By Amanda Castro, Ellie Cook, and John Feng

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

A fragile two‑week cease‑fire between the United States and Iran came under strain on Wednesday, less than a day after it began, as uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz and continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon raised immediate questions about whether the truce could hold. Accusations from Tehran, denials from Washington, and escalating violence across the Persian Gulf underscored how tenuous the pause remains.

What To Know

• Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, accused the United States of failing to uphold the cease‑fire, citing ongoing Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Pakistan, which mediated the truce, said the agreement covered Lebanon, a claim disputed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
• Leavitt rejected reports that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz, saying more vessels were passing through, even as shipping data did not show a clear increase.
• The White House continued to frame the cease‑fire as a diplomatic success and confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will travel to Pakistan for talks on Saturday, joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.
• Countries across the Persian Gulf reported new rounds of Iranian missile and drone attacks, and Iran’s state media said an oil refinery on Lavan Island had been struck by unidentified forces.
• In Tehran, residents described a rare moment of calm after weeks of airstrikes, though fear remained high following recent threats from President Donald Trump.
• Israeli strikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon killed at least 112 people and wounded more than 800, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
• Iran released a 10‑point framework for negotiations, but U.S. officials said the document did not match what had been privately discussed.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, saying U.S. forces could still seize the material.

This live blog is now closed.

Apr 08, 2026 at 08:15 PM EDT

IRGC warns of retaliation if Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned Wednesday that it would respond militarily if what it called “aggressions” against Lebanon did not stop, according to reporting from state broadcaster IRIB. The statement accused Israel of carrying out a “brutal massacre” in Beirut only hours after a cease-fire agreement was announced.

The IRGC said it would “act upon our duty” if attacks on “dear Lebanon” continued, vowing a “regret‑inducing response” against what it described as “evil aggressors in the region.” The warning came as Hezbollah issued its own statement saying the “blood of the martyrs and the wounded will not be in vain,” arguing that the latest Israeli strikes reinforced its “natural and legal right” to respond.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli strikes across multiple areas, including Beirut, had killed at least 112 people and wounded 837 others in updated preliminary figures. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said it had launched its largest wave of attacks in Lebanon since the conflict began, striking what it described as 100 Hezbollah command centers and military sites.

Apr 08, 2026 at 08:02 PM EDT

European leaders urge swift path to lasting Iran–U.S. peace

A coalition of European and global leaders welcomed the cease-fire between the United States and Iran on Wednesday, calling for rapid progress toward a “swift and lasting end to the war” in the days ahead. In a joint statement, the heads of government from Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, and Canada, along with E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, pressed for a substantive negotiated settlement to protect civilians and stabilize the region.

The leaders said a durable agreement was essential not only to prevent further loss of life in Iran but also to safeguard global energy supplies. They warned that continued instability around the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked since the start of the U.S.–Israeli assault, risked triggering a broader economic shock. “It can avert a severe global energy crisis,” the statement said.

The group also urged all parties to honor the cease-fire “including in Lebanon,” where Israeli strikes have continued despite the truce. They pledged support for efforts to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key condition for restoring regional and global economic stability.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:49 PM EDT

Reports claim ceasefire violated after explosions near Tehran

A public Telegram channel carried unverified reports Wednesday alleging a ceasefire violation in Tehran, with users claiming that “the enemy” launched new attacks on areas around the capital. According to the posts, air‑defense sirens were heard in several districts, suggesting possible incoming fire. The messages were attributed to Mehr, an Iranian outlet that often circulates early battlefield updates.

The claims could not be independently confirmed, and Iranian authorities have not issued an official statement. But the reports surfaced less than a day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire, raising immediate questions about how stable the truce is and whether all parties are adhering to its terms.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:36 PM EDT

TPUSA spokesperson says he would back impeachment if Trump used nuclear weapon, but calls scenario ‘not in the realm of possibility’

Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, a close associate of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, said Tuesday that he would “absolutely call for impeachment” if President Donald Trump were to use a nuclear weapon against Iran — while stressing that he does not believe such an escalation is remotely likely.

Speaking on The Charlie Kirk Show, where he serves as executive producer, Kolvet said, “If he drops a nuke on Iran tonight, then I will absolutely call for impeachment,” adding that he would “do all the things” expected of a Trump supporter who breaks ranks. But he urged critics to stop assuming the worst, saying the president had already denied considering nuclear action. “Let this play out,” he said. “Have some patience. Have some faith.”

Kolvet’s comments came after Trump issued one of his most extreme warnings of the conflict, writing on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The rhetoric drew alarm from experts and lawmakers who said the language suggested genocidal intent and raised fears of potential nuclear use. Just over an hour before Trump’s deadline, the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire.

The president’s threats have triggered a wave of political backlash. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have called for invoking the 25th Amendment, while some Republicans have defended Trump’s posture as necessary to pressure Iran. Former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger and several Democratic members of Congress said the president’s comments alone raised questions about his fitness for office.

The conflict, now in its sixth week, has killed thousands across Iran and Lebanon, including top Iranian officials and large numbers of civilians. Trump has repeatedly warned that U.S. forces could destroy bridges, power plants and other infrastructure if Iran fails to comply with U.S. demands — threats critics say could constitute war crimes.

Despite the ceasefire, attacks continued early Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to begin Friday in Pakistan, where mediators hope to turn the temporary pause into a broader agreement.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:23 PM EDT

Megyn Kelly blasts Trump’s Iran rhetoric as conservatives split over war strategy

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly sharply criticized President Donald Trump over his threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” saying on her show that she is “sick of this sh**” and calling the president’s language irresponsible and dangerous.

Kelly, who has been outspoken about her past role in amplifying pro‑war messaging during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, said Trump’s comments about Iran crossed a line. “You don’t threaten to wipe out an entire civilization… just casually in a social media post,” she said, adding that the president “cannot be a dignified, strong leader without threatening a bunch of war crimes.”

Her remarks reflect a widening rift inside the conservative movement. Figures including Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and others have publicly condemned Trump’s rhetoric as the Iran crisis escalated. Trump’s Tuesday post warning of mass destruction — which many critics said evoked genocidal intent — came hours before the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Kelly also revisited her own history in conservative media, saying she once “cheerleaded” U.S. wars and refuses to repeat that mistake. “We accepted all the administration’s bulls***… I refuse to be a part of that,” she said.

The backlash extended beyond conservative media. Democratic lawmakers, activists, and former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger said Trump’s comments raised questions about his fitness for office, with some calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked. Representative Yassamin Ansari, an Iranian‑American Democrat, said Trump had been “threatening genocide against 90 million Iranians.”

Others urged caution. A spokesperson for Turning Point USA said impeachment would only be warranted if Trump used a nuclear weapon — something he argued was not under consideration.

The ceasefire, announced just before Trump’s deadline, has not stopped all regional attacks, but negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to begin Friday in Pakistan.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:10 PM EDT

Markets surge as investors bet on ceasefire stability and Hormuz reopening

U.S. markets opened sharply higher Wednesday as investors reacted with optimism to signs that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz may soon normalize, even as key details of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran remain unresolved. The S&P 500 jumped 2.5%, the Nasdaq Composite climbed 3.1%, the Dow surged about 1,400 points, and the Russell 2000 rose 3.4% at the opening bell.

Strategists on JPMorgan Chase’s trading desk said it “feels likely” the rally could extend as “euphoria returns to markets,” assuming the ceasefire is genuine and not a temporary bluff. Other analysts urged caution, noting that the truce is fragile and inflation pressures remain. “We are not out of the woods yet,” wrote Krishna Guha of Evercore, warning that an initial inflation shock is still expected.

Energy markets saw some of the most dramatic moves. U.S. crude plunged 18% to around $92 a barrel, while Brent fell roughly 16% to about $90 — declines that would mark the steepest one‑day drop since 2020 if they hold through the close. The sell‑off reflects hopes that oil flows through Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global supply, could resume after weeks of disruption.

Despite the relief rally, analysts stressed that shipping activity in the strait remains limited and that markets may be pricing in best‑case scenarios before conditions on the ground fully stabilize.

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:57 PM EDT

Gulf states report new Iranian strikes despite U.S.–Iran ceasefire

Persian Gulf nations said Wednesday they were still coming under heavy Iranian missile and drone fire, even after the United States and Iran announced a two‑week ceasefire intended to halt hostilities.

Kuwait’s army reported 28 Iranian drone attacks since 8 a.m. local time, saying several strikes hit “vital oil and power facilities” and caused significant damage. The United Arab Emirates said Iran had launched 17 ballistic missiles and 35 drones at its territory since the ceasefire began. And Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said it intercepted nine drones in recent hours, though it did not identify the source.

Why the attacks are continuing remains unclear, especially after President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire a “big day for World Peace.” The ongoing strikes highlight the precarious position Gulf states have been placed in throughout the conflict — caught between hosting major U.S. military bases and facing direct retaliation from Iran.

Since the U.S.–Israeli assault began on Feb. 28, Iran has launched thousands of missiles and drones at Gulf countries, killing at least 18 civilians and inflicting severe damage on energy and military infrastructure. Officials say some facilities may take months or years to rebuild.

Before the war, most Gulf governments maintained cautious but functional ties with Iran. Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2023 under a China‑brokered agreement, and Qatar frequently served as a mediator. But analysts say the scale of Iran’s attacks has shattered trust.

“Even if this war ended, trust is broken,” said Sinem Cengiz of Qatar University’s Gulf Studies Center. “It will take a long, long time to repair — whoever leads Iran.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:44 PM EDT

Sen. Ron Johnson backs U.S. goals in Iran war but warns against strikes on civilian sites

Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said Wednesday that he continues to support the broader objectives of the U.S. military campaign against Iran, even as he reiterated his opposition to targeting civilian infrastructure — a stance he and a small group of Republicans have voiced publicly in recent weeks.

In an interview, Johnson said the ceasefire announced Tuesday should be used to push for a “more decisive outcome,” while maintaining strict limits on how the conflict is conducted. “My main point is that we are not at war with the Iranian people. We are at war with the regime and I think the regime has to end,” he said.

Johnson again signaled resistance to any escalation that would involve hitting non‑military sites, a concern that grew after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed.

Still, Johnson argued that the United States cannot simply pull back after launching a major military operation. “You don’t kick a hornet’s nest and then leave it,” he said. “You’ve got to snuff it out.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:31 PM EDT

Israel defends strikes in Lebanon, accuses Beirut of failing to rein in Hezbollah

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday defended the country’s expanding military campaign in Lebanon, accusing the Lebanese government of shirking its responsibility to disarm Hezbollah and prevent attacks on Israel.

“Lebanon’s president and prime minister have no shame in attacking Israel for doing what they should have done: striking Hezbollah,” the ministry said in a post on X, adding that Lebanese leaders have offered “no apology — and rather come with demands” after thousands of Hezbollah attacks on Israel.

The statement argued that Beirut never enforced its pledge to demilitarize the area up to the Litani River, saying, “They did not disarm Hezbollah. They did not and do not prevent it from firing on Israel. Now we must do it instead of them.”

Israel on Wednesday launched one of its largest barrages in decades on Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with the Israel Defense Forces saying it struck more than 100 Hezbollah command centers and military sites. Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets at Israel since the latest round of fighting began, at times exceeding 500 in a single day.

The strikes came as diplomatic confusion deepened over whether Lebanon is covered by the new two‑week ceasefire between the United States, Iran and Israel. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is mediating between Washington and Tehran, said earlier that the truce included Lebanon — a claim Israel rejected.

Later Wednesday, President Donald Trump described Israel’s operations in Lebanon as a “separate skirmish” with Hezbollah that is “not included” in the ceasefire.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:18 PM EDT

White House says Iran’s published peace plan differs from proposal Trump accepted

The White House said Wednesday that the 10‑point peace proposal released by Iran does not match the document President Donald Trump cited when announcing a two‑week ceasefire, adding new uncertainty to an already opaque negotiating process.

Trump had said the United States received a plan he viewed as “a workable basis on which to negotiate.” But a White House official told CNN that the version circulated by Tehran was not the same as the one the president referenced. The official did not describe the discrepancies.

The mismatch comes as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s public messaging about the ceasefire. On Tuesday night, he blasted a statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council — which claimed victory and outlined sweeping demands — as a “FRAUD.” On Wednesday, he suggested on Truth Social that various documents circulating online were being pushed by “Fraudsters” and were unrelated to the real negotiations.

Trump insisted that only one set of “meaningful ‘POINTS’” forms the basis of the ceasefire and that those terms would be discussed privately.

The Iranian council’s statement, obtained by CNN and echoed across state media, laid out elements of Tehran’s preferred framework: regulating passage through the Strait of Hormuz, halting attacks on Iran and its regional allies, withdrawing U.S. forces from the Middle East, compensating Iran for war damage, lifting sanctions and unfreezing assets, and securing a binding U.N. resolution to anchor any final agreement. Some versions also asserted Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment.

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:05 PM EDT

Confusion over ceasefire terms as Trump and Iran signal different interpretations

Questions mounted Wednesday over the scope and durability of the new U.S.–Iran ceasefire, after President Donald Trump and senior Iranian officials offered differing descriptions of what the agreement actually covers.

Trump announced the two‑week pause in fighting on Truth Social, saying the United States would suspend strikes “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” Shortly afterward, he reposted a statement from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who said Iran’s forces would halt operations “if attacks against Iran are halted.”

Despite the public declarations, no jointly signed ceasefire document has been released, and CNN reported it has not seen any formal text endorsed by both sides. Both Trump and Araghchi have referenced a 10‑point proposal, which Trump called “a workable basis on which to negotiate,” though the White House has not detailed its contents.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the country’s embassy in India published their own breakdown of the 10 points, including a call for ending the war “on all fronts, including against the heroic Islamic Resistance of Lebanon.” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped deliver the plan to Trump, also said the ceasefire applied to Lebanon.

Israel, however, rejected that interpretation. A short time later, Trump himself said Israel’s continued strikes in Lebanon were a “separate skirmish” with Hezbollah and “not included” in the ceasefire — a statement that further muddied the terms of the agreement.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:52 PM EDT

Zelensky says U.S.–Iran ceasefire shows diplomacy can work, urges similar pause in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the newly announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling it “the right decision that leads to ending the war” and arguing that a similar pause in Ukraine could open the door to renewed diplomacy with Russia.

In a post on X, Zelensky said a ceasefire “means saving lives, abandoning the destruction of cities and villages, and allowing power plants and other infrastructure to operate normally,” adding that such conditions create space for negotiations to succeed. He reiterated that Ukraine has long supported a halt to hostilities if Russia stops its strikes, saying Kyiv is “ready to respond in kind.”

Trilateral talks involving Kyiv, Moscow and Washington have been stalled since the Iran conflict erupted, with President Donald Trump’s attention now focused on the Middle East. Russia has previously said it would only consider a ceasefire if it leads to a lasting settlement — a position that has complicated efforts to restart dialogue.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:39 PM EDT

Iranian media sends mixed signals on whether ceasefire is holding

Iranian news outlets offered conflicting accounts Wednesday about the stability of the newly announced two‑week ceasefire, only hours after it took effect. Reports from agencies aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) suggested the truce may already be under strain.

Fars News Agency, which is closely tied to the Guards, claimed that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had been halted — a development that would directly undermine a key U.S. condition for the pause in fighting. Fars attributed the disruption to Israel’s continued strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Israel has said will continue regardless of the ceasefire with Iran.

Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency, another IRGC‑affiliated outlet, reported that Iran was considering withdrawing from the ceasefire entirely because of the Israeli operations in Lebanon. It was unclear whether the reports reflected genuine internal deliberations or were intended to increase pressure on the United States and Israel as negotiations approach.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:26 PM EDT

Trump says direct talks with Iran coming ‘very soon,’ but Vance’s attendance uncertain

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that direct negotiations with Iran are expected to begin “very soon,” though he acknowledged that Vice President JD Vance may not take part in the talks due to security concerns.

Speaking about the planned meeting in Islamabad, Trump said the U.S. delegation would include Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, adding, “JD — maybe JD, I don’t know. There’s a question of safety, security.”

A source familiar with the planning told CNN that officials have stopped preparing for Vance to attend the in‑person talks this week, though the decision could shift given the fluid nature of the negotiations.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:13 PM EDT

Qatar says it intercepted seven missiles and multiple drones fired from Iran

Qatar’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the country came under attack from seven ballistic missiles and several drones launched from Iran, according to a statement carried by the Qatar News Agency.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:08 PM EDT

Iran’s parliament speaker rejects cease-fire talks after alleged violations

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday that a cease-fire with the United States and planned negotiations were no longer credible, arguing that Washington had already violated key elements of Tehran’s 10‑point truce proposal. In a statement posted on X, Ghalibaf cited continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon, the entry of a drone into Iranian airspace, and what he described as a refusal to acknowledge Iran’s right to enrichment as evidence the agreement had been breached.

Ghalibaf said Iran’s distrust of the United States was rooted in what he called a long pattern of broken commitments, adding that the latest developments reinforced that view. He argued that the “workable basis” for talks referenced by U.S. officials had been undermined before negotiations even began.

“In such a situation, a bilateral cease-fire or negotiations is unreasonable,” he said.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:07 PM EDT

Israeli strikes hit central Beirut, killing hundreds amid cease-fire confusion

Israeli airstrikes struck several densely populated commercial and residential districts in central Beirut on Wednesday, killing hundreds of people and injuring more than 1,000 others just hours after a cease-fire was announced in the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defence. The agency reported at least 254 dead and 1,165 wounded as emergency crews worked to reach victims across the capital.

Lebanon’s health minister, Rakan Nassereddine, called the attacks a “dangerous escalation,” saying more than 100 strikes hit locations across the country and urging international organizations to support an overwhelmed medical system. The Israeli military said it had carried out its largest coordinated operation in Lebanon since early March, targeting what it described as Hezbollah command centers and infrastructure in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.

Witnesses described widespread panic as explosions echoed across neighborhoods not previously targeted in this conflict. The Lebanese Red Cross deployed 100 ambulances as residents fled damaged areas or attempted to reach hospitals through blocked streets.

Hezbollah condemned the strikes, saying they hit civilian areas in Beirut, Sidon, and the Bekaa Valley. Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri called the attacks a “full-fledged war crime,” while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of ignoring regional and international efforts to halt the fighting.

The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis, urged an immediate halt to hostilities, saying neither side could achieve its goals through continued strikes.

The escalation came despite a newly announced two‑week cease-fire between the United States and Iran, which mediator Pakistan said included Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected that interpretation, saying operations against Hezbollah would continue.

Lebanese officials say more than 1,530 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, and more than 1.2 million residents have been displaced as fighting intensifies across the country.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:00 PM EDT

Tech stocks lead Wall Street surge after U.S.–Iran ceasefire announcement

U.S. markets rallied sharply on Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced a two‑week ceasefire with Iran, sparking a broad rebound in sectors that had been hammered during the conflict — especially technology.

Shares of Meta, Amazon, Alphabet and Nvidia led gains among the market’s largest tech names. Chipmakers saw some of the strongest moves of the day: TSMC jumped 7 percent, while ASML, Applied Materials and Micron climbed about 9 percent. Lam Research, Western Digital and Seagate each rose roughly 10 percent.

The surge followed Trump’s decision to step back from a Tuesday deadline in which he had warned that “a whole civilization will die” if Iran did not meet U.S. demands. Instead, he said Washington had received a proposal from Tehran and would pause military action while negotiations continue.

Despite the truce, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has not returned to normal, and Saudi Arabia’s east‑west pipeline was struck by a drone hours after Trump’s announcement — reminders that the regional situation remains volatile.

The rally offered relief after a bruising start to 2026 for the tech sector. Software companies have been hit by concerns that artificial intelligence could upend traditional business models, while major platforms have faced investor skepticism over when heavy AI spending will translate into profits. Microsoft, in particular, has been under pressure, falling 23 percent in the first quarter — a steeper drop than any of its large‑cap tech peers.

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:47 PM EDT

What to know about Iran’s 10-point peace plan

Iran on Wednesday released what it said was the 10‑point framework for negotiations to end the war — the same plan President Donald Trump had described as a “workable basis” for talks. But a White House official said the document does not match the proposal the president was referring to, underscoring early friction in the diplomatic process.

Tehran’s version, published a day after the two‑week ceasefire took effect, includes sweeping demands: a U.S. guarantee of nonaggression, full Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, an end to regional fighting, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle East, reparations, and recognition of Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment. Many of these points run directly counter to long‑standing U.S. positions.

The proposal also appears to conflict with a 15‑point plan drafted by U.S. mediators last month, which has not been made public. Officials familiar with that document told The New York Times it focused on Iran’s ballistic missile program, nuclear activities, and maritime security, and included U.S. demands for zero uranium enrichment and limits on missile range.

Trump signaled Wednesday that he was referring to the U.S. plan, saying “many of the 15 points have already been agreed to” and again insisting on “no enrichment of Uranium.”

Iran’s published demands highlight the wide gap negotiators will face as talks begin. Several points — including U.S. troop withdrawal, reparations, and control of Hormuz — are seen as nonstarters in Washington and among Gulf states. Others, such as ending regional hostilities, could become areas of overlap if both sides are willing to compromise.

Whether the two frameworks can be reconciled remains unclear, but the release of Iran’s maximalist list signals a challenging road ahead for any long‑term agreement.

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:36 PM EDT

Reza Pahlavi says Iran’s uprising will end only with ‘people’s victory’

Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi issued a sweeping statement on Wednesday asserting that Iran’s political future will be determined by its citizens, not by diplomatic negotiations or temporary cease-fires. He argued that despite ongoing talks involving world powers, “the fundamentals of the Islamic regime have not changed,” describing the government as one that many Iranians view as illegitimate after decades of repression.

Pahlavi claimed that recent military operations had weakened the state’s security apparatus and created what he called the most favorable conditions in years for domestic opposition. He said Iranians inside the country and in the diaspora “want to see the regime’s capacity for repression degraded further,” adding that many believe international support can only go so far and that Iranians ultimately expect to “finish the job themselves.”

He also said the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had not altered the government’s behavior, accusing Iranian authorities of continuing regional military activity, restricting internet access, and suppressing dissent. Pahlavi warned that the government was participating in negotiations to “buy time,” not to reach a durable agreement.

Calling for continued international pressure, he argued that a free and democratic Iran would bring long‑term regional stability. He closed by urging Iranians to persist in their efforts, saying their struggle “will only end with liberation.”

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:33 PM EDT

U.S. warns Iranian-linked hackers targeting critical infrastructure as ceasefire begins

U.S. cybersecurity officials say hackers linked to Iran have been targeting industrial control systems used across the nation’s critical infrastructure, even as Washington and Tehran enter a two‑week ceasefire. In an advisory issued Tuesday, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said the actors were exploiting vulnerabilities in programmable logic controllers (PLCs) — devices essential to operating power grids, water systems and government facilities.

CISA reported “operational disruptions” in several sectors after attackers manipulated software settings and data displayed on control interfaces. The agency did not identify which facilities were affected but urged operators to urgently review their defenses. The alert was issued jointly with the National Security Agency and the Department of Energy.

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. said it is monitoring the grid and coordinating with federal partners, while industry groups emphasized that cyber threats to utilities are longstanding. Experts warned that PLCs — widely used in substations, generation plants and distribution networks — remain a major vulnerability, with many running on outdated systems.

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:20 PM EDT

Pakistan warns ceasefire at risk as regional strikes undermine diplomacy

Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, said Wednesday that all parties must fully honor the U.S.–Iran ceasefire agreement, warning that continued attacks in the region threaten to derail the fragile peace process.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Chaudhary said undermining the truce “will not be in the interests of any party,” adding that Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign in Lebanon is creating a “negative atmosphere” just as negotiations are set to begin in Islamabad.

He stressed that “everyone understands that war is not the solution,” and cautioned that any renewed disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would further strain global supply chains already rattled by weeks of conflict.

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:07 PM EDT

Lebanese Red Cross says 100 ambulances responding after strikes

The Lebanese Red Cross said Wednesday that more than 100 ambulances have been deployed across areas hit in the latest wave of Israeli strikes, with emergency teams working to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.

In a statement posted on X, the organization said its crews were operating in multiple “targeted areas” as bombardment continued across southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut.

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 03:54 PM EDT

Kuwait reports major damage to energy sites after suspected Iranian drone attack

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday that several key energy and water facilities suffered “severe material damage” following what it described as an Iranian drone attack, marking one of the most significant strikes on the country since the regional conflict began.

According to the ministry, fires broke out at multiple sites operated by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation as well as at three power stations and several water desalination plants. Emergency crews were deployed to contain the blazes and assess the extent of the damage.

Apr 08, 2026 at 03:41 PM EDT

WATCH: Iran pressures Trump to give them better deal than Obama

Apr 08, 2026 at 03:28 PM EDT

Trump declares ceasefire a success despite unmet war aims

President Donald Trump entered the war with Iran on Feb. 28 vowing to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear program, destroy its missile industry, cripple its regional proxies, eliminate its navy and open the door to possible regime change. Five weeks later, he agreed to a ceasefire with none of those objectives clearly achieved.

In announcing a pause in U.S. bombing, Trump said the United States had “met and exceeded all military objectives,” tying the ceasefire to Iran’s willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that message on Wednesday, calling the campaign a “historic and overwhelming victory” that would leave Iran’s military “combat ineffective for years.”

But even some of Trump’s most loyal supporters questioned the outcome. Commentators on conservative media lamented that Iran’s leadership remains in power, while Republican lawmakers signaled they would scrutinize any agreement that follows the ceasefire. Their reactions underscored the gap between the scale of U.S. firepower used in the conflict and the more complicated strategic picture now emerging.

Iran continued to challenge the United States throughout the war, striking regional partners and shutting down Gulf shipping. And while U.S. officials say they destroyed large portions of Iran’s missile and drone infrastructure, analysts estimate that a significant share of its arsenal remains intact. Iran also retains control over the Strait of Hormuz, where small boats, drones and shore‑based missiles have kept commercial shipping largely frozen.

Tehran’s proxy network has been weakened but not dismantled. Hezbollah remains engaged in heavy fighting with Israel, and Yemen’s Houthi movement has signaled it could still escalate. Iran’s government also remains firmly in place, with no evidence supporting Trump’s claim that newly elevated leaders are “very reasonable.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 03:15 PM EDT

Israel says it has hit hundreds of Hezbollah fighters in major wave of strikes

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israeli forces have struck “hundreds” of Hezbollah fighters across Lebanon, describing the operation as the most significant blow to the group in more than a year.

In a video statement, Katz compared the scale of the strikes to the September 2024 pager attack, when Israel detonated explosives hidden in Hezbollah’s communications supply chain. That earlier operation killed at least a dozen people and injured thousands, according to Lebanese authorities.

Katz also issued a pointed warning toward Hezbollah’s current leader, Naim Qassem, saying his “turn will also come,” as Israel continues its campaign against the group amid escalating regional tensions.

Apr 08, 2026 at 03:02 PM EDT

Iran’s 10-point peace plan for Trump: Dissected

TACO Tuesday or tactical genius? Either way, five weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, the fighting has stopped—for now.

Both sides have agreed to a two-week ceasefire to make space for talks on a broader deal.

The agreement followed a dramatic threat from President Donald Trump: if Iran did not fully reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday-night deadline, then he would bring its civilization to an end.

Fortunately, not least for Iranians, that didn't happen. Pakistan instead helped broker a temporary ceasefire, and Iran said it would allow safe passage through the strait for its duration.

Trump, not for the first time, claimed complete and total victory, casting the outcome as proof that his brinkmanship worked. Iran did the same, presenting itself as the power that stood up to the U.S. and held the "Axis of Resistance" together.

Who blinked first, and with how many eyes, is up for discussion. But the gap between the two sides remains wide. Iran has now submitted a 10-point counterproposal after rejecting Trump’s 15-point plan. The differences are stark, and the grim possibility of an explosive end to the fortnight is real.

Several versions of the Iranian plan are circulating, but one of the most detailed was published by Fars, the semiofficial news agency linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Read more here and become a Newsweek member.

Apr 08, 2026 at 02:50 PM EDT

U.S. says nearly all wounded troops have returned to duty as strikes pause

As the Pentagon halted its strikes on Iran for the first time in more than five weeks, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that the vast majority of American personnel injured in the conflict have already resumed their duties. According to command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins, 381 service members were wounded over the course of the war, and all but 37 have returned to work.

Three troops remain hospitalized in serious condition, Hawkins said. The U.S. military death toll stands at 13 service members, underscoring the human cost of the weeks‑long campaign even as Washington shifts into a temporary cease-fire and prepares for negotiations.

Apr 08, 2026 at 02:49 PM EDT

Uncertainty over U.S.–Iran delegations ahead of Pakistan talks

Delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to arrive in Pakistan on Friday for the first round of talks since the two‑week ceasefire was announced, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. But there are conflicting reports about who will represent Washington at the meeting.

Two Pakistani sources told Reuters that Vice President JD Vance is slated to lead the U.S. delegation and meet both Iran’s parliamentary speaker and foreign minister in Islamabad. The reported lineup would mark the highest‑level direct engagement since the conflict began.

However, U.S. media quoted President Donald Trump as saying that in‑person talks with Iran will happen “very soon,” while noting that Vance may not attend because of security concerns. The White House has not publicly confirmed the final composition of the delegation.

Apr 08, 2026 at 02:48 PM EDT

WATCH: Crowds in Iran celebrate ‘victory’ over US

Apr 08, 2026 at 02:36 PM EDT

Global energy markets ease after U.S. and Iran reach two-week ceasefire

After 40 days of fighting, the United States and Iran agreed Wednesday to a two‑week ceasefire, with negotiations expected to begin Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan. The pause marks the first major diplomatic opening since the conflict began in late February.

A central element of Iran’s 10‑point proposal is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that normally carries one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas. The strait has been effectively shut for most of the war, triggering a global energy shock and forcing dozens of countries to impose emergency fuel restrictions.

Oil prices, which hovered above $110 per barrel throughout much of the conflict, fell to $92 after the ceasefire announcement. But analysts warn that the crisis is far from resolved. Tankers remain scattered across the globe, storage sites in the Gulf are full, and many producers were forced to shut wells that will take time and money to restart.

More than 100 countries have raised fuel prices in recent weeks, and several Asian governments have enacted work‑from‑home mandates, shorter workweeks, rationing and curfews to conserve dwindling supplies. Economists say the impact on food prices could stretch well into 2027, and repairing damaged Gulf energy infrastructure will take years.

New shipping data from Kpler, analyzed by Al Jazeera’s Open Source Unit, shows the scale of the disruption: combined exports from Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE plunged from 469 million barrels in February to 263 million in March — a 44 percent drop, or 206 million barrels. Iraq was hit hardest, losing more than 80 percent of its exports, while Oman was the only country to see an increase due to ports located outside the strait.

The lost barrels would fill roughly 103 Very Large Crude Carriers, the massive tankers that move two million barrels at a time across global shipping lanes.

Apr 08, 2026 at 02:23 PM EDT

Rep. Don Bacon says Iran remains a long-term threat, criticizes Vance’s trip to Hungary

Rep. Don Bacon told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran does not mark the end of the conflict, arguing that Tehran’s government remains intact and capable of rebuilding its military. Bacon said U.S. strikes had dealt Iran major setbacks but warned that “total victory” is impossible as long as the current leadership stays in power, according to the interview transcript.

Bacon also expressed doubt about President Trump’s openness to a potential “joint venture” with Iran involving tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such an arrangement would only be acceptable with a government aligned with the United States and respectful of human rights. “I don’t think there’s any joint ventures we can do with the current regime,” he said.

The Nebraska Republican sharply criticized Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Hungary, where Vance appeared alongside Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Bacon called the trip a “terrible mistake,” arguing that U.S. officials should not be seen as influencing another country’s elections. He urged the administration to “get the heck out of Hungary” and focus instead on negotiations with Iran.

Apr 08, 2026 at 02:10 PM EDT

Hegseth presses Iran to surrender enriched uranium, warns U.S. could seize it

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday urged Iran to hand over its stockpile of roughly 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, warning that President Donald Trump could still authorize a U.S. Special Operations mission to recover the material if Tehran refuses.

The uranium, buried beneath debris at a site in Isfahan following U.S. B‑2 strikes last June, remains central to Washington’s stated goal of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Speaking at the Pentagon a day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire, Hegseth said the administration knows “exactly” what Iran possesses.

“They will either give it to us, or we’ll take it out,” he said, adding that any operation to retrieve the material would require a large U.S. commando force and carry significant risks, according to current and former military officials.

Hegseth declined to detail how such a mission would be carried out, saying only that “the president is going to solve” the logistical challenges.

At the briefing, Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declared that U.S. forces had achieved their military objectives after a 38‑day air campaign. Caine said the strikes destroyed major portions of Iran’s air defenses, drone infrastructure, missile storage sites and naval assets, though Iran retained the ability to launch daily missile and drone attacks before the ceasefire took effect.

Some analysts questioned the Pentagon’s framing of the campaign, arguing that the emphasis on targets destroyed obscured the broader strategic picture. Others noted that Iran’s decentralized command structure has continued to direct attacks on regional energy infrastructure and kept the Strait of Hormuz largely closed to commercial shipping.

Apr 08, 2026 at 01:57 PM EDT

WATCH: Iranians form human chains at bridges and power plants amid Trump’s threats

Apr 08, 2026 at 01:48 PM EDT

White House calls Iran cease-fire a ‘swift and successful military triumph’

...

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday praised the U.S.–Iran cease-fire as a “historically swift and successful military triumph,” arguing that American strikes had severely weakened Iran’s navy and disrupted its ability to produce weapons. She dismissed a 10‑point proposal circulated by Iranian officials as “fundamentally unserious, unacceptable and completely discarded,” echoing President Donald Trump’s earlier claim that only one set of terms would guide negotiations over the next two weeks.

Leavitt said U.S. officials were preparing a revised peace framework modeled on a 15‑point plan drafted weeks earlier, contingent on the Strait of Hormuz remaining open without delays. She rejected reports that the strait had been closed, but also urged that it be reopened “immediately,” underscoring the confusion surrounding maritime traffic since the cease-fire was announced.

The press secretary confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will travel to Pakistan this weekend for talks aimed at solidifying the agreement. He will be joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner.

Leavitt also said Lebanon is not covered by the cease-fire — a position aligned with Israel, which has continued strikes on Hezbollah targets. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned earlier that it would respond against “aggressors in the region” if attacks in Lebanon did not stop, raising concerns that the truce could unravel amid escalating regional tensions.

Apr 08, 2026 at 01:44 PM EDT

Pakistan warns of ceasefire violations as Israel bombards Lebanon

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped mediate the two‑week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, said Wednesday that multiple violations had already been reported within hours of the truce taking effect.

Sharif pointed to Israel’s heavy bombardment of Lebanon, part of its ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, and said the ceasefire agreement was intended to cover Lebanon as well. Several Gulf Arab states also reported incoming Iranian rockets and drones, highlighting how unstable the regional pause remains.

Apr 08, 2026 at 01:31 PM EDT

Iran emerges with new leverage as control of Hormuz becomes its strongest card

On the eve of the U.S.–Israeli war in late February, analysts widely described Iran’s leadership as weakened, isolated, and stripped of much of the regional influence it once relied on. Six weeks later, despite heavy losses, Tehran has emerged with a form of strategic leverage it has not held even since the era of the Western‑backed shah.

The two‑week ceasefire announced by Iran and the United States has effectively left Tehran in a position of control over the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy chokepoint. When President Donald Trump demanded that Iran reopen the waterway, he did not insist that Tehran surrender that authority. Instead, he publicly amplified a letter from Iran’s foreign minister asserting Iran’s role over the strait.

Before the war, Iran’s influence rested on two pillars: its status as a nuclear‑threshold state and its network of regional proxy groups. Now, control of Hormuz has become its most powerful source of leverage — even as Washington celebrates the reopening of a waterway that had previously operated without any state claiming exclusive authority.

If Iran maintains that control, and especially if it moves toward charging tolls or regulating passage, it would mark a dramatic shift in the global maritime order. Such a move would give Tehran effective veto power over the flow of food imports, oil, and gas exports from neighboring Arab states.

During the shah’s rule, Gulf Arab governments viewed Iran as an overbearing regional power — the self‑styled “policeman of the Gulf.” A ceasefire that leaves Tehran in command of the Strait of Hormuz risks reviving that perception in a far more consequential way.

Apr 08, 2026 at 01:18 PM EDT

UNHCR warns of ‘massive’ destruction as Israeli strikes hit more than 60 sites

The UNHCR in Lebanon said Wednesday that one of the largest waves of Israeli strikes since the conflict began has hit over 60 locations across Beirut and surrounding areas, leaving rising casualties and widespread devastation.

In a statement on X, the agency said deaths are mounting and the scale of destruction is “massive,” stressing that civilians are once again bearing the brunt of the violence. “They are not a target. They must be protected,” the post read.

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 01:05 PM EDT

Jet fuel prices may take months to recover, global aviation body warns

Jet fuel prices are unlikely to stabilize quickly even with the new ceasefire in place, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Wednesday, tempering hopes that airfare pressures might ease soon.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh said reopening the Strait of Hormuz—a key chokepoint for global energy shipments—would not immediately resolve the supply crunch created during the conflict. “If it were to reopen and remain open, I think it will still take a period of months to get back to where supply needs to be,” he said.

Airlines worldwide have raised prices in recent weeks, adding fuel surcharges, increasing base fares, or introducing new fees to offset soaring fuel costs. Walsh noted that the Middle East’s refining capacity is a critical link in the global jet fuel supply chain, and disruptions there ripple across the entire aviation sector.

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:52 PM EDT

WATCH: Pete Hegseth boasts about eliminating Iran’s top leaders

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:46 PM EDT

IRGC warns of retaliation if strikes in Lebanon continue

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) warned Wednesday that it will launch a military response if attacks on Lebanon are not “immediately halted,” according to a statement carried by Iranian state media.

The message said any retaliation would be directed at “aggressors in the region,” a phrase widely interpreted as referring to Israel, which has intensified strikes on Hezbollah targets in recent days.

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:45 PM EDT

Schumer says Senate will take up new war powers measure after recess

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader from New York, said Wednesday that the Senate will vote on a new war powers resolution next week aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military operations in Iran. Speaking at a news conference in New York, Schumer called the conflict “one of the very worst military and foreign policy actions that the United States has ever taken.”

The move will mark the fourth time since the war began more than a month ago that Democrats have forced a debate over the scope of the president’s war‑making powers. Previous attempts to curb Trump’s authority have been blocked by Senate Republicans, who have largely supported the administration’s strategy.

Schumer said the upcoming vote is intended to reassert Congress’s constitutional role over decisions of war and peace, especially as the conflict continues to escalate despite a newly announced two‑week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:41 PM EDT

UN chief welcomes U.S.–Iran ceasefire, urges all sides to honor terms

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres welcomed the announcement of a two‑week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling it an essential opening for diplomacy after weeks of escalating conflict. His spokesperson Melissa Fleming said Guterres urged all parties to “comply with their obligations under international law” and fully adhere to the terms of the truce.

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:39 PM EDT

Israel carries out largest coordinated strike in Lebanon since war began

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Wednesday it launched the largest coordinated strike in Lebanon since the conflict began, claiming to have hit more than 100 Hezbollah command centers and military sites across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.

The military said the strikes were executed “within 10 minutes” and across multiple regions simultaneously. CNN teams in Beirut witnessed several of the airstrikes, including blasts in at least three areas of central Beirut — one of them near the city’s seaside promenade.

In its statement, the IDF said much of the targeted infrastructure was located “in the heart of the civilian population,” accusing Hezbollah of using residents as human shields. It added that operations would continue and reiterated that the ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Lebanon — a position earlier confirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Video reviewed by CNN showed heavy damage in parts of west Beirut, with thick smoke rising from residential blocks. Ambulances have been moving through the city continuously as emergency crews respond.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that at least 1,530 people, including 130 children, had been killed since the bombardment began, with thousands more wounded — figures that do not yet include casualties from Wednesday’s widespread strikes.

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:26 PM EDT

IRGC says it shot down drone, warns any U.S. or Israeli aircraft violates ceasefire

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday that it intercepted and destroyed a Hermes 900 drone near the city of Lar in Fars province, according to a statement carried by the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency.

The IRGC claimed the aircraft entered Iranian airspace and asserted that the presence of any U.S. or Israeli “enemy aircraft” — even if not conducting military operations — would be treated as a breach of the newly announced ceasefire.

“A decisive response will be given,” the statement warned, signaling that Iran intends to enforce strict conditions around its airspace during the two‑week truce.

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:13 PM EDT

Pakistan credits regional allies for supporting U.S.–Iran ceasefire push

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday praised a group of regional powers for what he called their “invaluable” support in securing the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, saying their backing helped create space for diplomacy after weeks of escalating conflict.

In a post on X, Sharif thanked China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar, describing them as “brother countries” whose efforts gave “peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance to seek a comprehensive and conclusive end to the conflict.” He said their involvement was essential in moving both Washington and Tehran toward the two‑week truce.

Sharif’s comments followed President Donald Trump’s remarks to Agence France‑Presse, in which he said he believed China played a pivotal role in persuading Iran to enter negotiations. Beijing has maintained close ties with Tehran and has positioned itself as a supporter of regional de‑escalation.

Apr 08, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT

Uncertainty grows over Iran’s enriched uranium as ceasefire takes hold

The fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium remained unresolved on Wednesday, even as U.S. and Iranian officials entered a two‑week ceasefire that paused 40 days of war but left major nuclear questions untouched.

The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated earlier this year that Iran held roughly 440 kilograms (about 970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent as of June 2025 — enough, experts say, to produce a small number of nuclear weapons if further refined. The ceasefire agreement did not directly address the stockpile, though Pakistani mediators are pushing both sides to raise the issue in upcoming talks.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. On Wednesday, he wrote on social media that the U.S. would work with Iran to dig up the “nuclear ‘dust,’” referring to the enriched uranium buried under debris from American strikes. Last week, however, he suggested the U.S. might tolerate the material remaining inside Iran as long as it remained inaccessible and under surveillance.

Trump has argued that Iran’s nuclear sites were hit so hard that it would take months for Tehran to reach the material, and said the U.S. is maintaining “intense satellite surveillance” and would strike again if Iran attempted to extract it.

In Israel, some former security officials expressed concern that the ceasefire could extend without a firm agreement to remove the uranium. Brig. Gen. Eran Ortal, a former Israeli military official, said that fear “exists,” though others voiced confidence that any eventual deal brokered by Trump would require the uranium’s removal.

Ortal also warned that even if Iran loses access to its current stockpile, it could seek help from partners such as North Korea if it decides a nuclear weapon is essential for regime survival.

“The central question,” he said, “is what the determination of the United States and the world will be to prevent them from going down that path.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:50 AM EDT

U.S. Embassy warns Americans to leave Iraq after drone attacks near Baghdad airport

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert on Wednesday after Iran‑aligned Iraqi militias launched multiple drone attacks near the Diplomatic Support Center and Baghdad International Airport. The embassy warned that additional attacks targeting Americans and U.S.-associated sites across Iraq — including in the Kurdistan Region — remain likely.

Despite Iraqi authorities announcing plans to reopen airspace and resume commercial flights, the embassy advised U.S. citizens not to travel by air due to ongoing risks from drones, missiles and mortars. Americans currently in Iraq were urged to depart immediately overland, with routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey still open but subject to long delays.

The alert said Iran‑aligned armed groups may target a wide range of locations associated with the United States, including diplomatic facilities, universities, energy infrastructure, hotels and airports. It also warned that these groups have previously kidnapped U.S. citizens.

The embassy noted that it continues limited operations despite an ordered departure of some staff, but urged Americans not to approach the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil because of security threats. Assistance is being provided remotely via email.

Reiterating its Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, the embassy said Americans who remain in Iraq “expose themselves to serious risks.” It also cautioned that regional airspace remains unstable, flights may be canceled without notice, and border entry rules vary by country.

Jordan, one of the main exit routes, is operating commercial flights from Queen Alia International Airport and recently launched a new overland transfer service for travelers coming from Iraq.

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:47 AM EDT

Lebanon says hundreds killed and wounded in massive Israeli strikes

Hundreds of people were killed or injured in Israel’s strikes on Lebanon on Wednesday, according to Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine, who spoke through the state‑run National News Agency. The scale of casualties marks one of the deadliest single days since the conflict expanded last month.

The latest attacks included some of the most extensive Israeli bombardments in central Beirut in decades. Airstrikes hit at least three areas within municipal Beirut, including a location near the city’s seaside promenade, according to CNN’s analysis of video from the scene. Municipal Beirut — largely Sunni and Christian — is rarely targeted by Israel.

Footage from west Beirut showed a partially collapsed building with thick black smoke rising overhead. CNN reporters said ambulance sirens have been sounding almost nonstop since the strikes began.

The violence comes on top of already severe losses. Before Wednesday’s bombardment, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 1,530 people killed and 4,812 wounded since the war began — figures released Tuesday that do not include the latest wave of attacks.

Emergency crews across the capital and the south are still working to reach affected neighborhoods, with officials warning the toll is likely to rise.

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:20 AM EDT

Trump threatens 50% tariffs on countries supplying weapons to Iran

Hours after agreeing to advance a two‑week ceasefire with Iran, President Donald Trump issued a new threat aimed at any nation that provides military support to Tehran, warning he would impose a 50% tariff on all goods entering the United States from those countries.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “A Country supplying Military Weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed… 50%, effective immediately,” adding that there would be “no exclusions or exemptions.” He did not specify which nations might be targeted or under what legal authority the tariffs would be imposed, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his previous discretionary tariff powers.

Iran maintains a long‑standing defense partnership with Russia, whose foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has acknowledged providing military equipment to Tehran. The Trump administration temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil last month amid the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that drew scrutiny from lawmakers and analysts.

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:16 AM EDT

Trump says Israeli strikes on Lebanon are outside ceasefire agreement

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon fall outside the scope of the two‑week ceasefire the United States reached with Iran, describing the clashes with Hezbollah as a “separate skirmish.”

“They were not included in the deal,” Trump told PBS NewsHour in a phone interview, adding that the situation “will get taken care of” separately. His comments appeared to diverge from what a senior White House official told CNN on Tuesday — that Israel had agreed to pause its bombing campaign while negotiations continue.

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:07 AM EDT

Two French nationals describe ‘daily horrors’ after returning from Iran prison

Two French citizens who spent more than three years imprisoned in Iran returned to France on Wednesday, recounting the “daily horrors” they endured inside Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were greeted by President Emmanuel Macron, appearing relieved as they reunited with officials and family. But in remarks to reporters, both described conditions they said were designed to break them.

Kohler said they “lived daily horrors,” thanking those who worked for their release. Paris was even more direct, calling their detention “hostage”‑taking and saying they were held in “extremely difficult” and at times “inhumane” conditions.

He said they were kept in the prison’s interrogation center, where treatment was harsher, and had almost no contact with their families. They were blindfolded whenever they left their cells — a detail Paris said should “give you some idea of the conditions imposed on us.”

“Obviously one of their aims was to break us,” he said. “Today we can tell you that this is a new start for us. We are not broken.”

Their return is expected to intensify calls for Iran to release other detained foreign nationals, including Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple sentenced to 10 years on spying charges.

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:02 AM EDT

White House says Iran’s public peace plan differs from Framework Trump accepted

A White House official said Wednesday that the 10‑point peace plan released publicly by Iran is not the same version that President Donald Trump described as a “workable basis” for negotiations.

The official did not detail the discrepancies but noted that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected to address the issue during a scheduled 1 p.m. briefing.

Apr 08, 2026 at 11:01 AM EDT

Israel launches massive wave of strikes across Lebanon, dozens of sites hit

Israel carried out one of its most intense bombardments of the conflict on Wednesday, launching around 100 airstrikes in a span of 10 minutes across multiple areas of Lebanon, according to local emergency services and regional media reports.

The sudden strikes, which came without prior warning, caused several buildings to collapse and resulted in a significant number of casualties. Ambulance crews and the Lebanese Red Cross said their teams were fully mobilized and rushing to affected neighborhoods to transport the wounded.

Israeli outlets reported that 50 fighter jets took part in the operation, dropping approximately 160 bombs on targets across the country. The scale and speed of the strikes marked one of the largest single waves of attacks since the conflict escalated.

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:53 AM EDT

Lebanon’s Salam condemns Israeli strikes, says ceasefire efforts undermined

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam sharply criticized Israel on Wednesday after a new wave of strikes hit multiple areas across the country, accusing Israel of disregarding “all regional and international efforts to end the war.”

Salam said his government had intensified diplomatic outreach following President Donald Trump’s agreement with Iran on a two‑week ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that Lebanon is pushing for its own ceasefire as part of those broader negotiations.

But instead of de‑escalating, Salam said, Israel has expanded its campaign by “targeting densely populated residential areas and claiming the lives of innocent civilians throughout Lebanon.” The comments came as Israeli strikes continued across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, deepening concerns that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has not translated into regional calm.

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:43 AM EDT

Trump says Pakistan talks with Iran coming ‘very soon,’ but Vance may skip over security fears

President Donald Trump said he expects direct talks with Iran to take place in Pakistan “very soon,” following the ceasefire agreement reached Tuesday — but suggested Vice President JD Vance may not attend because of security concerns, per an interview with The New York Post.

Pakistan has proposed hosting a summit in Islamabad as early as Friday, after weeks of mediation involving Trump’s negotiating team, including Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks are intended to build on the two‑week truce that paused 39 days of fighting.

In an interview, Trump said, “We’ll have Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, JD — maybe JD, I don’t know. There’s a question of safety, security,” adding that in‑person negotiations would begin “very soon.”

The ceasefire framework includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping after Iran kept the waterway closed throughout the war. The final settlement is expected to address Iran’s proposal to charge tolls on vessels and the future of its deeply buried enriched uranium, which remains a central point of contention.

Trump accepted Iran’s 10‑point counter‑proposal as a basis for further talks, though several elements are widely viewed as difficult to finalize. The White House has said its original war aims included dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, degrading its navy and missile infrastructure, and curbing its support for regional proxy groups.

The upcoming Pakistan summit is expected to be the first direct diplomatic engagement between the two sides since the ceasefire took effect.

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:42 AM EDT

Oil tanker traffic through Hormuz halts after Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Oil tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz came to a sudden stop on Wednesday, according to messages circulating on public Telegram channels, after Israeli strikes on Lebanon triggered renewed fears about the stability of the two‑week U.S.–Iran ceasefire.

Earlier in the morning, two tankers had reportedly crossed the strait safely with Iranian permission, following President Trump’s acceptance of Tehran’s terms for reopening the waterway. But the latest halt suggests that shipping companies are once again reassessing the risks as regional violence escalates.

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:40 AM EDT

Former U.S. ambassador says Iran’s nuclear material is a ‘longer-term’ issue under ceasefire

Former U.S. ambassador Mark Wallace, now CEO of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), said Wednesday that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium is not an immediate threat under the current ceasefire, describing it instead as a “longer‑term” concern due to how deeply the material is buried.

Speaking with CNN’s Audie Cornish, Wallace said roughly 1,000 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent remains entombed beneath bombed‑out sites in Iran. He argued that U.S. intelligence has “very good eyes” on the locations and would detect any attempt to access or move the material. “It would require moving a lot of mounds of dirt,” he said, adding that the U.S. could act if necessary.

Wallace also said Iran’s overall threat profile has shifted since the strikes. He described Iran as previously posing a rare combination of strategic, urgent, and lethal risks to the U.S. and its allies, but argued that its “lethality” and “urgency” have been “greatly diminished,” even as strategic concerns tied to the Strait of Hormuz remain.

He noted that the ceasefire’s next phase hinges on whether Iran engages seriously in negotiations expected to take place in Islamabad, and whether talks move from indirect messaging to direct, face‑to‑face diplomacy.

Wallace added that the Gulf states — heavily affected by disruptions in the strait — want a seat at the table, warning that any long‑term arrangement must address the economic and security pressures they have faced since the war began.

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:29 AM EDT

Iran signals it may quit ceasefire if Israeli strikes continue

An informed Iranian source warned Wednesday that Iran could withdraw from the two‑week ceasefire agreement if Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, according to messages circulated on a public Telegram channel and reported by the semiofficial Tasnim agency.

The source said the ceasefire — approved by the United States — required a halt to hostilities “on all fronts,” including against what Iran calls the “Islamic Resistance in Lebanon.” But Israel’s large‑scale strikes across the country on Wednesday were described as a “blatant violation” of the deal.

According to the account, Iranian armed forces have already begun identifying potential targets in preparation for a response should the attacks continue. The source issued a pointed warning to Washington, saying that if the U.S. cannot restrain Israel, “Iran will exceptionally help it in this regard — and by force.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:27 AM EDT

Analysts warn regional tensions could undercut U.S.–Iran negotiations

Analysts are cautioning that the fragile regional landscape in the Middle East must not be sidelined as Iran and the United States prepare for talks, warning that unresolved conflicts and competing security concerns could quickly destabilize any progress made under the ceasefire.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East program at Chatham House, said Iran has pushed for the truce to extend to Lebanon, viewing the fighting there as inseparable from its confrontation with the U.S. and Israel. At the same time, she noted, Gulf states want guarantees that their infrastructure and shipping lanes will not remain vulnerable after weeks of missile and drone attacks, while Israel remains wary of any deal that leaves Iran’s missile, nuclear, or regional networks intact.

“These are difficult issues that will not be easily resolved in a matter of weeks,” Vakil said, warning that talks focused too narrowly on U.S.‑Iran priorities could stabilize the immediate crisis while leaving the broader region exposed to renewed escalation.

Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said Gulf governments are approaching the ceasefire with “cautious optimism,” but uncertainty dominates. She stressed that the Gulf states expect to be included in negotiations, particularly given the stakes around the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions have hit their economies hardest.

“While right now we’re talking about bilateral talks mediated by Pakistan, we mustn’t overlook the very strong position of the Gulf states,” Ozcelik said. “They have suffered since the war kicked off.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:14 AM EDT

Israeli spokesman claims Hezbollah has shifted positions inside Beirut

An Israeli military spokesman, Avichay Adraee, claimed Wednesday—without providing evidence—that Hezbollah has relocated fighters from Beirut’s southern suburbs into other parts of the capital. The assertion, posted on X, accused the group of endangering civilians, echoing language Israel has used in past conflicts.

Adraee wrote that “there is no safe place” for Hezbollah members and warned that the Israeli military would continue to target them “wherever you are.”

His comments come as Israel carries out extensive strikes across Beirut and other areas of Lebanon, hitting densely populated neighborhoods in what Lebanese President Najib Mikati has described as attacks on “defenseless civilians.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:04 AM EDT

Trump threatens 50% tariffs on countries supplying weapons to Iran

President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that the United States could impose 50 percent tariffs on all goods from any country that sells “military weapons” to Iran, issuing the threat in a social media post shortly after the announcement of a two‑week ceasefire.

It remains unclear whether the statement reflects a concrete policy shift. The U.S. Supreme Court has previously struck down Trump’s attempts to levy broad discretionary tariffs, raising questions about how such a measure would be enforced.

Apr 08, 2026 at 10:01 AM EDT

Hegseth warns U.S. could seize Iran’s enriched uranium if needed

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the United States may still deploy Special Operations forces to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, even under the newly announced ceasefire, if Tehran refuses to hand it over.

At a Pentagon news conference, Hegseth urged Iran to surrender roughly 970 pounds of material enriched to levels that experts say could be used to build a nuclear device. The stockpile is believed to be buried beneath debris from U.S. airstrikes carried out last summer.

“If we have to, we can do it by any means necessary,” Hegseth said, describing a potential mission that would require hundreds of U.S. troops and carry significant operational risks.

Apr 08, 2026 at 09:48 AM EDT

Iranian commander says forces remain on alert despite ceasefire

A senior Iranian official and former IRGC commander warned Wednesday that the country’s armed forces remain on high alert despite the newly announced ceasefire, saying Iran will not lower its guard until its national interests are fully secured.

Fars News Agency, which is aligned with the IRGC, reported that Major General Mohsen Rezaei posted on X that “the blustering President of the United States” was ultimately forced to accept Iran’s 10‑point framework as the basis for negotiations. He credited what he described as the “resistance” of the Iranian people, the armed forces, and the country’s leadership.

Apr 08, 2026 at 09:35 AM EDT

Trump floats possible U.S.–Iran ‘joint venture’ to secure Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said the United States may work with Iran to jointly secure the Strait of Hormuz, raising a striking new possibility as ceasefire talks continue.

“We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture,” Trump told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl when asked about Tehran’s plan to charge tolls for ships passing through the strategic waterway. He described the idea as a way to ensure security “from lots of other people” as well.

Whether Iran would accept such an arrangement remains unclear. Negotiations are expected to continue throughout the two‑week ceasefire that began this week.

Apr 08, 2026 at 09:27 AM EDT

Israeli official says Iran’s new supreme leader is ‘incapacitated’

An Israeli official has confirmed to Newsweek part of a report that circulated earlier this week, claiming Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently "incapacitated" and being treated in the city of Qom, south of Tehran.

The Israeli official said it was their assessment that Khamenei was in a "severe condition," but could not confirm he was receiving medical attention in the Iranian holy city.

British newspaper The Times had reported that an intelligence memo formulated on American and Israeli intelligence determined the Iranian leader was "unable to be involved in any decision making by the regime."

The Pentagon declined to comment when approached by Newsweek.

Apr 08, 2026 at 09:22 AM EDT

Caine says Strait of Hormuz is open following ceasefire deal

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said Wednesday he believes the Strait of Hormuz is open, a day after Iran agreed to a ceasefire plan that centered heavily on restoring access to the vital oil corridor.

Asked directly during a Pentagon briefing whether the strait had reopened, Caine said he was confident it had. “I believe so, based on the diplomatic negotiations,” he told reporters.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that assessment, saying the agreement reached with Iran includes the reopening of the waterway. “What has been agreed to, what’s been stated, is the strait is open,” he said, adding that both militaries remain alert but “commerce will flow.”

Apr 08, 2026 at 09:09 AM EDT

Gas prices keep climbing despite ceasefire and oil market drop

Average U.S. gas prices rose again Wednesday, inching up 2 cents to $4.16 a gallon for regular fuel, according to AAA, even as oil futures tumbled following the announcement of a two‑week ceasefire in Iran and plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic.

The sharp drop in crude markets hasn’t translated to relief at the pump. Oil prices remain 30% to 40% higher than they were before the conflict, keeping upward pressure on retail fuel costs.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint that normally carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply — could eventually help restore global flows. While the United States imports relatively little oil from the region, the strait’s closure rattled global commodity markets, which ultimately shape U.S. gas and oil prices.

Any decline in pump prices will lag behind market shifts. Wholesale increases triggered earlier in the conflict are still moving through the supply chain, and historically, gas prices fall far more slowly than they rise.

Since the war began, retail prices have climbed on all but three days, with those brief dips measured in fractions of a cent. The national average is now $1.18 higher, a 40% jump from the start of the conflict.

Apr 08, 2026 at 08:12 AM EDT

Trump slaps 50 percent tariff on countries supplying Iran with weapons

Any country sending weapons to Iran will be slapped with a 50 percent tariff on any goods imported into the U.S., Trump has said

"There will be no exclusions or exemptions!" Trump said in a social media post.

It's not immediately clear which countries this will impact, but Iran has leaned heavily on Russia for military support since the start of the war more than five weeks ago.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:54 AM EDT

Trump rules out allowing Iran to enrich uranium

Trump has said Iran will not be allowed to enrich uranium after Iranian state media circulated a version of the 10-point peace plan currently being negotiated by American and Iranian officials, which included a reference to continued uranium enrichment.

As we mentioned in our previous post, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that, under the deal, Iran would commit to not building nuclear weapons, while the U.S. would accept Iran can enrich uranium to a level agreed between the two countries. Earlier, English-language write-ups of the proposal did not include this.

Trump at first deemed the 10-point plan “workable” but then pivoted to criticizing the framework when the Farsi-language version, which included the clause that would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium, started to circulate.

"The United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change!," Trump said in a post to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday.

"There will be no enrichment of Uranium," he said, adding the U.S. was discussing sanctions relief with Tehran. Lifting sanctions on the country also features heavily in the 10-point plan published by Iranian media.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:38 AM EDT

Iran 10-point plan ‘miles away’ from acceptable: Analyst

The 10-point Iranian plan, variations of which we've seen published on Iranian state media today, is " miles away from anything that would be acceptable" for a final deal, says Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) defense think tank.

"Now, that doesn't mean that the U.S., if they are genuinely keen to bring an end to this, will concede some of those, but there are some that will be wholly unacceptable, such as Iran retaining some sort of control of the strait [of Hormuz] or taking a toll from it," Savill said.

As a reminder, these are the 10 points that were published by Iran's PressTV state broadcaster:

• No new attacks against Iran.
• Iran will continue to control which ships pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
• "Acceptance of enrichment." PressTV did not provide any additional information on this, but uranium enrichment is likely to be the one of the most contentious areas of peace talks.
• All primary sanctions slapped on Iran to be removed.
• Secondary sanctions would also be lifted.
• All UN Security Council resolutions against Iran would be invalidated.
• The same would apply to Board of Governors resolutions.
• Unspecified "compensation" would be paid to Iran.
• U.S. combat forces would withdraw from the region.
• Attacks on Iran-aligned groups would also stop.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency published a similar list, but appeared to expand on the reference to U.S. "compensation" to Iran. An investment fund would be set up for Iran, according to the agency.

Fars also reported Iran would commit to not building nuclear weapons, while the U.S. would accept Iran can enrich uranium to a level agreed between the two countries.

President Donald Trump initially called the 10-point plan “workable” but then pivoted to criticizing the framework when the Farsi-language version, which included the clause that would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium, started to circulate.

"Their nuclear programme sits in this sort of position of creative ambiguity over its status," Savill said. "The Iranians don't have nuclear weapons and they don't appear to have moved towards weaponization, but they've been using the stockpile of highly enriched uranium as broadly speaking blackmail material."

Iran is still believed to have a substantial stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU) hidden and buried somewhere in the country. International experts say the Islamic Republic has more than 440 kilograms of HEU, enriched to the point where it is close to the grade needed to make nuclear weapons.

Iran has always said its nuclear program is peaceful, but HEU is not needed for civilian reactors.

A previous agreement in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or simply the Iran nuclear deal, had tried to limit Iran's nuclear program and curb its ballistic missile development.

Lower percentages of enriched uranium, up to the 3.67 percent allowed under the JCPOA, are used for nuclear power. Percentages between around 20 and the high 90s, however, can be used to make nuclear weapons.

But Iran has openly said it has abandoned parts of the JCPOA since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal during his first term in office.

Apr 08, 2026 at 07:07 AM EDT

Kidnapped American journalist released in Iraq: Rubio

Shelly Kittleson, an American journalist who was kidnapped near the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, over a week ago has been freed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday.

Multiple U.S. agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as Iraqi officials, were involved in securing her release, Rubio said.

U.S. authorities are working to pull Kittleson from Iraq, he added in a statement.

Iran-backed militant group Kataib Hezbollah had said they would release Kittleson if she left Iraq immediately.

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:44 AM EDT

Iran to attend Islamabad peace talks: Pakistan PM

Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, says Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed Tehran will participate in peace talks on Friday, hosted in Islamabad.

"President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s participation in the upcoming negotiations and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts," Sharif said, calling his conversation with the top Iranian official "warm and substantive."

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 06:24 AM EDT

Vance: Iran ceasefire is a ‘fragile truce’

Vice President JD Vance, who is currently visiting Hungary ahead of the country's elections, has called the ceasefire announced by Trump on Tuesday a "fragile truce."

Many questions remain unanswered about the ceasefire ahead of talks in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, on Friday.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:38 AM EDT

Oil prices drop after Trump announces ceasefire

Crude oil prices dropped below $100 a barrel on Wednesday after Trump announced the U.S. and Iran had reached a two-week ceasefire deal.

Brent crude — the international benchmark — fell to $94 a barrel, sliding down 14 percent to its lowest point since the opening days of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran from February 28.

But the prices are still hard to predict, as it's not clear what may happen in the next two weeks. The ceasefire is also conditional on Iran re-opening the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas typically passes.

Whatever happens in the next few days, particularly the number of vessels that transit through the strait, will impact concerns about supply and, therefore, prices.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:20 AM EDT

Houses damaged in Bahrain after Iranian drone attack

Bahrain's interior ministry said this morning multiple houses were damaged in Sitra, just south of the capital, Manama, by drone shrapnel after an Iranian attack.

Sirens were activated several times in the country overnight, also sparking a fire at an unspecified facility. The blaze was quickly extinguished, the government said.

Apr 08, 2026 at 05:03 AM EDT

Israel denies ceasefire covers Lebanon, carries out fresh strikes

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office this morning released a statement on the ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran, but said the pause in strikes would not cover Israeli attacks over its northern border in Lebanon.

The statement from Netanyahu's office reads:

"Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region.

Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran's Arab neighbors and the world.

The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon."

The statement came just hours before the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued several warnings for imminent strikes on different parts of Lebanon, targeting Iran-backed militant and political group, Hezbollah.

Israel has for weeks been carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon and Israeli troops are deployed in southern Lebanon.

The IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said the Israeli military would "forcefully" strike the southern coastal city of Tyre and urged residents to immediately evacuate and move north of the Zahrani River.

The Zahrani River cuts through southern Lebanon. The IDF had in early March warned southern Lebanon's inhabitants to move north of the Litani River - further south than the Zahrani - before expanding these evacuation orders northward.

Adraee later ordered residents of 7 neighborhoods in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, to "evacuate immediately." Hezbollah has a long-standing presence in these areas.

Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said the ceasefire applied "everywhere including Lebanon."

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:45 AM EDT

Missile attacks target Qatar after four injured by debris

Qatar says it shot down two Iranian missile attacks on the Gulf state overnight, hours after the country's interior ministry confirmed four people, including a child, had been injured by debris from falling intercepted missiles.

The Qatari interior ministry said in a statement late Tuesday the missile fragments had struck a residential home on the outskirts of the capital, Doha and caused "limited" damage. Four people sustained "moderate" injuries and were being treated by medical teams, the government said.

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:30 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia reports Iranian missile attacks

Saudi Arabia's defense ministry said overnight its air defenses had intercepted 5 Iranian ballistic missiles launched toward the east of the country.

The Saudi government did not specify whether the reported interceptions caused any damage.

View this post on X

Apr 08, 2026 at 04:20 AM EDT

What is in the 10-point peace proposal?

Iranian state media has published a run-down of what it describes as the 10 points on the table for a possible peace deal with the U.S.

These points, published by Iran's PressTV broadcaster, are:

• No new attacks against Iran.
• Iran will continue to control which ships pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
• "Acceptance of enrichment." PressTV did not provide any additional information on this, but uranium enrichment is likely to be the one of the most contentious areas of peace talks.
• All primary sanctions slapped on Iran to be removed.
• Secondary sanctions would also be lifted.
• All UN Security Council resolutions against Iran would be invalidated.
• The same would apply to Board of Governors resolutions.
• Unspecified "compensation" would be paid to Iran.
• U.S. combat forces would withdraw from the region.
• Attacks on Iran-aligned groups would also stop.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency published a similar list, but appeared to expand on the reference to U.S. "compensation" to Iran. An investment fund would be set up for Iran, according to the agency.

Fars also reported Iran would commit to not building nuclear weapons, while the U.S. would accept Iran can enrich uranium to a level agreed between the two countries.

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines