From Tuesday night to early Wednesday, the Gulf region experienced one of its most alarming nights in modern history as missile sirens and explosions disrupted normal life from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi. The brief two-week ceasefire has raised uncertainty about whether the Iran war has truly ended or merely paused. The conflict has turned long-discussed security risks into reality, exposing the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global energy supply passes.

Over the past six weeks, multiple attacks similar to the earlier Aramco refinery strike have hit oil facilities, airports, and data centers across Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The war has severely affected tourism in Dubai and challenged Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans. The region’s ambition to become an artificial intelligence and data hub has also suffered setbacks as technology firms now view Europe as safer.

Foreign professionals, a key part of Gulf economies, are reportedly preparing to leave amid growing insecurity, threatening housing and local businesses. Gulf states are reconsidering their reliance on U.S. protection and exploring new security partnerships with European countries.

Iran has issued new terms for controlling the Strait of Hormuz following a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan after months of conflict with the United States and Israel. The strait, a vital route for 20 percent of global oil and LNG shipments, had been closed after Iran attacked merchant vessels in retaliation for strikes by Washington and Tel Aviv. Tehran’s new protocol includes a revised navigation map directing ships closer to its coast and potential tolls for passage, though it remains unclear if fees are being collected during the truce. Talks between Iran and the US are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday.

Iran’s 10-point peace plan demands an end to US and Israeli attacks, lifting of sanctions, and recognition of its control over Hormuz. Reports suggest Tehran may charge up to $2 million per vessel or $1 per barrel of oil, with revenues shared with Oman, though Muscat has rejected the idea. Critics argue the tolls violate international maritime law under UNCLOS, which forbids levies on transit through international straits.

Analysts warn that continued Iranian control could unsettle global energy markets and strain relations with Gulf states and Western powers, as uncertainty persists over safe passage and future disruptions.

Following a recent ceasefire, partial maritime traffic has resumed through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to data from the vessel-tracking platform MarineTraffic, at least nine ships have passed through the strait since the ceasefire was declared on Tuesday night. Among these were two oil and chemical tankers, though the overall number remains far below normal levels.

Before the conflict, the multinational Joint Maritime Information Center recorded an average of about 138 ships passing daily through the strait. Richard Meade, editor of maritime news agency Lloyd’s List, said the ongoing conflict had nearly halted vessel movement, with around 800 ships still stranded in the region.

Analysts noted that while limited traffic has resumed, uncertainty persists over whether Iran will fully reopen the strait. This continued uncertainty could keep affecting global trade and energy supply conditions.

US President Donald Trump announced that American military forces will remain inside and around Iran until the terms of what he called a 'real deal' are completely implemented. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the deployment includes warships, aircraft, and personnel, along with additional ammunition and equipment to support potential operations against what he described as an already weakened enemy.

Trump stated that the likelihood of the agreement being violated is very low but warned that any breach would trigger an unprecedented military response, larger and more powerful than before. He claimed that an understanding had already been reached under which Iran would not develop nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and secure.

He concluded his message by saying that the US military is replenishing supplies and resting, preparing for its next victory, declaring that 'America is back.'

Lebanon’s Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine announced that 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes carried out on Wednesday across Beirut and other parts of the country. The updated figures were shared before a cabinet meeting, marking a sharp rise from earlier reports by the Health Ministry, which had confirmed 182 deaths and 890 injuries.

According to the report, the attacks targeted multiple areas in Lebanon, including the capital. Iran described the ongoing Israeli strikes as a serious violation of the Tehran–Washington ceasefire agreement. The information was sourced from Al Jazeera and the BBC.

The escalation underscores rising regional tensions following the ceasefire, with Lebanon’s civilian toll continuing to climb amid international concern over the breach of the truce terms.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Israeli attacks in Lebanon following the ceasefire were 'completely wrong' and urged that Lebanon be urgently included under the US-Iran ceasefire agreement. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s 'Today' program, she highlighted the large-scale displacement of civilians in Lebanon and the resulting humanitarian crisis, calling for an extension of the ceasefire to cover Lebanon.

Cooper also responded to remarks from Iran’s deputy foreign minister, who claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters and that safe passage depends on the goodwill of Iran and Oman. She rejected this assertion, emphasizing that under maritime law, freedom of navigation applies to international transit routes.

Cooper added that no country can unilaterally seize control of such routes or impose tolls, reinforcing the UK’s position on maintaining open international waterways.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated in an interview on April 9, 2026, that Iran will ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the strait had remained open for thousands of years until the start of hostilities with the United States. However, he warned that the strait would not be reopened unless the U.S. withdrew from what he described as acts of aggression, indirectly referring to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon.

Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran would act in accordance with international norms and laws but asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters. He said that safe passage depends on the goodwill of Iran and Oman. When asked whether safe navigation meant no fees or threats to ships, he replied that Iran wants the strait to remain peaceful.

He added that safe navigation is a bilateral matter and that Iran would not tolerate the misuse of the Gulf by warships, signaling Tehran’s firm stance on regional maritime security.

Two people were killed when a small aircraft crashed at a local airport in Arizona, United States. Local officials confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that the plane veered off the runway and caught fire. The crash occurred at an airport in Marana, and both occupants of the aircraft died at the scene.

According to Marana Mayor Jon Post, the aircraft ignited after leaving the runway. City spokesperson Vic Hathaway said the plane carried two people whose identities have not yet been confirmed. The Marana Police Department reported that no one else was injured and no other aircraft were involved in the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation into the crash. The agency identified the downed aircraft as a Piper PA-32 model. Further details about the cause of the crash have not yet been released.

Keir Starmer has arrived in the United Arab Emirates to hold further discussions on the ongoing Iran war situation. His visit comes amid uncertainty over whether the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will hold. During his stay, Starmer is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Earlier, Starmer visited Jeddah, where he met with Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement through its attacks in Lebanon, calling them a serious breach. The developments highlight the fragile state of the truce and the growing regional strain.

The outcome of Starmer’s meetings in the UAE may influence diplomatic efforts to sustain the ceasefire and reduce tensions in the region, though the stability of the agreement remains uncertain.

Israel carried out airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday evening, killing more than 250 people, just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire. The attack has turned Lebanon into a new fault line in the fragile peace process. Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israel and Gulf countries, raising fears that the truce could collapse before scheduled peace talks in Pakistan.

Iran insists that any ceasefire agreement must include Lebanon and halt attacks on Hezbollah, but the United States and Israel disagree. President Donald Trump told PBS News that Lebanon was excluded from the ceasefire because of Hezbollah, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization. Senior US officials said Trump is determined to dismantle Iran’s “axis of resistance,” including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Israel maintains that Hezbollah poses an existential threat and continues its operations in Lebanon.

Pakistan, acting as mediator, has stated that the ceasefire should apply universally, including Lebanon. The ambiguity over Lebanon’s inclusion poses a major test for US diplomacy and could determine whether the fragile truce holds or collapses.

An Iranian delegation has departed for Islamabad to participate in talks despite growing skepticism caused by repeated ceasefire violations. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, confirmed the visit in a post on social media platform X. The delegation is scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance during their stay in Islamabad. The discussions are being held at the invitation of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will be based on Iran’s proposed ten-point framework.

According to the ambassador, Israeli authorities have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, undermining diplomatic efforts and fueling public doubt in Iran about the peace process. Nevertheless, Iran has decided to proceed with the dialogue as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Earlier, Iran and the United States agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, which took effect on April 9. The Islamabad meeting is expected to focus on sustaining the truce and advancing negotiations under the agreed framework.

Widespread destruction and chaos gripped Beirut after Israeli airstrikes struck the Lebanese capital without prior warning, according to local reports on April 9, 2026. The Lebanese population was left shocked as the attacks caused severe damage across the city, with no area considered safe. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 250 deaths and hundreds of injuries, while hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties.

Israeli forces claimed that Hezbollah had moved from its strongholds in southern Beirut to other parts of the city, prompting further military action. Human rights organizations expressed concern that such claims could be used to justify additional strikes in civilian areas. The situation has heightened fears of more attacks, as the Israeli military vowed to pursue Hezbollah wherever it operates.

The escalating violence has deepened public outrage in Lebanon, where many believe Israel is acting with impunity. The humanitarian toll continues to rise as emergency services struggle to cope with the aftermath of the bombardment.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged all parties to exercise restraint following reports of ceasefire violations between the United States and Iran. In a post on social media platform X, he emphasized that such violations undermine the spirit of the peace process and called for respect toward the two-week ceasefire. Pakistan is currently mediating the truce between Washington and Tehran.

According to Iran’s foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised the issue of Israel’s alleged ceasefire violations during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The ceasefire was reached through Pakistan’s mediation, with US President Donald Trump agreeing to the two-week truce with Iran.

Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that both US and Iranian leaders have been invited to Islamabad on April 10 to work toward a final agreement resolving all disputes.

Pakistan has condemned Israel’s deadly airstrikes in Lebanon that occurred after a ceasefire agreement. In a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Islamabad called on the international community to take urgent and concrete measures to stop further attacks. The strikes reportedly killed at least 254 people in a single day, prompting Pakistan to describe the actions as violations of international law and basic humanitarian principles.

According to the statement, Pakistan argued that the ceasefire deal between the United States, Israel, and Iran also covered Lebanon. However, both the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the truce did not apply to operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran warned that continued Israeli attacks could collapse the ceasefire.

Pakistan is set to host talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad this weekend, with global attention focused on whether the discussions will lead to progress or renewed conflict.

Al Jazeera journalist Mohammad Waishah was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. He was a Gaza-based correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher. The attack targeted his car on Al-Rashid coastal road west of Gaza City, causing the vehicle to catch fire immediately and resulting in his death at the scene.

Al Jazeera condemned the killing in a statement, calling it a heinous crime and a clear violation of international law and norms. The network said the incident reflects a continuing policy of targeting journalists to silence the truth. Gaza’s government media office reported that since Israeli attacks began on October 7, 2023, at least 262 journalists have been killed.

The incident adds to the growing toll on media workers in Gaza, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists covering the ongoing conflict.