The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that any new aggression against Iran will be met with an immediate, decisive, and severe response. In a statement issued on Wednesday marking its anniversary, the IRGC said it is prepared to achieve 'unimaginable success' on the battlefield and to deploy new capabilities against its enemies. The force also threatened to strike remaining enemy installations in the region in ways that adversaries 'cannot even imagine.'

The statement described the IRGC as a powerful popular force and said the Iranian nation takes pride in its strategic military capabilities alongside other branches of the armed forces. It claimed that Israeli and U.S. forces have come under pressure and weakened due to Iranian missile and drone attacks. The IRGC emphasized the need for vigilance and close monitoring of enemy behavior during ongoing talks and ceasefire discussions.

According to the statement, major military infrastructures of Israeli and U.S. forces in the region have been severely damaged by operations led by Iran’s armed forces, particularly the IRGC.

US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire, but Iran has yet to agree to talks with Washington. Pakistan is actively working to restart the stalled dialogue between the two nations, according to Maria Sultan, Director General of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University and adviser to Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence. She stated that Islamabad played a central role in extending the ceasefire and warned both sides that the alternative to dialogue is war.

Sultan told Al Jazeera that without the ceasefire extension, the Gulf region’s military situation could have escalated rapidly, worsening tensions in the Strait of Hormuz where US military presence has increased. She confirmed that Pakistan is engaged in close discussions with both Washington and Tehran and has called for direct talks in Islamabad.

Expressing optimism, Sultan said discussions could begin within 24 to 48 hours, emphasizing that both sides understand the grave consequences of renewed conflict for the region and the global economy.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s recent remarks have alarmed Gulf nations, as he suggested that reopening the Strait of Hormuz could become the central issue in Iran-US negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. His warning reinforced fears among Gulf states that such talks might only achieve limited de-escalation, leaving Tehran’s influence intact. Experts noted that the next round of discussions, possibly in Islamabad, is unlikely to prioritize Iran’s missile program or its regional proxies, focusing instead on uranium enrichment limits and Iran’s control over Hormuz.

Gulf officials cautioned that this approach could entrench rather than reduce Iran’s power, effectively managing rather than dismantling its dominance over a key global energy route. They expressed concern that global economic stability was being prioritized over the security of nations most exposed to energy and defense risks. Sources indicated that Washington and Tehran’s diplomacy now emphasizes uranium enrichment levels while tacitly accepting Tehran’s sway over the strait, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.

Negotiations remain stalled as Iran rejects both a “zero enrichment” proposal and demands to export its uranium stockpile abroad, deepening regional unease over shifting priorities.

A high-level two-day meeting begins Wednesday in London to discuss ways to ensure safe and normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. The conference is jointly organized by the governments of France, led by Emmanuel Macron, and the United Kingdom. Defense ministers, senior military officials, and planners from more than 30 countries are expected to attend. Over a dozen nations have already expressed interest in joining a UK- and France-led international mission to protect navigation in the area.

According to Reuters, nearly 50 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have shown willingness to participate in the proposed mission. The London meeting follows an online video conference involving about 50 nations, where the decision to convene this gathering was finalized. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the meeting aims to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan supporting a lasting ceasefire and freedom of navigation in the strait.

Analysts note that security in the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global trade and energy supply, but recent regional tensions and the Iran-Israel conflict have sharply reduced commercial traffic, affecting global energy markets.

Iran has called on the United Nations to strongly condemn the United States for seizing an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran described the incident as an act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries. According to AFP, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy had taken control of the Iranian-flagged vessel named ‘Tuska,’ which is under American sanctions.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General, calling the seizure a dangerous provocation that threatens maritime security and stability. He said the move clearly breaches the ceasefire signed on April 8 and constitutes aggression under the UN Charter. Iravani urged the UN to condemn the action and demand the immediate release of the ship.

Trump later stated on his Truth Social platform that he was extending the ceasefire to continue talks with Iran but that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.

Iran fired on a container ship near the coast of Oman, causing extensive damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The organization reported that a vessel linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps approached the ship about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman before the attack.

Tasnim News Agency stated that the Iranian military issued multiple warnings to the ship, which were ignored, prompting Iran to enforce what it described as 'maritime law.' The incident occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran.

An adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s decision as meaningless, asserting that Washington cannot impose conditions on Tehran. The event underscores ongoing maritime and political tensions between Iran and the United States in the region.

The United States military has used a significant portion of its key missile stockpiles during the recent war with Iran, according to a CNN report citing three individuals familiar with internal Pentagon assessments. The depletion raises concerns that the US could face ammunition shortages if new conflicts arise in the coming years. A recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that at least 45 percent of precision strike missiles, half of THAAD interceptors, and about 50 percent of Patriot air defense missiles were expended during the seven-week conflict.

Sources familiar with the review said these figures align with classified Pentagon data. While the US still retains enough weapons to continue operations against Iran if the fragile ceasefire collapses, it reportedly lacks sufficient munitions to sustain a large-scale conflict with a peer power such as China. The report added that restoring stockpiles to prewar levels could take several years.

The analysis also indicated that around 30 percent of Tomahawk missiles, over 20 percent of long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and about 20 percent of SM-3 and SM-6 missiles were used, with replenishment expected to take four to five years.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly searching for a way to withdraw from the ongoing Iran war, which began on February 28. The conflict has proven extremely expensive, with the United States spending between $890 million and $1 billion daily, while Israel has spent $112 billion in total. Post-war reconstruction in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states is expected to cost hundreds of billions, with Saudi Arabia alone needing over $600 billion to restore its oil and gas infrastructure.

The United Arab Emirates has suffered severe damage to civilian and energy facilities from drone and missile strikes and has begun informal discussions with the U.S. about economic assistance. According to the Wall Street Journal, the UAE’s central bank chief recently sought a currency swap with the U.S. Federal Reserve after losing significant oil revenue due to Hormuz Strait disruptions. Meanwhile, Iran has demanded $2.7 trillion in war compensation from several Arab states.

The White House confirmed that Trump remains interested in financial burden-sharing similar to the 1991 Gulf War. However, rising costs and Gulf nations’ demands for U.S. aid could strain the American economy and weaken the dollar’s global position.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces are rearming during the ongoing ceasefire with Iran. CENTCOM stated that American troops remain prepared for any situation. The announcement was made during a press conference where CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said the military is adjusting its strategies, methods, and operational procedures.

Standing beside US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Cooper emphasized that no other military in the world adapts as effectively as the US forces, and that this period of ceasefire is being used to enhance readiness. The remarks followed President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire period with Iran.

The statement reflects Washington’s intent to maintain military preparedness even amid a temporary halt in hostilities, signaling continued strategic caution in the region.

An adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed US President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire with Iran as meaningless. The adviser said Washington cannot impose any conditions on Tehran, asserting that the United States has been defeated in the conflict. He added that a defeated side cannot dictate terms during ongoing tensions.

The remarks came amid continued disputes over the US naval blockade and stalled negotiations. Iranian officials have warned that sustained pressure could further escalate the situation. The comments reflect Tehran’s firm stance against US actions in the region.

Earlier, Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran in a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. He also ordered the US military to maintain the naval blockade against Iran, citing requests from Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to delay attacks until Tehran presents a unified proposal.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has suspended the transfer of cash dollars to Iraq and temporarily halted security cooperation with the Iraqi military. According to The Wall Street Journal, the move aims to pressure the Iraqi government to dismantle powerful Iran-backed militia groups operating within the country.

The report states that the US Treasury Department recently blocked a cargo plane carrying about 500 million dollars in cash destined for Iraq. The funds originated from Iraqi oil sales and were held in an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. US officials cited concerns over the influence and activities of the militias as the reason for withholding the money. Neither the Trump administration nor the Treasury Department has issued an official comment on the matter.

The suspension marks a significant escalation in US efforts to curb Iranian influence in Iraq, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.

Iran has warned that oil production in Gulf countries could be targeted if their territories are used for attacks against Iran. The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force issued the threat, according to a report by the state-backed Fars News Agency. The warning comes as several Persian Gulf nations have previously allowed Iran’s adversaries to operate from their soil.

The report added that Iran’s list of potential targets has expanded beyond military installations to include major oil fields and refineries across the Middle East. The commander specifically mentioned locations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. Many of these countries are U.S. allies and host American military bases.

The statement underscores rising regional tensions and signals that Iran may consider economic infrastructure a strategic target if hostilities escalate further.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States has completely blocked the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran wants to reopen it to earn about 500 million dollars daily. According to Trump, Iran has kept the vital waterway closed only to save face, as reported by Al Jazeera. He made the remarks in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump added that Iran’s real intention is to reopen the strait because keeping it closed causes financial losses. He claimed that Iran maintains the closure only because the United States has already imposed a full blockade. Trump further mentioned that four days earlier, people informed him that Iran wanted to reopen the strait immediately, but doing so could prevent any future agreement with Iran unless its leadership were destroyed.

The report highlights continuing tensions between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, with both sides asserting conflicting positions on its status.

French President Emmanuel Macron has intensified diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah. His appeal came during an ongoing temporary ceasefire, sparking renewed debate over regional stability.

In a social media message, Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Lebanese people, pledging continued assistance in addressing humanitarian challenges and helping displaced populations. He emphasized that lasting peace and stability between Lebanon and Israel can only be achieved through political compromise that ensures both nations’ security while safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Macron also urged Hezbollah to halt attacks against Israel and abandon its role as an alternative military force. He called for international cooperation to rebuild and stabilize Lebanon. Analysts noted that France’s historical ties with Lebanon make Macron’s initiative a significant diplomatic move as cross-border clashes and rocket attacks have recently intensified, worsening civilian hardship and displacement.

Iran’s Education Minister Alireza Khazemi announced that around 1,300 schools across the country were damaged in recent US-Israeli attacks, with repair work on 775 of them already completed. The information was reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA on April 22, 2026.

According to the minister, the attacks, which began on February 28, left at least 20 schools completely destroyed. The most severe damage occurred in the provinces of Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Hormozgan. Khazemi expressed optimism that reconstruction of the remaining damaged schools would be finished by October.

The report highlights the scale of infrastructure damage to Iran’s education sector following the attacks and outlines the government’s ongoing efforts to restore normal schooling conditions across affected regions.