Iran Floats A New Condition For Strait of Hormuz Reopening
The strikes focused on weakening long-range strike capabilities and defence systems linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, a presidential spokesperson, wrote Sunday on the social platform X that the reopening of the vital waterway can only happen if transit revenues are partially earmarked to compensate Iran for war damages.
There has been growing alarm over Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, critical for shipments of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia. Trump has threatened to attack Iran’s infrastructure if it fails to reopen the strait by Monday. — AP
Trump Says Iran Power Plants, Bridges To Be Hit If Hormuz Strait Not Re-opened
US President Donald Trump threatened in an expletive-laden social media post Sunday to strike Iran's power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened the next day.
Following an 48-hour ultimatum he issued on Saturday, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!"
"Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!" wrote the president, adding: "Praise be to Allah." — AFP
Israel Hits Over 200 Iran Targets, 140 Hezbollah Sites
- The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) carried out a large-scale military operation targeting more than 200 infrastructure sites in Iran and over 140 Hezbollah-linked locations in Lebanon.
In a statement shared on X, the military said it had struck “200+ Iranian regime infrastructure targets across Iran, and 140+ Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon.”
The strikes focused on weakening long-range strike capabilities and defence systems linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Among the key targets in Iran were a central IRGC weapons storage site and multiple air defence systems.
The IDF also reported hitting facilities involved in the production, storage, and development of ballistic missiles intended to target aircraft.
The operation extended into Lebanon, where Hezbollah’s operational capacity was targeted. Strikes included a Hezbollah training site, weapons storage facilities, and launch sites.
According to the military, Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force headquarters were also hit, dealing a significant blow to its command structure.
This offensive follows a surge of over 70 strikes conducted on Friday across western and central Iran. These targeted ballistic missile launch sites and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) infrastructure linked to the IRGC.
The IDF stated that these actions are part of an ongoing effort to reduce threats to Israeli civilians by weakening Iran’s military capabilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes had severely impacted Iran’s industrial base, claiming that 70 percent of its steel production capacity had been destroyed.
He described the damage to the steel sector as a “tremendous achievement,” stating it would limit both funding and weapons production capabilities for the IRGC.
Netanyahu also highlighted coordination with the United States, saying joint efforts would continue to target Iran’s military and infrastructure.
On the northern front, he confirmed that operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon are ongoing, aimed at protecting communities in northern Israel.
He also praised Israeli citizens for following safety instructions during heightened tensions, including during the Passover Seder night.
Live Updates
- 5 April 2026 5:03 PM IST
Iran drones cause 'severe' damage to oil infrastructure: Kuwait state energy firm
KUWAIT CITY: Attacks by Iranian drones on Sunday resulted in "severe" damage to Kuwaiti oil and petrochemical facilities, the country's state petroleum company said, as Tehran carries out strikes on civilian infrastructure in the Gulf.
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said a number of facilities of its subsidiary Petrochemical Industries Company "have been subjected to a heinous Iranian attack and targeting involving the use of drones".
It said "the attack resulted in the outbreak of fires at several of these facilities and caused severe material damage". — AFP
- 5 April 2026 2:58 PM IST
US service member missing after Iran shot down jet rescued
A U.S. service member who has been missing since Iran shot down a fighter jet has been rescued, President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post early Sunday.
A frantic U.S. search-and-rescue operation unfolded after the crash of the F-15E Strike Eaglejet on Friday, as Iran also promised a reward for anyone who turned in the “enemy pilot.”
A second crew member was rescued earlier.
Trump wrote that the aviator is injured but “will be just fine,” adding that he took refuge “in the treacherous mountains of Iran.”
Trump added that the rescue involved “dozens of aircraft” and that U.S. had been monitoring his location “24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.”
The fighter jet was the first U.S. aircraft to have crashed in Iranian territory since the conflict in late February. — AP
- 5 April 2026 12:48 PM IST
Fire breaks out at Abu Dhabi petrochemical plant after attack intercepted
Authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were battling fires at a petrochemical facility on Sunday caused by falling debris as Iran pressed an aerial campaign against its Gulf neighbours.
"Authorities are responding to multiple fires in Borouge petrochemicals plant, caused by falling debris following successful interceptions by air defence systems," the Gulf emirate's media office said."Operations at the facility have been immediately suspended while damage is assessed. No injuries have been reported," it added after the United Arab Emirates' defence ministry earlier said it was responding to missile and drone attacks. - 5 April 2026 11:16 AM IST
UAE says air defences responding to Iran missiles, drones
Emirati air defences were responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran, the United Arab Emirates defence ministry said Sunday, as Tehran said it was targeting aluminium industries in the Gulf nation.
"UAE air defences... are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats," the ministry posted on X in English, along with an Arabic statement that said the projectiles were coming from Iran."MOD (Ministry of Defence) asserts that the sounds heard across the country are the result of ongoing engaging operations of missiles and UAVs," it added. - 5 April 2026 11:06 AM IST
Iran dismisses Trump ultimatum
Iran's central military command on Saturday brushed aside US President Donald Trump's threat to destroy the country's vital infrastructure if it did not accept a peace deal within 48 hours.
General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi called Trump's ultimatum "a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action".Trump had posted on social media earlier in the day: "Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them." - 5 April 2026 11:06 AM IST
Three killed in northwestern Iran
US-Israeli strikes in Ardabil province near Iran's northwestern border with Azerbaijan killed three people, Iranian media cited an official as saying.
The strikes on Jafarabad and Germi killed three people and wounded three others, said Tasnim news agency, citing the deputy security officer of Ardabil's governor. - 5 April 2026 11:05 AM IST
Missiles targeting Israel
Israel was targeted by missiles launched from Iran on Sunday, the Israeli military said on social media.
- 5 April 2026 7:26 AM IST
Iran strikes on Kuwait
Kuwait's military said its air defences were working Sunday to intercept missiles and drones, as Tehran continued its campaign in the Gulf in response to US-Israeli strikes.
An Iranian drone attack had also caused "significant" damage to a government building in Kuwait City on Saturday evening, a finance ministry statement said. There were no reports of deaths or injuries. - 5 April 2026 7:00 AM IST
US Revokes Green Cards of Iran-Linked Individuals, Detains Them
The US Department of State has revoked the lawful permanent resident (LPR) status of certain foreign nationals accused of supporting Iran’s regime. Following the termination of their green card status, they were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Read more:
