According to data from shipping software company AXS Marine released last night, a total of 1,441 ships were waiting on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz. Of these, 959 vessels were positioned on the western side inside the Gulf, while 621 ships were waiting on the eastern side to either load gas, fuel oil, chemicals, or dry cargo, or to deliver goods to Gulf countries.

AXS Marine reported that since the war began on February 28, no LNG carriers have crossed the strait. Many ships had turned off communication systems to conceal their positions and avoid potential attacks. Between March 23 and April 6, only 51 tankers passed through the strait, including 15 carrying crude oil and nine transporting chemicals. Before the conflict, an average of 51 ships crossed the strait daily, indicating a sharp decline in traffic.

Before the ceasefire announced last night, Iran allowed ships owned by China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan to pass. Following diplomatic discussions, Malaysia and Thailand were also granted permission, and on April 2, Philippine-flagged vessels received clearance.

Iraq has reopened its airspace and resumed operations at all airports after a two‑week ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The country’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement on Wednesday announcing that the directive would take immediate effect, allowing flights to resume across Iraqi territory.

According to the statement cited by Al‑Jazeera, the reopening marks the end of restrictions imposed during the recent conflict period. The decision follows the temporary closure of Iraq’s airspace and airports amid heightened regional tensions between Iran and the United States.

The move signals a return to normal air operations in Iraq after weeks of disruption caused by the conflict and may help stabilize regional air travel routes if the ceasefire continues to hold.

Iran has proposed a ten-point plan ahead of talks scheduled to begin Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, with two key points directly challenging the US naval presence in the Middle East. Tehran intends to impose a toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and seeks the removal of US military forces from the region. The proposal raises questions about whether the toll would also apply to warships.

The move poses a serious challenge for the US Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for securing vast maritime areas including the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The fleet also oversees critical chokepoints such as the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to research fellow Collin Koh of Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, any toll requirement would hinder US military operations in the Gulf.

Koh added that unless former US President Donald Trump changes the overall posture of US Central Command in the Middle East, Washington would find it impossible to accept such a toll system.

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a very positive step. However, he cautioned that the situation in Lebanon remains extremely critical and urged that the country be included within the scope of the ceasefire agreement.

According to an Al Jazeera report cited in the source, Macron has long emphasized the importance of ending conflict in Lebanon and has repeatedly called for preventing the nation from sliding further into violence and instability. He stated that achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires a comprehensive approach that considers all regional conflicts.

Macron’s remarks reflect France’s continued diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern stability and its concern over Lebanon’s fragile security environment amid broader regional tensions.

The United States and Iran are both showing signs of trust in Pakistan as a potential mediator in ongoing regional conflicts. The report notes that Iran, which no longer trusts its Arab neighbors due to their close ties with Washington, has maintained a strong diplomatic relationship with Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi referred to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir as ‘dear brothers,’ reflecting Tehran’s confidence in Islamabad. Pakistan’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel over the Palestinian issue further strengthens this trust.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s relations with the United States have improved compared to the previous year. Islamabad has joined Trump’s peace board aimed at ensuring stability in Gaza, and Trump has described General Munir as his ‘favorite field marshal.’ Munir’s connections within both U.S. and Iranian defense circles reportedly give Pakistan an advantage in facilitating dialogue.

Additionally, Pakistan’s positive relations with other Gulf nations position it as a potential bridge for collective efforts to de-escalate regional conflicts and promote peace.

The Bangladeshi-flagged vessel ‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’, which had been stranded in the Persian Gulf, has finally received permission to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The ship, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors, resumed its journey early Wednesday morning after a ceasefire took effect. According to international tracking data, the vessel departed from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khair port and was positioned off Dammam’s outer anchorage, moving at a speed of 8.3 nautical miles per hour toward Cape Town, South Africa.

Chief Engineer Rashedul Hasan confirmed that the ship had loaded about 37,000 tons of fertilizer before anchoring near Dammam. Following the ceasefire, it began sailing toward Hormuz, approximately 425 nautical miles away, a distance expected to take around 40 hours to cover. The vessel had earlier been delayed due to escalating regional conflict.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf began in late February after a U.S.-Israel strike on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks, prompting international authorities to classify parts of the Gulf as high-risk zones. The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation had earlier decided to withdraw the vessel from danger until safe passage was assured.

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has warned that the ongoing Iran conflict should not be viewed as an isolated crisis. In a blog post published on April 8, 2026, he described it as part of a broader collapse in the global system, reflecting historical patterns that have preceded major wars. Dalio argued that the world is already in a form of world war encompassing military, economic, technological, and geopolitical dimensions.

He cited multiple interconnected conflicts, including those involving Russia, Ukraine, Europe, the United States, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran. According to his “Big Cycle” theory, the world is now in a phase where financial systems, political structures, and global power balances are simultaneously weakening. He compared the current stage to the pre-war periods of 1913–14 and 1938–39.

Dalio suggested that China and Russia appear to be emerging as relative winners in this shifting order, while the U.S.-led post-1945 system is breaking down. He warned that conflicts are likely to intensify rather than subside, with the Iran war marking the beginning of a larger global confrontation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that the United States and Israel suffered a 'miserable defeat' following what she described as an unprovoked and unilateral aggressive attack on Iran on February 28. She made the remarks in an interview with Sputnik Radio, emphasizing that Russia had opposed the attack from the outset and had called for an immediate halt to the aggression.

Zakharova reiterated that there is no military solution to the current situation and that diplomatic engagement remains the only effective way to resolve the crisis. Her comments reflect Moscow’s continued criticism of Western and Israeli actions in the region and its advocacy for diplomatic approaches over military confrontation.

The statement underscores Russia’s positioning as a vocal opponent of military escalation in the Middle East and its support for diplomatic conflict resolution.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran just two hours before threatening to destroy the country’s “entire civilization.” The decision followed high-level diplomatic efforts by Pakistan, whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged all sides to halt hostilities. According to The New York Times, Iran’s new supreme leader approved the ceasefire proposal, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated that the ceasefire was based on discussions with Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and that planned US strikes on Iran would be suspended for two weeks under specific conditions. He added that the US had already achieved its military objectives and was advancing toward a long-term peace agreement, describing Iran’s ten-point proposal as a workable basis for talks.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the situation remains volatile. Explosions were reported in Tehran and across the Gulf region, while US and Israeli forces intensified attacks on Iranian infrastructure. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for a strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail petrochemical complex, signaling continued regional instability.

US President Donald Trump has declared a 'complete and total' victory in the conflict with Iran while announcing a ceasefire. In an interview with AFP, he said that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile issue would be 'perfectly resolved' under the new agreement, adding that he would not have entered the deal otherwise. Earlier, when asked about the matter, Trump had said he was not concerned, arguing that satellite monitoring was sufficient.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that it had agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire, with further discussions scheduled for April 10 in Islamabad. The council listed key conditions, including maintaining Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and the complete withdrawal of US military forces from the region. Trump had previously described these conditions as 'workable.'

The timing of the ceasefire’s implementation remains unclear, as reports indicate that attacks and missile strikes continue across the region.

Israel has deployed its 98th Division to southern Lebanon to strengthen its ground operations in the region. The move, reported on April 8, 2026, aims to expand military activity against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. With this addition, a total of five Israeli divisions are now operating in southern Lebanon, including the 91st, 36th, 146th, and 162nd divisions. The Israeli military stated that the new deployment will reinforce the front defense line and help reduce threats to northern residents.

According to reports, the terrain in southern Lebanon is mountainous and densely populated, posing greater challenges than Gaza. The main objective of the operation is to push Hezbollah fighters north of the Litani River and prevent the use of border villages for military purposes. Israeli forces are also preparing to present a plan to political leaders that includes taking control of border villages and continuing operations even after the war with Iran ends.

The report noted that such a strategy could be viewed as occupation under international law, raising potential legal and diplomatic concerns.

Iran is observing the 40th day since the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, with large crowds expected to take to the streets. Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28, which marked the beginning of a coordinated military campaign against Iran.

In Iranian tradition, the 40th day after a person’s death, known as Chehlum or Chollisha, holds deep religious significance. Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of Supreme Leader, though he has yet to appear publicly. The day of commemoration coincides with the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

The overlap of the mourning observance and the truce announcement underscores a moment of both reflection and uncertainty in Iran’s political and military landscape.

After 39 days of fighting, the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, according to an announcement by US President Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump said he accepted a proposal from Tehran that includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Calling it a 'great day for world peace,' he added that the US would help manage traffic in the strait to ensure smooth operations and described the moment as potentially the 'golden age of the Middle East.'

The ceasefire follows weeks of escalating threats. Prior to the talks, Trump had warned of attacks on Iran’s power plants and bridges, even threatening to send Iran 'back to the Stone Age.' Iran responded that the war would continue until the US faced 'permanent humiliation, regret, and surrender.'

Both sides are claiming victory. Trump told AFP that the ceasefire represents a 'complete and total victory' for the US, while Iran’s Supreme Security Council said it also views the truce as a victory but warned that its forces remain on alert and ready to respond to any provocation.

Iran has presented a 10-point proposal following the announcement of a ceasefire with the United States and Israel. According to Iran’s state news agency Fars, the plan includes demands for lifting all sanctions and ending the US military presence in the Middle East. The proposal is reportedly accepted by Donald Trump as the basis for an upcoming meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The plan covers a wide range of strategic issues, including a commitment by Iran not to develop nuclear weapons, withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, and restrictions on attacks from regional bases. It also calls for limited ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian regulations, removal of all UN and other sanctions, creation of a compensation fund for war damages, and recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium. Additionally, it seeks permission for regional peace talks and expansion of non-aggression policies toward resistance groups.

The proposals are expected to form the foundation of the scheduled Iran-US discussions in Islamabad on Friday, with all commitments to be formalized through a UN resolution.

More than 1,530 people have been killed and about 4,812 injured in Lebanon’s southern region during over a month of fighting between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, according to the country’s health ministry as reported by AFP. Among the dead are 102 women and 130 children, highlighting the heavy civilian toll of the conflict.

The report comes as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Netanyahu clarified that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, leaving the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah unaffected.

The exclusion of Lebanon from the ceasefire raises concerns about continued violence in the region, with no indication of an immediate de-escalation in the southern areas of the country.