U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes the war with Iran could end soon and that other countries may reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump claimed that U.S. forces have destroyed Iran’s military capability, reducing the need for a prolonged American presence in the region.

Trump stated that only limited work remains to eliminate Iran’s remaining military strength. He expressed hope that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon and suggested that nations dependent on this vital waterway could take the initiative themselves. According to him, those controlling oil exports would likely be pleased to see the strait reopened.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and come amid ongoing tensions in the region, including missile attacks and military losses linked to the Iran conflict.

Foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey met in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss ending the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The meeting is viewed as both a potential breakthrough for a ceasefire and an early step toward limiting Iranian and Israeli influence in the Middle East. The talks also resulted in an agreement allowing Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, boosting Islamabad’s confidence in its mediation role.

Gulf affairs expert Yasmin Farouk said the four-nation group is expected to play a more active role in securing a ceasefire, warning that the war has reached a dangerous stage. She noted that attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and possible troop deployments by Israel could destabilize the region. Turkey emerged as the most active member of the alliance, with its intelligence chief and foreign minister warning that the conflict could trigger broader sectarian and regional unrest.

Analysts observed that Saudi Arabia’s participation signals a shift from its earlier stance, suggesting it is keeping alternative diplomatic options open amid growing regional risks.

The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that 234 students have been killed since the outbreak of the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The organization stated that 307 medical and health centers and 760 schools across the country have been directly or indirectly attacked. Additionally, more than 113,000 civilian structures have been damaged, including 90,063 residential buildings and 22,422 commercial establishments.

According to the Red Crescent, 44,391 of the damaged structures are located in Tehran. The report highlights the extensive human and infrastructural toll of the ongoing conflict, which has severely affected both educational and healthcare facilities across Iran.

The figures underscore the widespread impact of the war on civilian life and essential services, as reported by the Iranian Red Crescent.

Officials from the United Arab Emirates said the country is preparing to assist the United States and allied nations in using force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. If carried out, this would make the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to become directly involved in the ongoing war with Iran. Emirati officials have begun efforts to persuade the United States and other partners to remove Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway by any means necessary.

According to the officials, the UAE is working to pass a resolution at the United Nations Security Council authorizing such action. Emirati diplomats have also called on the United States and military powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to forcibly reopen the strait. A UAE official stated that Iran’s leadership believes it is fighting for survival and is willing to drag the global economy down by tightening control over the strait.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran has launched extensive attacks on U.S. infrastructure located in the UAE. The Emirati foreign ministry did not deny the report, emphasizing instead that there is broad global consensus on maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanon’s state news agency reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks over the past four weeks has risen to 1,268. Citing the country’s Health Ministry, the report added that a total of 3,750 people have been injured during this period. The strikes have targeted various parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

According to the report, Israel has continued regular assaults since the conflict began, claiming that its operations are aimed at infrastructure linked to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel confirmed that nine of its soldiers have been killed after ground forces entered Lebanese territory.

The escalation reflects the ongoing intensity of the conflict, with both sides reporting casualties and damage as fighting persists across multiple fronts.

China and Pakistan have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks to end the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The announcement came on March 31, 2026, following a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The joint statement, reported by China’s Xinhua and Al Jazeera, emphasized the need to ensure the security of key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement described the current situation as alarming and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy, rather than military action, are the only effective means to restore long-term stability. It also highlighted the negative impact of disruptions to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy.

The five-point initiative includes an immediate halt to hostilities, protection of sovereignty and security of Iran and Gulf states, cessation of attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure, assurance of maritime safety, and the establishment of a sustainable peace framework based on the UN Charter and international law.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused France of closing its airspace to American military aircraft bound for Israel. According to an Al Jazeera report on March 31, Trump stated on social media that France acted in a 'very uncooperative' manner by denying access at a time when a U.S. operation targeting a senior Iranian official was underway.

Reuters earlier reported that France’s refusal occurred over the weekend, marking its first such action since the start of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The report also noted that Spain had previously taken a similar stance. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on March 30 that Spain would not allow its airspace or military bases to be used for any Iran-related military operations.

Reuters added that the Spanish decision means U.S. military aircraft heading to the Middle East must now avoid Spanish airspace, though exceptions may apply in emergencies. Spain’s finance minister said the move aligns with the government’s policy of not supporting or participating in a war deemed unilateral and contrary to international law.

Israel is planning to establish a buffer zone inside southern Lebanon and take control of the area up to the Litani River, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz. He stated that around 600,000 displaced residents from southern Lebanon will not be allowed to return home until the security of northern Israel is fully ensured.

Katz also warned that all houses near the Lebanon-Israel border would be destroyed. The move is described as part of a long-term plan aimed at protecting Israel’s border from Hezbollah attacks and strengthening control over the region.

The announcement comes amid ongoing conflict and rising casualties in Lebanon, where reports indicate that 1,268 people have been killed.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel have damaged 90,063 residential units, 307 healthcare and medical centers, and 760 schools across Iran. The strikes, which began on February 28, have continued despite claims by both countries that they are targeting only military facilities.

According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, the death toll from the attacks has reached 2,076, with more than 24,000 people injured. The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that civilian infrastructure has been heavily affected, contradicting official statements from the attacking nations.

The conflict has also led to rising fuel prices in various countries, reflecting the broader regional and global impact of the war.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that Major General Jamshid Esghaghi, an adviser to the Chief of General Staff of Iran’s armed forces, was killed along with several members of his family in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The report was published on March 31, 2026, by the outlet Amar Desh, citing Iranian media sources.

According to the IRGC statement, Esghaghi and his relatives died in the attack, though the statement did not specify when or where the incident occurred. The IRGC’s announcement was carried by Iranian media but contained no further operational or contextual details about the strike.

The lack of information regarding the timing and location of the attack leaves uncertainty about the circumstances of the event and its immediate implications for regional tensions.

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane stated that more than 11,000 Iranian targets were attacked in the past 30 days, and the US Navy destroyed over 150 ships. He added that increased US control over Iranian airspace has allowed B-52 bombers to fly over land, enabling strikes on new targets.

Earlier, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran has undergone a leadership change and urged the new leadership to act with greater prudence. He warned that if Iran does not reach an agreement with President Donald Trump, the United States will intensify its military operations there.

The report also noted that the ongoing war has led to rising fuel prices in multiple countries and significant casualties, including 234 students killed according to Iran’s Red Crescent, while Lebanon’s death toll has reached 1,268.

The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump may ask Gulf countries to contribute financially to cover the costs of the ongoing US-Israel war surrounding Iran. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would bear a large share of the expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea financed much of the war effort under a US-led coalition. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to participate, fearing economic fallout from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing significant revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that over the past four weeks, the United States has carried out strikes on more than 11,000 targets in Iran, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions.

Iranian media reported on Tuesday that an airstrike hit a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, rendering the facility inoperative. The exact timing of the attack has not yet been confirmed. According to Mohsen Farhadi, a Health Ministry official quoted by the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), the plant is completely out of service and cannot be repaired in the short term.

Farhadi stated that until the facility can be restored, water demand in the area will be met through tankers and other desalination plants. Hormozgan’s deputy governor, Ahmad Nafisi, told Mehr News Agency that aside from the initial strike on the Qeshm water purification center early in the conflict, no new attacks have occurred.

The report comes amid broader regional instability, with Iranian outlets linking the incident to the ongoing war that has affected infrastructure and civilian services across the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States and Israel of deliberately avoiding efforts to normalize relations and reduce tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to Reuters, Lavrov said Washington and Tel Aviv show no genuine interest in improving ties between Iran and its neighbors, instead pursuing policies that prolong conflicts and sustain regional unrest.

Lavrov further claimed that the ongoing crises in the Middle East reflect a clear trend of regime change aimed at securing control over oil and gas resources. He argued that such actions not only weaken regional stability but also intensify competition among global powers.

The Russian diplomat warned that if the current situation remains unchecked, it could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He cautioned that the expanding scope of the Middle East crisis risks upsetting the balance of power and could pose a threat to global security.

The Iranian government announced that one of its largest pharmaceutical companies, which produces anesthetic and cancer treatment drugs, was targeted in a joint US and Israeli strike on Tuesday. The attack reportedly damaged the company’s production lines. The statement was released through a post on the X platform, describing the incident as a strike on a civilian facility.

According to the government, the affected company is owned by the Social Security Investment Company, a state-run holding entity that manages pension funds. The announcement framed the strike as part of broader hostilities impacting civilian infrastructure.

The report did not specify the location of the facility or provide details about casualties or the extent of the damage.