence of disarming Hezbollah.

Israel bombed near hospital in Southern Lebanon for second day

Iran Army's spokesperson Amir Hatamai said that in the event of a ground incursion, “not even one of the invaders should remain alive” as reported by the Iranian Fars News agency.

Iran's Army spokesperson Amir Hatami threatens US against ground incursions

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel to bolster fuel security during global shortages, the AFP news agency reported

Australia secures fuel from Brunei and South Korea

Lebanon is "not aware" of any upcoming contact with Israel, an official source told AFP, after US President Donald Trump said the leaders of the two countries would speak on Thursday. "We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels," the source said.

Lebanon 'not aware' of any upcoming contact with Israel: AFP

There is no information available about a possible phone call between Lebanese and Israeli leaders, Al Jazeera reported quoting a Lebanese official&nbsp;

No information about talks between Lebanon, Israeli leaders: Lebanese official

Iranian officials and Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir will hold talks in Tehran on Thursday to discuss messages exchanged between Iran and the US since negotiations in Pakistan fell apart

Iran and Pakistan will meet today

Iran’s Ministry of Education spokesperson announced that all schools across the country will transition to virtual learning beginning April 21, the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency reported. The shift to remote education applies to all educational levels and grades throughout the country and will remain in effect until further notice, according to the report.

Iran to shift all schools to virtual learning starting April 21

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that heavy clashes broke out in the town of Bint Jbeil between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces. The Israeli military deployed warplanes and helicopters during the fighting, according to report

Heavy clashes and air strikes reported in southern Lebanon

The Reuters news agency has reported that a second US-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data. Reuters reported that the empty Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday, maritime intelligence data from LSEG and Kpler showed. It was not immediately clear where the VLCC, which is capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, is heading. On Wednesday, Iran’s Fars News Agency said that an Iranian ⁠supertanker sanctioned by the US crossed the strait towards Iran’s Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade.

Second US-sanctioned supertanker enters Gulf via Hormuz Strait

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak Thursday, after they held a high-level face-to-face meeting in Washington Tuesday -- the first such negotiation since 1993."Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," Trump wrote without specifying who will be involved or offering further details.

Trump says Israel and Lebanon leaders to hold talks Thursday

The US military's Middle East command CENTCOM said it had stopped 10 vessels from sailing out of Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of a naval blockade against the Islamic republic.But ship tracking data indicated at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz, though some vessels taking the route later turned back.

US says it blocked 10 vessels from Iran ports 

Israel's military chief of staff said he had ordered areas south of Lebanon's Litani River to be turned into a Hezbollah "kill zone" as troops pressed a major offensive there.

Israel army chief orders ‘Hezbollah kill zone’ in Lebanon

The United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran and is optimistic about reaching a deal, the White House said.Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks "would very likely" be in Islamabad.

 2nd round two of talks likely in Islamabad: White House

Netanyahu said the country's top priority was to secure the "dismantling" of Hezbollah in its first direct talks with Lebanon in decades."There are two central objectives: first, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength," he said.

End of Hezbollah 

Major Wall Street stock indices finished at records Wednesday, extending an upward climb on optimism about an accord in the US-Iran conflict.

Wall Street records

The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more toward hunger as its economic fallout reverberates around the globe, the World Bank's chief economist told AFP."You have about 300 million people who suffer from acute food insecurity already," Indermit Gill said. "That'll go up by about 20 percent very, very quickly" as knock-on effects grow.

Growing hunger fears 

United States officials issued new sanctions against Iran, targeting more than two dozen people involved in oil transport, along with companies and ships that operate within the network of petroleum shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani."Treasury is moving aggressively with 'Economic Fury' by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, both of whom were killed February 28, the first day of US-Israeli attacks and the start of the Middle East war.

Fresh oil sanctions 

Japan's Nikkei index surged more than two percent on Thursday to hit a fresh record on optimism about an accord in the US-Iran conflict.At around 0215 GMT, the Nikkei 225 climbed to 59,513 points, surpassing the previous record set in February.

Nikkei surges more than 2% to hit fresh record on US-Iran accord hopes

Iran arrested four suspected Israeli spies, state media reported on Thursday. It came as US officials discussed possible peace talks with Iran after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28 engulfed the Middle East in war."The four agents linked to the Mossad were apprehended in Gilan governorate" in northern Iran, IRNA reported, citing a statement from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The Mossad is Israel's foreign intelligence agency."The arrestees had provided Mossad intelligence officers with images and locations of some sensitive and critical military and security sites via the internet", it said.The suspects have been handed over to judicial authorities, the report added.

Iran arrests four alleged Israeli spies: state media

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will "for sure" participate in the 2026 World Cup despite the Middle East war."Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful situation, that would definitely help," Infantino said on broadcaster CNBC."But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play," he said of the team's upcoming matches scheduled in the United States in June.Iran's participation in the global tournament had been thrown into doubt by the war with the United States and Israel that broke out on February 28."Sports should be outside of politics," Infantino said."If there's nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we are doing the job," he continued.The World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11.

Iran participating in World Cup, FIFA president confirms

Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United States, threatening to target American ships and troops amid rising tensions in the Gulf.Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said Iran could sink US naval vessels enforcing the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.He warned that American warships “can definitely be exposed to our missiles,” and added that any US ground invasion would be met with hostage taking of troops.Rezaei further escalated rhetoric, saying Iran could capture “thousands” of US soldiers if such a scenario unfolds, signalling a significant hardening of Tehran’s stance. &nbsp;

Iran warns of targeting US ships, taking troops hostage in escalation threat

With the Israel-Iran war entering its 47th day, tensions continue to rise in the Strait of Hormuz. All LIVE updates on the US-Israel war on Iran HERE.

The US–Israel–Iran conflict is entering a more volatile phase, marked by rising military threats, economic pressure and uncertain diplomacy. Iran has issued fresh warnings, with senior adviser Mohsen Rezaei threatening to target US ships in the Strait of Hormuz and take American soldiers hostage in the event of a ground invasion. On the economic front, Washington has imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil network, signalling continued pressure even as talks remain on the table. At the same time, the US Navy’s blockade has already disrupted shipping, though some vessels have still managed to transit Hormuz, exposing enforcement challenges. Diplomatically, a second round of US–Iran talks is under discussion, likely again in Islamabad, with support from China and mediation efforts by Pakistan. Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground remains intense. Israel has expanded operations in Lebanon, with its military chief ordering a “Hezbollah kill zone” in the south, even as reports suggest a possible ceasefire could emerge within days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said US and Israeli goals remain “identical,” including dismantling Iran’s nuclear capability and Hezbollah. The broader fallout is growing. The World Bank has warned the war could push global hunger up by 20 per cent, while Iran has arrested suspected Israeli spies, pointing to an intensifying shadow conflict. Follow WION for all the latest developments, analysis, and live updates on the unfolding US‑Iran‑Israel crisis.

With the Israel-Iran war entering its 47th day, tensions continue to rise in the Strait of Hormuz. All LIVE updates on the US-Israel war on Iran HERE.

US‑Iran‑Israel conflict Highlights: Israel will launch ‘even more painful’ strikes, Katz warns Iran

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | After a month-long war in West Asia, US President Donald Trump has said that the operation will continue for two-three more weeks. The war in West Asia that began on February 28, when the United States, alongside Israel, launched a series of pre-emptive strikes inside Iran, resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over, but he has not been seen in public. Tehran has confirmed exchange of message with the US, via Pakistan and other “friendly nations” but has not confirmed negotiations and ruled out ceasefire claims by US president. It is continuing with its attack on Israel, while assuring that American people and Gulf nations are not the target.Israel, meanwhile, has stated that any peace deal between the US and Iran would not stop their fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon. As the war raged, Hezbollah and Houthis attacked Israel in order to avenge Khamenei's death. Iran has blocked the strategic oil route the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has expanded its attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon.As Trump said that operations will continue for two-three week more and Iran rejected ceasefire claims, what lies ahead for the conflict? Will diplomacy gain traction or will military escalation deepen? How will US–Iran relations evolve amid rising tensions, and what are the broader implications for regional stability, global energy markets, and world geopolitics? All updates and analysis on the ongoing situation as Israel-US war on Iran continues

US stock market wiped out nearly $830 billion from the S&amp;P 500 within hours of opening on Thursday after President Donald Trump’s Iran War speech. Dow Jones, S&amp;P 500, Nasdaq crashed on oil surge fears as Nvidia, Apple, Google, Amazon sank deep in red. Moreover, oil prices spiked above $113, adding to inflation fears.

S&P 500 wipes $830 billion as US stock market opens after Trump’s Iran war speech

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the Middle East conflict risks escalating. “We are on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe,” Guterres told reporters in New York.Pointing to the international consequences of the disruption to maritime routes, he said, “When the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe.”Guterres called for disputes to be resolved peacefully, appealing directly to all sides to de-escalate the conflict.

World on edge of wider war, warns UN chief Antonio Guterres

A fire broke out near Iran's Mashhad airport in the northeast of the country on Thursday after a projectile hit a fuel tank in the area, said local media reports.Citing the governor's office of the northeastern Khorasan Razavi province, the Mehr news agency said there were no casualties as firefighting operations were underway.

Fire near Iran's Mashhad airport after strike on fuel tank

The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that Iran launched 19 missiles and 26 drones at it. The UAE Ministry of Defence said they engaged with 19 missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran.In its update on X, the ministry said that the UAE's air defences have tackled around 457 missiles and 2,038 drones since the war began.

UAE says 19 missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran on Thursday

The Ministry of External Affairs announced that more than 1,200 Indian citizens have been successfully evacuated from Iran due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the evacuation is being conducted via Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the central government closely coordinating operations on the ground. Jaiswal said, "Some 1200 Indian nationals have been evacuated, of which 845 are students." He added, "996 moved to Armenia and 204 to Azerbaijan, from where they are being helped by the MEA."

India Evacuates Over 1,200 Citizens from Iran Amid West Asia Tensions

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed that around seven million Iranians are prepared to join the fight against the United States and Israel. He said," You come for our home, you are going to meet the whole family. Locked, loaded, and standing tall."

'You come for our home, be ready to meet whole family': Iran’s Parliament Speaker

OPEC+ is expected to consider another increase in oil production when eight of its members meet on Sunday, news agency Reuters confirmed, citing sources. The move would allow major producers to quickly raise supply if the Strait of Hormuz, currently disrupted by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, reopens.During its March 1 meeting, the group had approved a modest output rise of 206,000 barrels per day for April, after keeping production unchanged in the first quarter due to oversupply concerns, even as the conflict began affecting oil flows from key Middle Eastern producers.

OPEC+ to discuss oil output hike on Sunday: Report

Tehran warned on Thursday of wider retaliation after Donald Trump threatened “extremely hard” US strikes on Iran in the coming weeks, according to the BBC.

Tehran warns of 'broader' attacks after Trump says US will hammer Iran further

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during a visit to South Korea, commented on recent tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran would not solve concerns over its nuclear programme and instead emphasised the need for diplomatic engagement. “If there is no framework for diplomatic and technical negotiations, the situation can deteriorate again in a few months or a few years,” said Macron.The French president also highlighted on a proposed military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that it was “unrealistic”. “it would take an inordinate amount of time and would expose anyone crossing the strait to coastal threats from the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards, who possess significant resources, as well as ballistic missiles, (and) a host of other risks,” said Macron.

French President Macron urges for diplomacy on Iran

Israel’s Channel 12 confirmed that alarms have been activated across parts of the Upper Galilee after the country was attacked with the rocket.

Alarms activated in northern Israel

The Prime Minister of Lebanon, Nawaf Salam, said the situation in his country is “very critical”, as Israel’s military is continuing its invasion in the south, resulting in the displacement crisis. Speaking in Beirut, Salam said more than one million displaced people in Lebanon are the primary victims of a conflict they are not part of. He also paid tribute to residents who have remained in southern villages, assuring them of the government’s support and vowing to do everything possible to meet their needs.

Situation in Lebanon is ‘critical’: PM

Israel’s military said it killed over 40 Hezbollah fighters in the past 24 hours through coordinated attacks by air, sea, and land. It reported airstrikes on multiple Hezbollah targets, including weapons depots and launch sites. Ground forces operating in southern Lebanon also eliminated a Hezbollah cell and struck key infrastructure. Additionally, Israel’s navy targeted a weapons depot in the south, as operations against Hezbollah positions intensified across the region.

Israel claims to have killed 40 Hezbollah fighters in 24 hours

Russia has expressed its willingness to assist in resolving the Iran conflict, with President Vladimir Putin continuing discussions with leaders across the region, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Thursday.“The president is continuing these contacts, and if our services are ‌somehow required, we are, of course, ready to make our contribution to ensuring that the military situation transitions to a peaceful course as ⁠soon as possible,” ⁠Peskov told reporters.

Russia offers to mediate Iran conflict

The Philippines said Thursday that Iran has pledged to allow safe passage for shipments of oil to the import-dependent archipelago through the Strait of Hormuz."The Iranian Foreign Minister assured the (Foreign) Secretary that Iran will allow the safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage through the Strait of Hormuz of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy sources, and all Filipino seafarers," the foreign affairs department said in a statement.President Ferdinand Marcos last week declared a state of national energy emergency, saying "nothing was off the table" as the country of 116 million tries to navigate a global fuel crisis driven by the Middle East war.

Manila says Iran to allow Philippine oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices spiked and stocks sank on Thursday after Donald Trump reiterated that US forces would hammer Iran for another two to three weeks but offered no solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has crippled global markets.Investors were left unimpressed with the US president's first prime-time address to the nation since the war began, in which he again called on countries that rely on the waterway for energy supplies to reopen it themselves.Trump's speech added little to what he has said in the past, warning that "over the next two to three weeks, we are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong".He also told the nation that US forces would meet all their battlefield goals "very, very shortly".

Oil rallies, stocks tumble as Trump says US to hammer Iran further

United states President Donald Trump in a televised speech on Wednesday said US military will step up attack on Iran in the next two to three weeks, reiterating his stance of preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He detailed the United States’ ongoing military campaign against Iran and defended Operation Epic Fury. Trump once again said that regime change was not the agenda and main objectives were: destroying weapons factories, destroying their navy and air force and ending all possibilities for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon.The statement by Trump invited a reaction from China that said, "military means cannot fundamentally solve the problem, and the escalation of conflicts is not in the interests of either side."Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday (April 2) urged "the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations".&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-military-means-cannot-china-reacts-after-trump-s-address-on-iran-war-1775119443085">Read more</a>

'Military means cannot...': China reacts after Trump's address on Iran war

Emirati air defences were responding to missile and drone "threats", the United Arab Emirates' defence ministry said.Since the war erupted, the UAE and other Gulf countries have been regularly targeted by Iranian missile and drone strikes in retaliation for the US-Israeli campaign.

Emirati air defences were responding to missile and drone 'threats'

Iran's military vowed to carry out "crushing" attacks against the United States and Israel after Trump threatened to bomb the country into the "Stone Ages"."With trust in Almighty God, this war will continue until your humiliation, disgrace, permanent and certain regret, and surrender," said the military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya in a statement carried by state TV.

Iran's military vowed to carry out "crushing" attacks against US

Iran did not 'restart enrichment', envoy to UN atomic agency tells news agency AFP

Iran did not 'restart enrichment', envoy to UN atomic agency 

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Apr 1) addressed the world about the ongoing war with Iran and said that the Islamic Republic is in ruins and is decimated. In a high-stake address, Trump detailed the United States’ ongoing military campaign against Iran and defended Operation Epic Fury. While Washington has been accused of not having a clear objective for the Iran war, Trump stated, once again, that regime change was not the agenda and main objectives were: destroying weapons factories, destroying their navy and air force and ending all possibilities for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon. He portrayed the conflict as a decisive success, saying that US is "winning bigger than ever before." Emphasising that his first approach was diplomacy, he claimed that it ultimately failed, making military action necessary. He framed the war as critical to protecting global stability, countering long-standing threats from Iran, and ensuring that the US remains secure and less dependent on West Asian resources.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-iran-is-decimated-but-war-not-over-trump-repeats-negotiations-claims-says-strikes-to-continue-for-2-3-weeks-1775090848149">Read more</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260402/image-1775092115486.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="'Iran is decimated' but war NOT over: Trump repeats old claims in new address"></figure>

'Iran is decimated' but war NOT over: Trump repeats old claims

"Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours," the US embassy said in a statement on X, again urging Americans in the country to leave immediately.

US embassy warns of Iraq attacks

China said on Thursday that US and Israeli strikes on Iran were the "root cause" of the Strait of Hormuz blockage. "The root cause of interruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is the United States and Israel's illegal military operations against Iran," Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference.China also called for a halt to the war. "Military means cannot fundamentally solve the problem," Mao said, urging "the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations".

US and Israeli strikes on Iran were the "root cause" of Strait of Hormuz blockage: China 

UGC (user-generated content) images posted on social media on April 1st, 2026, show a massive explosion following a strike in Baharestan, in Iran's central province of Isfahan.

Massive explosion after strike in Iran's Baharestan

Iran's army commander-in-chief, Hatami, tells operational headquarters to monitor “enemy movements with utmost accuracy” to counter their plans, especially ground attack.

Iran's Army chief tells operational headquarters to monitor with 'utmost accuracy'

During a wave of strikes in Tehran yesterday, the Israeli Air Force bombed a base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces, the military says. The IDF says the IRGC Ground Forces base “constitutes a central unit within the regime’s military forces.”

IDF says it bombed key IRGC ground forces base

Hezbollah has fired more than 50 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel this morning, according to IDF assessments. One rocket struck the border city of Kiryat Shmona, lightly injuring two people. The barrage comes as Israelis celebrate the first day of the Passover festival, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into shelters.

Hezbollah fires more than 50 rockets into Israel

“Do not think that the matter will end simply by carrying out a ‘remarkable’ act and then everything stops," says Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council.

Do not expect a quick end to the war: Iran

Iran's health ministry says strikes hit century-old medical centre. Number of casualties are not yet known.

Century-old medical centre hit, claims Iran

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen spoke to the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and said they discussed the situation in the Middle East.“Iran’s actions are putting global economic stability at risk. We will work with our partners to ensure freedom of navigation can resume as soon as possible,” said von der Leyen as she spoke with Starmer.

Von der Leyen speaks with Starmer

“Targeting Iran’s pharmaceutical hubs has placed thousands of critically ill patients on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Human rights experts consider this a clear and blatant example of a “war crime,” says Iran Ambassador Mohammad Fathali.

 'Thousands of patients on brink of humanitarian catastrophe'

According to the US Embassy in Iraq terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours. The advisory says that the attack may target U.S. citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States.

US Embassy in Baghdad issues advisory for its citizens

Iran's military vowed on Thursday to carry out "crushing" attacks against the United States and Israel after US President Donald Trump in a televised address to the nation threatened to bomb the country into the "Stone Ages" in the coming weeks.

Iran vows 'crushing' attacks against US, Israel 

Joe Kent, the former top US security official who quit over the war on Iran, has urged Trump to end the war on Iran as soon as possible. Responding to Trump’s address to the nation, he wrote on X: “We honor our fallen by learning from our past &amp; only shedding American blood in defense of our nation. The best time to get out of a war of choice is now, before we lose more lives.”

Former Trump aide urges Trump to restrain Israel, end ‘war of choice’

After a month-long US-Israel war on Iran, Trump says operations will continue 2–3 more weeks. Iran rejects ceasefire claims while attacking Israel, blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Rising tensions with Hezbollah and Houthis raise concerns for regional stability, global oil markets

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | After a month-long war in West Asia, US President Donald Trump has said that the operation will continue for two-three more weeks. The war in West Asia that began on February 28, when the United States, alongside Israel, launched a series of pre-emptive strikes inside Iran, resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over, but he has not been seen in public. Tehran has confirmed exchange of message with the US, via Pakistan and other “friendly nations” but has not confirmed negotiations and ruled out ceasefire claims by US president. It is continuing with its attack on Israel, while assuring that American people and Gulf nations are not the target. Israel, meanwhile, has stated that any peace deal between the US and Iran would not stop their fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon. As the war raged, Hezbollah and Houthis attacked Israel in order to avenge Khamenei's death. Iran has blocked the strategic oil route the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has expanded its attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon. As Trump said that operations will continue for two-three week more and Iran rejected ceasefire claims, what lies ahead for the conflict? Will diplomacy gain traction or will military escalation deepen? How will US–Iran relations evolve amid rising tensions, and what are the broader implications for regional stability, global energy markets, and world geopolitics? All updates and analysis on the ongoing situation as Israel-US war on Iran continues

After a month-long US-Israel war on Iran, Trump says operations will continue 2–3 more weeks. Iran rejects ceasefire claims while attacking Israel, blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Rising tensions with Hezbollah and Houthis raise concerns for regional stability, global oil markets

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