politics
US–Iran war Day 36: Crew search, 48-hour ultimatum
Two US military planes have been shot down in separate incidents, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing war with Iran. The developments come on day 36 of the conflict, just days after Donald Trump claimed the US had ‘decimated’ Iran and would end the war swiftly. At the same time, Trump has unveiled a record $1.5 trillion defence budget proposal, signalling a deeper military push. Follow all the latest updates here:
10:35 PM, 4 April 2026
Iran says five killed in US-Israeli attack on petrochemical hub
Iranian media is reporting that at least five people have been killed in an attack on the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone.
The Israeli military said that earlier its air force struck a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, in southwestern Iran. It alleged the complex was “responsible for producing and exporting chemical materials to the regime’s armed forces” and that the targeted facilities were “used to produce materials for explosives, ballistic missile, and additional weaponry.”
“After we destroyed 70% of its ability to create steel, which is used as the raw material for the weapons used against us, today we attacked their petrochemical factories,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement posted on his X account.
“I promised you that we will continue to crush the terrorist regime in Tehran, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Netanyahu said.
10:07 PM, 4 April 2026
IAEA expresses deep concern over Bushehr nuclear strike
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, on Saturday expressed “deep concern” over the strike near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, while confirming that no increase in radiation levels has been detected.
In a statement shared on X, the UN’s Nuclear Energy watchdog said that it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the plant’s premises earlier in the day, marking the fourth such incident in recent weeks amid escalating West Asia conflict.
According to the agency, one member of the site’s physical protection staff was killed due to projectile fragments, and a building within the facility sustained damage from shockwaves and debris.
“The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr NPP this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks. Iran also informed the IAEA that one of the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments. No increase in radiation levels was reported,” the statement read.
10:03 PM, 4 April 2026
Israel reports ballistic missile launched from Yemen
The attack triggered sirens across the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The Houthis in Yemen have launched several missiles on Israel since joining the war last week in support of Iran.
10:01 PM, 4 April 2026
Netanyahu says Israel targets Iran’s petrochemical factories
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel has carried out attacks on Iran’s petrochemical factories, which he described as a key source of revenue for the Iranian government.
In a video message posted on his X account, Netanyahu said the strikes followed earlier attacks on Iran’s steel facilities, claiming that Israel has destroyed 70 percent of Iran’s steel production capacity.
“We will continue to hit them, as I promised,” he added.
09:46 PM, 4 April 2026
Power outage hits parts of Al Jahra, Kuwait
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (Kuwait) announced that a main transformer station in the Al Jahra Governorate has gone out of service, leading to a power outage in limited parts of the area.
According to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the disruption affected several neighbourhoods in Al Jahra after the station stopped operating.
The ministry said emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the site and that restoration work is currently underway to bring electricity back as quickly as possible.
Authorities also thanked residents for their understanding and cooperation while technical teams work to resolve the issue.
09:17 PM, 4 April 2026
US revokes green cards and visas of several Iranian nationals
The Trump administration has revoked the green cards or U.S. visas of at least four Iranian nationals connected to the current or former Iranian government, including two who’ve been detained by immigration authorities and are to be deported.
The latest actions were taken just this week when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined they were no longer eligible for either lawful permanent resident status, or to enter the United States. The steps follow a move late last year in which the visas of several diplomats and staffers at Iran’s mission to the United Nations were also revoked.
In a statement Saturday, the State Department said the niece and grand-niece of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike near the Baghdad airport in 2020, had been arrested late Friday by immigration agents after Rubio revoked their green cards.
09:12 PM, 4 April 2026
Iran says Iraq shipping free to cross Strait of Hormuz
Iran will allow Iraqi shipping to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, despite its broader blockade of the key sea lane at the mouth of the Gulf, its military command said Saturday.
“We announce that our brotherly country of Iraq is exempt from any restrictions we have imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, and these restrictions only apply to enemy countries,” spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari told state television.
09:00 PM, 4 April 2026
Several injured in Israel by Iran missile fire
Israeli emergency services said its crew treated five people who were injured Saturday in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas after Iran fired several rounds of missiles toward Israel.
Since midnight, seven waves of Iranian missiles have been launched towards Israel, according to the Israeli military.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services said a 45-year-old man was treated for minor injuries from glass shrapnel in the central city of Bnei Brak and taken to hospital.
As the day progressed, rescue teams said they had treated three additional casualties – two men in their 20s hit by glass fragments and one injured by blast.
A 52-year-old man “lightly injured by the blast wave” was also transferred to a hospital in Ramat Gan, in central Israel, the emergency service said.
In a residential neighbourhood of Ramat Gan, AFP images showed the top floor of a house completely blown out, exposing its gutted interior, with a crushed bookcase and an exercise bike amid the debris.
The military said its air defences were working to down missiles fired from Iran, each a time it announced incoming projectiles.
08:07 PM, 4 April 2026
Blasts over Jerusalem after Iran missiles detected
Several loud explosions were heard over Jerusalem on Saturday after the Israeli military warned it had detected missiles inbound from Iran.
AFP journalists heard at least six blasts, more than a month into a conflict that was triggered by Israel and the United States striking Tehran.
Earlier in the day five Israelis were wounded in missile attacks on Tel Aviv and parts of central Israel, according to the rescue services.
07:33 PM, 4 April 2026
US arrests relatives of slain Iranian general Soleimani
US federal agents have arrested the niece and grand‑niece of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, the US State Department said on Saturday.
Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident (green card) status, according to an official statement.
The State Department said the arrests followed the termination of their residency, and both women are currently in ICE custody as part of the action.
In its statement, the department noted that Soleimani Afshar has been an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime, citing her social media commentary and press reports identifying her as a vocal backer of Iran’s leadership.
Afshar’s husband is also banned from entering the United States, the statement added.
The move underscores Washington’s continued scrutiny of individuals linked to figures associated with Iran’s military and reflects broader tensions between the United States and Tehran. ▶ Read more
Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States.
Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 4, 2026
07:12 PM, 4 April 2026
Kuwait’s utilities remain stable despite Iranian strike
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy has affirmed that the country’s electricity and water systems remain stable and fully under control, despite recent attacks linked to the conflict with Iran, state news agency Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
In a statement carried by KUNA, the ministry’s spokesperson, Engineer Fatima Hayat, said that an Iranian strike on one of Kuwait’s power and water desalination plants caused material damage to parts of the facility on Friday, but technical and emergency teams were immediately deployed under contingency plans to secure the site and maintain operations.
Despite the damage, national infrastructure has continued to function normally, and authorities have stressed that essential services are being delivered without disruption.
06:54 PM, 4 April 2026
Another global waterway is at risk
Iran’s parliament speaker has made a veiled threat against another crucial waterway in the Middle East. The Bab el-Mandeb strait is at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and sees about a quarter of global container shipping traffic to and from the Suez Canal.
But concerns have emerged around the Bab el-Mandeb with the recent entry into the war of Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis previously targeted more than 100 merchant vessels on the Red Sea — between the Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal — because of the war in Gaza. Those attacks stopped after US and Israeli airstrikes.
Now the Houthis, and perhaps Iran itself, could resume attacks. The Houthis have said they won’t allow the US and Israel to use the Red Sea for attacks on Iran.
06:22 PM, 4 April 2026
Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or US will unleash ‘Hell’
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said Iran had 48 hours left to make a deal on opening the vital Strait of Hormuz or face “Hell.”
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to his ultimatum issued on March 26.
“Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them,” the president said, adding: “Glory be to GOD!”
The president made his comment as he remained at the White House on Saturday morning. The Trump administration hasn’t made an official comment on the US fighter jet shot down in Iran.
In another post, after focusing on the gains tariffs have brought to the US economy, he signed off with: “All of this and, simultaneously, getting rid of a Nuclear Iran. MAGA!!!”
05:58 PM, 4 April 2026
WHO: Over 3,300 dead, 4.3m displaced in early conflict
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the devastating impact of the Iran war during its first weeks.
Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, described the fighting as one of the most “far-reaching crises” in recent decades, with consequences including:
- 3,300+ deaths
- 30,000+ reported injuries
- 4.3 million+ people displaced
- 116 verified attacks on healthcare facilities
Balkhy shared the figures during a media briefing, emphasising the urgent humanitarian and medical needs arising from the ongoing conflict.
05:56 PM, 4 April 2026
Israel tells Lebanese to evacuate
Israel, which is simultaneously going after the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, issued an “urgent warning” for residents in parts of the Lebanese city of Tyre and nearby areas to evacuate.
Earlier, Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli airstrikes in Tyre that wounded 11 people damaged several buildings, including a major hospital.
05:51 PM, 4 April 2026
India confirms purchase of Iranian oil
The sale comes after the Trump administration eased sanctions on Iran’s oil.
“Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
Last month, the US paused sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea until April 19. The move was part of Washington’s efforts to curb soaring energy prices as a result of the war in the Middle East.
05:46 PM, 4 April 2026
Missile from Iran strikes central Israel, one hurt
As sirens rang out again in large parts of Israel on Saturday afternoon, the country’s Fire and Rescue services said their teams were treating impact sites from an earlier attack in Ramat Gan, Givataim, Bnei Brak, and Petah Tikvah. All are cities in central Israel that have already sustained damage in previous Iranian attacks.
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said a 52 year-old man was taken to hospital with light injuries.
Images released by rescue services show an apartment building with blown out walls and windows. Mangled metal, bricks and debris were strewn across the scene. At another site, a tall plume of black smoke rose from a burning car that was hit by fragments of a missile or an interceptor. Lior Paz, a paramedic, said he arrived at the scene within minutes “and saw destruction, fire, shattered glass on the floor and a lot of smoke.”
05:45 PM, 4 April 2026
Russia evacuates 198 workers from Iran nuclear plant
Russia started a planned evacuation of 198 workers from Iran’s Bushehr atomic plant shortly after a US-Israeli projectile hit near the facility, Russian state media said on Saturday.
“As planned, we began the main phase of the evacuation today. About 20 minutes after that ill-fated strike, buses set off from Bushehr station towards the Iranian-Armenian border. 198 people, to be precise – this is the largest evacuation,” Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.
05:44 PM, 4 April 2026
Iran says new air defence system used to down US fighter jet
Iran’s Khatam Al Anbiya joint military command said on Friday that it employed a new air defence system to bring down a US fighter jet.
A spokesperson for the command stated that Iran would “definitely achieve full control” over its airspace, according to state media reports.
05:33 PM, 4 April 2026
Peacekeepers killed in Lebanon arrives in Indonesia
The remains of three Indonesian United Nations peacekeepers, who were killed while on escort duty supporting UN operations in southern Lebanon, arrived in Jakarta on Saturday evening, where President Prabowo Subianto led a solemn welcome ceremony.
The caskets were received at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s VIP terminal, draped in Indonesia’s red-and-white national flag, as military honor guards stood at attention.
Devastated families leaned against the caskets. Wives rested their foreheads on the flags covering the caskets, their sobs breaking the silence of the military honors.
Prabowo, accompanied by senior government officials and top military commanders, bowed his head and observed a moment of silence. He offered condolences to the families before the caskets were returned to their hometowns for official military funerals.
04:13 PM, 4 April 2026
Iran to allow essential goods vessels through Strait of Hormuz
Iran has announced it will permit vessels carrying “essential goods” to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to the state-run Tasnim news agency.
Details remain unclear on which items qualify as “essential” and whether ships from nations Tehran considers hostile will be allowed safe passage.
A document from Iran’s ports and maritime organisation specifies the directive. Houman Fathi, deputy for commercial development, said:
The order applies to vessels heading to Iranian ports or already operating in the region, Tasnim reported.
Iranian authorities also noted that a list of ships prepared to transit the waterway will be sent for coordination, signalling controlled but eased movement through one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.
04:06 PM, 4 April 2026
US-Israeli strikes hit 30 universities in Iran since war began
US-Israeli strikes have hit more than 30 universities across Iran since the war broke out in late February, Iran’s science minister said on Saturday.
“To date, more than 30 universities have been directly targeted,” Hossein Simai Sarraf told reporters during a visit to the Shahid Beheshti University in northern Tehran, which was struck on Friday.
04:02 PM, 4 April 2026
Iran denies US pilot captured, offers reward
A sub-unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province, along with the provincial governor, have denied reports that a second US crew member has been arrested, BBC reported.
Separately, the governor rejected claims that the first pilot was rescued by US forces, calling the report an “enemy tactic.”
State-affiliated Iranian media have urged citizens to capture the pilot alive, offering financial incentives. In one widely circulated example, Iranian outlets reported a reward of approximately £50,000 ($66,100).
Authorities’ messaging reflects heightened tensions and the use of local networks to involve civilians amid ongoing military and political escalation.
03:54 PM, 4 April 2026
Attacks on nuclear facilities will ‘end life’ in Gulf cities: Iran’s FM
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on social media on Saturday that radioactive fallout from further attacks on the Bushehr nuclear power plant would have disastrous repercussions in regional capitals, not Tehran.
Araghchi accused Western governments of remaining silent regarding repeated attacks on the Bushehr plant, located some 465 miles (750 kilometers south of Iran’ capital.
The facility uses low-enriched uranium from Russia, along with Russian technicians, to supply about 1,000 megawatts of power for Iran.
03:46 PM, 4 April 2026
Iran Guards say targeted Israel-linked ship in Gulf
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday they targeted an Israel-linked ship in the Gulf in a drone attack, setting it on fire.
On their Sepah News website, the Guards said they targeted a commercial vessel, the MSC Ishyka, “owned by the Israeli regime and flying the flag of a third country” at the Khalifa Bin Salman port in Bahrain.
The Guards naval forces had earlier said in a post on X that the ship was attacked “in the Strait of Hormuz”.
“A drone struck the vessel … linked to the Zionist regime in the Strait of Hormuz; the ship caught fire,” they said.
The MarineTraffic website said the Liberian-flagged ship was still moored at the port in Bahrain on Friday night.
03:42 PM, 4 April 2026
13 killed, 217 injured in UAE since Iranian attacks began
The recent attacks on the UAE resulted in the martyrdom of two UAE Armed Forces personnel while performing their national duty. A Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces was also killed.
In addition, 10 civilians of various nationalities — including Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, Indian and Egyptian — lost their lives.
A total of 217 people were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
Those injured include nationals from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden, Tunisia, Morocco and Russia.
UAE ready to confront any threats
The Ministry of Defence said the armed forces remain on high alert and fully prepared to deal with any threats. Authorities affirmed that the UAE will firmly confront any actions aimed at undermining the country’s security, ensuring the protection of sovereignty, stability and national interests.
03:29 PM, 4 April 2026
UAE intercepts 23 ballistic missiles and 56 drones today
The UAE’s air defence systems engaged 23 ballistic missiles and 56 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran on Saturday, the Ministry of Defence said.
The latest interceptions come amid continuing regional escalation, with Emirati defence forces maintaining heightened readiness to counter incoming aerial threats.
Nearly 500 ballistic missiles intercepted since attacks began
Since the start of what officials described as blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have intercepted a significant number of missiles and drones targeting the country.
- Ballistic missiles intercepted: 498
- Cruise missiles intercepted: 23
- Drones intercepted: 2,141
Authorities said the operations demonstrate the effectiveness of the country’s layered air defence systems in protecting national airspace and critical infrastructure.
03:14 PM, 4 April 2026
Iraq-Iran border crossing temporarily closed after attack
Omar al-Waeli, head of Iraq’s Border Ports Authority, said on Saturday that the strike on the Shalamcheh border crossing killed one person and wounded five others.
Authorities did not offer further details on the strike.
The Iraqi government said it was directing traders and travelers to alternative crossings.
03:12 PM, 4 April 2026
US-Israeli strike hits cement plant in Iran
A US-Israeli strike on Saturday hit a cement plant in southern Iran, media reported, adding that operations were not interrupted.
“The American-Zionist attack against the cement plant of Bandar Khamir did not leave any casualties,” said Tasnim news agency, quoting Ahmad Nafisi, the deputy governor of the southern Hormozgan province.
He added that operations at the plant have “continued as normal”.
03:05 PM, 4 April 2026
India-flagged LPG tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz
An Indian-flagged tanker carrying LPG has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz, India’s government said on Saturday.
Following US-Israel military strikes, Iran has effectively halted maritime traffic in the key waterway which is a critical route for global crude oil and gas.
But New Delhi, which is the world’s second-largest buyer of liquefied petroleum gas, has managed to secure passage for several Indian-flagged vessels over the last three weeks.
On Saturday, the shipping ministry confirmed that LPG carrier Green Sanvi had transited through the chokepoint.
“Green Sanvi has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, carrying 46,650 MT of LPG cargo with 25 seafarers on board”, a statement said, without giving further details on its final destination.
It added that 17 Indian-flagged vessels, with 460 Indian seafarers, “remain in the western Gulf region”.
Data from ship tracking company Marine Traffic’s website confirmed that the Green Sanvi was an Indian-flagged tanker.
03:03 PM, 4 April 2026
Italian PM arrives in Qatar after Saudi Arabia visit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Qatar on Saturday after a visit to Saudi Arabia, where she met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Meloni’s trip to the Gulf, which has been targeted on a daily basis by Iranian missile and drone attacks in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, was not announced in advance.
According to the Qatari press agency QNA, Meloni “arrived in Doha on Saturday morning on a working visit to the country”, and was welcomed by Mohammed Al Khulaifi, the state minister for foreign affairs, as well as the Italian ambassador.
The source said Meloni was the first leader of a European Union or NATO country to travel to the Gulf since the war broke out on February 28 with a wave of US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader.
02:56 PM, 4 April 2026
Bahrain air defences destroy 188 missiles, 453 drones
Bahrain’s Defence Force has said its air defences have successfully intercepted and destroyed 188 missiles and 453 drones since Iranian attacks targeting the country began.
In a statement, the military condemned the strikes on civilian areas, describing them as violations of international law and a serious threat to regional security.
02:21 PM, 4 April 2026
Strike hits cement plant in southern Iran
A US-Israeli strike on Saturday hit a cement plant in southern Iran, media reported, adding that operations were not interrupted.
“The American-Zionist attack against the cement plant of Bandar Khamir did not leave any casualties,” said Tasnim news agency, quoting Ahmad Nafisi, the deputy governor of the southern Hormozgan province.
He added that operations at the plant have “continued as normal”.
07:06 AM, 4 April 2026
Debris from aerial interception hits Dubai Internet City building
Authorities responded to a minor incident in Dubai Internet City after debris from an aerial interception fell on the facade of the Oracle building, the Dubai Media Office said.
Officials confirmed that there were no injuries and the situation was quickly brought under control.
05:58 AM, 4 April 2026
Debris from aerial interception hits Dubai Marina building
Authorities responded to an incident in Dubai Marina after debris from an aerial interception struck the facade of a building, the Dubai Media Office said. Officials confirmed that the situation was brought under control, with no reports of injuries or fire.
04:57 AM, 4 April 2026
French, Japanese ships cross Hormuz for first time since war
A French-linked vessel has crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the US-Israeli war effectively choked the vital artery of global trade more than a month ago.
The Malta-flagged container ship, owned by French shipping giant CMA CGM, made the transit, according to BFM TV — also owned by the company — though CMA CGM itself declined to comment.
Data firm Kpler says it is the first ship tied to a major Western European operator to pass through the strait since the conflict began.
Tehran has maintained that “non-hostile vessels” may still use the waterway, but repeated attacks on commercial shipping have all but frozen normal traffic.
Tracking data shows the vessel stayed unusually close to Oman’s coastline— keeping distance from Iranian waters — as it navigated the narrow passage. Its cargo remains undisclosed.
A separate Japanese liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier also successfully exited the strait, with shipping firm MOL confirming all crew and cargo were safe and reiterating that safety remains its top priority, CNN reported.
Maritime intelligence outlet Lloyd’s List noted that several ships making the passage adopted similar tactics, hugging Oman’s coast “unusually close” as they moved through one of the world’s most strategically sensitive chokepoints.
04:05 AM, 4 April 2026
Kuwait engaged 9 missiles, 26 drones in past 24 hours
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence announced that Kuwait’s air defence systems have detected and engaged nine missiles, seven ballistic and two cruise, in the last 24 hours on Friday amidst the current regional military escalation.
The spokesman added that the army bomb disposal squad responded to 22 reports.
12:51 AM, 4 April 2026
Trump says downed US jet won’t affect Iran talks
President Donald Trump told NBC News that the recent downing of a US fighter jet would not impact any negotiations with Iran, while declining to comment on the ongoing search and rescue mission.
“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war,” Trump said in a brief phone interview.
On Truth Social, he posted cryptic messages about oil, including: “KEEP THE OIL, ANYONE?” Earlier Friday, he suggested the US could “easily” reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a shift from his previous stance that other countries were responsible for clearing the waterway.
“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump wrote.
12:58 AM, 4 April 2026
Second US aircraft went down
A second US Air Force combat aircraft went down in the Middle East on Friday, according to a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation.
It was not clear if the aircraft crashed or was shot down or whether Iran was involved. Neither the crew’s status nor where the aircraft went down was immediately known.
The New York Times earlier reported that the second aircraft went down.
Also Friday, a US fighter jet was shot down in Iran and one crew member was rescued.
GN
politics
U.S.–Iran may meet in Pakistan for talks next week
The U.S. and Iran will likely return to Pakistan next week for a second round of peace negotiations, two senior Pakistani officials told MS NOW on Wednesday.
The latest sign of the countries’ continuing efforts to reach a diplomatic end to the war came from officials who are involved in finalizing decisions with the U.S. and Iranian teams, but did not want to be named because of sensitivities around negotiations, MS NOW reported.
The step toward resuming the stalled peace talks came as tensions in the Persian Gulf continued to rise, further imperiling a shaky two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a trickle as Iran continues to pose threats to passing vessels and the U.S. enforces a retaliatory blockade of Iranian ports.
President Donald Trump, who said last week that the ceasefire agreement was subject to the strait being fully reopened, had complained about the lack of activity in the vital shipping route prior to announcing the blockade.
On Wednesday, Iranian state news outlet Fars reported that Tehran was suspending all petrochemical exports until further notice.
Still, the White House said Wednesday it is optimistic about a possible peace agreement coming into view.
“Discussions are being had,” and “we feel good about the prospects of a deal,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing, while cautioning that the next round of in-person talks hasn’t yet been made official.
Leavitt also said those talks would “very likely” be held in Islamabad, “the same place as they were last time.” Pakistan has facilitated communications between the warring powers.
The first round of negotiations last weekend — a marathon 21-hour session led on the the U.S. side by Vice President JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — ended in no deal.
Pakistan is “the only mediator in this negotiation,” Leavitt said as she praised the regional power for its help so far.
Leavitt also said it is “not true” that the U.S. has requested an extension of the ceasefire, which is set to expire next Tuesday.
A senior U.S. official told CNBC on Wednesday morning, “The United States has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire. There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal.”
CNBC
politics
US halts Iran sea trade despite hopes for talks
The United States said on Wednesday its military had completely halted trade going in and out of Iran by sea, while President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran on ending the war could resume this week, sending oil prices down for a second day.
Trump said negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials could resume in Pakistan in the next two days and Vice President JD Vance, who led weekend talks that ended without a breakthrough, said he felt positive about where things stood.
“I think you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead,” Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that ends on April 21. “It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild,” Trump said, according to a post by Karl on X. “They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals.”
Officials from Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf also said negotiating teams from the U.S. and Iran could return to Pakistan later this week, although one senior Iranian source said no date had been set.
Despite the optimistic note, more vessels were being turned back under the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, including a U.S.-sanctioned and Chinese-owned tanker Rich Starry that was making its way back to the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after exiting the Arabian Gulf.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said American forces had completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea, which he said fuels 90% of Iran’s economy.
“In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,” Cooper said in a post on X.
U.S. and Iran begin a battle of economic endurance in the Strait of Hormuz
Earlier the U.S. military said it had intercepted eight Iran-linked oil tankers since the start of the blockade on Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Trump, speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, said his negotiators are likely to be back, thanks largely to the “great job” Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was doing to moderate the talks.
Later on Tuesday, at an event in Georgia, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Trump wanted to make a “grand bargain” with Iran but there was a lot of mistrust between the two countries.
“You are not going to solve that problem overnight,” he said. The signs of diplomatic engagement to end the conflict that began on Feb. 28 helped calm oil markets, pressing benchmark prices below US$100 for a second day on Wednesday. Asian stocks rose while the safe-haven dollar stabilized after falling for a seventh straight session overnight.
China’s Xi warns global order ‘crumbling’ amid Iran war chaos
However, the market stands to lose access to further supply as the U.S. does not plan to renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea that expires this week, according to two U.S. officials, and quietly let a similar waiver on Russian oil run out on the weekend.
The war has prompted Iran to effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global waterway for crude and gas transport, and cut shipments from the Gulf to global buyers, particularly in Asia and Europe, leaving importers scrambling to secure alternative supplies. About 5,000 people have died in the hostilities, including about 3,000 in Iran and 2,000 in Lebanon.
Sticking points
Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a key sticking point at the weekend talks. The U.S. had proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran, while Tehran had suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.
Speaking in Seoul, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said the length of any moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment was a political decision and it was possible Tehran might accept a compromise as a confidence-building act.
The U.S. has also pressed for any enriched nuclear material to be removed from Iran, while Tehran has demanded that international sanctions against it be removed.
Israel and Lebanon meet in Washington for first direct diplomatic talks in decades
One source involved in the negotiations in Pakistan said back-channel talks since the weekend had produced progress in closing that gap, bringing the two sides closer to a deal that could be put forward at a new round of talks.
However, in a major complication for peace prospects, Israel has continued to attack Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. Israel and the U.S. say that campaign is not covered by the ceasefire, while Iran insists it is. On Tuesday, the U.K., Canada, Japan and seven other countries condemned the killings of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and called for “an urgent end to hostilities.”
Reuters
politics
‘I don’t fear Trump,’ says Pope Leo after ‘weak’ jibe
Pope Leo said he did not fear the Trump administration and would continue to speak out against war after Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against him in which he said he did not think the Chicago-born pontiff was “doing a very good job”, while also suggesting he should “stop catering to the radical left”.
In remarks that have been widely criticised, the US president used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticise Leo while he flew from Florida to Washington on Sunday night, then continued in comments on the tarmac to reporters. “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said.
Trump made the comments after Leo suggested over the weekend that a “delusion of omnipotence” was fuelling the US-Israeli war in Iran. While it is not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it is exceedingly rare for the pope to criticise a US leader – and for the president to respond in such a stinging manner.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote in his post, adding: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” He repeated that sentiment in comments to reporters, saying: “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.”
Later, he posted a clearly AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, appearing to “cure” a man. He deleted it after a backlash from some of his religious supporters.
Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, the day the US and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The pope did not mention the US or Trump by name, but his tone and message appeared to be directed at Trump and American officials, who have boasted of US military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.
Leo arrived in Algeria on Monday as part of an 11-day tour of Africa, and during the papal flight he told reporters he was not a politician and that he did not want to enter into a debate with Trump.
“The message of the church, my message, the message of the gospel: blessed are the peacemakers. I do not look at my role as being political, a politician.” Leo said he did not think the message of the gospel should “be abused, as some are doing”.
“I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems,” he said.
Responding to a question from a US journalist, the pope said: “I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do.”
US bishops have defended Leo, saying he is not a political rival but a “vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the gospel” while their Italian counterparts called on Trump to respect Leo and his ministry.
The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said he condemned Trump’s “insult” in a message addressed to Leo on social media. “On behalf of the great nation of Iran, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency and declare that the desecration of Jesus (peace be upon him), the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is unacceptable to any free person,” he wrote.
Italian politicians from across the spectrum also criticised Trump’s comments. Matteo Salvini, the far-right deputy prime minister who has been a staunch supporter of Trump, said: “If anyone is working hard on the issue of peace and conflict resolution, it’s Pope Leo. Attacking the pope, a symbol of peace and a spiritual guide for billions of Catholics, doesn’t seem like a useful or intelligent thing to do.”
Italy’s far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said Trump’s words were “unacceptable”. But that was only after she came under pressure from the opposition when she omitted to address the remarks in a social media post earlier on Monday that praised Leo for his role in “fostering the return of peace” and his trip to Africa. Her government has formed strategic partnerships on the continent, mainly aimed at addressing irregular immigration.
Meloni, who is ideologically in tune with Trump and has nurtured good relations with him, said in a statement: “I find President Trump’s words toward the Holy Father unacceptable. The pope is the head of the Catholic church, and it is right and proper that he calls for peace and condemns all forms of war.”
Matteo Renzi, Italy’s liberal former prime minister, said it was a “duty” to defend the pope. “Not only for Catholics but also, and above all, for the laity,” he said.
“It’s been centuries since we’ve seen such blatant aggression [against a pope],” Renzi said, describing the pontiff as a “bridge builder”, in contrast to Trump, who he described as “a destroyer of relationships and civilisations”.
Leo’s criticisms of the war have intensified since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began. In ones of his harshest condemnations, he said God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them”.
This was seen as a rebuke to the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, who said he prayed for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy”.
Leo has also referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen – your hands are full of blood”.
Before the ceasefire, when Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and other infrastructure and that “an entire civilization will die tonight”, Leo described such sentiments as “truly unacceptable”.
In his social media post on Sunday night, however, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticising Leo. The president wrote: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States.” That was a reference to the Trump administration ousting the Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in January.
“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.
Trump also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J Trump”.
“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump claimed, adding: “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”
In his subsequent comments to reporters, Trump remained highly critical, saying: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess,” adding: “He’s a very liberal person.”
In the 2024 election, Trump won 55% of Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. But Trump’s administration also has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has claimed heavenly endorsement for the war on Iran.
Hegseth has urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ”. When Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said: “I do, because God is good – because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.”
The US vice-president, JD Vance, urged the Vatican to “stick to matters of morality”.
Vance told Fox News: “In some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality … and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy.”
The Guardian
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