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

As the conflict enters its 35th day, Iran and its allies continue to exchange fire with Israel and the US, with strikes expanding beyond military targets to hit civilian and industrial sites. Attacks across the Gulf have raised fears of disruption to global energy supplies, while tensions around key shipping routes deepen, signalling a widening crisis with no clear end in sight. Follow all the latest developments here:

10:08 AM, 3 April 2026

UAE air defences respond to missile threat

The Ministry of Interior said air defence systems are currently responding to a missile threat, urging residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for updates and instructions.

10:08 AM, 3 April 2026

UAE air defences respond to missile threat

The Ministry of Interior said air defence systems are currently responding to a missile threat, urging residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for updates and instructions.

09:57 AM, 3 April 2026

Saudi Arabia intercepts, destroys 7 drones

The Saudi Ministry of Defence said it intercepted and destroyed seven drones over the past few hours. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), citing Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, the ministry’s official spokesperson, reported that the operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the Kingdom’s security.

09:50 AM, 3 April 2026

France, South Korea back Hormuz reopening

French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed Friday to work together to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease global economic uncertainties caused by the war in the Middle East.

In a televised briefing after their meeting in Seoul, Macron underscored the need for France and South Korea to cooperate to help reopen the strait and de-escalate Middle East animosities.

Lee said the two affirmed “their resolves to cooperate to secure the safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.”

The two leaders did not elaborate on how they would help reopen the strait and took no questions.

Macron was making his first visit to South Korea since taking office in 2017.

09:11 AM, 3 April 2026

Kuwait oil refinery units on fire after drone attack

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.

08:50 AM, 3 April 2026

Israel military says responding to missiles fired from Iran

Israel’s military said Friday that its air defences were operating to down missiles fired from Iran, as Tehran keeps up its retaliatory fire on the country.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

The military said in a statement it had “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel”.

It said “defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat”.

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services said an unintercepted missile hit central Israel, injuring no one but causing damage to homes, roads and some cars.

According to Israeli military radio, a train station in Tel Aviv was damaged by shrapnel, without saying from where it had been fired.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement published by broadcaster IRIB early Friday that it had targeted areas of Tel Aviv and the port city of Eilat with long-range missiles.

08:35 AM, 3 April 2026

UNSC delays vote on authorising force to protect Hormuz

The UN Security Council has postponed a vote scheduled for Friday on authorizing the use of “defensive” force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, according to the official program.

The 15-member body was set to vote Friday morning on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain, but 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.

07:55 AM, 3 April 2026

US forces yet to start ‘destroying what’s left’ in Iran: Trump

US forces have yet to begin “destroying what’s left in Iran,” President Donald Trump warned late Thursday, as he said more of the country’s bridges and energy infrastructure were in his sights.

The US military “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, several hours after he said Iran’s tallest bridge had been destroyed.

Trump has repeatedly stated that the vast majority of major military targets in Iran have already been damaged or destroyed over the past month of war.

Iran’s “New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump said, seemingly referring to his call for Tehran to strike a deal with Washington that will bring about a ceasefire.

07:43 AM, 3 April 2026

Iran retains significant missile capability despite strikes

Despite US President Donald Trump claiming that Iran’s missile programme had been destroyed following the US-Israeli military action against the Islamic Republic for the past month, intelligence assessments indicate Tehran continues to retain a significant portion of its missile-launching capability despite weeks of sustained military strikes, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to CNN, citing recent intelligence findings, nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact, while thousands of one-way attack drones are still part of its arsenal even after continuous strikes targeting military infrastructure over the past five weeks.

“They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one of the sources said as quoted by CNN.

The assessment reportedly includes launchers that may currently be inaccessible, such as those buried underground due to bombardment but not fully destroyed.

07:31 AM, 3 April 2026

UN Security Council to vote on authorising force to protect Hormuz

The UN Security Council will vote Friday on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain to authorize the use of “defensive” force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.

“We cannot accept economic terrorism affecting our region and the world, the whole world is being affected by the developments,” Bahrain’s United Nations ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei said this week.

He said the text, which has gone through several amendments and is supported by the United States, “comes at a critical juncture.”

A sixth and final draft, seen by AFP, greenlights member states – either unilaterally or as “voluntary multinational naval partnerships” – to use “all defensive means necessary and commensurate with the circumstances.”

It applies to the strait and adjacent waters to “secure transit passage and to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

06:31 AM, 3 April 2026

8 killed, 95 injured as hit Iran’s B1 Bridge

At least eight civilians have been reported killed, and 95 others sustained injuries following US-Israeli strikes, Iranian state media Press TV reported. The military action specifically targeted the “B1 bridge in Karaj,” resulting in a high number of casualties in the surrounding area.

The victims of the strike reportedly include “Iranian travellers” and “residents of the local village” who were near the infrastructure at the time of the attack. According to Press TV, the toll also included “families who were in the area for Nature Day,” a time when many people were outdoors.

06:23 AM, 3 April 2026

China opposes use of force in Middle East

China’s permanent representative to the United Nations has voiced Beijing’s firm resistance to any measures that would allow member states to engage in military action within the Middle East, Al Jazeera reported.

Addressing the international body, Fu Cong stated that such an authorisation “would amount to legitimising the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force.”

Beijing’s formal opposition at the UN aligns with its broader diplomatic response to recent rhetoric from Washington. China on Thursday responded to the recent “bring them back to the stone ages” remarks made by US President Donald Trump against Iran, stressing that escalation will not resolve the conflict, China Daily reported.

Elaborating on this position, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasised that “military means cannot fundamentally solve any issue, and escalation of the conflict does not serve any party’s interest,” according to China Daily.

05:41 AM, 3 April 2026

Kuwait intercepts hostile missiles, drones

Kuwait announced that its air defences intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks. The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) quoted the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, Colonel Staff Saud Al-Atwan, stating that the sounds of explosions were the result of air defence systems intercepting the hostile strikes.

05:24 AM, 3 April 2026

Iran vows ‘crushing’ attacks, targets infrastructure

Iran and its allies traded fire with Israel and the United States, as Washington-linked assets across the Middle East were targeted alongside energy and civilian infrastructure — with the month-long war on Friday showing little sign of easing.

Strikes have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies and deepening the conflict’s impact beyond the battlefield.

Iran fired missiles at Tel Aviv overnight, triggering Israeli air defences and leaving four people lightly wounded, while fresh blasts were heard in Jerusalem after the military warned of incoming fire.

04:21 AM, 3 April 2026

UK convenes 40 countries to demand ‘immediate and unconditional reopening’ of Hormuz

As the US-Iran war with Iran continues to disrupt global shipping, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has convened around 40 countries to demand the “immediate and unconditional reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Now that we are facing these reckless Iranian attacks on international shipping, affecting countries from across the globe who played no part in this conflict, and more than 40 countries coming together for these discussions today, we’re clear we need the diplomatic pressure, the economic pressure and also the work being done by military planners on how to keep shipping safe for the long term,” she said in comments posted by ITV Politics.

02:35 AM, 3 April 2026

Russia’s Urals crude price jumps to $123.45, Brent at $109

With flows from Gulf oil significantly curtailed by the tanker squeeze on Hormuz by Iran, Russian crude has surged in demand, rapidly repositioning itself as one of the most sought-after supplies on the global market.

Urals, the Russian crude oil benchmark, surged to $123.45 as of 10.17PM GMT on Thursday (7.17am Tokyo on Friday, April 3, 2026), a 6.44% increase, while Brent crude rose at $109.03, up more than 7.78%, since Trump’s speech on the Iran war which drew more questions than answers.

02:33 AM, 3 April 2026

GCC Secretary General urges UN Security Council to ensure a halt to Iran’s unprovoked attacks on Arab Gulf states

NEW YORK: Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), has called on the Security Council to take all necessary measures to ensure an immediate end to Iran’s unprovoked attacks on GCC states.

He further urged the Council to protect waterways, guarantee the continuity of international navigation in all maritime straits, and include GCC countries in any talks or agreements with Iran to enhance regional security and prevent future recurrences.

01:41 AM, 3 April 2026

Dubai denies reports of attack on Oracle data centre, calls claims ‘fake news’

Dubai: The Dubai Government has denied reports circulating online that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a data centre belonging to US technology company Oracle in Dubai.

In a statement posted on X, the Dubai Government Media Office said the reports alleging that the IRGC had launched or attempted an attack in Dubai were “fake news” and had no basis in fact.

01:29 AM, 3 April 2026

US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George steps down, retires: Pentagon

US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George has stepped down and is retiring, per Pentagon spokesman. This follows a CBS report that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had asked for his “removal”.

He is the highest-ranking US military official to leave during an active war since the conflict began 33 days ago.

01:09 AM, 3 April 2026

Unrealistic to liberate Hormuz by force: Macron

Calling for resumption of talks to resolve the ongoing conflict in West Asia, French President Emmanuel Macron said that it would be “unrealistic” to conduct military operation to liberate the Strait of Hormuz.

“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 US. “It is unrealistic because it would take an inordinate amount of time and would expose anyone crossing the strait to coastal threats from the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards, who possess significant resources, as well as ballistic missiles, (and) a host of other risks,” Euro News quoted Macron as saying during his State Visit to South Korea.

GN

Iran and Oman are drafting a protocol to “monitor transit” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported Thursday morning, citing an official.

Tanker traffic through the key oil-shipping route “should be supervised and coordinated” with the two countries, said Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister of legal and international affairs, according to a translation of IRNA’s report.

“Of course, these requirements will not mean restrictions, but rather to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships that pass through this route,” Gharibabadi reportedly said.

U.S. stock indexes, which were trading sharply lower Thursday morning after President Donald Trump signaled that the Iran war will continue for weeks to come, suddenly turned higher following IRNA’s report.

Oil prices, which likewise had surged overnight, eased from their highs of the day on the Oman news, which offered hope that the Strait of Hormuz may be able to reopen in some capacity without requiring military force.

The strait, a vital artery for much of the world’s oil transit, has been effectively closed since the war started on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iran’s blockade has rapidly led to a historic surge in oil prices, creating a cascading crisis with widespread impacts around the world.

Trump insists that the U.S. is unaffected by the closure because it imports comparatively little oil via the strait. “We haven’t needed it, and we don’t need it,” he said in his address to the nation Wednesday night.

But average U.S. gas prices have nevertheless spiked more than 30% in a month, surpassing $4 per gallon for the first time in years.

CNBC

Brent soars to $141, highest since 2008

The spot price for current physical cargoes of Brent crude oil soared Thursday to $141.36, the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, according to S&P Global, which tracks the data.

The spot price reflects the demand for Brent oil that will be delivered in the next 10 to 30 days. The high price for more immediate oil deliveries points to the tightness of physical supply right now due to the huge disruption trigged by the Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The price was $32.33 higher than the Brent crude futures contract for June delivery, which closed at $109.03 on Thursday.

The futures price is “almost giving a false sense of security that things are not that stressed,” said Amrita Sen, founder of Energy Aspects, in an interview with CNBC’s “The Exchange.”

“You are seeing it but the financial market is almost masking the true tightness that everywhere else is showing up,” Sen said. The price for a barrel of diesel in Europe is almost $200 per barrel right now, she said.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth warned last week that the futures price is not reflecting the scale of the oil supply disruption to the closure of the Strait. Wirth said the market is trading on “scant information” and “perception.”

“There are very real, physical manifestations of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that are working their way around the world and through the system that I don’t think are fully priced into the futures curves on oil,” Wirth said at the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference in Houston on March 23.

CNBC