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Just ahead of a vote expected on a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has warned the UN Security Council against any “provocative action.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that any step taken in this direction is only going to "complicate the situation".&nbsp;“Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation,” said Araghchi ahead of a scheduled Security Council vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;According to the official Security Council program, a draft resolution brought by Bahrain allows the use of “defensive” force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian attacks have nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, used for one-fifth of world oil supplies.&nbsp;Bahrain currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council.&nbsp;The vote on draft resolution backed by the US and the Gulf countries was scheduled for today but later postponed with no new date set. Notably member states including Russia, China and France, objected to earlier drafts.&nbsp;According to various media reports, four revisions have been done to the draft resolution after objections were raised by Russia, China and France.&nbsp;The vote is now expected to happen on Saturday, reported the Associated Press.&nbsp;This comes amid tensions between US and Tehran rising further. Trump has warned Iran to strike a deal ‘before it is too late’. The US president on Thursday (April 2) hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done.&nbsp;“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The vote on draft resolution backed by the US and the Gulf countries was scheduled for today but later postponed with no new date set.

Just ahead of a vote expected on a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has warned the UN Security Council against any “provocative action.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that any step taken in this direction is only going to "complicate the situation". “Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation,” said Araghchi ahead of a scheduled Security Council vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the official Security Council program, a draft resolution brought by Bahrain allows the use of “defensive” force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian attacks have nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, used for one-fifth of world oil supplies. Bahrain currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council. The vote on draft resolution backed by the US and the Gulf countries was scheduled for today but later postponed with no new date set. Notably member states including Russia, China and France, objected to earlier drafts. According to various media reports, four revisions have been done to the draft resolution after objections were raised by Russia, China and France. The vote is now expected to happen on Saturday, reported the Associated Press. This comes amid tensions between US and Tehran rising further. Trump has warned Iran to strike a deal ‘before it is too late’. The US president on Thursday (April 2) hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done. “Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The vote on draft resolution backed by the US and the Gulf countries was scheduled for today but later postponed with no new date set.

'Don't complicate the situation': Iran threatens UNSC against 'provocative action' on Strait of Hormuz

Pam Bondi has been removed as US Attorney General by President Donald Trump, but she is still legally bound to testify before Congress later this month on the Epstein files investigation. A subpoena requiring her appearance on April 14 remains active. Unless something dramatic happens, she will have to face questions from Congress over the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case when she was AG. Bondi’s testimony about her time leading the Justice Department would be central to the investigation into cases involving late financier Jefffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring.&nbsp;<h2>Subpoena issued in person’s name, not post: Why Pam Bondi will need to testify</h2>Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has taken over as acting AG after Bondi was fired by Trump on Thursday (Apr 2). But congressional subpoena was issued to Bondi by name. This means it was a subpoena to the person, not to the office of the attorney general. Legal and congressional procedure allows committees to compel former officials to testify about actions taken during their tenure.The subpoena issued to Bondi on March 17 by the House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer remains in full force.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-fires-attorney-general-pam-bondi-after-criticism-over-epstein-files-releases-1775150955840">Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi after criticism over Epstein files releases</a><h2>No cancellation of Bondi deposition before Congress panel</h2>At the time of writing this, there has been no cancellation or rescheduling of the April 14 deposition for Bondi. At the closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Bondi will most likely be grilled on the release and redactions of the Epstein files.The focus is likely to be on Bondi’s official actions in exposing the sex trafficking network of Epstein, his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and other aides.Congress is investigating the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case, related proceedings involving Maxwell, the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death, and DOJ compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.Decisions taken under Bondi on the Epstein file release could also come up for questioning, including redactions and internal reviews. She might face questions on broader failures or gaps in combating sex-trafficking networks, and potential ethical violations involving public officials.The committee said Bondi was directly responsible for overseeing how Epstein-related files were collected, reviewed, and released under federal law.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-kash-patel-could-be-fired-today-former-fbi-agent-s-big-claim-after-trump-fires-pam-bondi-1775178603074">'Kash Patel could be fired today': Former FBI agent's BIG claim after Trump fires Pam Bondi</a><h2>Bipartisan agreement that Bondi must comply</h2>Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, said Bondi remains legally obligated to appear under oath. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican who backed the subpoena, said it still stands because it was issued to Bondi by name. Other lawmakers including Ro Khanna and Dave Min have seconded that position.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/-trump-removes-pam-bondi-as-attorney-general-1775184294402/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/-trump-removes-pam-bondi-as-attorney-general-1775184294402/embed</a><h2>What if Bondi refuses to appear before Congress?</h2>If Bondi fails to comply with the subpoena, the committee could move to enforce it through contempt of Congress proceedings.Committee chairman Comer has said that it will evaluate next steps if necessary, but has not indicated any change to the 14 April schedule.Bipartisan pressure is mounting on her. It would be fair to say that the ghost of Epstein is haunting her. &nbsp;

Though she was fired US Attorney General, Pam Bondi will most likely have to testify on April 14 before Congress on DOJ handling of Epstein files. She will face questions on the compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and actions on sex-trafficking rings including that of Epstein.

Pam Bondi has been removed as US Attorney General by President Donald Trump, but she is still legally bound to testify before Congress later this month on the Epstein files investigation. A subpoena requiring her appearance on April 14 remains active. Unless something dramatic happens, she will have to face questions from Congress over the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case when she was AG. Bondi’s testimony about her time leading the Justice Department would be central to the investigation into cases involving late financier Jefffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring. Subpoena issued in person’s name, not post: Why Pam Bondi will need to testify Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has taken over as acting AG after Bondi was fired by Trump on Thursday (Apr 2). But congressional subpoena was issued to Bondi by name. This means it was a subpoena to the person, not to the office of the attorney general. Legal and congressional procedure allows committees to compel former officials to testify about actions taken during their tenure. The subpoena issued to Bondi on March 17 by the House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer remains in full force. Also read: Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi after criticism over Epstein files releases No cancellation of Bondi deposition before Congress panel At the time of writing this, there has been no cancellation or rescheduling of the April 14 deposition for Bondi. At the closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Bondi will most likely be grilled on the release and redactions of the Epstein files. The focus is likely to be on Bondi’s official actions in exposing the sex trafficking network of Epstein, his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and other aides. Congress is investigating the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case, related proceedings involving Maxwell, the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death, and DOJ compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Decisions taken under Bondi on the Epstein file release could also come up for questioning, including redactions and internal reviews. She might face questions on broader failures or gaps in combating sex-trafficking networks, and potential ethical violations involving public officials. The committee said Bondi was directly responsible for overseeing how Epstein-related files were collected, reviewed, and released under federal law. Also read: 'Kash Patel could be fired today': Former FBI agent's BIG claim after Trump fires Pam Bondi Bipartisan agreement that Bondi must comply Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, said Bondi remains legally obligated to appear under oath. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican who backed the subpoena, said it still stands because it was issued to Bondi by name. Other lawmakers including Ro Khanna and Dave Min have seconded that position. https://www.wionews.com/videos/-trump-removes-pam-bondi-as-attorney-general-1775184294402/embed What if Bondi refuses to appear before Congress? If Bondi fails to comply with the subpoena, the committee could move to enforce it through contempt of Congress proceedings. Committee chairman Comer has said that it will evaluate next steps if necessary, but has not indicated any change to the 14 April schedule. Bipartisan pressure is mounting on her. It would be fair to say that the ghost of Epstein is haunting her.

Though she was fired US Attorney General, Pam Bondi will most likely have to testify on April 14 before Congress on DOJ handling of Epstein files. She will face questions on the compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and actions on sex-trafficking rings including that of Epstein.

It’s not over for Pam Bondi? Fired AG still faces 14 April congressional grilling over Epstein files

Recent US intelligence has reportedly suggested that about half of Iran’s missile launchers and thousands of one-way attack drones still remain intact despite US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic over the last five weeks. The report comes amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump, who said that Tehran’s attacking capability has been significantly reduced by US-Israeli attacks, which began on February 28. This comes as hostilities in West Asia continue to escalate, with strikes now targeting civilian infrastructure.According to a CNN report, citing people familiar with the intel, the &nbsp;US intelligence assessment may include launchers that remain inaccessible, like those buried underground by strikes but not destroyed yet.“They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one of the sources said of Iran.The intel also suggested that a large percentage of Iran’s coastal defence cruise missiles were intact. These missiles are believed to be allowing it to maintain its threat over the maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. While the US has not been focusing its air strikes on coastal military assets, they have been targeting ships.The intel contradicts the remarks made by Trump, who said that Iran is “getting decimated”. During his address to the nation on Wednesday (Apr 1), the US president said that Tehran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left.”US Central Command said that the American military has struck more than 12,300 targets inside Iran as of Wednesday. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran attacks have dropped by 90 per cent, not giving details on what has been destroyed.During a press briefing on March 19, Hegseth said that “ballistic missile attacks against our forces, down 90 per cent since the start of the conflict, same with one-way attack UAVs, think kamikaze drones, down 90 per cent.”<h2>What did Trump administration say?</h2>In response to the report, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that “anonymous sources desperately want to attack President Trump and demean the incredible work of our United States Military in achieving the goals of Operation Epic Fury.” She added that Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks are down 90 per cent, with their navy “wiped out” and two-thirds of their production facilities “damaged or destroyed.”Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the CNN report “completely wrong.” He added that the US military has “delivered a crippling series of blows to the Iranian regime”.“We are far ahead of schedule on accomplishing our military objectives: destroy Iran’s missile arsenal, annihilate their Navy, destroy their terrorist proxies, and ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon,” Parnell said.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

US intel reportedly suggests Iran still has half its missile launchers and thousands of drones, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s claims, as tensions continue to rise in West Asia.

Recent US intelligence has reportedly suggested that about half of Iran’s missile launchers and thousands of one-way attack drones still remain intact despite US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic over the last five weeks. The report comes amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump, who said that Tehran’s attacking capability has been significantly reduced by US-Israeli attacks, which began on February 28. This comes as hostilities in West Asia continue to escalate, with strikes now targeting civilian infrastructure. According to a CNN report, citing people familiar with the intel, the US intelligence assessment may include launchers that remain inaccessible, like those buried underground by strikes but not destroyed yet. “They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one of the sources said of Iran. The intel also suggested that a large percentage of Iran’s coastal defence cruise missiles were intact. These missiles are believed to be allowing it to maintain its threat over the maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. While the US has not been focusing its air strikes on coastal military assets, they have been targeting ships. The intel contradicts the remarks made by Trump, who said that Iran is “getting decimated”. During his address to the nation on Wednesday (Apr 1), the US president said that Tehran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left.” US Central Command said that the American military has struck more than 12,300 targets inside Iran as of Wednesday. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran attacks have dropped by 90 per cent, not giving details on what has been destroyed. During a press briefing on March 19, Hegseth said that “ballistic missile attacks against our forces, down 90 per cent since the start of the conflict, same with one-way attack UAVs, think kamikaze drones, down 90 per cent.” What did Trump administration say? In response to the report, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that “anonymous sources desperately want to attack President Trump and demean the incredible work of our United States Military in achieving the goals of Operation Epic Fury.” She added that Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks are down 90 per cent, with their navy “wiped out” and two-thirds of their production facilities “damaged or destroyed.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the CNN report “completely wrong.” He added that the US military has “delivered a crippling series of blows to the Iranian regime”. “We are far ahead of schedule on accomplishing our military objectives: destroy Iran’s missile arsenal, annihilate their Navy, destroy their terrorist proxies, and ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon,” Parnell said. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

US intel reportedly suggests Iran still has half its missile launchers and thousands of drones, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s claims, as tensions continue to rise in West Asia.

Is Iran’s military really ‘decimated’? Report claims US intel suggests otherwise

French President Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump "not to talk every day" as he continues to make wildly different statements about the Iran war. He also urged him to get serious about the Iran crisis and that using force would not work to open the Strait of Hormuz. Taking a shot at the American president's inconsistent messaging, Macron said, "When you want to be serious, you don't say the opposite every day of what you said the day before. And perhaps you shouldn't talk every day." Macron was speaking during a visit to South Korea on Thursday (April 2). Notably, Trump has been pushing NATO allies to support a military operation to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz. Macron insisted negotiation with Tehran was the only way to free the vital shipping route through which a fifth of global oil passes.<h2>Trump's changing words on Strait of Hormuz</h2>Trump has been changing his statements on the Iran crisis with every address. He earlier said that the US can open the shipping lane alone. Then, in a Wednesday address, he said the US does not need oil from the Strait and that Europe should clear it without help. "The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it; they can do it easily. We will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on," Trump said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-easy-negotiation-trump-claims-iran-eager-to-make-a-deal-after-us-blew-up-their-three-big-bridges-1775190822705">‘Easy negotiation’: Trump claims Iran ‘eager’ to make a deal after US ‘blew up their three big bridges’</a><h2>Macron slams Trump's demand for force in Strait of Hormuz</h2>Macron took a shot at Trump's changing words on the issue, and said that force is not the solution. "There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States. I say sometimes because it has varied, it is never the option we have chosen and we consider it unrealistic," Macron said, adding that Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) possesses "significant resources as well as ballistic missiles" to counter such an attack. He also urged Trump to get serious and not speak so often. The French president warned Trump that by creating "daily doubt about his commitment" he will "hollow it out".&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-is-the-us-really-leaving-hormuz-1775195092753/embed&nbsp;Trump has also been changing his words on the duration of the war. At the start of March, he said the war would end "soon", but in later addresses, he said they are going to "hit Iran hard" in the coming days. He again said the war would be over quickly, and then sent thousands of troops towards Iran as talk of ground assault swirled.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Strait of Hormuz crisis: Emmanuel Macron took a jibe at Donald Trump and his inconsistent messaging in the Iran War. The French President told his American counterpart to stop talking every day and become serious on the matter. 

French President Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump "not to talk every day" as he continues to make wildly different statements about the Iran war. He also urged him to get serious about the Iran crisis and that using force would not work to open the Strait of Hormuz. Taking a shot at the American president's inconsistent messaging, Macron said, "When you want to be serious, you don't say the opposite every day of what you said the day before. And perhaps you shouldn't talk every day." Macron was speaking during a visit to South Korea on Thursday (April 2). Notably, Trump has been pushing NATO allies to support a military operation to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz. Macron insisted negotiation with Tehran was the only way to free the vital shipping route through which a fifth of global oil passes. Trump's changing words on Strait of Hormuz Trump has been changing his statements on the Iran crisis with every address. He earlier said that the US can open the shipping lane alone. Then, in a Wednesday address, he said the US does not need oil from the Strait and that Europe should clear it without help. "The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it; they can do it easily. We will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on," Trump said. Also Read: ‘Easy negotiation’: Trump claims Iran ‘eager’ to make a deal after US ‘blew up their three big bridges’ Macron slams Trump's demand for force in Strait of Hormuz Macron took a shot at Trump's changing words on the issue, and said that force is not the solution. "There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States. I say sometimes because it has varied, it is never the option we have chosen and we consider it unrealistic," Macron said, adding that Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) possesses "significant resources as well as ballistic missiles" to counter such an attack. He also urged Trump to get serious and not speak so often. The French president warned Trump that by creating "daily doubt about his commitment" he will "hollow it out". https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-is-the-us-really-leaving-hormuz-1775195092753/embed Trump has also been changing his words on the duration of the war. At the start of March, he said the war would end "soon", but in later addresses, he said they are going to "hit Iran hard" in the coming days. He again said the war would be over quickly, and then sent thousands of troops towards Iran as talk of ground assault swirled.

Strait of Hormuz crisis: Emmanuel Macron took a jibe at Donald Trump and his inconsistent messaging in the Iran War. The French President told his American counterpart to stop talking every day and become serious on the matter.&nbsp;

'You shouldn't talk every day': Macron takes a jibe at Trump's wildly inconsistent messaging on Iran war

Iranians have slammed US President Donald Trump's comments, threatening to “bomb Iran back to the Stone Age”. The Iranian ambassador to the UN said that the US President's threat reflects an intent to commit war crimes. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded that “there was no oil or gas” in the Middle East during the Stone Ages and warned that if the US President really wanted to go back to the “Stone Ages”.&nbsp;"The US President's explicit threat to 'bomb Iran back to the Stone Age' reflects ignorance, not strength, and constitutes evidence of intent to commit war crimes under international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute," wrote the Iranian Mission to the UN in a post on the social media platform X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">JUST IN: President Trump says the U.S. will be hitting Iran &quot;extremely hard&quot; over the next two or three weeks, says they will be sent back to the Stone Age, &quot;where they belong.&quot; &quot;I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America&#39;s military objectives...&quot; &quot;We are… <a href="https://t.co/xA3rfLdDZo">pic.twitter.com/xA3rfLdDZo</a>&mdash; Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2039514290449961250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

US President Trump warned in a prime-time address from the White House that the U.S. will be hitting Iran "extremely hard" over the next two or three weeks, saying they will be sent back to the Stone Age, “where they belong.” This is a total change of the rhetoric, from "Dear Iranians, we have come to liberate you from the evil, oppressive Regime which is trying to kill you." US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth reshared those words again, “back to the stone ages”.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-hiding-war-casualties-transparency-concerns-conflict-1775187930197">Is Trump administration downplaying war losses? Casualty reports face scrutiny</a>Iranian envoy to the UN said that Iran is a 7000-year-old civilisation, the US is just 250 years old. He pointed out that such a civilisation can't be bombed to stone ages, they are defined by their "history, culture, resilience, and scientific contributions."&nbsp;Mohamad Safa, the UN human rights diplomat who resigned, warning of a “nuclear winter”, wrote, “Focus on language, because language is how they hide things. It’s not propaganda, it’s messaging. The US Secretary of War threatening Iran back to Stone Age? One thing can bring a country to the Stone Age, a nuclear weapons. Pete Hegseth war crimes trial is going to be historic.”&nbsp;The Iranian embassy in South Africa gave a sharper retort. It quipped that when they were searching for fire in the caves, Iran was inscribing “human rights in cyrus cylinder”. It continued that Iran have withstand invasion from Alexander and the Mongols because it's not just a country its a civilisation.&nbsp;IRGC commander Brigadier General Seyed Majid Moosavi responded by saying Americans are delusional due to their overexposure to Hollywood. Iranian state media IRNA shared a map of the Achaemenid Empire, which was a "superpower" of the Iron Age, which spanned three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa, stretching from the Balkans in the west to the Indus Valley in the east.&nbsp;

Iran condemns Trump’s “Stone Age” threat, warning of potential US war crimes and emphasising their 7,000-year civilisational resilience.

Iranians have slammed US President Donald Trump's comments, threatening to “bomb Iran back to the Stone Age”. The Iranian ambassador to the UN said that the US President's threat reflects an intent to commit war crimes. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded that “there was no oil or gas” in the Middle East during the Stone Ages and warned that if the US President really wanted to go back to the “Stone Ages”. "The US President's explicit threat to 'bomb Iran back to the Stone Age' reflects ignorance, not strength, and constitutes evidence of intent to commit war crimes under international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute," wrote the Iranian Mission to the UN in a post on the social media platform X.

Iran condemns Trump’s “Stone Age” threat, warning of potential US war crimes and emphasising their 7,000-year civilisational resilience.

Iranians slam Trump’s “stone age” threat, warn of US intent of war crimes and highlight civilisational resilience

A day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s tallest bridge, the B1 highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj, in which at least two people were reportedly killed, Iran has issued a threat to US by releasing a list of eight major bridges across the Middle Eastern region, that could be attacked by them.&nbsp;Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said that some prominent bridges in Gulf nations and Jordan may be the targets of attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.&nbsp;The potential names of bridges being taken by the new agency and local media are:&nbsp;<ul><li>Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Bridge; Kuwait, 36 km long</li><li>King Fahd Bridge; Saudi Arabia - Bahrain, 25 km long</li><li>Sheikh Zayed Bridge; Abu Dhabi, 842 meters long</li><li>Al-Maqta Bridge; Abu Dhabi, 300 meters long</li><li>Al-Nabi King Hussein Bridge; Jordan, 80 meters long</li><li>Damiya Adam Bridge; Jordan - West Bank, 120 meters long</li><li>Sheikh Khalifa Bridge; Abu Dhabi, 1,400 meters long</li><li>Jesser Abdoun Bridge; Amman, Jordan, 425 meters long</li></ul>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> Spokesman of Iran&#39;s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters: Nothing is hidden from our sight. ‌ All ICT companies in the region will be considered legitimate targets for us. <a href="https://t.co/nFdvWjoh5R">pic.twitter.com/nFdvWjoh5R</a>&mdash; Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) <a href="https://twitter.com/TehranTimes79/status/2039946692020092977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>US attacks Iran's tallest bridge as Trump sends out warning message</h2>The highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj, was targeted on Thursday, with reports indicating that at least two people were killed.&nbsp;The footage posted by Trump showed the structure erupting in flames and thick smoke following the attack. Taking a hardline stance, Trump said, "AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!" In another post, he added, “IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”&nbsp;Meanwhile, Trump has warned Iran to strike a deal ‘before it is too late’. The US president on Thursday (April 2) hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done.&nbsp;“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

The highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj, was targeted on Thursday, in which at least two people were reportedly killed.

A day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s tallest bridge, the B1 highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj, in which at least two people were reportedly killed, Iran has issued a threat to US by releasing a list of eight major bridges across the Middle Eastern region, that could be attacked by them. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said that some prominent bridges in Gulf nations and Jordan may be the targets of attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The potential names of bridges being taken by the new agency and local media are: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Bridge; Kuwait, 36 km long King Fahd Bridge; Saudi Arabia - Bahrain, 25 km long Sheikh Zayed Bridge; Abu Dhabi, 842 meters long Al-Maqta Bridge; Abu Dhabi, 300 meters long Al-Nabi King Hussein Bridge; Jordan, 80 meters long Damiya Adam Bridge; Jordan - West Bank, 120 meters long Sheikh Khalifa Bridge; Abu Dhabi, 1,400 meters long Jesser Abdoun Bridge; Amman, Jordan, 425 meters long

The highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj, was targeted on Thursday, in which at least two people were reportedly killed.

Iran threatens to blow up 8 bridges in Gulf after US destroys its tallest bridge

SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the space exploration, satellite internet and AI company led by world's richest person Elon Musk at around $2 trillion. The IPO could raise as much as $75 billion, potentially making it the largest listing in history.&nbsp;<h2>Listing imminent: SpaceX confidential SEC filing</h2>The filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was made on April 1, according to Bloomberg and other reports. The company could go public as early as June, subject to regulatory review and market conditions, said the reports.Reports indicate SpaceX is targeting a valuation above $1.75 trillion, with some estimates approaching $2 trillion. At this level, it would rank among the world’s largest companies, alongside Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, and Amazon. It could also surpass Meta and Tesla, the electric vehicle company also led by Musk.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-crew-12-docks-at-international-space-station-four-new-astronauts-arrive-via-spacex-rocket-1771128001120/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-crew-12-docks-at-international-space-station-four-new-astronauts-arrive-via-spacex-rocket-1771128001120/embed</a><h2>SpaceX expecting the biggest IPO ever</h2>The IPO could raise between $50 billion and $75 billion, surpassing the previous record set by Saudi Aramco. The Saudi Aramco IPO in 2019 raised about $29.4 billion and valued the company at roughly $1.7 trillion at listing.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/-google-will-win-the-ai-race-in-the-west-china-on-earth-and-spacex-in-space-says-elon-musk-1773990362750">‘Google will win the AI race in the West, China on Earth, and SpaceX in space,’ says Elon Musk</a><h2>Starlink, the real star of SpaceX</h2>SpaceX develops rockets, space exploration systems but Starlink, its satellite internet service, is the primary revenue driver. It generates more than two-thirds of the company’s total revenue by providing internet connectivity via low-Earth orbit satellites. SpaceX is estimated to have generated around $15–16 billion in revenue in 2025, with EBITDA of approximately $7.5 billion. The company recently entered into a $19.6 billion spectrum deal with EchoStar to expand its direct-to-cell capabilities.Reusable rockets such as Falcon 9 underpin SpaceX’s dominance in commercial and government launches. Future growth is expected to depend heavily on the success of Starship, the company’s next-generation rocket designed for Mars missions and large-scale satellite deployment.<h2>xAI deal adds AI angle to SpaceX products and services</h2>SpaceX’s integration with xAI, the artificial intelligence venture behind the popular Grok chatbot, values the combined entity at approximately $1.25 trillion and adds an AI dimension to its broader space and communications strategy.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-autonomous-drone-swarming-tech-musk-s-spacex-xai-place-bids-in-secret-pentagon-competition-wion-explains-1771301948635">What is autonomous drone swarming tech? Musk's SpaceX, xAI bid in secret Pentagon competition | WION Explains</a><h2>Analysts think the stock could perform well long term, but risks remain</h2>SpaceX is expected to list at a high valuation, with analysts such as PitchBook and Morningstar suggesting it could trade at more than 90 times revenue. However, they argue that over a five to seven year period, the valuation could be justified if Starship development succeeds and Starlink continues its rapid expansion.Risks include delays in Starship development, regulatory challenges, limited public financial disclosure. The broader market volatility and selling pressure from early investors after the IPO could also hit the stock.SpaceX’s IPO could mark a historic moment, bringing its combined strengths in space launch, satellite internet, and AI-linked infrastructure into public markets, provided it delivers on its ambitious growth expectations.

SpaceX has confidentially filed for IPO that could value the company near $2 trillion and raise up to $75 billion, reports said. The valuation is being driven by Starlink internet growth and long-term space and AI ambitions that includes Mars exploration

SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the space exploration, satellite internet and AI company led by world's richest person Elon Musk at around $2 trillion. The IPO could raise as much as $75 billion, potentially making it the largest listing in history. Listing imminent: SpaceX confidential SEC filing The filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was made on April 1, according to Bloomberg and other reports. The company could go public as early as June, subject to regulatory review and market conditions, said the reports. Reports indicate SpaceX is targeting a valuation above $1.75 trillion, with some estimates approaching $2 trillion. At this level, it would rank among the world’s largest companies, alongside Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, and Amazon. It could also surpass Meta and Tesla, the electric vehicle company also led by Musk. https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-crew-12-docks-at-international-space-station-four-new-astronauts-arrive-via-spacex-rocket-1771128001120/embed SpaceX expecting the biggest IPO ever The IPO could raise between $50 billion and $75 billion, surpassing the previous record set by Saudi Aramco. The Saudi Aramco IPO in 2019 raised about $29.4 billion and valued the company at roughly $1.7 trillion at listing. Also read: ‘Google will win the AI race in the West, China on Earth, and SpaceX in space,’ says Elon Musk Starlink, the real star of SpaceX SpaceX develops rockets, space exploration systems but Starlink, its satellite internet service, is the primary revenue driver. It generates more than two-thirds of the company’s total revenue by providing internet connectivity via low-Earth orbit satellites. SpaceX is estimated to have generated around $15–16 billion in revenue in 2025, with EBITDA of approximately $7.5 billion. The company recently entered into a $19.6 billion spectrum deal with EchoStar to expand its direct-to-cell capabilities. Reusable rockets such as Falcon 9 underpin SpaceX’s dominance in commercial and government launches. Future growth is expected to depend heavily on the success of Starship, the company’s next-generation rocket designed for Mars missions and large-scale satellite deployment. xAI deal adds AI angle to SpaceX products and services SpaceX’s integration with xAI, the artificial intelligence venture behind the popular Grok chatbot, values the combined entity at approximately $1.25 trillion and adds an AI dimension to its broader space and communications strategy. Also read: What is autonomous drone swarming tech? Musk's SpaceX, xAI bid in secret Pentagon competition | WION Explains Analysts think the stock could perform well long term, but risks remain SpaceX is expected to list at a high valuation, with analysts such as PitchBook and Morningstar suggesting it could trade at more than 90 times revenue. However, they argue that over a five to seven year period, the valuation could be justified if Starship development succeeds and Starlink continues its rapid expansion. Risks include delays in Starship development, regulatory challenges, limited public financial disclosure. The broader market volatility and selling pressure from early investors after the IPO could also hit the stock. SpaceX’s IPO could mark a historic moment, bringing its combined strengths in space launch, satellite internet, and AI-linked infrastructure into public markets, provided it delivers on its ambitious growth expectations.

SpaceX has confidentially filed for IPO that could value the company near $2 trillion and raise up to $75 billion, reports said. The valuation is being driven by Starlink internet growth and long-term space and AI ambitions that includes Mars exploration

'$2 trillion valuation': SpaceX blockbuster IPO could raise $75 billion, say reports

Around 750 US troops have been wounded or killed in the wider regional conflict since October 2023. At least 15 troops were wounded in an attack on a Saudi air base on March 27, 2026, alone, according to two government officials who spoke with The Intercept. US casualty figures in the Iran war are being underreported. US CENTCOM has been engaged in a “casualty coverup” in Operation Epic Fury, as accused by an anonymous military source in an investigative report by The Intercept. It described the official figure as outdated or incomplete.“This is, quite obviously, a subject that Secretary of War Hegseth and the White House want to keep under major wraps,” said a defence official. The report suggests that the Trump administration's numbers lack detail and clarity, compared to those of the previous Biden administration. They would provide the chronology of attacks at the US bases and the casualties in each attack. Now the firing of the US Army Chief of Staff Gen Randy George, along with 12+ top army generals, adds more food for thought.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to reports, there was no response from CENTCOM to the repeated effort to gather an updated casualty figure and death count. The Intercept analysis suggests that at least 15 have died in the region so far since the start of the war. Capt. Tim Hawkins noted on Monday, March 30, that “Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 303 U.S. service members have been wounded.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rosatom-evacuation-bushehr-nuclear-plant-iran-1775131922358">Rosatom begins final evacuation at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant</a>&nbsp;The comment was old and excluded the 15 wounded in the Friday attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. It did not include more than 200 soldiers who were treated for injury on the USS Gerald Ford, as it ran away from the war theatre. There were reports of a $300 million E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft at a Saudi base being destroyed.&nbsp;Iranian strikes have rendered US bases in Kuwait, Qatar (Al Udeid), and Saudi Arabia (Prince Sultan) "virtually uninhabitable," forcing personnel to disperse into civilian locations. Other reports suggest that strikes at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait destroyed an army tactical operations centre, resulting in the deaths of six US service members.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump, who always holds the US financial market in high regard as a benchmark of the success and failure of his military operations, knows that hundreds of US casualties would decrease the confidence of the market in the US military might. “When you have conflicts like this, you always have death,” he said. “I met the parents, and they were unbelievable people. They were unbelievable people, but they all had one thing in common. They said to me one thing, every single one: Finish the job, sir. Please finish the job.”&nbsp;

Allegations of underreported US war casualties are raising concerns over transparency, as rising losses could impact public trust and market confidence.

Around 750 US troops have been wounded or killed in the wider regional conflict since October 2023. At least 15 troops were wounded in an attack on a Saudi air base on March 27, 2026, alone, according to two government officials who spoke with The Intercept. US casualty figures in the Iran war are being underreported. US CENTCOM has been engaged in a “casualty coverup” in Operation Epic Fury, as accused by an anonymous military source in an investigative report by The Intercept. It described the official figure as outdated or incomplete. “This is, quite obviously, a subject that Secretary of War Hegseth and the White House want to keep under major wraps,” said a defence official. The report suggests that the Trump administration's numbers lack detail and clarity, compared to those of the previous Biden administration. They would provide the chronology of attacks at the US bases and the casualties in each attack. Now the firing of the US Army Chief of Staff Gen Randy George, along with 12+ top army generals, adds more food for thought. According to reports, there was no response from CENTCOM to the repeated effort to gather an updated casualty figure and death count. The Intercept analysis suggests that at least 15 have died in the region so far since the start of the war. Capt. Tim Hawkins noted on Monday, March 30, that “Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 303 U.S. service members have been wounded.” Also Read: Rosatom begins final evacuation at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant The comment was old and excluded the 15 wounded in the Friday attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. It did not include more than 200 soldiers who were treated for injury on the USS Gerald Ford, as it ran away from the war theatre. There were reports of a $300 million E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft at a Saudi base being destroyed. Iranian strikes have rendered US bases in Kuwait, Qatar (Al Udeid), and Saudi Arabia (Prince Sultan) "virtually uninhabitable," forcing personnel to disperse into civilian locations. Other reports suggest that strikes at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait destroyed an army tactical operations centre, resulting in the deaths of six US service members. US President Donald Trump, who always holds the US financial market in high regard as a benchmark of the success and failure of his military operations, knows that hundreds of US casualties would decrease the confidence of the market in the US military might. “When you have conflicts like this, you always have death,” he said. “I met the parents, and they were unbelievable people. They were unbelievable people, but they all had one thing in common. They said to me one thing, every single one: Finish the job, sir. Please finish the job.”

Allegations of underreported US war casualties are raising concerns over transparency, as rising losses could impact public trust and market confidence.

Is Trump administration downplaying war losses? Casualty reports face scrutiny

Pakistan said Thursday that the burden of ending its cross-border conflict lay with Afghanistan, as the two sides held preliminary talks to try to end hostilities.The neighbours and one-time allies have been locked in an escalating conflict over claims from Islamabad that Afghanistan is harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, which the Taliban government denies.Negotiations in Urumqi, in northwest China, were announced Wednesday by Pakistan, after Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters in the capital that the government hoped for a "durable solution"."Our participation (in talks) is a reiteration of our core concerns," he said."The burden of real process, however, lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using (its) soil against Pakistan."Following China's request for talks, the Taliban government said it had sent a "mid-level delegation" to Urumqi.The Afghan side "intends to hold comprehensive and responsible talks with the other side on good neighbourliness, strengthening trade relations, and effective management of security issues", foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said.Pakistan described the negotiations as "working level talks"."Our delegation has not returned yet," Islamabad's foreign ministry spokesman said.Beijing deployed a special envoy to try to broker a deal last month, but the diplomatic effort was followed by Pakistani strikes on a Kabul rehab centre that prompted international condemnation.More than 400 people were killed in the attack, according to Afghan officials, which Islamabad said targeted military installations.The two sides then announced a pause in fighting to mark the end of Ramadan, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.But sporadic attacks have been reported in border areas since the temporary truce ended.Taliban deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said in a post on X that Pakistan had carried out "continuous mortar, rocket and drone attacks" since Wednesday in Kunar, Paktika and Khost provinces.Those attacks left two children dead and 25 people -- most of them children -- wounded, he said.Earlier, Kunar's provincial information chief Najib Hanif told AFP that two civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling on Wednesday.While addressing hostilities with its neighbour, Pakistan has also been engaged in a flurry of diplomacy to try to bring Washington and Tehran to the table and end their war.China has backed Pakistan's efforts, aligning itself with the aims of Gulf countries affected by the spread of the conflict in the region.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The two sides then announced a pause in fighting to mark the end of Ramadan, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. But sporadic attacks have been reported in border areas since the temporary truce ended.

Pakistan said Thursday that the burden of ending its cross-border conflict lay with Afghanistan, as the two sides held preliminary talks to try to end hostilities. The neighbours and one-time allies have been locked in an escalating conflict over claims from Islamabad that Afghanistan is harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, which the Taliban government denies. Negotiations in Urumqi, in northwest China, were announced Wednesday by Pakistan, after Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters in the capital that the government hoped for a "durable solution". "Our participation (in talks) is a reiteration of our core concerns," he said. "The burden of real process, however, lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using (its) soil against Pakistan." Following China's request for talks, the Taliban government said it had sent a "mid-level delegation" to Urumqi. The Afghan side "intends to hold comprehensive and responsible talks with the other side on good neighbourliness, strengthening trade relations, and effective management of security issues", foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said. Pakistan described the negotiations as "working level talks". "Our delegation has not returned yet," Islamabad's foreign ministry spokesman said. Beijing deployed a special envoy to try to broker a deal last month, but the diplomatic effort was followed by Pakistani strikes on a Kabul rehab centre that prompted international condemnation. More than 400 people were killed in the attack, according to Afghan officials, which Islamabad said targeted military installations. The two sides then announced a pause in fighting to mark the end of Ramadan, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. But sporadic attacks have been reported in border areas since the temporary truce ended. Taliban deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said in a post on X that Pakistan had carried out "continuous mortar, rocket and drone attacks" since Wednesday in Kunar, Paktika and Khost provinces. Those attacks left two children dead and 25 people -- most of them children -- wounded, he said. Earlier, Kunar's provincial information chief Najib Hanif told AFP that two civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling on Wednesday. While addressing hostilities with its neighbour, Pakistan has also been engaged in a flurry of diplomacy to try to bring Washington and Tehran to the table and end their war. China has backed Pakistan's efforts, aligning itself with the aims of Gulf countries affected by the spread of the conflict in the region. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The two sides then announced a pause in fighting to mark the end of Ramadan, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. But sporadic attacks have been reported in border areas since the temporary truce ended.

Pakistan says burden of ending hostilities lays with Afghanistan

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) said that Iran is “eager” to make a deal with the United States even as Tehran continues to retaliate across the Gulf. Trump also boasted that American forces “blew up their three big bridges last night”. This comes after the American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge.“Why wouldn’t they call? We just blew up their three big bridges last night,” Trump told TIME Magazine in an interview. “They’re getting decimated. They say Trump is not negotiating with Iran. I mean, it’s sort of an easy negotiation.”The US president has repeatedly claimed that the military campaign in Iran was “nearing its completion,” adding that the American forces would strike the Islamic Republic “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks.<h2>Trump threatens Iran’s power plants</h2>US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) warned to strike Iran’s electrical power plants, a day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge. The US president hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done.“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.Earlier on Wednesday (Apr 1), Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” before the US-Israeli strikes hit a bridge in the northern town of Karaj that resulted in civilian casualties. Posting a video on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that “the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again”, ominously adding, “Much more to follow!” Trump further warned Iran to “make a deal before it is too late and there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.”<h2>What Trump said about Israel</h2>When asked about whether Israel would stop its military operations in Iran when the US stops the war, Trump said that they will “stop when [he stops]”. However, he added that they would stop unless “they’re provoked.”“They’ll do what I tell them. They’ve been a good team player. They’ll stop when I stop. They’ll stop unless they’re provoked, in which case, they’ll have no choice, but they’ll stop when I stop,” Trump said.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is eager for a deal after US strikes destroyed key bridges, and warned of attacks on power plants, vowing stronger action as tensions escalate with Iran.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) said that Iran is “eager” to make a deal with the United States even as Tehran continues to retaliate across the Gulf. Trump also boasted that American forces “blew up their three big bridges last night”. This comes after the American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge. “Why wouldn’t they call? We just blew up their three big bridges last night,” Trump told TIME Magazine in an interview. “They’re getting decimated. They say Trump is not negotiating with Iran. I mean, it’s sort of an easy negotiation.” The US president has repeatedly claimed that the military campaign in Iran was “nearing its completion,” adding that the American forces would strike the Islamic Republic “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks. Trump threatens Iran’s power plants US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) warned to strike Iran’s electrical power plants, a day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge. The US president hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done. “Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. Earlier on Wednesday (Apr 1), Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” before the US-Israeli strikes hit a bridge in the northern town of Karaj that resulted in civilian casualties. Posting a video on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that “the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again”, ominously adding, “Much more to follow!” Trump further warned Iran to “make a deal before it is too late and there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.” What Trump said about Israel When asked about whether Israel would stop its military operations in Iran when the US stops the war, Trump said that they will “stop when [he stops]”. However, he added that they would stop unless “they’re provoked.” “They’ll do what I tell them. They’ve been a good team player. They’ll stop when I stop. They’ll stop unless they’re provoked, in which case, they’ll have no choice, but they’ll stop when I stop,” Trump said. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is eager for a deal after US strikes destroyed key bridges, and warned of attacks on power plants, vowing stronger action as tensions escalate with Iran.

‘Easy negotiation’: Trump claims Iran ‘eager’ to make a deal after US ‘blew up their three big bridges’

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | 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, has entered its second month. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, and new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over, but he has not been seen in public. Tehran has launched a full-scale retaliation, targeting Israel as well as American military installations across the Gulf region. Several Iranian leaders have been killed as strikes continue. Iran-backed groups in the Gulf, namely Houthis and Hezbollah, have joined the war. Iran has blocked the strategic oil route, the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has expanded its attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon.After almost a month, US President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to engage and is said to have put forward a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict. However, Iran has maintained that any communication so far has been indirect. Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, reportedly preparing to host the talks if needed. Trump has been dilly-dallying in his approach to Iran, sometimes hinting at its end and sometimes saying that it will continueThe major question that arises amid the ongoing operation in West Asia is what the future holds. How will the Iran-US relations pan out, and what will it mean for regional security in specific and world geopolitics at large? All updates and analysis on the ongoing situation as the Israel-US war on Iran continues

Israel has postponed some of its planned strikes on Iran so as not to interfere with the search and rescue efforts for the crew members who were aboard the US fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, an Israeli official told CNN.According to reports, one of the crew members has been rescued by US forces, but there is no word yet on any others.

Israel postpones ‘planned strikes’ on Iran amid US search for crew members

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone on Friday that Turkey was maintaining contacts with all parties to stop the Iran war spiralling out of control, Erdogan’s office said.Erdogan also told Putin that Turkey does not approve of the attacks against Iran, nor does it endorse Iran’s retaliation against regional countries.

In contact with all parties to stop Iran war spiralling out of control: Erdogan

A US fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, and a search and rescue operation is underway for any survivors, a US official confirmed to Reuters.Israel’s Army Radio quoted Israeli sources as also confirming that the plane was downed and search efforts being underway. The condition of the jet’s crew is not immediately clear.

 US official confirms American fighter jet downed over Iran, search op underway

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;In a statement, Iranian state media called on the people of the country to receive a huge reward if they hand over the American pilot alive to government forces.&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aamajnews?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#aamajnews&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/0CPRVOU8Po"&gt;https://t.co/0CPRVOU8Po&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/rRlFyxowzg"&gt;pic.twitter.com/rRlFyxowzg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Aamaj News English (@aamajnews_EN) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/aamajnews_EN/status/2040060354852475369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 3, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Iranian broadcaster calls for capture of US pilots, promises bounty

A US C-130 and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are currently flying at low altitude over Iran in what is being reported as a "search and rescue" mission for downed F-15E pilots.

US deploys C-130, Black Hawk helicopters in Iran for pilot rescue mission

President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States could "open" the Hormuz Strait and "take the oil" if it has more time."With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, &amp; MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A 'GUSHER' FOR THE WORLD???" Trump posted.

US can open Hormuz soon with more time: Trump

A large explosion shook northern Tehran on Friday, AFP journalists said, with smoke seen rising from the site of the blast, as war with the United States and Israel rages. &nbsp;

Powerful blast hits northern Tehran: AFP

The White House sent a spending proposal to lawmakers Friday calling for a massive $1.5 trillion US defense budget next year as it faces increased costs due to the war in Iran.&nbsp;

White House seeks record $1.5 trillion defence budget amid Iran war

At least 12 people were injured in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Friday as a result of falling debris following the interception of an attack, the government media office said.

Abu Dhabi attack intercepted, 12 people injured: government

Public transport in Pakistan's capital will be free for the general public, the interior minister said Friday, after the government drastically raised fuel prices due to spiking global energy prices caused by the Iran war.

Pakistan announces free public transport in Islamabad as energy crunch deepens

The Maltese-flagged Kribi belonging to the French maritime transport group CMA CGM crossed the strait on Thursday afternoon.

Container ship with declared French ownership passes through Hormuz strait

"Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to an incident of falling debris at the Habshan gas facilities, following successful interception by air defence systems. Operations have been suspended while authorities respond to a fire. No injuries have been reported," the emirate's media office said on X.

Abu Dhabi gas complex shuts after attack

Kuwait said without elaborating that the attack by Iran on the desalination plant caused “material damage to some of the plant’s components.”

Desalination plant in Kuwait damaged

French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at a joint news conference in Seoul underscored the need for France and South Korea to cooperate to help reopen the strait and de-escalate animosities in the Middle East.

France, South Korean vow to work together to ensure safety of Strait of Hormuz

The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara and The Hindu Temple in Dubai on Friday announced temporary closures until further notice, following directives from Dubai authorities citing safety and security reasons.

Sikh gurudwara and Hindu temple in Dubai closed

Iran warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action", ahead of a scheduled vote on a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz that ended up being postponed."Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.Araghchi was speaking ahead of a scheduled Security Council vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz Friday.It was later announced that the vote was postponed, with no new date scheduled.

Iran warns UN Security Council against 'provocative action' on Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) warned to strike Iran’s electrical power plants, a day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge. The US president hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-bridges-next-then-trump-issues-another-big-warning-to-iran-threatens-to-strike-tehran-s-infrastructure-1775184688452">Read more here.</a>

‘Bridges next, then…’: Trump issues another BIG warning to Iran, threatens to strike Tehran’s infrastructurerump issues another BIG warning to Iran, threatens to strike Tehran’s infrastructure

A drone attack on a refinery owned by Kuwait's national oil company on Friday sparked fires at several of its units, state media said."Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) told KUNA that the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was targeted in a drone attack early this morning, resulting in fires in several operational units," official news agency KUNA reported, adding that emergency teams were working to contain the blazes.

Kuwait oil refinery units on fire after drone attack: state media

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) said that Iran is “eager” to make a deal with the United States even as Tehran continues to retaliate across the Gulf. Trump also boasted that American forces “blew up their three big bridges last night”. This comes after the American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-easy-negotiation-trump-claims-iran-eager-to-make-a-deal-after-us-blew-up-their-three-big-bridges-1775190822705">Read more here.</a>

The Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the United States and Israel for a very long period, a representative of the Iranian armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, has stated."The Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the Americans and Zionists for a long time. Under no pretext will they approach it," he said on state television.

Strait of Hormuz to be closed to US, Israel for long time — Iranian General Staff

Dated Brent oil price, which is the 'world’s most important price for real-world oil barrels', has reached $141.37, the highest level since 2008, according to Bloomberg report

Brent oil price reaches $141.37, highest since 2008

The 15-member body was set to vote Friday morning on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain, but by Thursday night the schedule shifted.The reason given was that the United Nations observes Good Friday as a public holiday, according to diplomatic sources -- despite this fact being known when the vote was first announced.No new date has been given for voting on the draft.

UN Security Council delays vote on authorizing force to protect Hormuz

Several explosions were reported in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr on Friday, according to Al Arabiya. The broadcaster said that missile launch systems were targeted, though there has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities so far. Earlier, on March 28, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) claimed that the United States and Israel had carried out another strike near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, marking the third such incident since February 28. Media reports indicated that the facility itself was not damaged. A day prior, Iranian officials also reported strikes on a heavy water production facility in Khondab, located in western Iran.

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Explosions reported in Iran’s southern city of Bushehr — Iranian State Media

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="ar" dir="rtl"&gt;تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة معادية.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش أن أصوات الانفجارات إن سمعت فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;يرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن الجهات المختصة.… &lt;a href="https://t.co/Q5UHbv2bOr"&gt;pic.twitter.com/Q5UHbv2bOr&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/KuwaitArmyGHQ/status/2039905179089187146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 3, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Kuwait says its air defenses are responding to missile, drone attacks

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;The siren has been sounded... Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/moi_bahrain/status/2039905529749786795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 3, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Sirens sounded in Bahrain

&lt;iframe src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116338464010194156/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Trump warns of potential US strikes on Iran’s bridges and power plants

Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister said on Friday that the country is seeking greater ‘clarity’ on how the war in Iran will come to an end, as fuel shortages continue to cause concern. Speaking in Sydney, Chris Bowen said the government wants a clearer understanding of the conflict’s “objectives and endpoint.”

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Australian energy minister on fuel shortage and war in Iran

Air raid sirens echoed across Tel Aviv early on Friday (April 3), warning residents of incoming threats amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Sirens sound in early hours across Tel Aviv as residents warned of threats amid war

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;🚫 CLAIM: Iran&amp;#39;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it downed an &amp;quot;enemy&amp;quot; fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;✅ FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran&amp;#39;s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times. &lt;a href="https://t.co/bN7HJdLxEr"&gt;pic.twitter.com/bN7HJdLxEr&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2039805134704660622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 2, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: US rejects Iran's 'false claim' of downing fighter jet in Strait of Hormuz

Kuwait says air defences are responding to missile and drone attacks

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Kuwait says air defences responding to missile, drone attacks

As Tehran continues strikes across the Gulf against US and Israeli targets, Iranian media claimed the IRGC hit an Oracle data center in Dubai. The Dubai Media Office denied the report, calling it “fake news,” amid a month-long conflict threatening civilian infrastructure in West Asia.

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Fact Check: Did Iran strike Oracle data centre in Dubai? What UAE said

The Gulf Cooperation Council urged the UN Security Council to authorise force to protect the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of blocking vessels, halting oil transit, and imposing conditions on passage.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gulf-states-seek-unsc-mandate-for-force-to-protect-hormuz-china-france-russia-may-veto-move-1775160810714">Read full story</a>

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Gulf states seek UNSC mandate for force to protect Hormuz; China, France, Russia may veto move

Iranian state media said 95 people celebrating Nature Day near the bridge were wounded in the strike. Trump warned of “much more to follow.” Officials condemned the attack on the under-construction bridge as targeting civilian infrastructure.<img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260403/image-1775177534315.jpg">

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Strikes on an Iranian bridge killed 8, local authorities say

US President Donald Trump warned Iran to reach a deal “before it is too late” after fresh airstrikes hit a key bridge near Tehran. He shared a video claiming the country’s largest bridge was destroyed. The highway link between Tehran and Karaj was struck on Thursday, with at least two people reported dead.

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Trump issues stark warning to Iran after attack on biggest bridge in Tehran

Israel’s military said on Friday its air defenses were intercepting missiles launched from Iran, as Tehran continues retaliatory strikes following the US-Israeli bombing campaign that started in late February. The military reported no immediate casualties or damage.

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: Israel military says responding to missiles fired from Iran

US-Iran-Israel war Highlights: Explosions reported in Iran's Bushehr city 

US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | 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, has entered its second month. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, and new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over, but he has not been seen in public. Tehran has launched a full-scale retaliation, targeting Israel as well as American military installations across the Gulf region. Several Iranian leaders have been killed as strikes continue. Iran-backed groups in the Gulf, namely Houthis and Hezbollah, have joined the war. Iran has blocked the strategic oil route, the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has expanded its attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon. After almost a month, US President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to engage and is said to have put forward a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict. However, Iran has maintained that any communication so far has been indirect. Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, reportedly preparing to host the talks if needed. Trump has been dilly-dallying in his approach to Iran, sometimes hinting at its end and sometimes saying that it will continue The major question that arises amid the ongoing operation in West Asia is what the future holds. How will the Iran-US relations pan out, and what will it mean for regional security in specific and world geopolitics at large? All updates and analysis on the ongoing situation as the Israel-US war on Iran continues

US-Iran war intensifies with heavy strikes, rising casualties, and global oil shocks, as tensions disrupt markets and fears of wider conflict grow

US-Iran-Israel war Highlights: Israel postpones ‘planned strikes’ on Iran amid US search for crew members

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) warned to strike Iran’s electrical power plants, a day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge. The US president hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done.“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.Earlier on Wednesday (Apr 1), Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” before the US-Israeli strikes hit a bridge in the northern town of Karaj that resulted in civilian casualties. Posting a video on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that “the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again”, ominously adding, “Much more to follow!” Trump further warned Iran to “make a deal before it is too late and there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.”The highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj. The footage posted by Trump showed the structure erupting in flames and thick smoke following the attack. Israeli forces reportedly said they were not aware of the attack.As hostilities continue in West Asia, Iran retaliates against the US and Israel across the Gulf. In a recent warning, Iran threatened to strike major US companies in the region, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Tesla, Nvidia, Intel, Palantir, JP Morgan, and Boeing.Iran has also blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels that are attempting to cross the waterway without prior approval from Tehran. This has triggered a global energy supply crisis and has significantly affected international trade. Trump has repeatedly called on European powers to help open the strait using force, expressing disappointment with NATO. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday (Apr 2) urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to authorise the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

US President Donald Trump warned of more strikes on Iran, targeting power plants after a deadly attack near Karaj, destroying the largest bridge, as tensions continue to escalate in West Asia.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 2) warned to strike Iran’s electrical power plants, a day after American forces destroyed the Islamic Republic’s largest bridge. The US president hailed the “greatest” and “most powerful” military of his country, saying that they haven’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. He warned Tehran’s new regime, claiming that they know what has to be done. “Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. Earlier on Wednesday (Apr 1), Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” before the US-Israeli strikes hit a bridge in the northern town of Karaj that resulted in civilian casualties. Posting a video on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that “the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again”, ominously adding, “Much more to follow!” Trump further warned Iran to “make a deal before it is too late and there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.” The highway bridge, which connects Tehran to the western city of Karaj. The footage posted by Trump showed the structure erupting in flames and thick smoke following the attack. Israeli forces reportedly said they were not aware of the attack. As hostilities continue in West Asia, Iran retaliates against the US and Israel across the Gulf. In a recent warning, Iran threatened to strike major US companies in the region, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Tesla, Nvidia, Intel, Palantir, JP Morgan, and Boeing. Iran has also blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels that are attempting to cross the waterway without prior approval from Tehran. This has triggered a global energy supply crisis and has significantly affected international trade. Trump has repeatedly called on European powers to help open the strait using force, expressing disappointment with NATO. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday (Apr 2) urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to authorise the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

US President Donald Trump warned of more strikes on Iran, targeting power plants after a deadly attack near Karaj, destroying the largest bridge, as tensions continue to escalate in West Asia.

‘Bridges next, then…’: Trump issues another BIG warning to Iran, threatens to strike Tehran’s infrastructure

Donald Trump said Israel would act on his direction when it comes to ending the war with Iran, stressing US influence over the course of the conflict. “They’ll do what I tell them,” Trump told Time Magazine in an interview. “They’ve been a good team player. They’ll stop when I stop. They’ll stop unless they’re provoked, in which case, they’ll have no choice, but they’ll stop when I stop.” The statement appears to contrast with his earlier remarks to The Times of Israel, where he described ending the war as a ‘mutual’ decision with Benjamin Netanyahu.&nbsp;The Time Magazine interview, which details Trump’s decision to launch the war alongside Israel and his efforts to find an off-ramp amid growing domestic backlash, cites an Israeli official saying Netanyahu has limited room to act without Trump’s support. According to the report, Trump had earlier expressed anger over leaks about the planned Iran strikes. During a February 27 meeting, he initially suggested the operation was off, before reconvening a smaller group of trusted aides and proceeding with plans for strikes that began the same night.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-kash-patel-could-be-fired-today-former-fbi-agent-s-big-claim-after-trump-fires-pam-bondi-1775178603074">'Kash Patel could be fired today': Former FBI agent's BIG claim after Trump fires Pam Bondi</a>&nbsp;The report also describes Netanyahu’s push for a prolonged campaign. During a meeting in Washington, he told Trump, “We’ve come this far, Donald. We have to finish what we started,” warning that Tehran could use time to advance toward a nuclear weapon. Trump also tells Time that Iran has proven ‘very tough’ by resisting immense pressure to make concessions to end the war with an agreement.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-asia-war-strait-of-hormuz-creates-major-global-energy-trade-crisis-1775185155812/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-asia-war-strait-of-hormuz-creates-major-global-energy-trade-crisis-1775185155812/embed</a>&nbsp;“They’re able to withstand tremendous pain. So I respect them for that. The fact is, I think they’re better negotiators than they are fighters,” he said.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

Trump says Israel will follow his lead on ending the Iran war, even as reports highlight tensions and Netanyahu’s push for prolonged action

Donald Trump said Israel would act on his direction when it comes to ending the war with Iran, stressing US influence over the course of the conflict. “They’ll do what I tell them,” Trump told Time Magazine in an interview. “They’ve been a good team player. They’ll stop when I stop. They’ll stop unless they’re provoked, in which case, they’ll have no choice, but they’ll stop when I stop.” The statement appears to contrast with his earlier remarks to The Times of Israel, where he described ending the war as a ‘mutual’ decision with Benjamin Netanyahu. The Time Magazine interview, which details Trump’s decision to launch the war alongside Israel and his efforts to find an off-ramp amid growing domestic backlash, cites an Israeli official saying Netanyahu has limited room to act without Trump’s support. According to the report, Trump had earlier expressed anger over leaks about the planned Iran strikes. During a February 27 meeting, he initially suggested the operation was off, before reconvening a smaller group of trusted aides and proceeding with plans for strikes that began the same night. Also Read: 'Kash Patel could be fired today': Former FBI agent's BIG claim after Trump fires Pam Bondi The report also describes Netanyahu’s push for a prolonged campaign. During a meeting in Washington, he told Trump, “We’ve come this far, Donald. We have to finish what we started,” warning that Tehran could use time to advance toward a nuclear weapon. Trump also tells Time that Iran has proven ‘very tough’ by resisting immense pressure to make concessions to end the war with an agreement. https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-asia-war-strait-of-hormuz-creates-major-global-energy-trade-crisis-1775185155812/embed “They’re able to withstand tremendous pain. So I respect them for that. The fact is, I think they’re better negotiators than they are fighters,” he said. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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.

Trump says Israel will follow his lead on ending the Iran war, even as reports highlight tensions and Netanyahu’s push for prolonged action

Trump: Israel will 'do what I tell them’ on Iran war, ‘will stop when I stop’

After President Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi as Attorney General, reports surfaced that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel could be next. Former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin told far-right host Alex Jones, citing sources, that “There is a decent possibility that Kash Patel is fired today, and there is a total reshuffle. The question is why, and I guess that Trump wants to make it look like it's his idea and not while he is under pressure.”<h2>Kash Patel under pressure?</h2>Three former FBI agents have filed a class-action lawsuit this week, seeking to be reinstated after claiming they were illegally punished for their role in investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges linked to a personnel purge led by Kash Patel, which over the past year has resulted in the dismissal of dozens of agents. Many were removed either for their involvement in Trump-related investigations or because they were deemed insufficiently loyal to the Republican president’s agenda.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-trump-considering-replacing-tulsi-gabbard-as-intelligence-chief-here-s-what-we-know-1775174686524">Is Trump considering replacing Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief? Here's what we know</a>&nbsp;The three agents, Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman, and Blaire Toleman, were fired last October and November in what they describe as a ‘retribution campaign’ targeting them for their investigative work on Trump. Each had between eight and 14 years of 'exemplary and unblemished' service and had expected to spend the remainder of their careers at the FBI, but were abruptly dismissed without cause or the opportunity to respond, according to the lawsuit.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/republicans-move-to-end-longest-partial-shutdown-with-special-measure-in-congress-1775146505441/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/republicans-move-to-end-longest-partial-shutdown-with-special-measure-in-congress-1775146505441/embed</a>&nbsp;Several media reports also suggest that the US President Donald Trump has considered United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin as a potential replacement for Pam Bondi and has also discussed firing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

'Kash Patel could be fired today': Former FBI agent's BIG claim after Trump fires Pam Bondi

After President Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi as Attorney General, reports surfaced that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel could be next. Former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin told far-right host Alex Jones, citing sources, that “There is a decent possibility that Kash Patel is fired today, and there is a total reshuffle. The question is why, and I guess that Trump wants to make it look like it's his idea and not while he is under pressure.” Kash Patel under pressure? Three former FBI agents have filed a class-action lawsuit this week, seeking to be reinstated after claiming they were illegally punished for their role in investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges linked to a personnel purge led by Kash Patel, which over the past year has resulted in the dismissal of dozens of agents. Many were removed either for their involvement in Trump-related investigations or because they were deemed insufficiently loyal to the Republican president’s agenda. Also Read: Is Trump considering replacing Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief? Here's what we know The three agents, Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman, and Blaire Toleman, were fired last October and November in what they describe as a ‘retribution campaign’ targeting them for their investigative work on Trump. Each had between eight and 14 years of 'exemplary and unblemished' service and had expected to spend the remainder of their careers at the FBI, but were abruptly dismissed without cause or the opportunity to respond, according to the lawsuit. https://www.wionews.com/videos/republicans-move-to-end-longest-partial-shutdown-with-special-measure-in-congress-1775146505441/embed Several media reports also suggest that the US President Donald Trump has considered United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin as a potential replacement for Pam Bondi and has also discussed firing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Trump fires Pam Bondi; Kash Patel may be next. Ex-FBI agent claims “total reshuffle.” Fired agents sue over alleged retaliation and political purge

As Tehran continues to retaliate across the Gulf, targeting US and Israeli targets, Iranian state media on Thursday (Apr 2) claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had targeted an Oracle data centre in Dubai. However, the Dubai Media Office denied the report, calling it “fake news”. This comes as the war in West Asia continues for over a month now, with civilian infrastructure being threatened by the strikes. In a recent threat, the IRGC warned that several major US companies in the Gulf could be targeted.A day earlier on Wednesday (Apr 1), the IRGC claimed responsibility for an attack on Amazon cloud computing center in Bahrain. In a statement, Bahrain’s interior ministry said that civil defence teams were extinguishing a fire at a company facility following an Iranian attack. Last week, the US tech giant reported “disruption” of its Amazon Web Services region amid the war in West Asia, marking the second time its operations were affected due to the conflict.<h2>Iran threatens to target US companies</h2>Earlier this week, the IRGC threatened to target 18 companies, including US tech firms, in the Gulf, warning their employees to leave their workplaces immediately. The list included US giants including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Tesla, Nvidia, Intel, Palantir, JP Morgan, and Boeing. Iran accused the companies of acting as “spies” for the US and helping in carrying out strikes.“These companies, starting from 8:00 pm (1630 GMT) Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, should expect the destruction of their relevant units in exchange for every assassination in Iran,” the Guards said in a statement.<h2>Iran strikes industrial facilities in Gulf</h2>In a statement carried by state TV, the military’s central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said that IRGC launched a fresh wave of attacks in morning in response to the US-Israeli attacks on Iranian steel industries“American steel industries in Abu Dhabi, American aluminium industries in Bahrain, and the Rafael arms factories of the Zionist regime” were among a number of targets, it said.Tasnim news agency reported citing Revolutionary Guards’ navy command that data centres of Oracle in Dubai and Amazon in Bahrain were also targeted. However, Dubai authorities denied any such attack.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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. &nbsp;

Iran claimed it struck an Oracle data centre in Dubai, but UAE authorities denied it as fake news. The West Asia war continues to escalate, raising concerns over attacks on civilian infrastructure.

As Tehran continues to retaliate across the Gulf, targeting US and Israeli targets, Iranian state media on Thursday (Apr 2) claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had targeted an Oracle data centre in Dubai. However, the Dubai Media Office denied the report, calling it “fake news”. This comes as the war in West Asia continues for over a month now, with civilian infrastructure being threatened by the strikes. In a recent threat, the IRGC warned that several major US companies in the Gulf could be targeted. A day earlier on Wednesday (Apr 1), the IRGC claimed responsibility for an attack on Amazon cloud computing center in Bahrain. In a statement, Bahrain’s interior ministry said that civil defence teams were extinguishing a fire at a company facility following an Iranian attack. Last week, the US tech giant reported “disruption” of its Amazon Web Services region amid the war in West Asia, marking the second time its operations were affected due to the conflict. Iran threatens to target US companies Earlier this week, the IRGC threatened to target 18 companies, including US tech firms, in the Gulf, warning their employees to leave their workplaces immediately. The list included US giants including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Tesla, Nvidia, Intel, Palantir, JP Morgan, and Boeing. Iran accused the companies of acting as “spies” for the US and helping in carrying out strikes. “These companies, starting from 8:00 pm (1630 GMT) Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, should expect the destruction of their relevant units in exchange for every assassination in Iran,” the Guards said in a statement. Iran strikes industrial facilities in Gulf In a statement carried by state TV, the military’s central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said that IRGC launched a fresh wave of attacks in morning in response to the US-Israeli attacks on Iranian steel industries “American steel industries in Abu Dhabi, American aluminium industries in Bahrain, and the Rafael arms factories of the Zionist regime” were among a number of targets, it said. Tasnim news agency reported citing Revolutionary Guards’ navy command that data centres of Oracle in Dubai and Amazon in Bahrain were also targeted. However, Dubai authorities denied any such attack. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the 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 claimed it struck an Oracle data centre in Dubai, but UAE authorities denied it as fake news. The West Asia war continues to escalate, raising concerns over attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Fact Check: Did Iran strike Oracle data centre in Dubai? What UAE said

Donald Trump has privately asked cabinet members in recent weeks whether he should replace his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, expressing frustration that she shielded a former deputy who undermined his rationale for war with Iran, according to two people familiar with the discussions. It remains unclear whether Trump will actually move to fire Gabbard. There is currently no obvious successor, and advisers have warned that creating a high-profile vacancy without a replacement could lead to unnecessary political distractions.&nbsp;Still, the conversations signal potential trouble for Gabbard, as Trump often consults advisers when seriously weighing personnel changes. The two sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of internal discussions.Trump’s concerns intensified after Gabbard’s testimony at a worldwide threats hearing on Capitol Hill last month. During the hearing, she declined to criticize Joe Kent, who had resigned days earlier after arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States.&nbsp;Kent’s departure and his criticism of the war had already angered Trump. However, he was particularly frustrated that Gabbard appeared to defend Kent and seemed hesitant to strongly back the administration’s position on striking Iran.When asked on Sunday whether he still had confidence in Gabbard’s leadership, Trump gave a mixed response. “Yeah, sure,” he said aboard Air Force One. “I mean, she’s a little bit different in her thought process than me, but that doesn’t make somebody not available to serve.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-doubles-down-on-trade-agenda-with-new-pharma-and-steel-tariffs-1775166516057">Trump doubles down on trade agenda with new pharma and steel tariffs</a>&nbsp;White House spokesperson Steven Cheung defended Gabbard, stating: “As President Trump just said in his remarks, he has confidence in Director Gabbard and the tireless work she is doing. He has assembled the most talented and impactful cabinet ever, and they have collectively delivered historic victories on behalf of the American people.”During his second term, Trump has generally avoided outright dismissals, instead reassigning officials he sees as liabilities. Recently, Kristi Noem was moved from homeland security secretary to a lesser role as a State Department envoy. Officials acknowledge that Gabbard’s role has been challenging, often involving difficult balancing acts within the intelligence community. She has also struggled at times to define her position as director of national intelligence.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, projected to be removed from Trump admin. 67% chance.<a href="https://t.co/DZbxZtc19T">https://t.co/DZbxZtc19T</a>&mdash; Polymarket (@Polymarket) <a href="https://twitter.com/Polymarket/status/2039773070966047078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Her controversial testimony aligned with her long-standing opposition to U.S. involvement in foreign wars and her previous stance that presidents cannot legally authorize pre-emptive military strikes. The remarks were reportedly coordinated with the CIA ahead of the hearing, and she has been actively supporting White House efforts regarding Iran. Gabbard has also gained favour with Trump at times, including for producing a report claiming that Russia did not attempt to boost Trump’s 2016 campaign, contradicting earlier congressional findings.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-origin-prodigy-bodhana-sivanandan-becomes-uk-s-top-female-chess-player-at-just-11-1775149209219/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-origin-prodigy-bodhana-sivanandan-becomes-uk-s-top-female-chess-player-at-just-11-1775149209219/embed</a>&nbsp;“Over the past two weeks, President Trump said both that he has confidence in the DNI and that she did well at her hearings before Congress. She remains committed to fulfilling the responsibilities the president placed in her,” said Olivia Coleman, a spokesperson for Gabbard. Despite this, Gabbard has faced several criticisms. Last June, Trump was reportedly annoyed by a video she recorded warning about nuclear war after visiting Hiroshima, believing it could alarm the public unnecessarily.&nbsp;He also publicly contradicted her after she testified that Iran had not decided to build a nuclear bomb. “She’s wrong,” Trump said before authorizing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Tensions escalated further when Gabbard revoked security clearances for 37 individuals, including congressional aides, before the White House had reviewed the decision. Her allies later accused the CIA of attempting to create grounds for her removal, prompting the White House to step in and de-escalate the situation.

Is Trump considering replacing Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief? Here's what we know

Donald Trump has privately asked cabinet members in recent weeks whether he should replace his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, expressing frustration that she shielded a former deputy who undermined his rationale for war with Iran, according to two people familiar with the discussions. It remains unclear whether Trump will actually move to fire Gabbard. There is currently no obvious successor, and advisers have warned that creating a high-profile vacancy without a replacement could lead to unnecessary political distractions. Still, the conversations signal potential trouble for Gabbard, as Trump often consults advisers when seriously weighing personnel changes. The two sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of internal discussions. Trump’s concerns intensified after Gabbard’s testimony at a worldwide threats hearing on Capitol Hill last month. During the hearing, she declined to criticize Joe Kent, who had resigned days earlier after arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. Kent’s departure and his criticism of the war had already angered Trump. However, he was particularly frustrated that Gabbard appeared to defend Kent and seemed hesitant to strongly back the administration’s position on striking Iran. When asked on Sunday whether he still had confidence in Gabbard’s leadership, Trump gave a mixed response. “Yeah, sure,” he said aboard Air Force One. “I mean, she’s a little bit different in her thought process than me, but that doesn’t make somebody not available to serve.” Also Read: Trump doubles down on trade agenda with new pharma and steel tariffs White House spokesperson Steven Cheung defended Gabbard, stating: “As President Trump just said in his remarks, he has confidence in Director Gabbard and the tireless work she is doing. He has assembled the most talented and impactful cabinet ever, and they have collectively delivered historic victories on behalf of the American people.” During his second term, Trump has generally avoided outright dismissals, instead reassigning officials he sees as liabilities. Recently, Kristi Noem was moved from homeland security secretary to a lesser role as a State Department envoy. Officials acknowledge that Gabbard’s role has been challenging, often involving difficult balancing acts within the intelligence community. She has also struggled at times to define her position as director of national intelligence.

As per reports, Trump weighs replacing Tulsi Gabbard after the Iran dispute and internal tensions, though no clear successor and mixed public support remain

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (April 2) imposed new tariffs on certain medicines and overhauled metal duties, reinforcing his trade agenda a year after launching trade wars with nearly all partners. The orders pressure pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more in the US, while targeting firms accused of "artificially manipulating" metals prices. Finished products with significant steel, aluminum, or copper will face a simplified 25% tariff on full value instead of a metal-content calculation.&nbsp;&nbsp;A senior official said they did not expect these measures to affect affordability. The moves coincide with the anniversary of Trump’s “Liberation Day,” when he first announced broad tariffs that disrupted markets and supply chains. One order imposes a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals made abroad unless trade deals are struck or companies commit to building US plants. Large firms have 120 days, smaller ones 180 days, to submit reshoring plans.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-shake-up-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-asks-army-chief-gen-randy-george-to-immediately-retire-reports-1775161003663">Pentagon shake-up: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asks Army Chief Gen. Randy George to 'immediately' retire</a>&nbsp;"We expect the lion's share of the world's patented pharmaceuticals to be built in America," said a senior official. Companies building US plants will face a 20% tariff. The EU, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland face 15% due to prior trade deals. The UK secured tariff-free access for three years. Exemptions exist for firms reaching "Most Favored Nation" pricing deals. Generic drugs remain untaxed.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-defence-exports-surge-62-to-4-1-billion-1775148284425/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-defence-exports-surge-62-to-4-1-billion-1775148284425/embed</a>&nbsp;The second order reshapes 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, targeting foreign price manipulation and simplifying tariffs on products with over 15% metal content. "It's a simplification and a fairness issue," the official said.Asked about household costs, the official said, "These will not have an impact on the price of the good on the shelf." It is set to take effect from 12:01 am Eastern Time on Monday, a White House official told new agency AFP.

Trump doubles down on trade agenda with new pharma and steel tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (April 2) imposed new tariffs on certain medicines and overhauled metal duties, reinforcing his trade agenda a year after launching trade wars with nearly all partners. The orders pressure pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more in the US, while targeting firms accused of "artificially manipulating" metals prices. Finished products with significant steel, aluminum, or copper will face a simplified 25% tariff on full value instead of a metal-content calculation. A senior official said they did not expect these measures to affect affordability. The moves coincide with the anniversary of Trump’s “Liberation Day,” when he first announced broad tariffs that disrupted markets and supply chains. One order imposes a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals made abroad unless trade deals are struck or companies commit to building US plants. Large firms have 120 days, smaller ones 180 days, to submit reshoring plans. Also Read: Pentagon shake-up: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asks Army Chief Gen. Randy George to 'immediately' retire "We expect the lion's share of the world's patented pharmaceuticals to be built in America," said a senior official. Companies building US plants will face a 20% tariff. The EU, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland face 15% due to prior trade deals. The UK secured tariff-free access for three years. Exemptions exist for firms reaching "Most Favored Nation" pricing deals. Generic drugs remain untaxed. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-defence-exports-surge-62-to-4-1-billion-1775148284425/embed The second order reshapes 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, targeting foreign price manipulation and simplifying tariffs on products with over 15% metal content. "It's a simplification and a fairness issue," the official said. Asked about household costs, the official said, "These will not have an impact on the price of the good on the shelf." It is set to take effect from 12:01 am Eastern Time on Monday, a White House official told new agency AFP.

Trump orders 100% pharma tariffs and revamps metal duties, aiming to boost US manufacturing. Officials say, ‘These will not have an impact on the price of the good on the shelf’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and immediately retire. As per reports, Hegseth wants a leader who will carry out the Army in line with President Trump and Hegseth’s vision. George, a career infantry officer and West Point graduate, previously served as senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from 2021 to 2022 during the Biden administration, after a decades‑long military career. His service includes deployments in the first Gulf War and the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.&nbsp;Typically, the Army chief of staff serves a four‑year term. George was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2023, meaning his expected term would have lasted through 2027. The current vice chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who once served as Hegseth’s military aide, is likely to be considered as George’s successor. LaNeve previously served as commanding general of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 2022 to 2023.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-pentagon-pizza-index-spike-sparks-buzz-amid-us-iran-war-what-s-happening-and-what-does-this-mean-1775158345199">'Pentagon Pizza Index' spike sparks buzz amid US-Iran war. What's happening and what does this mean?</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">STATEMENT: General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.&mdash; Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanParnellASW/status/2039812664902271107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On Thursday, the US Military Academy at West Point shared photos on social media of George during a visit, saying he “shared experience‑driven guidance with cadets preparing to lead.” According to his official biography on the Army’s website, George was commissioned as an infantry officer from West Point in 1988 and deployed in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Before becoming Army chief of staff, he served as vice chief of staff from 2022 to 2023.&nbsp;Hegseth has already removed more than a dozen senior military leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife, and Defense Intelligence Agency head Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse. The move comes after Hegseth’s controversial X post overturning the suspension of Army aviators involved in a flight near Kid Rock’s home in Nashville last weekend.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/from-nuclear-weapons-to-hormuz-u-s-president-s-u-turns-during-war-address-in-focus-1775157258389/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/from-nuclear-weapons-to-hormuz-u-s-president-s-u-turns-during-war-address-in-focus-1775157258389/embed</a>&nbsp;After the Army announced the suspension and an administrative review, Hegseth wrote on his personal X account: “No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.” One source told CBS News that Hegseth’s decision on George was not related to the helicopter incident.

As per reports, Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief Gen. Randy George to immediately retire, seeking leadership aligned with Trump’s vision

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and immediately retire. As per reports, Hegseth wants a leader who will carry out the Army in line with President Trump and Hegseth’s vision. George, a career infantry officer and West Point graduate, previously served as senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from 2021 to 2022 during the Biden administration, after a decades‑long military career. His service includes deployments in the first Gulf War and the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Typically, the Army chief of staff serves a four‑year term. George was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2023, meaning his expected term would have lasted through 2027. The current vice chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who once served as Hegseth’s military aide, is likely to be considered as George’s successor. LaNeve previously served as commanding general of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 2022 to 2023. Also Read: 'Pentagon Pizza Index' spike sparks buzz amid US-Iran war. What's happening and what does this mean?

As per reports, Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief Gen. Randy George to immediately retire, seeking leadership aligned with Trump’s vision

Pentagon shake-up: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asks Army Chief Gen. Randy George to 'immediately' retire

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to authorise the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks. The secretary-general of the GCC has urged the UNSC to sanction the use of force. GCC secretary-general Jassem al-Budaiwi said, “Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, prevented commercial vessels and oil tankers from transiting, and imposed conditions on some to pass through the Strait.”He made the remarks in New York during the inaugural Security Council session focused on collaboration with the GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-fires-attorney-general-pam-bondi-after-criticism-over-epstein-files-releases-1775150955840">Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi after criticism over Epstein files releases</a>&nbsp;Iran has blocked the key shipping lane in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, crippling fuel supplies and hurting the global economy.“We call upon the Security Council to assume its full responsibility and take all necessary measures to protect maritime routes and ensure the safe continuation of international navigation,” al-Budaiwi said.Bahrain has proposed a draft resolution that would let states use “all necessary measures” to ensure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.However, the measure has divided the 15-member Security Council.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-world-on-edge-of-wider-war-people-are-already-struggling-says-un-chief-antonio-guterres-1775149940522">‘World on edge of wider war, people are already struggling,’ says UN chief Antonio Guterres</a>&nbsp;According to diplomatic sources, Russia, China, and France, who hold veto privileges, have voiced strong objections despite several modifications to the text.A fifth version of the draft text was distributed to member states on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that a military operation to free the Strait is “unrealistic”.&nbsp;Around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Its near-total blockade is impacting global supplies of oil, liquid natural gas, and fertilisers, leading to a sharp rise in energy prices.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-to-join-coalition-of-nations-exploring-ways-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-1775136809016">India to join coalition of nations exploring ways to reopen Strait of Hormuz</a><h2>Britain marshals 41 countries for Strait of Hormuz reopening</h2>&nbsp;The United Kingdom on Thursday accused Iran of holding the global economy hostage during a summit where representatives from over 40 nations discussed strategies to compel Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the talks showed “the strength of our international determination” to reopen the strait.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-foreign-secretary-yvette-cooper-condemns-iran-s-recklessness-says-urgent-need-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-1775133637067">UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemns Iran’s ‘recklessness’, says ‘urgent need’ to reopen Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;“We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Cooper said at the start of the meeting.&nbsp;A Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favour, and no vetoes from its five permanent members—the United ⁠States, Russia, China, Britain, and France.

Bahrain has proposed a draft resolution that would let states use “all necessary measures” to ensure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, but the measure has divided the 15-member Security Council. Russia, China, and France, who hold veto privileges, have voiced strong objections.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to authorise the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks. The secretary-general of the GCC has urged the UNSC to sanction the use of force. GCC secretary-general Jassem al-Budaiwi said, “Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, prevented commercial vessels and oil tankers from transiting, and imposed conditions on some to pass through the Strait.” He made the remarks in New York during the inaugural Security Council session focused on collaboration with the GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Also Read: Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi after criticism over Epstein files releases Iran has blocked the key shipping lane in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, crippling fuel supplies and hurting the global economy. “We call upon the Security Council to assume its full responsibility and take all necessary measures to protect maritime routes and ensure the safe continuation of international navigation,” al-Budaiwi said. Bahrain has proposed a draft resolution that would let states use “all necessary measures” to ensure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the measure has divided the 15-member Security Council. Also Read: ‘World on edge of wider war, people are already struggling,’ says UN chief Antonio Guterres According to diplomatic sources, Russia, China, and France, who hold veto privileges, have voiced strong objections despite several modifications to the text. A fifth version of the draft text was distributed to member states on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that a military operation to free the Strait is “unrealistic”. Around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Its near-total blockade is impacting global supplies of oil, liquid natural gas, and fertilisers, leading to a sharp rise in energy prices. Also Read: India to join coalition of nations exploring ways to reopen Strait of Hormuz Britain marshals 41 countries for Strait of Hormuz reopening The United Kingdom on Thursday accused Iran of holding the global economy hostage during a summit where representatives from over 40 nations discussed strategies to compel Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the talks showed “the strength of our international determination” to reopen the strait. Also Read: UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemns Iran’s ‘recklessness’, says ‘urgent need’ to reopen Strait of Hormuz “We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Cooper said at the start of the meeting. A Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favour, and no vetoes from its five permanent members—the United ⁠States, Russia, China, Britain, and France.

Bahrain has proposed a draft resolution that would let states use “all necessary measures” to ensure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, but the measure has divided the 15-member Security Council. Russia, China, and France, who hold veto privileges, have voiced strong objections.

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