Iran has sent a revised proposal to Pakistan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. According to an Iranian diplomat, the proposal was handed over to Pakistan on Thursday, with the country acting as a mediator. The diplomat told Al Jazeera on Friday that the document had been delivered the previous day.

The new proposal had been awaited by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had rejected Iran’s earlier offer last week. Reports indicate that the previous proposal called for a ceasefire first, followed by discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump, however, preferred to finalize a nuclear agreement while hostilities continued. Details of the revised proposal have not yet been disclosed.

The conflict began after a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered 40 days of fighting. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8 between Iran and the United States remains in effect.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran has sharply increased the cost of delivering humanitarian aid to Sudan and caused significant delays. According to the agency, instability in key Gulf shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, along with port congestion, rising fuel prices, and higher insurance costs, have driven up transportation expenses and slowed relief operations.

Speaking in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Wolf said that aid shipments previously sent from Dubai through Gulf routes must now travel via Europe and around the Cape of Good Hope, extending delivery times by up to 25 days. She noted that people in urgent need are receiving assistance much later than required.

The cost of sending aid from Dubai to Sudan and neighboring Chad has risen from 927,000 to 1.87 million dollars, more than doubling. The UN described Sudan’s ongoing conflict as the world’s largest displacement crisis, leaving millions dependent on humanitarian aid now facing higher costs and longer delays.

Despite a ceasefire lasting more than two weeks between Iran and the United States, regional tensions remain high. On the 63rd day of the conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump again hinted at possible military action, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the American naval blockade of Iranian ports as intolerable. Reports from Tehran indicated activation of air defense systems targeting small drones and aircraft. In Lebanon, despite a ceasefire, Israeli attacks in the south killed at least 15 people, including women and children, while two Israeli soldiers were injured in retaliatory strikes.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that 1,701 civilians, including 254 children, have died in the war so far, though he said the Pentagon is taking measures to minimize civilian casualties. Trump is also considering withdrawing troops from Italy and Spain due to opposition to the Iran war. The United Arab Emirates has banned travel to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq, urging citizens already there to return home.

The conflict has pushed global oil prices to a four-year high, with Brent crude rising 7 percent to $126.41 per barrel. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that further action might be needed to prevent Iran from posing renewed threats.

Iran has denounced a recent US attack on its territory, calling it an act of aggression rather than self-defense. The statement came from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who criticized Washington’s justification in a social media post. The US State Department had claimed that the conflict arose from the collective self-defense of Israel and its allies, as well as the United States’ inherent right to self-defense.

Responding to that claim, Baghaei questioned whether Iran had carried out any armed attack that would warrant such a response, asserting that no such action had taken place. He described the US operation as a deliberate act of aggression against the Iranian nation. Tehran also accused Washington of violating international law and attempting to legitimize warfare through a fabricated narrative.

The exchange underscores escalating tensions between the two countries, with Tehran firmly rejecting the US rationale and labeling the attack as unlawful under international norms.

According to a report by NBC News, Iran is taking advantage of the ongoing ceasefire with the United States to recover weapons that were previously hidden or buried under rubble. The report states that after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Tehran has intensified efforts to retrieve missiles and other munitions from underground or destroyed sites. The information was attributed to one U.S. official and two other individuals familiar with the matter.

The report further indicates that U.S. officials believe Iran aims to quickly rebuild its drone and missile capabilities. They assess that Tehran’s actions are intended to prepare for potential retaliatory strikes across the Middle East if President Trump decides to resume military operations. The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire.

The situation underscores the fragile nature of the current truce and the possibility of renewed hostilities if diplomatic efforts fail to hold.

The Iranian Embassy in London has denied allegations linking Iran to recent violent incidents in the United Kingdom. In a statement, the embassy said a deliberately negative media environment was being created against Iran. The embassy posted on social media platform X that there was no credible evidence supporting such accusations, describing them as politically motivated attempts to mislead public opinion and divert attention from the real causes of terrorism and extremism.

The statement further asserted that Iran has long been a primary victim of terrorism, citing the killing of innocent civilians, senior officials, and scientists over the decades. It claimed that Iran remains at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism and extremism.

The embassy also noted that it had previously expressed concerns to relevant authorities about suspicious activities and alleged “false flag” operations on British soil aimed at discrediting Iran.

Middle East analyst Elijah Magnier has stated that Israel is implementing its so-called 'Rafah Doctrine' in Lebanon, similar to the approach used in Gaza’s Rafah city. In an interview with Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, Magnier said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the same doctrine would be applied in Lebanon, meaning widespread destruction of infrastructure and civilian areas.

Magnier explained that the strategy involves demolishing homes, schools, universities, and hospitals, leaving nothing for civilians. He added that Israel’s goal is to destroy the landscape so completely that local Lebanese residents would not recognize their land or be able to return. According to Magnier, Israel’s actions stem from a belief that with U.S. support, it will not face accountability for its conduct.

He further noted that Israel had carried out similar operations in Gaza without being held responsible, suggesting a continuation of that pattern in Lebanon.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has confirmed that 287 candidates are being considered for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Committee secretary Kristian Berg Harpviken said on Thursday, April 30, that the list includes 208 individuals and 79 organizations, marking a significant increase from the previous year. This is Harpviken’s first major nomination list since assuming his role in January 2025.

Speculation surrounds the inclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump, as leaders from Cambodia, Israel, and Pakistan have reportedly nominated him before the January 31 deadline. However, Harpviken did not confirm Trump’s name, citing the committee’s rule to keep nominations secret for 50 years. Other names circulating in betting markets include Yulia Navalnaya, Pope Leo, and Sudan’s volunteer group Emergency Response Rooms.

The committee also expressed concern over the deteriorating health of 2023 Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who is imprisoned in Iran. The 2026 Peace Prize winner will be announced on October 9, with the formal ceremony scheduled for December 10 in Oslo.

Israeli forces have reportedly attacked a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters near Greece, abducting 175 human rights activists. The incident occurred in the Mediterranean Sea as the flotilla was carrying humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in Gaza. The allegation was made by members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, one of whom, activist Yassine Benzeloun, described the assault in an interview with Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera.

Benzeloun said Israeli forces surrounded the aid ships and assaulted the civilians on board. Expressing outrage, he questioned the silence of European and global leaders over the attack. He added that the violence seen in Palestine over the past three years has been shocking, and that even those delivering humanitarian aid are now being targeted.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not specify the condition of the abducted activists or the official response from Israeli authorities.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that the country received a total of 6,500 tons of military equipment within the past 24 hours. The shipment included ammunition and materials suitable for both air and ground operations. According to a statement posted on the ministry’s Telegram channel on Thursday, the equipment arrived in Israel via two ships and several cargo planes before being transported by road to various military bases across the country.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the delivery was part of efforts to ensure that Israeli forces have all necessary means at their disposal. He added that the move aims to maintain the military’s readiness to launch full-scale operations against enemies at any time and in any location.

The announcement underscores Israel’s ongoing focus on strengthening its defense capabilities amid regional tensions, as reported by Al Jazeera.

A report cited by Al Jazeera states that several billion dollars’ worth of US military equipment has been destroyed in the ongoing Iran war. According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), losses are estimated between 2.3 and 2.8 billion dollars. The report highlights that on March 26, a day after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iran had been swiftly neutralized, an Iranian missile and drone strike destroyed a $700 million E-3 AWACS radar aircraft at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base.

CSIS senior adviser Mark Cancian compiled the damage assessment, which includes the loss of a THAAD missile defense radar valued between $480 million and $970 million, and three F-15 fighter jets downed in a friendly fire incident in Kuwait. Security expert Omar Ashour told Al Jazeera that the Trump administration may be concealing the full extent of losses for political reasons ahead of the November election.

The report adds that satellite imagery of US bases in the Middle East has been restricted at the Pentagon’s request, though Iranian satellite images indicate significant damage. Despite damage to Iran’s conventional forces, its missile and drone capabilities remain operational.

Lebanon is facing an acute food crisis as Israeli attacks continue, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). A WFP spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the country is experiencing the most severe level of food insecurity, with the agency focusing its efforts on the poorest and most vulnerable populations. The spokesperson emphasized that a lasting ceasefire is the only way to resolve the crisis.

The WFP reported that deteriorating security conditions are hindering relief operations across Lebanon. The conflict has caused extensive damage to the agricultural sector, further worsening the food shortage. The organization warned that the collapse of supply chains and disruptions in agricultural production have placed Lebanon’s food security under serious threat.

The WFP’s assessment highlights the growing humanitarian strain in Lebanon, where ongoing conflict and logistical challenges are compounding the risk of widespread hunger.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reaffirmed the importance of NATO and the transatlantic partnership after former US President Donald Trump threatened to reduce American troops stationed in Germany. Merz made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Munster military base, emphasizing that the transatlantic alliance remains deeply valued both nationally and personally.

According to Reuters, Trump’s threat followed his social media post stating that Washington was reviewing the troop presence in Germany. The move came after Merz’s earlier comments criticizing the United States for being humiliated by Tehran’s negotiation tactics, which reportedly angered Trump. The exchange has highlighted growing diplomatic tension between Berlin and Washington.

Despite the strain, Merz stressed that Germany remains committed to maintaining long-term cooperation within NATO’s framework, signaling Berlin’s intent to preserve its alliance with the United States even amid disagreements.

A major controversy has erupted after Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner reportedly told journalists at The Telegraph and Politico that they must support Israel or resign. According to Middle East Eye, the remarks were made during an internal meeting on Monday, where Döpfner described support for Israel as a core principle of the company. The issue became public this week as tensions rose within Politico over the directive.

Politico journalists had earlier written to new editor-in-chief Jonathan Greenberger, accusing Döpfner of using the outlet to advance his political agenda. They warned that his recent opinion pieces could damage the publication’s reputation for neutrality. The Jewish Insider also reported that staff expressed concern that his views were undermining Politico’s credibility as an impartial news source.

The controversy follows Axel Springer’s recent approval to acquire The Daily Telegraph, prompting renewed scrutiny of the company’s expansion and editorial influence. Journalists fear that top-down ideological positions could shape coverage, particularly on Israel-related issues.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said that a ‘new chapter’ has begun in the Persian Gulf and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following what he described as the United States’ ‘shameful failure’. He made the remarks on Tuesday in a statement marking Iran’s National Persian Gulf Day, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Khamenei stated that two months after what he called the world’s largest military operation and aggression, planned by the United States, ended in failure, a new phase is unfolding in the region. The statement was broadcast by Iranian state media on the day commemorating the 1622 expulsion of Portuguese forces from the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Khamenei’s comments highlight Iran’s growing control over regional maritime routes and a perceived decline in US influence amid recent tensions.