By Amanda Castro and Brendan Cole
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French President Emmanuel Macron delivered one of Europe’s sharpest public rebukes of President Donald Trump since the Iran war began, accusing him of shifting objectives, weakening NATO, and fueling global instability. His remarks landed as markets reeled from Trump’s televised address, which offered no clear path to ending the conflict or reopening the Strait of Hormuz, now under a de facto Iranian blockade.
What To Know
- Macron said Trump’s changing positions weaken U.S. credibility and strain NATO.
- European governments are scrambling to manage the economic fallout of a war they were not consulted on.
- Britain held a virtual meeting with dozens of nations, excluding the United States, to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- The UN Security Council is preparing to vote on a Bahrain‑drafted resolution allowing force to reopen the waterway.
- Britain will host military planners from about 30 countries next week to discuss securing the strait.
- Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” but offered no exit strategy.
- Stocks recovered from early losses and oil prices eased slightly after reports of talks between Iran and Oman on monitoring marine traffic.
- Iranian officials rejected Trump’s remarks and vowed not to accept a cycle of war and temporary cease-fires.
- Iran continues launching missiles and drones, with intercepts reported by Israel and UAE forces.
- Iranian authorities detained human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, continuing a pattern of arrests.
- Death tolls continue to rise across Iran, Lebanon, Gulf nations, Israel, and the United States.
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Apr 02, 2026 at 07:56 PM EDT
Murphy says Trump’s speech ‘detached from reality,’ warns U.S. is losing the war
Sen. Chris Murphy sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s Wednesday night address, arguing the president’s assessment of the conflict with Iran bears little resemblance to conditions on the ground. The Connecticut Democrat said the speech was “grounded in a reality that only exists in Donald Trump’s mind.”
“We are losing this war,” Murphy said, warning that the United States cannot eliminate Iran’s missile or drone capabilities or dismantle its nuclear program through the current campaign. He added that Iran now projects “more power in the region than they did before the war,” especially if it succeeds in maintaining permanent control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Murphy said the U.S. is “spending billions we don’t have and losing American lives in a war that is destabilizing the world and making us look feckless,” framing the conflict as strategically unsustainable and increasingly dangerous for American interests.
Apr 02, 2026 at 07:43 PM EDT
Coffins of fallen Indonesian peacekeepers depart Beirut as UN warns of rising danger
The coffins of three Indonesian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were flown out of Beirut on Thursday after a solemn ceremony honoring their service, as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah intensify in southern Lebanon.
“They lost their lives here in Lebanon, serving under the United Nations flag, serving for peace,” said Major General Diodato Abagnara, UNIFIL’s head of mission and force commander, during the tribute.
Two of the peacekeepers were killed Monday when their vehicle was struck by an explosion of unknown origin, just a day after another Indonesian soldier died in a separate blast. The U.N. says the incidents remain under investigation, while Israel has denied any involvement.
Apr 02, 2026 at 07:30 PM EDT
Iranian officials condemn strike on Pasteur Institute as health sites hit across conflict
Senior Iranian officials condemned the latest strike on the Pasteur Institute of Iran, calling the attack a grave violation of international humanitarian norms as images of collapsed buildings and debris circulated widely online.
Hossein Kermanpour, a spokesperson for Iran’s Health Ministry, said on X that the strike amounted to “a direct assault on international health security” and urged the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, described the incident as “heartbreaking, cruel, despicable, and utterly outrageous,” sharing photos of the destruction.
The Pasteur Institute, a century‑old research complex employing more than 1,300 people and central to Iran’s vaccine and biopharmaceutical development, is among several medical facilities damaged since the war began. Earlier strikes left Tehran’s Gandhi Hospital scarred by shrapnel, while Israel has accused Iran of targeting the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot.
Israel’s military said it was not aware of the strike, and U.S. Central Command did not respond to inquiries.
Apr 02, 2026 at 07:17 PM EDT
WATCH: Starmer warns Iran war ‘will affect the future’ of the United Kingdom
Apr 02, 2026 at 07:04 PM EDT
UK leads talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s blockade drives global fuel shock
With Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz entering its second month, the United Kingdom is hosting virtual talks with roughly 40 countries to explore strategies for reopening one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The strait typically carries about 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments from Gulf producers.
Iran, whose territorial waters cut through the narrow passage, has blocked commercial traffic since the war began on February 28. The shutdown has sent global oil prices soaring past $100 per barrel—a roughly 40 percent spike—forcing several Asian nations to ration fuel and scale back industrial output.
The United States is notably absent from the talks. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump said reopening the strait was not America’s responsibility, telling European nations to “go get your own oil.”
The UK‑led effort marks the most coordinated international attempt yet to address the economic and geopolitical fallout of the blockade, which has rattled global markets and intensified pressure on governments to restore maritime access to the Gulf.
Apr 02, 2026 at 06:51 PM EDT
Argentina expels Iranian envoy after escalating diplomatic clash
Argentina has expelled Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Buenos Aires, amid a sharp escalation in tensions following the government of President Javier Milei’s vocal support for U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran.
Tehrani was given 48 hours to leave the country after what Argentina’s foreign ministry called “false, offensive and baseless accusations” from Tehran. The move came just two days after Argentina formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a decision aligned with Milei’s close ties to President Donald Trump and Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Argentina of “siding with the aggressors” in what it described as a “clear violation” of international law. Argentina rejected that claim, citing Tehran’s “persistent refusal” to cooperate with the long‑running investigation into the 1994 AMIA bombing, the deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history. The car bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association killed 85 people and injured more than 300.
Apr 02, 2026 at 06:38 PM EDT
India caps jet fuel price increases as auto-LPG supply tightens
India announced Thursday that it will impose a ceiling on monthly price increases for aviation turbine fuel used in domestic flights, limiting hikes to no more than 25 percent as carriers struggle with rising operating costs.
In a separate statement, the government said private operators were facing growing constraints in securing auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) due to procurement challenges. Officials encouraged drivers of dual‑fuel auto‑rickshaws to switch to petrol when possible to ease pressure on LPG supplies.
Apr 02, 2026 at 06:25 PM EDT
International law experts warn U.S., Israel and Iran are violating global norms in expanding war
More than 100 international‑law scholars have signed an open letter raising “profound concern” over what they describe as escalating violations of international law by the United States, Israel, and Iran amid the widening war that began with U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
Published Thursday by Just Security, the letter focuses heavily on the conduct of the United States, arguing that the initial strikes “were a clear violation of the United Nations Charter” and that subsequent U.S. military actions and statements by senior officials raise the possibility of breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law. Signatories include prominent legal figures such as Harold Hongju Koh and Beth Van Schaack.
Critics in the U.S. have already denounced the war as unlawful, pointing to the absence of authorization from Congress or the U.N. Security Council. The letter warns that the actions of all three governments threaten civilians and risk eroding global legal norms.
The experts highlighted one of the deadliest incidents of the conflict: a U.S. missile strike that hit a girls’ elementary school in Minab, killing at least 175 people. A preliminary military review found the strike was likely the result of a targeting error during an operation against a nearby Iranian base. The letter said the attack “likely violates international humanitarian law” and could constitute a war crime if recklessness is proven.
The authors also condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes on civilian infrastructure across the region, saying the use of explosive weapons in populated areas was unlawful and endangered civilians far beyond Iran’s borders.
U.S. officials have offered limited legal justification for the war. President Donald Trump has said the campaign aims to eliminate “imminent threats” from Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the operation as necessary to remove an “existential threat” posed by Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Apr 02, 2026 at 06:12 PM EDT
Saudi Crown Prince, Putin discuss escalation and maritime risks in phone call
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call Thursday to discuss rising regional military tensions and growing threats to maritime security, according to the Saudi State News Agency.
The conversation came as the conflict continues to spill across the Middle East, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz facing heightened risk amid Iranian actions. The Kremlin said Putin used the call to urge intensified political and diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Apr 02, 2026 at 05:59 PM EDT
Stocks steady as reports of Iran–Oman talks ease market jitters
Stocks trimmed steep early losses Thursday and oil prices pulled back from their highs after unconfirmed reports that Iran and Oman were discussing a plan to monitor marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil shipments.
The S&P 500, which had fallen as much as 1.5% earlier in the session, recovered to trade roughly flat by midday. Oil prices also moderated, though they remained sharply higher for the day. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was up 6% at around $107 a barrel.
Apr 02, 2026 at 05:46 PM EDT
Royal Air Maroc extends Middle East flight cancellations into summer 2026
Royal Air Maroc announced Thursday that it is suspending flights to two major Gulf destinations for months as the war in the Middle East continues to disrupt regional air travel. The airline said all routes to and from Doha are canceled until June 30, 2026, while flights to and from Dubai are halted through May 31, 2026.
The carrier said its teams are “fully mobilized” and monitoring conditions to resume operations when it is safe to do so. Passengers with canceled bookings were urged not to go to the airport and instead contact the airline’s call center or their original point of sale.
Royal Air Maroc also encouraged travelers to check their flight status and update contact information through the Manage My Booking section of its website.
Apr 02, 2026 at 05:33 PM EDT
GCC chief urges UN to authorize force to protect Strait of Hormuz
The head of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday urged the U.N. Security Council to authorize the use of force to secure the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Iran has effectively shut the vital waterway and is obstructing commercial shipping.
Jassem al‑Budaiwi, the GCC’s secretary‑general, told diplomats in New York that Iran had “closed the Strait of Hormuz, prevented commercial vessels and oil tankers from transiting, and imposed conditions on some to pass through the Strait.” The meeting marked the Security Council’s first formal session on cooperation with the six‑nation bloc, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.
Al‑Budaiwi called on the Council to “assume its full responsibility” and take steps to protect global shipping routes. Bahrain has already submitted a draft resolution that would authorize countries to use “all necessary measures” to ensure free passage through the strait.
Apr 02, 2026 at 05:20 PM EDT
WATCH: UK highlights alarming figures on Strait of Hormuz
Apr 02, 2026 at 05:07 PM EDT
Finland’s Stubb urges continued dialogue with Iran after call with Pezeshkian
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Thursday that maintaining communication with Iran remains essential after speaking by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian about the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
Stubb said in a post on X that the two leaders discussed the situation in Iran and the wider region, emphasizing that “a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution are urgently needed.” He added that, despite clear differences between the two governments, dialogue must continue.
Stubb said he pressed Iran to halt attacks on neighboring countries and to allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane whose closure has rattled global energy markets.
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:54 PM EDT
U.S. housing hopes fade as war-driven costs push mortgage rates higher
Early signs of a thaw in the U.S. housing market have dimmed as the Middle East war stretches into April, driving up energy prices and pushing borrowing costs to their highest level in seven months.
The average 30‑year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.46%, according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.38% a week earlier and well above the sub‑6% levels seen before the conflict began. The rise comes as Americans already face mounting expenses tied to soaring fuel prices.
Oil has surged more than 50% since late February, and the national average for gasoline reached $4.08 a gallon on Thursday, AAA reported — a 37% jump since the war’s onset. The spike has intensified fears of renewed inflation. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development now expects U.S. inflation to hit 4.2% this year, up sharply from 2025.
Economist Eugenio Alemán of Raymond James said markets are pricing in the risk of prolonged energy disruption. “As long as the conflict remains a threat to the price of petroleum, markets are going to continue to price higher inflation risks,” he wrote, noting that mortgage rates will rise in tandem.
The housing market, already strained after pandemic‑era rate hikes, had shown tentative improvement early this year. Home prices cooled, and a dip in mortgage rates briefly boosted buyer interest. But the war has reversed that momentum.
“Unfortunately, the war in Iran has halted the progress,” said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.
With energy costs elevated and borrowing more expensive, analysts warn that the spring home‑buying season may be far weaker than hoped.
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:41 PM EDT
Regional death toll climbs as conflict spreads across Middle East
The human cost of the widening war continued to rise Thursday, with new figures showing heavy casualties across Lebanon, Israel, and multiple countries drawn into the conflict’s expanding arc.
According to regional authorities, Lebanon has recorded 1,345 deaths, including 125 children, and more than 4,040 wounded amid sustained Israeli strikes and ground incursions. Israel has reported 28 deaths — all but one civilians — along with 10 soldiers killed in fighting inside Lebanon and 3,223 people hospitalized with injuries.
The United States has confirmed 13 combat deaths, two non‑combat fatalities, and more than 200 wounded. Violence has also spilled into the occupied West Bank, where four people have been killed.
Across the Gulf, the toll continues to mount: 12 dead and 169 injured in the United Arab Emirates, three killed in Bahrain, two killed and 20 injured in Saudi Arabia, six killed in Kuwait, three killed in Oman, and 16 injured in Qatar. Jordan has reported 20 injuries, while Syria has recorded four deaths.
In Iraq, authorities say more than 107 people have been killed as the conflict’s ripple effects intensify.
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:28 PM EDT
Wall Street pulls back as oil spikes and Trump offers no endgame for Iran war
Stocks wavered Thursday as volatility returned to Wall Street, erasing most of the sharp early‑morning losses that followed President Donald Trump’s failure to outline a clear timeline for ending the war in Iran.
The S&P 500 was down 0.1% after dropping as much as 1.5% shortly after the opening bell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 87 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite edged 0.1% lower. European markets also pared losses after a turbulent start.
Oil prices remained elevated, with U.S. crude briefly nearing $114 a barrel, adding pressure to consumers and fueling concerns about prolonged economic fallout from the conflict.
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:15 PM EDT
UK convenes 40 nations to weigh options for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
The United Kingdom on Thursday gathered foreign ministers from 40 countries for a virtual summit aimed at identifying diplomatic and political options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping corridor effectively blockaded by Iran amid the ongoing war launched by the United States and Israel.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting, chaired by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, would “assess all viable diplomatic and political measures” to restore traffic through the waterway. Nearly all commercial shipping has halted following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on vessels, a shutdown that has sent global oil prices soaring and severed a key artery linking the Gulf to international markets.
The United States is not participating in the talks, a notable absence after President Donald Trump declared that securing the strait is not America’s responsibility.
Iran’s actions have left tankers stranded and energy markets rattled, intensifying pressure on governments to find a path to reopening one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. The UK‑led effort marks the most expansive diplomatic push yet to address the crisis.
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:02 PM EDT
Russia seeks ceasefire window to evacuate remaining staff from Bushehr nuclear plant
Russia will ask the United States and Israel to guarantee a temporary ceasefire so it can evacuate the remaining Russian personnel from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, the state‑run RIA news agency reported Thursday.
Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said travel routes for the evacuation convoy would be shared with both governments and that Moscow would “use all channels to request strict adherence to the ceasefire during the convoy’s movement.” According to RIA, Likhachev described the upcoming operation as the “final wave of evacuation,” involving roughly 200 people.
Russia built the Bushehr reactor and continues to work on additional units at the site, where Rosatom staff have remained even as Israeli strikes have intensified across Iran. The planned withdrawal follows earlier evacuations of Russian workers amid growing security concerns around the facility.
Apr 02, 2026 at 03:49 PM EDT
Argentina expels Iran’s top diplomat after accusations from Tehran
Argentina on Thursday declared Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Buenos Aires, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours, escalating tensions between the two governments.
The move followed a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry accusing President Javier Milei and Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno of acting under “the influence of the occupying and genocidal Zionist regime and the United States” and of enabling U.S. attacks on Iran.
The diplomatic rupture comes days after Argentina formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization — a step that allows authorities to freeze its assets and block its access to the country’s financial system.
Argentina has long maintained that the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish community center were carried out with direct involvement from Iranian officials and IRGC operatives. The embassy bombing killed 29 people and wounded more than 200, while the AMIA attack left 85 dead and over 300 injured, marking the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina’s history.
Apr 02, 2026 at 03:26 PM EDT
Stutzman splits from Trump on Iran strategy, questions oil spike and DOJ slowdown
In an interview on CNN News Central, Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana broke with President Donald Trump’s framing of the war in Iran, arguing that the conflict cannot be considered a success as long as the current Iranian leadership remains in power. “There has to be a regime change here,” he told anchor John Berman, adding that the IRGC and Iran’s ruling clerics would remain a threat regardless of battlefield gains.
Pressed on Trump’s claim that regime change had already occurred, Stutzman said the president “knows a lot more” about negotiations but stressed that “we can’t let the old guys stay in power.”
Stutzman also expressed confusion over the market reaction to Trump’s address, which sent oil prices surging more than 10 percent overnight. “Honestly, I don’t know,” he said, pointing instead to new Alaskan leases and Venezuelan supply as reasons prices should eventually fall once the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
The congressman further acknowledged growing frustration on Capitol Hill with Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying “a lot of things are bottled up over at the Department of Justice” as Trump weighs whether to replace her.
Apr 02, 2026 at 03:13 PM EDT
UN calls for international probe after Israeli strike kills three journalists in Lebanon
Three journalists were killed on March 28 in southern Lebanon when Israeli strikes hit the area they were reporting from, prompting sharp condemnation from the United Nations and renewed scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the widening conflict.
The attack killed Ali Shoeib, a correspondent for Hezbollah‑affiliated Al‑Manar, along with Fatima Ftouni and her brother, cameraman Mohammed Ftouni, who worked for the Lebanese network Al‑Mayadeen. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday the killings must be “promptly, fully and independently investigated by an international body.”
Israel’s military claimed — without providing evidence — that Shoeib was a Hezbollah intelligence operative. UN experts rejected that assertion, saying that working for an outlet linked to an armed group “does not constitute direct participation in hostilities.” They accused Israel of a “standard, dangerous practice” of targeting journalists and then offering unsubstantiated justifications, citing what they described as a photoshopped image Israel circulated of Shoeib.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 259 journalists have been killed across regional conflicts since the Gaza war began in 2023, with 64 appearing to have been directly targeted. The latest deaths have intensified calls for stronger protections for media workers operating in active war zones.
Apr 02, 2026 at 02:50 PM EDT
Trump faces stubborn Iran conflict and rising public skepticism, polls show
President Donald Trump used his first major address since launching the war in Iran to assure Americans that U.S. military objectives were “very close” to being achieved. But he now confronts a conflict that shows no sign of ending quickly — and an electorate growing more uneasy with both the fighting and its economic fallout.
A mid‑March AP‑NORC poll found that 59% of Americans believe U.S. military action in Iran has gone too far, reflecting a sharp shift in public sentiment just weeks after the war began. The same survey showed deepening economic anxiety: 45% of respondents said they were “extremely” or “very” concerned about affording gasoline in the coming months, up from 30% in polling conducted shortly after Trump’s reelection.
Apr 02, 2026 at 02:37 PM EDT
Analyst says U.S. escalation shows Iran war ‘not going to plan’
Foreign‑policy analyst Sina Toossi said Thursday that the latest U.S. strikes on Iran, including the bombing of a major bridge linking Tehran and Karaj, reflect a conflict drifting off course and a White House scrambling to regain momentum.
In a post on social media, Toossi argued that Washington’s inability to halt Iran’s missile and drone attacks has pushed the United States toward increasingly aggressive strikes on civilian infrastructure. He called the administration’s claim that the campaign aims to “help the Iranian people” untenable, describing the operation instead as “a brutal campaign to break a country of over 90 million people.”
Toossi noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, global economic costs are rising, and Iran continues to hit targets across the region — all signs, he said, of a war lacking strategic direction. He accused President Donald Trump of escalating both attacks and rhetoric “to mask a war that is not going his way.”
Apr 02, 2026 at 02:24 PM EDT
Italy calls for humanitarian corridor through Hormuz to prevent food crisis
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday urged the creation of a humanitarian corridor through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the flow of fertilizer and other essential goods, warning that disruptions could trigger a food disaster across Africa.
Tajani, who joined a British‑coordinated meeting on Iran via video link, said that “ensuring the transport of fertilisers and other humanitarian goods through the Strait of Hormuz is vital,” according to a statement from his office. The proposal was backed by officials from the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, who also pressed for cooperation with the United Nations to establish the corridor “as soon as possible.”
The call comes as the closure of the strait — choked by Iranian attacks on shipping — continues to disrupt global supply chains and drive up energy prices. Tajani warned that without guaranteed passage for fertilizer and other critical imports, African nations could face a new food crisis.
Apr 02, 2026 at 02:11 PM EDT
Military planners from 30 nations to meet on securing Hormuz as global pressure mounts
Military planners from roughly 30 nations will meet next week in northwest London to discuss how to make the Strait of Hormuz safe for commercial shipping, the British government announced Thursday — one day after President Donald Trump urged other countries to “build up some delayed courage” and help reopen the vital waterway.
It remains unclear whether the talks will satisfy Trump’s demand for a more active international role in the Iran war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted that any plan to secure the strait would be implemented only “after the fighting has stopped,” reiterating that Britain will not be drawn into the conflict.
The meeting was unveiled by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who on Thursday convened a virtual gathering of foreign ministers from dozens of countries to coordinate diplomatic responses to the war. The United States was not among the participants, and Britain did not release a full list of attendees.
Cooper said 25 vessels had managed to transit the strait in the past 24 hours — a fraction of the roughly 150 ships that normally pass through daily — and that about 2,000 ships were stranded nearby. She warned the closure was threatening “our global economic security.”
Britain’s defense ministry said next week’s session would examine “viable options” to restore safe navigation, though it offered no details. Many of the same governments joined a joint statement last month demanding that Iran halt mine‑laying, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait.
Trump has repeatedly accused NATO and European allies, including Britain, of doing too little to support the U.S.-Israeli campaign. Starmer initially barred the U.S. from using British bases to strike Iran before reversing course once Iranian retaliation began.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council was set to vote Thursday on a resolution drafted by Bahrain and backed by Gulf states that would authorize military force to reopen the strait. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has called on Iran to restore freedom of navigation while urging the United States and Israel to end the war.
Apr 02, 2026 at 01:58 PM EDT
Lebanese hospital evacuates staff as Israeli forces push deeper into South
Medical and nursing teams were evacuated Thursday from Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil province, Lebanon’s state news agency reported, amid fears that an Israeli ground advance near the facility’s western entrance could put staff at risk.
The precautionary move came as new waves of Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas across Bint Jbeil, including the provincial capital and surrounding towns. Israeli forces have continued widening their ground invasion along the southern border, pushing further into Lebanese territory.
According to the Health Ministry, the evacuation brings the number of shuttered hospitals to five, as strikes and advancing troops make operations impossible. Officials say nine hospitals have been targeted since the campaign began, compounding an already severe strain on Lebanon’s health‑care system.
Apr 02, 2026 at 01:45 PM EDT
Stutzman breaks with Trump on Iran, questions oil spike and DOJ leadership
In an interview on CNN News Central, Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana distanced himself from President Donald Trump’s framing of the war in Iran, arguing that lasting security requires new leadership in Tehran. “There has to be a regime change here,” he told anchor John Berman, adding that the IRGC and Iran’s ruling clerics would remain a threat as long as they hold power.
Pressed on Trump’s claim that regime change had already occurred, Stutzman said the president “knows a lot more” about negotiations but emphasized that “we can’t let the old guys stay in power.”
Stutzman also expressed confusion over the market reaction to Trump’s address, which sent oil prices surging more than 10 percent overnight. “Honestly, I don’t know,” he said, arguing that the speech offered a clear roadmap and pointing to new Alaskan leases and Venezuelan supply as reasons prices should eventually fall.
The congressman further acknowledged “frustration” on Capitol Hill over Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of key matters, including the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. While saying the decision rests with Trump, he noted that “a lot of things are bottled up over at the Department of Justice.”
Apr 02, 2026 at 01:32 PM EDT
Wall Street slides as oil prices jump after Trump’s address
Wall Street fell sharply Thursday morning as another spike in global oil prices rattled investors following President Donald Trump’s prime‑time address from the White House.
About 30 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.0% at 46,108.16. The S&P 500 slipped 0.9% to 6,516.01, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.3% to 21,556.30.
The declines came after Trump said the United States was “very close” to achieving its military objectives but warned that additional bombing could push Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” His remarks fueled fresh concerns about a prolonged conflict and further disruptions to global energy supplies.
Oil prices surged immediately after the speech, deepening fears that sustained volatility in energy markets could spill into broader economic instability. Investors responded by pulling back from equities, extending a week of turbulence across U.S. markets.
Apr 02, 2026 at 01:19 PM EDT
Austria confirms it has blocked U.S. combat flights since start of war
Austrian officials said Thursday that they have been denying overflight permission to U.S. combat aircraft since the start of the Middle East war, citing the country’s long‑standing policy of military neutrality. The announcement places Austria alongside Switzerland, which has imposed similar restrictions in recent weeks.
“Austria is a neutral country, and as such, we are obligated to adhere to certain principles,” said Col. Michael Bauer, a spokesman for the defense ministry. “Therefore, we have rejected requests for flights to or from countries at war.”
The policy has effectively barred American military aircraft from crossing Austrian airspace during the conflict, highlighting how Europe’s neutral states are navigating the geopolitical fallout. Switzerland has likewise blocked U.S. overflights, also invoking neutrality laws that limit involvement in foreign wars.
Apr 02, 2026 at 01:06 PM EDT
Lebanese death toll rises to 1,345 as Israeli strikes intensify, health ministry says
Israeli strikes have killed 27 people and wounded 105 in the past 24 hours, Lebanon’s health ministry said Thursday, as the conflict continues to escalate across the country.
The ministry reported that a total of 1,345 people have been killed since Israel launched its intensified air campaign on March 2, after Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel in support of Iran. Among the dead are 125 children and 91 women, while another 4,040 people have been wounded.
Health officials said 53 medical workers are among those killed, and that Israeli strikes have hit 82 emergency medical service facilities, further straining Lebanon’s already overwhelmed health system.
More than one million people have been displaced as Israeli ground forces push deeper into southern Lebanon, triggering one of the largest population movements in the country in decades.
Apr 02, 2026 at 12:59 PM EDT
Trump shares video claiming strike hit major Iranian Bridge
President Donald Trump on Thursday posted a video on social media that he said showed the destruction of one of Iran’s largest bridges, urging Tehran once again to “make a deal before it is too late.”
The footage appeared shortly after Fars News Agency reported that a highway bridge linking Tehran to the western city of Karaj had been struck in air attacks earlier in the day. Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed the extent of the damage.
Apr 02, 2026 at 12:53 PM EDT
Iran says strike destroyed Pasteur Institute in Tehran, calls it blow to global health security
The Iranian government said Thursday that a strike had destroyed the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a century‑old scientific research center in Tehran that serves as one of the country’s leading public‑health institutions and a major producer of vaccines.
Hossein Kermanpour, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Health, condemned the attack in a post on social media, calling it “a direct assault on international health security.” He did not specify which country Iran believes carried out the strike, though Tehran has blamed recent attacks on U.S.‑Israeli operations.
Apr 02, 2026 at 12:40 PM EDT
Israeli Defense Minister threatens Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Thursday, saying the militant chief “will not live to see” the outcome of Israel’s expanding military campaign in Lebanon.
The threat marks one of Katz’s most direct personal messages to Hezbollah’s leadership since the latest conflict erupted. Israel assassinated the group’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in late 2024 during the previous war between the two sides — a killing that reshaped Hezbollah’s command structure and continues to reverberate across the region.
Apr 02, 2026 at 12:27 PM EDT
Putin, Saudi crown prince call for intensified diplomacy to end middle East war
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged a renewed diplomatic push to end the Middle East war during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kremlin said Thursday.
According to the readout, both leaders stressed “the need for a rapid cessation of hostilities and the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts” to secure a long‑term settlement. The call comes as Saudi Arabia deepens its security cooperation with Ukraine, which this week signed an air‑defense agreement with Riyadh amid escalating Iranian drone attacks.
Kyiv has sought to leverage its battlefield experience intercepting Russian drones to assist Gulf states now facing the same Iranian‑designed Shahed systems. Ukrainian officials have proposed exchanging their low‑cost drone interceptors for the expensive air‑defense missiles Gulf nations are using to counter Iranian strikes.
Apr 02, 2026 at 12:14 PM EDT
Houthi leader says group joined strikes on U.S. and Israel
Abdul Malik al‑Houthi, leader of the Iran‑backed rebel movement in Yemen, said Thursday that his forces participated in joint operations against the United States and Israel this week by launching missile and drone attacks.
“We will not stand idly by while the enemy achieves its goals, nor will we leave all the burdens on others as if we are not concerned,” al‑Houthi said in a televised address, framing the strikes as part of a broader regional confrontation.
He praised recent Iranian attacks on U.S. and Israeli interests, including strikes on military sites and operational hubs, and reiterated his movement’s support for the Islamic Republic’s leadership. The comments mark one of the clearest acknowledgments yet that the Houthis have moved from threats to active participation as the conflict widens.
Apr 02, 2026 at 12:01 PM EDT
Macron rebukes Trump’s ‘unserious’ shifts on Iran war, calls NATO attacks dangerous
French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday, accusing him of undermining the war effort with erratic statements and weakening NATO at a moment of global crisis. Speaking in Seoul during a trip through Asia, Macron said Trump’s personal jabs and shifting war aims were “neither elegant nor befitting” of a leader during wartime.
Macron declined to respond directly to Trump’s latest personal remarks — made during an Easter lunch and referencing a viral video involving Brigitte Macron — but made clear he found them inappropriate. “I’m not going to respond to them; they don’t deserve a response,” he said, visibly irritated.
He was far more pointed in criticizing Trump’s inconsistent messaging on the U.S. campaign against Iran, noting the president has oscillated between threatening massive escalation and promoting negotiations. “When we’re serious, we don’t say the opposite of what we said the day before every day,” Macron said. “We just need to calm things down and build lasting peace.”
Macron warned that Trump’s repeated attacks on NATO — including renewed suggestions he may withdraw the United States from the alliance — were eroding its credibility. “If you create doubt every day about your commitment, you hollow it out,” he said, adding that treaty obligations must be honored, not debated “every morning.”
He also rejected Trump’s demand that European nations forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling the idea unrealistic and dangerous. France and Britain are assembling a coalition to escort ships through the strait, but only once the conflict ends. Any military attempt to reopen it now, Macron said, would take “an infinite amount of time” and expose vessels to Iranian fire.
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:48 AM EDT
Polls show Americans unimpressed after president’s speech, key questions unanswered
Early polling conducted after President Donald Trump’s national address suggests the speech failed to satisfy Americans looking for clarity on the country’s most pressing concerns, particularly soaring fuel costs and the widening conflict with Iran.
The dominant takeaway among voters on Thursday morning was the absence of any concrete plan to ease high gasoline prices at home or abroad. Instead, Trump framed the economic strain as an “investment” in future generations — a message that appears unlikely to blunt public frustration.
The speech also revived scrutiny of the administration’s stated war aims. At the outset of the conflict, Trump pledged to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and neutralize its regional proxy forces. Poll respondents noted that neither objective has been achieved more than a month into the fighting.
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:35 AM EDT
U.S. offers $3 million for tips on attacks in Iraq as embassy warns of new threats
The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program announced Thursday that it is offering up to $3 million for information on recent attacks targeting American diplomatic sites in Iraq, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the Consulate General in Erbil, and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.
“If you have information on these attacks, send us your tip,” the program said on X, urging the public to come forward.
The reward notice was issued shortly before the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warned that Iranian‑aligned Iraqi militias may be planning attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours. The early‑morning alert urged Americans to leave the country, citing a heightened risk of kidnappings by terrorist groups.
The warning followed the abduction of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the case and an Iraqi official. Alex Plitsas, her designated U.S. point of contact and a CNN national security analyst, said the U.S. government had previously warned Kittleson of a specific threat from the Iranian‑backed militia Kata'ib Hezbollah, which was allegedly seeking to kidnap or kill female journalists.
Later Thursday, Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, said on X that an individual detained by Iraqi authorities in connection with Kittleson’s abduction had ties to Kata'ib Hezbollah.
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:22 AM EDT
UAE, Jordan intercept dozens of Iranian missiles and drones after Trump remarks
The United Arab Emirates said its air‑defense systems intercepted 19 Iranian missiles and 26 drones on Thursday, a new barrage that came less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump again claimed Iran’s strike capacity had been “dramatically curtailed” by a month of U.S.-Israeli attacks.
The Jordanian Armed Forces reported intercepting an Iranian missile as well, saying the projectile was destroyed before reaching populated areas.
Both the UAE and Jordan said all of the latest launches were successfully intercepted and that no new casualties were reported from falling debris. The announcements underscored the continued pace of Iranian attacks despite U.S. assertions that Tehran’s missile and drone infrastructure has been severely degraded.
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:11 AM EDT
Pro-Iran Telegram channel threatens strikes on Israeli transport network
A message circulating Thursday on a public Telegram channel aligned with pro‑Iranian groups warned that Israel’s transportation system could face retaliatory attacks following what it called the “American‑Zionist” strike on Karaj’s B1 bridge.
The post claimed that Israel’s “Achilles’ heel” lies in several key logistical chokepoints and outlined potential targets, including the Yarkon Bridge, the Jezerel Tunnel, and major highways connecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. It also referenced the Port of Haifa and Rehovot Station as strategic hubs that, if disrupted, could hinder military movement.
The message further alleged that a land corridor linking Jebel Ali to Ashkelon—used as an alternative supply route amid disruptions at sea—was vulnerable to precision strikes.
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:09 AM EDT
WATCH: Australian PM calls for ‘greater clarity’ on US goals in Iran war
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:56 AM EDT
Iranian state TV shows guards writing anti-Trump messages on missiles
Iranian state television on Thursday aired footage of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps writing political messages on missiles prepared for launch, escalating Tehran’s propaganda campaign as the war continues.
In the video, Guards personnel are seen inscribing slogans denouncing President Donald Trump and his administration. One message read, in part: “Thank you to all those who, even in America itself, condemn the war waged by the criminal gang in the White House.” Another referenced Jeffrey Epstein, echoing themes Iranian officials have increasingly used to frame U.S. leadership as corrupt and illegitimate.
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:43 AM EDT
Major Iranian steel producers halt operations after US-Israeli strikes
Two of Iran’s largest steel producers say their facilities have been forced offline following a wave of U.S.-Israeli attacks that targeted industrial infrastructure across the country.
The Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan province announced that its “production lines have completely shut down” due to what it described as the high intensity of recent strikes. The company is one of the Middle East’s biggest steelmakers and a critical supplier for Iran’s construction and manufacturing sectors.
In Ahvaz, the Khuzestan Steel Company reported similar disruptions. Mehran Pakbin, the firm’s deputy head of operations, told the state‑affiliated Mizan Online outlet that several units have been halted and are unlikely to restart for at least six months.
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:36 AM EDT
Guterres urges immediate end to war, calls on Iran to reopen Hormuz
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres on Thursday issued one of his strongest appeals yet for an immediate halt to the Middle East war, warning that the conflict is inflicting “immense human suffering” and triggering severe economic fallout.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations, Guterres directed his message at all sides. “To the United States and Israel, it is high time to stop the war that is inflicting immense human suffering and already triggering devastating economic consequences,” he said. He also urged Iran to cease attacks on neighboring states “and to open the Strait of Hormuz,” stressing that freedom of navigation must be respected under international law.
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:30 AM EDT
Prominent Iranian rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh detained without explanation
Nasrin Sotoudeh, one of Iran’s most renowned human rights lawyers, has been detained by authorities without any public explanation, her daughter said Thursday.
In a post on Instagram, Mehraveh Khandan said her mother was taken into custody on Wednesday night. She added that security forces also seized electronic devices during the raid, offering no details about the charges or the agency responsible for the arrest.
Sotoudeh, a longtime defender of political prisoners, women’s rights activists, and dissidents, received the European Union’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2012. Her past clients include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, further cementing her status as one of the country’s most high‑profile legal advocates.
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:17 AM EDT
EU’s Kallas presses China on Hormuz crisis, global economic risks
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about the mounting economic fallout from the near‑shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Iranian attacks on commercial vessels have pushed global shipping to the brink.
Kallas said on X that the waterway’s paralysis has become a direct threat to the global economy and energy security. “Iranian attacks on civilian ships, and the threat of more, have brought traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to a near halt,” she wrote. Restoring “safe, toll‑free freedom of navigation,” she added, is now an urgent priority under international maritime law.
The two officials also discussed broader EU‑China relations, as Brussels seeks to keep Beijing engaged on crisis‑management efforts while navigating a tense geopolitical landscape.
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:04 AM EDT
IRGC commander mocks U.S. threats as ‘Hollywood illusions’
A senior Iranian military commander on Thursday dismissed threats from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump, calling their warnings against Iran “Hollywood illusions” and insisting that any attempt to destroy the country would lead to more American casualties.
Chief Brigadier General Seyed Majid Moosavi, who heads the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reposted Hegseth’s message from X in which the Pentagon chief echoed Trump’s vow to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” if it refuses to end the 33‑day war. Moosavi ridiculed the rhetoric, saying American leaders were threatening “a civilization over 6,000 years old” despite what he described as the United States’ “meager 250‑year history.”
Moosavi warned that Washington’s posture would only endanger its own forces. “It is you who are taking your soldiers to the grave, not Iran, who you want to return to the Stone Age,” he wrote.
Apr 02, 2026 at 09:51 AM EDT
Cooper says global unity growing as 40 nations discuss reopening Hormuz
Diplomats from more than 40 countries convened Thursday to explore political and diplomatic steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the talks underscored “the strength of our international determination” to restore access to the vital oil corridor.
Speaking to officials at the virtual meeting, Cooper accused Iran of effectively “hijacking an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” warning that the prolonged closure has deepened global energy instability.
While Thursday’s session focused on non‑military measures, Cooper said defense planners from several nations will also meet separately to map out post‑war security needs. Those discussions are expected to include potential mine‑clearing operations and broader “reassurance” efforts for commercial vessels once fighting subsides.
The United States did not participate in the meeting, following President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that safeguarding the waterway is not America’s responsibility.
Apr 02, 2026 at 09:39 AM EDT
Iran arrests five in Zanjan for alleged links to ‘hostile’ networks
Authorities in Iran say they have detained five people in the north‑western province of Zanjan, accusing them of working with what officials described as “hostile” foreign networks.
According to a statement carried by the semi‑official Tasnim news agency, a security unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Zanjan alleged the individuals were “affiliated with and acting as mercenaries for the enemy.” The group was accused of engaging with networks Tehran links to foreign intelligence services.
The arrests come as Iranian officials continue to warn citizens—both inside the country and abroad—against cooperating with organizations tied to U.S. or Israeli interests during the ongoing war. Authorities have repeatedly framed such activity as a threat to national security, part of a broader crackdown that has intensified since the conflict began.
Apr 02, 2026 at 09:23 AM EDT
Iran issues defiant response after Trump threatens to ‘bring them back to the stone ages’
Senior Iranian military and political leaders delivered a series of defiant statements on Thursday, pushing back against President Donald Trump’s televised claim that the United States and Israel were close to destroying Iran’s military capabilities.
In his prime‑time address Wednesday night, Trump said the joint air campaign had eliminated much of Iran’s missile infrastructure and production capacity, boasting that U.S. forces were “on track” to achieve all objectives soon. He warned that strikes would intensify in the coming weeks, saying the assault could drive Iran “back to the Stone Ages,” even as he noted that negotiations to end the conflict were underway.
Iranian officials dismissed those assertions. A spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards said in a video message that U.S. assessments of Iran’s military strength were “incomplete,” warning that any belief Tehran’s drone, electronic‑warfare, or specialized weapons programs had been destroyed would only “deepen the swamp” for Washington and its allies.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on state television that talks with the United States were impossible under escalating bombardment. “We will not tolerate this vicious cycle of war, negotiations, cease-fire and repetition,” he said, arguing that the pattern had destabilized the region for years.
Other commanders were even more blunt. Sayed Majid Moosavi, who leads the Guards’ air force, accused the United States of underestimating Iran’s resilience and history. Responding to a post by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Moosavi wrote that it was Washington—not Tehran—sending its soldiers “to their graves,” adding that American leaders were deluded if they believed they could threaten “a civilization over 6,000 years old.”
Apr 02, 2026 at 09:10 AM EDT
Iran says US-Israeli strike damaged major health Research Institute
One of Iran’s most prominent medical research centers was hit in the latest round of US‑Israeli strikes, a senior government official said Thursday, prompting renewed warnings from relief agencies about escalating attacks on health facilities across the region.
The Pasteur Institute of Iran—described by officials as one of the “century‑old pillars” of public health in the Middle East—sustained damage in what authorities called a direct blow to global health security. Hossein Kermanpour, who heads the information center at Iran’s Ministry of Health, said on X that the strike amounted to “a direct assault on international health security.”
Founded in 1920, the institute is Iran’s oldest public health center and a key site for vaccine development, infectious‑disease research, and epidemiological surveillance. Its scientists have played a central role in national vaccination campaigns and regional disease‑prevention efforts for decades.
Apr 02, 2026 at 08:52 AM EDT
Macron says Trump’s “unrealistic” over opening Strait of Hormuz
The French president Emmanuel Macron has said that a military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was “unrealistic” as he took aim at President Donald Trump.
Speaking in South Korea, Macron said that a military plan to open the waterway blocked by Iran as Trump has signaled could happen, would not work because it would take a long time and “would expose anyone crossing the strait to coastal threats from the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards.”
Macron said that reopening the strait can only be done in concert with Iran and so required a ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations.
The French president also took a swipe at Trump’s handling of the war, saying “when you want to be serious, you don't say the opposite every day of what you said the day before,” adding “perhaps you shouldn't talk every day.”
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Apr 02, 2026 at 08:42 AM EDT
Iran media reports death of senior commander
A commander of a special unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed in strikes on Wednesday, according to Iranian media.
They said Mohammad Ali Fathalizadeh, commander of the Fatehin special unit, was among those killed in the strike, although there were no further details given..
The announcement on Thursday comes on a day in which Iranian media also reported how U.S. and Israeli strikes hit several points near Azimiyeh in Karaj, west of Tehran, including what was described as the B1 bridge, injuring several people. .
Apr 02, 2026 at 08:30 AM EDT
Oil forecast to cost $113 a barrel in Q2: analysis
Despite President Donald Trump’s televised remarks signaling further attacks on Iran, analysis firm Oxford Economics has not changed its baseline forecast for Brent crude oil prices, which it says will average $113 per barrel in the second quarter of this year.
In a statement to Newsweek, the firm said that Trump’s comments which gave a two-to-three-week timeframe for the war although did not clarify an exit strategy, had not significantly altered the balance of risks.
Oxford Economics chief global economist Ryan Sweet said that the Strait of Hormuz is still effectively closed, and the baseline assumes that it won’t change until the end of April, removing additional oil supply from the market and adding to the economic costs with each passing day.
Tankers passing through the strait are 98 percent below what was seen the week before the war and Oxford Economics expects traffic to increase to about 50 percent in May and June.
This would help ease but not alleviate the oil shortfall of around two (million barrels per day (mbpd) that is poised to grow.
This will also add to the upward pressure on oil prices this quarter and early next. “We estimate that the average Q2 oil supply disruption will be around 7.5mbpd, but if the military timeline is extended, risks are that oil prices will rise more than we currently anticipate, and that would both extend and increase the economic costs,” said Sweet.
Apr 02, 2026 at 08:00 AM EDT
Iranian commander hits back at Trump’s “Stone Age” comments”
A senior Iranian commander has responded to comments by President Trump warning of bombing Iran “back to the Stone Age."
An account attributed to Majid Mousavi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded to comments by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following President Donald Trump’s speech.
“It is you who will take your soldiers under gravestones, not Iran that you can return to the Stone Age,” said a post on the account attributed to Majid Mousavi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC). The post added the U.S. was threatening “a civilization thousands of years old.”
A spokesman for Iran’s military Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari said earlier that Iran still had hidden stockpiles of arms, munitions and production facilities and that the centers the U.S. had targeted “are insignificant.”
“Our strategic military productions take place in locations of which you have no knowledge and will never reach,” Zolfaghari added.
Apr 02, 2026 at 07:30 AM EDT
Americans in Iraq told to leave country “now”
The U.S. embassy in Baghdad has urged Americans to leave Iraq in a message which warned of the threat posed by “Iran-aligned militias.”
In a statement on X, the American mission said that there could be attacks in central Baghdad within 24-48 hours. "The Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory. Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups may claim to be associated with the Iraqi government. Terrorists may carry identification denoting their status as Iraqi government employees."
“These actors may target U.S. citizens, companies, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other sites believed to be associated with the United States” the statement said.
Iraqi institutions and civilian targets were also at risk according to the embassy which said consular services were suspended and U.S. citizens were urged to “leave Iraq now.”
Apr 02, 2026 at 07:00 AM EDT
Strait of Hormuz closure hurts “a raft of industries”: analyst
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have knock-on effects for many industries, a financial expert has told Newsweek.
Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist, Wealth Club said that there are “fresh frissons of fear about the duration of the war with Iran” after President Donald Trump’s televised speech on Wednesday which gave no indication the conflict was very close to ending, and signaled more intensive attacks.
Streeter told Newsweek the big concern will be about further damage to energy facilities across the Gulf. “The repair work is already likely to take years, and further destruction is likely to keep oil and gas prices elevated for even longer. “
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz which has tightened the supply of billions of dollars’ worth of petrochemical products which usually flow through the Strait. “Prices of plastics and polymers have headed to highs not seen for four years, and this is already having an impact on the price and availability of household goods,” Streeter said.
Cleaning products manufacturer McBride, which makes Oven Pride, has warned that its costs are rising and it is seeing the first signs of supply shortages due to the war in Iran. “This experience could be the precursor to problems to come for swathes of businesses reliant on the packaging industry,” added Streeter.
Apr 02, 2026 at 06:30 AM EDT
Oil prices could climb higher: analyst
The price of a barrel of Brent crude which spiked on Thursday after President Donald Trump warned of further strikes on Iran, could go even higher, according to one analyst.
On Thursday, the price of the international benchmark jumped 7.4 percent to $108.69 per barrel while benchmark U.S. crude rose 7.1 percent to $107.24 a barrel after Trump’s remarks in a televised address.
Nikos Tzabouras, senior market analyst at Tradu, told Newsweek that Trump’s comments doused hopes for an imminent resolution and kept the geopolitical risk premium elevated.
“Prices could climb even higher as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut, oil infrastructure in the region is damaged and output is being curtailed as storage fills up,” Tzabouras said Thursday. “The longer these disruptions continue, the tighter the market becomes, raising the risk that previously unfavorable fundamentals are overtaken by events.”
Apr 02, 2026 at 06:00 AM EDT
Iran says Pasteur Institute was hit, posing health threat
An Iranian health ministry official has said the Pasteur Institute of Iran had been struck in an attack which posed a health security risk.,
Hossein Kermanpour said in an X post that the institute was “a century-old pillar of global health” and that an attack on was “a direct assault on international health security.” The post showed images of the building in rubble.
His claims have not been independently confirmed but they come amid further strikes against Iranian targets. The Israeli military said Thursday that it struck an Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) ground forces base and a mobile command post during attacks across Tehran.
It said the strikes on Wednesday, also hit a ballistic missile storage site in Tabriz and that the IDF had identified that Iranian commanders were relocating command centers into mobile units.
Apr 02, 2026 at 05:15 AM EDT
Iran’s army says no troops in ground invasion “should come out alive”
Iran’s army chief Abdolrahim Hatami has warned no troops in a land invasion of Iran would come out alive.
In comments on Thursday, Hatami ordered operational headquarters to monitor the prospect of a ground invasion and prepare to counter assault. Enemy movements and actions must be tracked and response plans
Put in place, he said. “If the enemy launches a ground operation, not a single one of them should come out alive,” Hatami said, according to Iran International, an independent news outlet. The Trump administration has not rule out sending in troops on the ground into Iran, amid a big military buildup in the region.
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:45 AM EDT
Rubio highlights Trump’s four Iran War objectives
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has boiled down President **Donald Trump’**s speech about the Iran War to four key points.
In a post on X following Trump’s televised address, Rubio wrote that the U.S. president had “delivered a powerful speech” and was “clear about our objectives in Iran."
Using bullet points, Rubio said these were to destroy Iran’s weapons factories, navy, air force and chances of ever having a nuclear weapon.
”The President’s leadership sends a message to the world that the United States will defend its people and its interests, and uphold peace through strength,” the post added.
Read More: Donald Trump’s Four Objectives For Ending Iran War Revealed
Apr 02, 2026 at 04:15 AM EDT
Iran’s president asks whether Trump is putting “America First”
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has written an open letter asking whether the Trump administration’s war with his country was serving America’s interests.
In a message posted on social media addressed “to the people of the United States” Pezeshkian referred to President Donald Trump’s prior rhetoric in writing “Is ‘America First’ truly among the priorities of the US government today?”
He said that Iran has “never, in its modern history, chosen the path of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination” and that the perception of his country being a threat is “the product of political and economic whims of the powerful.”
He said that Iran’s drone and missile strikes on civilian and military infrastructure across the Gulf have been “legitimate self-defense.” It was not clear whether other parts of Iran’s leadership were involved in drafting the letter.
Apr 02, 2026 at 03:40 AM EDT
Iran warns of “crushing” attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets
Iran has responded with a defiant message following President Donald Trump’s warning that U.S. attacks would continue for at least another couple of weeks.
Trump said in a televised address Wednesday that the U.S. would continue with its attacks on Iran over the next two to three weeks and boasted of destroying Iran’s military and navy.
However, on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Iranian military cited by state media warned of “crushing, broader and destructive" attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets.
The Iranian spokesman added that the U.S. and Israel have "incomplete" information about Tehran's military capabilities and equipment and rejected Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear stock had been depleted.
Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said Thursday the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to global shipping but “closed to the enemies of the Iranian people and their bases in the region.”
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