Iran is reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war in the Gulf region, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He stated that Tehran has no intention of engaging in direct talks to halt the wider Middle East conflict but signaled conditional openness to discussions if its terms are met. Araghchi clarified on state television that exchanging messages through mediators does not constitute direct negotiations with the United States.

According to six regional sources, Iran has informed mediators that any ceasefire agreement involving the United States and Israel must include Lebanon. The Reuters report cited Araghchi’s remarks suggesting that Tehran’s leadership will decide on the proposals once reviewed. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump claimed in Washington that Iranian leaders secretly want a deal but fear domestic and external repercussions.

An Israeli defense official expressed doubt that Iran would accept US conditions and voiced concern that American negotiators might offer concessions. Another source said Israel wants to retain its option for preemptive strikes under any potential agreement.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that his country is facilitating message exchanges between the United States and Iran as part of a mediation effort. He stated that Turkey, Egypt, and several other nations are also supporting this initiative aimed at easing tensions between the two sides.

In a post on social media platform X, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s full commitment to peace and its ongoing efforts to ensure stability both within the region and beyond. The statement highlights Islamabad’s active diplomatic engagement amid heightened regional uncertainty.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, underscores Pakistan’s role as a communication channel in the broader mediation process, though specific details of the exchanges or outcomes have not been disclosed.

Israel has claimed responsibility for killing Alireza Tangsiri, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli forces carried out an airstrike that resulted in the death of the IRGC naval commander. The report was published on March 26, 2026.

As of the time of reporting, Iranian authorities have not issued any immediate comment regarding the claim. The information was sourced from Al Jazeera, as cited by the Bangladeshi outlet Amar Desh. The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, Israel, and their respective allies.

No further details were provided about the location or circumstances of the airstrike, and the broader implications of the claim remain unclear pending Iran’s official response.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the launch of what it calls the 82nd phase of its operations against the United States and Israel. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the latest phase began early Thursday morning and involved the use of a large number of drones and missiles. The IRGC stated that the main targets were Israel’s military command centers and industrial facilities connected to the country’s nuclear infrastructure located south of the Dead Sea.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that this marks a continuation of Iran’s ongoing campaign against its adversaries. The announcement underscores Tehran’s assertion of military capability and its willingness to target strategic Israeli assets. The operation’s timing and scale suggest a significant escalation in the confrontation between the two nations.

Further details about the extent of the damage or Israel’s response were not provided in the source report.

Bangladesh has called for intensified global efforts to eliminate slavery and exploitation. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman made the appeal at a commemorative meeting of the United Nations General Assembly held in memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. He paid deep respect to the millions who suffered under slavery and praised the resilience of those who fought for freedom and justice.

Rahman emphasized that the transatlantic slave trade left a lasting scar on humanity. Reaffirming Bangladesh’s firm stance against slavery, racism, genocide, and all forms of oppression, he noted that the country’s constitution rejects imperialism, colonialism, racism, and discrimination while expressing solidarity with oppressed peoples. He recalled that the 1926 Slavery Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized slavery as a grave human rights violation.

The minister highlighted the need to strengthen anti-human trafficking measures, enhance digital forensic coordination, and invest in education and dialogue on the human and civilizational costs of slavery. He urged the international community to unite in building a world free from slavery, discrimination, and injustice.

The United States has warned Iran to accept defeat or face harsher retaliation, according to statements reported on March 26, 2026. Tehran, however, rejected any proposal for negotiations and pledged to continue its counterattacks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on state television that his government has not participated in any talks to end the war and has no plans to do so.

Iran’s state-run Press TV cited a senior political and security official saying that Iran will decide when to end the war, only after its own conditions are met. The report added that Iran has set several conditions for ending the conflict. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that discussions between the United States and Iran are ongoing, a claim Iranian officials have denied.

The source also noted that Russia provided intelligence to Iran before the war, and regional tensions have escalated, with the Gulf Cooperation Council accusing Iran of crossing a red line by closing the Strait of Hormuz.

US Vice President JD Vance may travel to Pakistan later this week to discuss President Donald Trump’s proposal for ending the ongoing Middle East war, according to a CNN report cited by Amar Desh. The report said Iranian representatives informed the Trump administration that they did not wish to resume talks with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Following this, Islamabad proposed Vance’s name, leading to reports of his possible visit.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said that nothing had changed in the administration’s approach and described Vance as a key member of the national security team. She added that President Trump regularly seeks Vance’s advice on both domestic and foreign matters. Levitt declined to specify which Iranian officials the US was engaging with, but CNN sources indicated that Trump’s team was working to organize peace-focused discussions in Pakistan this weekend.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his country is ready to host meaningful talks aimed at ending the conflict. Reports suggest that US and Iranian representatives could meet in Islamabad within the week, though timing and participation remain subject to change.

Iran has confirmed that it is reviewing a ceasefire proposal from the United States but has ruled out any possibility of direct negotiations. The statement came after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was desperate to reach a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s claim, clarifying that while Tehran is examining the proposal, it has no intention of engaging in talks to resolve the conflict.

The prolonged war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance has intensified economic and humanitarian crises, with global energy markets facing severe disruptions. Many countries and companies are struggling to manage the resulting oil shortages. Araghchi stated that no direct dialogue has taken place between Tehran and Washington, though messages have been exchanged through mediators.

In a televised interview, Araghchi emphasized that responding to messages or clarifying Iran’s stance through friendly nations does not constitute formal negotiations. The situation continues to strain international energy stability and heighten regional uncertainty.

The United States Embassy in Iraq has instructed American citizens to leave the country due to ongoing risks from missile, drone, and rocket attacks in Iraqi airspace. The advisory also urged citizens to avoid visiting the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate general in Erbil. With air routes closed, travelers were advised to exit Iraq by land through Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey.

According to the new security alert, Iran-backed armed groups have been carrying out widespread attacks across Iraq, including the Kurdish region, targeting American citizens and sites linked to Washington. The embassy’s directive reflects heightened security concerns amid escalating regional tensions.

The situation underscores the growing instability in Iraq and the broader region, with potential implications for diplomatic operations and civilian safety if the attacks continue.

Turkey’s Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that a Turkish oil tanker was hit by a drone attack in the Black Sea early Thursday morning. The vessel, operated by a Turkish company but sailing under a foreign flag, was carrying crude oil loaded from Russia. At the time of the incident, 27 Turkish sailors were on board, and all have been reported safe.

Uraloğlu stated in a televised interview that the country’s emergency call center received reports of an explosion shortly after midnight. He confirmed that relevant authorities were dispatched to the scene and that the situation is being closely monitored.

According to the minister, the tanker’s operations and safety measures are under review as officials continue to assess the extent of the damage and potential risks in the area.

Iran has announced that ships from Bangladesh and several other friendly nations will be allowed to navigate safely through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing regional conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on state television that the strait has not been completely closed, countering claims by Western media. He said Iran’s armed forces are ensuring secure passage for vessels from countries it considers friendly or has granted special permission.

According to Araghchi, the countries benefiting from this arrangement include China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, India, and Bangladesh. He mentioned that two Indian ships recently crossed the strait safely and that coordination with Bangladesh and others will continue even after the war. However, he clarified that ships from nations Iran views as adversaries or involved in the conflict will not be allowed to pass.

The decision comes as global energy supply disruptions intensify around the Hormuz Strait, a key maritime route. Iran’s selective approach aims to maintain limited trade flow while restricting access to its perceived opponents.

Iran has outlined several conditions for ending the ongoing war, rejecting a ceasefire proposal from the United States. According to Iran’s state-run Press TV, Tehran stated that the conflict will only cease once its specified conditions are fulfilled. The report did not detail the conditions but confirmed that Iran’s stance was firm on this requirement.

The United States had earlier proposed a ceasefire, with Pakistan acting as an intermediary to deliver Washington’s offer to Tehran. Senior Pakistani sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that the document from the Trump administration was presented to Iranian officials, and they are now awaiting a response. The development underscores the complex diplomatic exchanges involving multiple regional and global actors.

The situation remains tense, with related reports noting that Iran’s actions, including closing the Strait of Hormuz, have drawn criticism from the Gulf Cooperation Council, while concerns grow over potential energy instability in Asia if the war continues.

Iran has rejected a United States proposal to end the ongoing war, according to Iranian state television Press TV, citing a senior political and security official. The official stated that Iran would decide when to end the war based on its own conditions, emphasizing that the decision would only come once those conditions are met.

Among Iran’s stated conditions are a complete halt to what it calls enemy aggression and assassinations, the establishment of concrete measures to prevent the war from being reimposed on Iran, and guarantees for compensation and reparations for wartime damages. Iran also demands clear financial arrangements for all resistance groups involved across the region and the conclusion of hostilities on all fronts. Additionally, Tehran seeks international recognition and assurance of its sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said they are seeking not just a ceasefire but a full end to the war, underscoring their insistence on sovereignty and security guarantees before any settlement.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued new claims about Iran’s military losses in the ongoing Middle East war. In a video message on Wednesday, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said that over three weeks of fighting, US forces carried out strikes on more than 10,000 Iranian military targets and conducted over 10,000 aerial operations. He asserted that Iran’s air defense systems have been severely weakened.

According to Cooper, 92 percent of Iran’s largest naval vessels have been destroyed, and the country’s missile and drone launch rates have dropped by more than 90 percent. He added that over two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone, and shipbuilding facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Cooper stated that the US is on track to achieve its military objectives, including reducing Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders.

Despite these claims, Tehran continues to launch drone and missile attacks on US and Israeli positions in the Gulf region, as well as on energy facilities, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and flight disruptions.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the ongoing war against Iran has gone beyond all limits and is now out of control. Speaking at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, he said the conflict, which has lasted for more than three weeks, has reached a level that even leaders could not have imagined. Guterres cautioned that the world is facing the threat of a wider war, growing humanitarian suffering, and deeper global economic shocks.

Calling for an immediate halt to military escalation, Guterres urged all parties to replace confrontation with diplomacy and to restore full respect for international law. Addressing the main parties involved, he said that the United States and Israel should end the war now, as civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering continue to rise and the global economic impact becomes increasingly devastating.

He also called on Iran to stop attacks on Gulf countries, arguing that those nations are not parties to the conflict.