German Foreign Minister Johann Wedeful has said that preparations are underway for direct talks between the United States and Iran. According to him, representatives from both countries are planning to meet in Pakistan. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk Radio, Wedeful stated that there had already been indirect communication between the two sides and that they are now preparing for a direct meeting, which he believes will take place soon.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran must take the initiative to persuade him to stop the war, adding that the decision now rests with Iran’s leaders and that he is not interested in reaching any agreement. However, Iranian state media reported that the country’s leadership remains skeptical about Washington’s sincerity in pursuing talks.

The planned meeting, if held, could mark a significant step in easing tensions between the two nations, though mutual distrust remains a major obstacle according to the source.

The United States and Israel have entered the 27th day of their joint military campaign against Iran, with reports indicating growing diplomatic friction between Washington and Tel Aviv over peace negotiations. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad is mediating indirect talks between the US and Iran, with a 15-point American proposal already delivered to Tehran. Turkey and Egypt are also participating in the mediation process.

Iran’s state broadcaster reported that Tehran has rejected the US proposal and instead presented five conditions for ending the war, including a full halt to aggression, compensation for damages, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister claimed responsibility for killing senior IRGC officer Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri, though Iran has not confirmed the death.

The conflict has caused nearly 1,937 deaths in Iran, according to its health ministry, while tensions between US and Israeli leaderships have surfaced, with reports that Donald Trump rebuked Benjamin Netanyahu over a proposal to incite protests in Iran.

The United Nations General Assembly has officially recognized the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly transported Africans across the Atlantic, as a serious crime against humanity. The resolution, introduced by Ghana, was passed on Wednesday with majority support. It calls for historical acknowledgment of the atrocity, urges member states to express remorse, and includes a proposal to establish a compensation fund.

A total of 123 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while the United States, Israel, and Argentina opposed it. Fifty-two countries, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, abstained. Ghanaian President John Mahama said the decision honors the millions who suffered under slavery and racial discrimination, describing it as a safeguard against historical amnesia and a challenge to address the lingering wounds of slavery.

U.S. envoy to the UN Dan Negrea opposed the resolution, stating that the United States does not recognize compensation claims for historical wrongs that were not illegal under contemporary international law and warned against pressuring modern nations for crimes with which they had no connection.

Iran has launched intense attacks on American facilities across several Middle Eastern countries in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, heightening fears over water security in the region. Earlier this month, an Iranian drone strike severely damaged Bahrain’s desalination plant, bringing the issue of water safety to the forefront in Gulf nations where desalinated water is essential for daily life.

According to a recent Moody’s report, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rely heavily on desalination for most of their drinking water, with hundreds of coastal plants providing the majority of the world’s processed water. The report warns that this dependence poses a serious security risk, as the plants are concentrated along vulnerable coastlines with limited short-term alternatives. The recent conflict has exposed how easily these facilities could become targets, threatening both water and energy supplies.

Moody’s notes that disruptions in water supply could quickly affect electricity generation and industrial output. Governments are urged to take swift and costly measures to protect water infrastructure, as prolonged conflict could severely impact weaker economies like Bahrain’s.

At least six people were killed when the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on three residential buildings in the Iranian city of Qom, according to the city’s deputy governor quoted by Fars News Agency. The number of injured remains unknown. In a separate incident, a missile attack struck a residential area in Urmia, destroying four buildings and causing additional civilian casualties.

The report also noted that US President Donald Trump warned Iran to return to negotiations, stating on social media that Tehran should take the matter seriously before it is too late. The warning came amid escalating tensions following the strikes.

According to the same source, Israel has threatened to intensify its attacks on Iran, signaling a possible continuation of military actions in the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, according to the Saudi Press Agency. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed regional and international developments, reviewed bilateral relations, and exchanged views on the latest situation surrounding the Ukraine crisis.

The discussion also covered ongoing military tensions across the Middle East. The meeting comes after Zelensky had earlier announced the deployment of hundreds of Ukrainian military drone specialists to the Gulf region to assist in countering Iranian drones.

The engagement highlights Saudi Arabia’s continued diplomatic outreach amid regional instability and Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation on security matters.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that the ongoing war against Iran is pushing the Middle East toward greater instability. Speaking at a ruling party meeting in Ankara on Thursday, he accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of spreading conflict throughout the region. Erdogan described the current war as one of the most painful chapters in the region’s recent history.

Highlighting the rising civilian casualties, Erdogan said the war against Iran is drowning the region in blood and gunpowder, with even innocent children becoming targets. He emphasized the humanitarian cost of the conflict and referred to it as Israel’s war, claiming that all of humanity is paying the price.

Erdogan added that during these difficult times, Turkey will stand beside its brotherly nations, signaling continued solidarity amid the regional turmoil.

US President Donald Trump has proposed peace talks with Iran while the Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported the plan, citing officials familiar with Pentagon discussions. The potential deployment would include infantry forces and armored vehicles as part of expanded military options for Trump.

According to the report, Washington has already ordered about 5,000 Marines from the 82nd Airborne Division and around 2,000 paratroopers to the region. The new consideration would add another 10,000 troops to that force. The move reflects ongoing US military planning amid tensions involving Iran.

The report also noted that the proposal for peace talks and the possible troop increase are being discussed simultaneously, indicating a dual-track approach of diplomacy and military preparedness.

Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has warned that the country’s army could collapse due to severe manpower shortages as it fights simultaneous wars against Iran and Hezbollah. According to reports from Israeli media cited by Al Jazeera, Zamir issued the warning during a security cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where he presented ten warning signs about the army’s current condition.

Zamir expressed concern that the Israel Defense Forces might soon be unable to carry out regular duties if the situation continues. To address the crisis, he proposed new legislation to expand mandatory recruitment, extend reserve duty, and lengthen the duration of compulsory military service.

The warning comes as Israel remains engaged on multiple fronts, including joint operations with the United States against Iran and ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, straining its military resources and personnel capacity.

Israel’s military spokesman General Efi Defrin announced that attacks targeting Iran’s top leaders will continue. His statement followed the killing of Alireza Tansiri, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s navy, in Bandar Abbas. According to a report by the Times of Israel, Defrin said that such targeted operations will not stop and that Israel will keep pursuing and striking those it considers threats.

Defrin added that Israel has already carried out strikes on more than a thousand sites linked to Iran’s weapons production during the ongoing conflict. He stated that the Israeli military is focusing on factories involved in producing missiles, drones, and defense systems.

The announcement underscores Israel’s continued military campaign against Iranian assets and leadership figures amid heightened regional tensions.

Lebanon announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council following ongoing Israeli airstrikes that have killed at least 1,110 people in the country. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he has instructed the foreign minister to immediately submit the complaint, describing the attacks as a serious threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens’ rights.

According to Lebanese authorities, the strikes began after the outbreak of conflict involving Iran. The National News Agency reported that more than 136,000 people have been displaced, with 34,973 families forced to leave their homes and take shelter in temporary centers. The government characterized the situation as extremely dangerous and called for international attention to halt the escalation.

The move to approach the UN Security Council signals Beirut’s attempt to seek diplomatic intervention amid rising casualties and humanitarian strain caused by the continuing Israeli offensive.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has postponed a planned American strike on Iran’s energy facilities for ten days, following a request from Tehran. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Iranian officials initially asked for a seven-day delay, but he decided to extend it to ten days, setting the new deadline for April 6. He stated that Iran made the request through his representatives and expressed gratitude for the extension.

Trump explained that the postponement came after Iran sought more time to act on unspecified matters, warning that if they failed to do so, the United States would disable their power plants. He added that Iran had provided ships to the U.S., which influenced his decision to grant additional time.

Earlier, Trump had given Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, later extending that deadline by five days before this latest ten-day delay. The developments mark a continued shift in the timeline of U.S. pressure on Iran over regional maritime and energy issues.

Iran has carried out attacks targeting Israeli ships and fuel tanks as the joint US-Israeli offensive in Iran enters its 27th day, according to Al Jazeera reports cited by Amar Desh. The Iranian military claimed responsibility, saying it struck several Israeli naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean and fuel tanks for warplanes at Haifa port.

Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, stated through state media that Iran remains determined to target all sources of aggression and evil forces. The report noted that Israel has not yet issued any immediate response to the attacks.

The situation reflects an escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, with both sides continuing offensive and counteroffensive actions. No further details on damage or casualties were provided in the report.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kosherbayev held a telephone conversation to discuss the ongoing war situation in Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency. During the call, Kazakhstan urged an end to the conflict, expressing concern over the current situation.

Kosherbayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s readiness to contribute to restoring regional stability and security. In response, Araghchi accused Israel and the United States of attacking Iran’s Anzali port, claiming that the assault posed a serious threat to the security and stability of the Caspian Sea region. He called for a united and firm response from the coastal nations.

The discussion reflects growing regional diplomatic engagement as neighboring countries express concern over escalating tensions and their potential impact on regional stability.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that its defense forces intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones on Thursday. According to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense shared on social media platform X, the country’s air defense systems have been countering ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones launched by Iran.

The ministry further stated that since the start of the Iranian attacks, a total of 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,826 drones have been destroyed. The latest assault resulted in the deaths of two UAE armed forces members and one Moroccan national working under contract with the military. Additionally, eight foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, and India were reported killed.

The report highlights the continuing escalation of hostilities involving Iran and the UAE, with regional tensions remaining high as both sides sustain military engagements.