France has announced that it will not provide any offensive weapons to Israel, citing the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The statement was reported by PressTV on Sunday. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin clarified in a social media post that France is not supplying arms to Israel. She explained that France has only authorized the sale of certain components used in air defense systems, such as projectiles for the Iron Dome, and some equipment also used by the French armed forces.

A few days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would not join any aggression against Iran on behalf of the United States or Israel. The announcement underscores France’s cautious stance in the escalating regional situation.

The decision reflects France’s effort to maintain a balanced position in the Middle East while avoiding direct involvement in potential military confrontations linked to Iran.

Iran has announced that it will not reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz until it receives war compensation. According to a report by Al Jazeera citing the Iranian president’s office, the statement was made on Sunday. Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, the president’s communications adviser, said in a social media post that under a new legal framework, the strait would only reopen once compensation is paid through transit fees.

Tabatabaei also sharply criticized recent remarks by Donald Trump, accusing him of making inappropriate and meaningless comments out of frustration after threatening attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure over the closure of the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, and the ongoing closure has heightened tensions in international markets and raised concerns about regional security.

The report noted that pressure on Iran is increasing, but the country remains firm in its decision not to reopen the strait until its conditions are met.

Middle East analyst Mohammad Ali Shabani stated that the current tension between the United States and Iran has reached a stage where neither side can withdraw without losing face. Speaking to Al Jazeera, the Amwaj.media editor said US President Donald Trump appears ready to carry out threats to strike Iran’s key infrastructure, a move that could trigger a major regional conflict.

Shabani added that Iran is signaling its own resolve by targeting infrastructure in Kuwait to demonstrate it will not back down either. He described the situation as a standoff in which both sides are trapped by the need to preserve their honor.

He warned that under these circumstances, the region faces a high likelihood of escalating tension within the next 24 hours.

An Iraqi oil tanker named ‘Ocean Thunder’ has passed through the Strait of Hormuz without incident under Iran’s special exemption policy, according to Al Jazeera. Data from LSEG and Kpler showed that the vessel traveled along Iran’s coast through the strategic waterway. Iran had announced a day earlier that Iraq would not face any restrictions on navigation through this vital maritime route.

Marine traffic trackers indicated that the tanker was last located in the Gulf of Oman. Kpler data revealed that ‘Ocean Thunder’ loaded about one million barrels of Basra Heavy crude oil on March 2 and is expected to arrive at Malaysia’s Pengerang port in mid-April.

The smooth passage of the Iraqi tanker is being viewed as significant amid ongoing tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy transport corridors.

Iran has claimed that a US special operation to rescue a missing American pilot has failed. The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the mission was one of the most courageous in US history and had been completed successfully. Following Trump’s post, Iranian authorities and state media rejected the claim, describing the operation as unsuccessful.

A spokesperson for Iran’s central military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, said in a statement that US forces made desperate attempts to recover the downed pilot but failed due to the efforts of Iranian forces. The United States had earlier confirmed that there was an exchange of gunfire between American and Iranian troops during the mission.

Iran’s military further alleged that Washington’s announcement of a successful rescue was an attempt to conceal its defeat. The incident has added to the ongoing tensions between the two countries, which have previously clashed over military and political issues.

Iran has claimed to have shot down a US C-130 transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters in the southern province of Isfahan. According to Tehran, the incident occurred during a US mission to rescue missing crew members. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf shared an image of the event on social media, while state television broadcast footage showing the downed aircraft.

A statement from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters said the aircraft were destroyed during what it described as a reckless and hostile rescue operation by enemy forces south of Isfahan. Iranian authorities have portrayed the incident as a major victory, arguing that it disproves US claims about the weakness of Iran’s air defense capabilities.

The situation remains tense following recent US-Israeli attacks in Iran. US President Trump has warned of potential large-scale strikes on key Iranian infrastructure within hours or days, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Tasnim News Agency.

Iran and Oman have held a high-level meeting aimed at maintaining normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transport routes, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting, reported by the Oman News Agency, brought together the deputy foreign ministers of both countries to discuss ways to ensure safe and uninterrupted passage through the strait.

Technical experts from Iran and Oman presented several proposals and plans to preserve stability in the area. The Strait of Hormuz is vital for global energy supplies, and recent tensions have raised concerns about its security. Following a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, Tehran had temporarily declared the route closed to shipping.

Iran later announced that the strait would remain safe for all nations except the United States, Israel, and their allies, signaling a partial reopening of the crucial maritime corridor.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks on petrochemical facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. According to a statement carried by Iranian media, the strikes were carried out in response to earlier attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure and a bridge in Karaj, west of Tehran. The IRGC described the action as retaliation against assaults allegedly conducted by the United States and Israel.

The statement further warned that if civilian facilities in Iran are targeted again, the IRGC will launch a second wave of attacks that would be stronger and more extensive. The situation has become more tense as U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly set a 48-hour deadline, warning that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, American forces could target energy and desalination infrastructure.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with both sides signaling readiness for further confrontation if demands are not met.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face severe consequences if it continues to block the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that Tuesday would be 'Power Plant Day' and 'Bridge Day' in Iran, implying possible military action if the strait is not reopened promptly. He stated that failure to comply would lead to harsh military measures and make conditions in Iran 'like hell.'

Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s remarks have further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Earlier, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the strait, warning that otherwise 'hell will descend' on the country. Iran rejected the ultimatum, calling it a sign of weakness and confusion.

Iranian military officials responded strongly, with General Ali Abdullahi Ali Abadi describing Trump’s threats as desperate and irrational, while spokesman Ebrahim Zulfakari warned that any escalation would turn the entire region into a 'hell' for the United States and its allies.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed deep concern over the safety of Iran’s nuclear facilities following a reported US-Israeli strike. In a message posted on social media platform X, Tedros warned that such attacks pose a serious risk of nuclear accidents with potentially devastating health consequences lasting for generations. He added that as the conflict escalates, so do the associated risks and threats.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a projectile struck near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one worker after debris fell on the site. Bushehr is Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant and is located in a city of about 250,000 people, considered one of the country’s key industrial and military centers.

The incident has heightened international concern about the potential for further escalation and the safety of nuclear infrastructure in conflict zones.

A clash reportedly broke out between US and Iranian forces during a search and rescue mission in Iran to recover the second crew member of a US F-15 fighter jet that had been shot down. The injured crew member was rescued, according to Donald Trump, who said the injuries occurred when the aircraft was downed, not during the gunfire. The incident took place as multiple US warplanes participated in the operation.

Trump stated that no US personnel were killed or injured in the clashes. However, Iranian sources claimed that a US drone was shot down during the search effort. Video footage from the previous Friday appeared to show several individuals firing at a US Black Hawk helicopter.

The confrontation adds to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, which have recently been marked by mutual accusations and military incidents, according to the report.

Israel is reportedly preparing to strike Iran’s energy installations but is waiting for a green light from the United States before taking action. According to a Reuters report citing a senior Israeli defense official, the attack could occur within a week, raising fears of escalating regional tensions.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it has 48 hours to reach an agreement to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences. On his Truth Social account, Trump reminded that he had earlier given Iran a ten-day ultimatum to reach a deal or reopen the strait. He said time was running out and that strong measures could follow within 48 hours.

Trump had previously threatened to order strikes on Iran’s power plants, particularly its largest facility, if the strait was not reopened. Although he later said constructive talks were underway and temporarily suspended possible attacks, the extended deadline is set to expire on Monday night. Iran’s military command has dismissed Trump’s warnings as desperate and unbalanced.

Israel has claimed responsibility for killing 90 Hezbollah members in a series of attacks in southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, the deaths occurred after renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The military also reported killing two additional Hezbollah fighters within the past 24 hours and said its air force destroyed several of the group’s facilities during overnight raids.

The escalation follows a rocket attack launched by Hezbollah in early March in support of Tehran after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, Israel has intensified its operations across Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut, expanding its military presence and airstrikes.

The latest Israeli offensive has displaced about 1.2 million people from their homes in Lebanon, according to the report. The situation marks a significant deterioration in regional stability as both sides continue to exchange attacks.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah announced that it launched a missile attack on an Israeli military ship located 68 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast. The group stated that the strike targeted a warship that was allegedly preparing for aggression against Lebanese territory. According to Hezbollah’s statement, the attack followed several hours of surveillance and involved the use of a naval cruise missile.

Hezbollah claimed that the missile directly hit its intended target. The group’s announcement was reported by Al Jazeera and shared through local media. The incident adds to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have seen repeated exchanges of fire and mutual accusations of aggression along the border region.

No immediate details were provided on the extent of the damage or any casualties resulting from the strike, and Israeli official responses were not included in the report.

Russian authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone strike damaged an oil pipeline near the Baltic port of Primorsk on April 5, 2026. According to Leningrad region governor Alexander Drozdenko, Russia’s air defense systems shot down 19 drones in the region. Debris from one of the drones struck part of the pipeline, which was later safely burned off. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The attack comes amid an increase in Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian infrastructure in recent months. Primorsk, located between the Finnish border and the major city of Saint Petersburg, was also attacked in March, when a fire broke out at an oil depot.

Authorities did not provide further details about the extent of the damage or potential disruptions to oil operations in the area.