Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that 22 militants allegedly backed by India were killed in a joint operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation was conducted on April 21 after security and law enforcement agencies received information about the presence of militants in the area. According to the ISPR, the militants belonged to the group Fitna-al-Khariji.

The ISPR statement said the militants opened indiscriminate fire out of fear of being captured alive, resulting in the death of a 10-year-old child. Security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the site. The ISPR added that the group had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.

The announcement was made public on April 24, with the ISPR emphasizing that the operation aimed to eliminate threats posed by the India-supported group in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to the Associated Press, he called such a proposal completely unacceptable. The issue has become central to ongoing discussions between the two sides as they explore possible peace negotiations.

According to U.S. officials, Iran currently holds about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20 percent, and 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6 percent. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that if further enriched, this material could be sufficient for up to ten nuclear bombs. However, the agency also confirmed it has found no evidence of an active weapons program. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.

Experts note that while Iran possesses the technical capacity to reach weapons-grade enrichment, developing a functional nuclear weapon would require additional complex steps such as warhead design and delivery systems, which remain unverified.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted the global economy. Speaking on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Cyprus, he emphasized that restoring stability in the Middle East as quickly as possible is essential for the interests of all nations. Macron noted that the summit would also include discussions with Middle Eastern leaders.

According to the report, the United States has imposed blockades on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports, while Iran remains determined to maintain full control and surveillance over the strategic waterway. These developments have triggered one of the most severe energy crises in decades, affecting global markets and economic confidence.

The situation underscores the growing urgency for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, as continued instability threatens both energy supplies and broader economic recovery.

Iran has announced the waiver of transit fees for ships from countries it considers 'friendly' when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was reported by Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti on April 24, 2026. Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali stated that the exemption currently applies to certain nations and highlighted that the future of this policy remains uncertain.

According to Jalali, Iran’s Foreign Ministry is presently ensuring that these exceptional privileges are extended to friendly countries such as Russia. The move reflects Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with selected partners amid ongoing regional and global tensions.

The report did not specify how long the waiver will remain in effect or which other nations are included in the 'friendly' category.

Iran has waived transit fees for Russian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that the exemption applies to Russia and other 'friendly' countries. He noted that Iran’s foreign ministry is currently granting such concessions, though future policy remains uncertain.

The decision follows Tehran’s earlier announcement of imposing tariffs on shipping through the strategic waterway in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran. The fee waiver for select nations signals Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with allies while maintaining pressure on adversaries through economic measures.

It remains unclear how long the exemptions will last or whether additional countries will be included under the 'friendly' category in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s government is deeply divided, suggesting internal conflict between moderates and hardliners in Tehran. Iranian officials, however, have firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing that the country remains united. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all issued statements dismissing Trump’s remarks. They jointly declared through social media that there are no extremists or moderates in Iran, only Iranians and revolutionaries loyal to the Supreme Leader.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref echoed this sentiment, describing Iran as a fortress of unity rather than division. He said that despite political diversity, the nation stands under one flag in times of crisis to defend its land and dignity. Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times cited unnamed Iranian officials saying that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded as Supreme Leader, was seriously injured but remains mentally alert after an attack that killed his father.

According to Al Jazeera, Trump’s remarks about alleged divisions could serve as justification for extending a ceasefire and blaming Iran for stalled negotiations.

Pope Leo XIV has called on the United States and Iran to continue peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war. Speaking on his return flight to Rome after visiting four African countries, the Catholic leader said the conflict has caused immense suffering among Iran’s civilian population. He urged all parties to make every effort to establish peace, eliminate the threat of war, and uphold international law.

The appeal came shortly after a widely discussed dispute between Pope Leo and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Pope had been vocal in criticizing the U.S.-Israel military operations in Iran, prompting Trump to respond with a lengthy and aggressive social media post. In his remarks, the Pope emphasized that as a clergyman, he cannot support war and called on people to reject hatred and division in favor of a culture of peace.

The comments reflect the Vatican’s continued concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and its advocacy for dialogue as the path to stability.

The United States has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Hashim Finian Rahim al-Saraji, the secretary-general of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iran-backed militia group in Iraq. The U.S. Department of State made the announcement under its Rewards for Justice program, stating that the group is responsible for killing Iraqi civilians and attacking U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel in Iraq and Syria.

According to the State Department, individuals providing credible information may be eligible for the reward. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada is described as an Iraqi militia supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and ideologically aligned with it.

The announcement comes at a time when the United States is increasing pressure on Iraq to take stronger action against Iran-backed militias operating within its borders.

A report by The New York Times, cited by Amader Desh on April 24, 2026, states that a large portion of the United States’ global weapons stockpile has been exhausted due to the ongoing war with Iran. The Pentagon has reportedly been forced to transfer military equipment from its Asia and European commands to the Middle East to sustain operations.

Although White House officials have not disclosed the exact expenditure, two independent organizations estimate the cost of the Iran war to be between 28 and 35 billion dollars, averaging about 1 billion dollars per day. The report highlights that key weapons running low include precision-strike missiles, ATACMS surface-launched missiles, and Patriot interceptor missiles.

The depletion of these critical munitions underscores the strain on US military logistics and could affect readiness in other regions if the conflict continues.

Iran activated its air defense systems in Tehran and several other cities after detecting small drones in its airspace. The incident occurred on Thursday, according to local media reports. Fars News Agency reported that multiple locations across the country detected small drones, prompting the activation of air defense systems. The state news agency IRNA said sounds from the defense systems were heard in both the western and eastern parts of the capital.

No immediate further details were available following the activation. Later, Iranian media clarified that the activation of the air defense systems in Tehran was part of a test. Meanwhile, an Israeli military source denied any involvement in the incident, according to reports.

The reports did not specify the origin of the drones or the nature of the test, leaving the broader context of the activation unclear.

An Iranian cargo ship successfully reached an Iranian port after evading a US attempt to intercept it in the Gulf of Oman, according to Iranian media reports published on April 24, 2026. The United States reportedly tried to stop the vessel, but it managed to reach port safely despite the obstruction.

Semi-official Fars News Agency stated that the ship, which was carrying cargo, was escorted by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The incident occurred after the United States imposed a naval blockade against Iran following the failure of the first round of peace talks held in Islamabad.

The report did not specify the exact location of the port or further details about the cargo, but it highlighted the continued maritime tension between the two countries in the region.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued a new advisory urging all Indian citizens currently in Iran to leave the country as soon as possible. The directive, released on Thursday, also strongly advises against any travel to Iran by air or land. The embassy cited ongoing regional tensions and uncertainty as the main reasons for the warning.

According to the embassy statement, restrictions and uncertainty in the airspace due to regional instability continue to affect international flight operations to and from Iran. The advisory comes amid a volatile security situation in West Asia, where geopolitical tensions and air travel disruptions have persisted.

The embassy further instructed that Indian citizens in Iran must depart only through officially coordinated land routes. It has also provided helpline numbers and an email address to assist citizens seeking to leave the country safely.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for an additional three weeks, according to an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 24, 2026. The decision followed renewed discussions between representatives of both countries in Washington. Trump stated on Truth Social that the meeting was conducted successfully and confirmed that the United States would work with Lebanon to help it defend itself from Hezbollah.

The ceasefire, initially set to expire on Sunday, was introduced after a meeting in Washington last week aimed at ending more than seven weeks of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. Trump also said that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would visit the White House in the coming weeks.

According to Trump, the United States intends to cooperate with Lebanon to restore stability in the country and address the challenges posed by Hezbollah.

The US aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is moving toward the Middle East and has entered the area of responsibility of the US Central Command. A post on social media platform X by Central Command shared a photo showing the Nimitz-class supercarrier operating in the Indian Ocean.

It remains unclear whether the carrier will join ships already stationed in the region or replace one of them. Central Command also stated that the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, continues its operations in the Red Sea to support maritime security under the US Fifth Fleet.

The deployment highlights continued US naval presence in the region, though the specific mission or duration of the USS George H.W. Bush’s movement has not been detailed in the available information.

The ongoing war centered on Iran is severely disrupting global energy and fertilizer supplies, potentially pushing more than 30 million people into poverty in the coming months, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) chief Alexander De Croo. In an interview with Reuters, he said that even if the conflict ended immediately, its economic and humanitarian impacts had already begun, warning that food insecurity would soon reach critical levels.

De Croo noted that the crisis has already caused a loss of about 0.5 to 0.8 percent of global GDP, erasing development progress that took decades to achieve. He emphasized that the war’s economic shock is spreading rapidly across vulnerable economies, threatening to reverse hard-won gains in poverty reduction.

Meanwhile, reports from France 24 and PassBlue said UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s proposal to secure fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has yet to be implemented. Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that Iran would allow ship passage if formally requested by the UN, while the US mission to the UN has not yet responded.