The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed responsibility for killing at least 40 Hezbollah fighters in the past 24 hours during coordinated air, land, and sea operations in southern Lebanon. According to a report cited by Al Jazeera, the IDF said it carried out extensive airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s military installations and infrastructure.

The IDF stated that the attacks destroyed several key sites, including weapons depots and rocket launch facilities. Ground forces reportedly identified and neutralized a Hezbollah cell in the region, while the Israeli navy struck a weapons warehouse in southern Lebanon. The operations were described as part of a comprehensive campaign against Hezbollah’s military presence.

As of the report’s publication, Hezbollah had not issued any official response to Israel’s claims, leaving the extent of the casualties and damage unverified.

An Iranian military spokesperson has accused the United States and Israel of carrying out attacks on what he described as 'trivial' targets. In a statement published by the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency and the semi-official Fars News Agency, he warned that a 'catastrophic, more extensive and destructive' response could follow.

The spokesperson said both countries possess 'incomplete' information about Tehran’s military capabilities and equipment. He added that Iran’s military production takes place in undisclosed locations and rejected former US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s arsenal had been significantly depleted. The spokesperson further warned that the United States and Israel would have to 'pay the price for the aggression they started.'

The statement reflects heightened rhetoric amid ongoing regional tensions, though no specific details about the timing or nature of the alleged attacks were provided in the report.

A severe humanitarian and economic crisis has emerged in the Persian Gulf as Iran’s blockade has trapped at least 2,190 commercial vessels, including 320 oil and gas tankers, in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to the latest marine data released Wednesday, the ships are stranded in the middle of the Gulf with almost no exit route. Maritime intelligence agency Kepler reported that among the trapped vessels are 50 crude oil carriers and 12 large liquefied gas ships. Normally, around 120 ships pass through the strait daily, but only six managed to cross between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Iran currently maintains full control over the waterway, allowing limited passage through a special corridor near Larak Island. Reports allege that Iran is charging up to $2 million per ship to pass, a practice sailors have dubbed the “Tehran toll booth.” Tehran has hinted that ships from “friendly” nations like Malaysia may be exempted. China confirmed that three of its ships crossed under special coordination, while some Indian and Greek vessels also managed limited passage.

The crisis has left about 20,000 sailors stranded at sea. The UK has called an emergency meeting with 35 countries, while China and Pakistan urged an immediate ceasefire and safe navigation. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to lift the blockade or face tougher military action.

Eight Muslim-majority countries have jointly condemned Israel’s recently passed death penalty law, calling it discriminatory and a violation of Palestinian rights. According to the report, foreign ministers from Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement criticizing the law. The Israeli parliament passed the bill earlier this week, introducing capital punishment for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in what it defines as ‘terrorist’ acts, while exempting Jewish Israelis from the same penalty.

The ministers said the law denies Palestinians’ fundamental rights and institutionalizes an apartheid-like system in the occupied territories. They also expressed deep concern over the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, citing reports from human rights groups about torture, food shortages, and deprivation of basic rights.

The European Union and several European countries have also voiced concern and criticism over the law. Human rights organizations warned that the measure will further entrench discrimination against Palestinians and strengthen Israel’s apartheid system.

China’s Foreign Ministry has called on all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in Iran to immediately cease hostilities. The appeal came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to launch larger-scale attacks in Iran in the coming weeks. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the statement during a press briefing, emphasizing that military means cannot fundamentally resolve the problem and that escalating the conflict serves no party’s interests.

Mao further stated that the root cause of instability in the Strait of Hormuz lies in illegal military activities in the area. She urged all sides to avoid actions that could have more severe impacts on the global economy and energy security. The statement reflects Beijing’s concern over the potential regional and global repercussions of continued hostilities.

The call for restraint follows heightened tensions in the region, with reports of potential attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and volatility in global oil and precious metal markets.

Kuwait International Airport was hit by another drone attack on April 2, 2026, which Kuwaiti authorities claimed was carried out by Iran. The strike triggered a massive fire at the airport’s fuel depot, according to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority. CNN reported that the attack caused extensive damage to fuel tanks, though no casualties were reported. On the same day, Bahrain also reported a drone attack.

Abdullah Al-Rajhi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, said the drones targeted the airport’s fuel tanks, leading to a large blaze at the site. In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry confirmed that emergency teams were working to extinguish a fire at a company facility following what it described as an Iranian drone strike.

Authorities in both countries are assessing the damage, and no immediate information was available about potential disruptions to airport operations or further security measures.

Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami has instructed the country’s operational headquarters to closely monitor every movement of the United States and Israel amid concerns of a potential ground attack. In a video shared by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Hatami was seen meeting with other senior military officials, emphasizing the need for constant surveillance and readiness.

According to IRNA’s summary of his remarks, Hatami directed the armed forces to ensure that if any enemy attempts a ground operation, none of them should return alive. The summary further stated that the military has been ordered to observe enemy movements with maximum precision and to implement plans to counter any form of attack.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, comes amid heightened regional tensions and warnings of possible assaults, including alerts around the US embassy in Baghdad.

The United States Embassy in Baghdad has issued an emergency alert warning that attacks could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to the embassy statement released on Thursday, Iran-backed militia groups may be planning assaults in central Baghdad. Potential targets include US citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other sites linked to the United States. Iraqi government institutions and civilian areas were also cited as being at risk.

The statement noted that such militias have previously attempted to kidnap American citizens, referencing an incident two days earlier in which a US journalist was abducted in Baghdad. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the embassy urged all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The alert underscores heightened security concerns in Baghdad as tensions involving Iran-backed groups continue to pose threats to US-linked entities and local institutions.

An Iranian military spokesperson has warned of an impending 'extreme, widespread and destructive' attack against the United States and Israel. The statement, published by the Tasnim news agency linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accused both countries of targeting what he called 'trivial' objectives. The warning comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows recent military actions attributed to the US and Israel.

The spokesperson rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s weapons stockpile had been significantly depleted. He asserted that Washington and Tel Aviv possess incomplete information about Tehran’s military capabilities and equipment. The statement further cautioned that the US and Israel would have to pay a 'heavy price' for what was described as their ongoing aggression.

The remarks were reported by BBC and reflect a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Iran and its adversaries, signaling the potential for further confrontation if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.

Iran’s armed forces have declared that the United States and Israel are unaware of the full extent of Iran’s military and strategic capabilities. The statement came from the headquarters of the Khatam al-Anbiya military command, which asserted that both countries hold incomplete information about Iran’s defense strength. The Iranian military also pledged to continue fighting until what it called the “final surrender” of its enemies.

According to a statement published by the Tasnim news agency, a spokesperson for the command said that Iran’s adversaries should not assume they have destroyed its missile production centers, long-range precision drones, modern air defense systems, or electronic warfare capabilities. The spokesperson added that Iran’s strategic military production takes place in undisclosed locations beyond the reach of its enemies.

The statement included a warning of harsher and more destructive actions against adversaries, reinforcing Iran’s commitment to sustained military resistance. The report was sourced from Al Jazeera.

China and Pakistan have completed a seven-day joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The exercise, named 'Sea Guardian-4', concluded on Wednesday and aimed to strengthen coordination and bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ navies, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The exercise included a five-day harbor phase in Karachi and a two-day sea phase in the northern Arabian Sea. Activities during the sea phase featured air defense drills against multi-dimensional threats, operations with a Pakistani submarine, conventional naval warfare exercises, and live firing to enhance operational and tactical coordination.

The ISPR statement said the exercise ended with a coordinated patrol in the Arabian Sea, reaffirming both navies’ commitment to regional maritime security and stability.

Russia has accused NATO of preparing for a direct military confrontation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the allegation, citing NATO’s growing defense expenditures and frequent military exercises as indicators of such intentions. She referred to NATO’s 2025 activity report, claiming it shows the alliance’s role in escalating global tensions.

Zakharova stated that NATO’s potential military spending for 2025 could reach about 1.64 trillion dollars, representing roughly 62 percent of global defense expenditure by its 32 member states. She questioned why Russia continues to be portrayed as a threat despite such high spending. According to her, NATO conducted more than 120 joint military drills last year, while member states held over 700 separate training activities, many involving partner nations.

She further alleged that these exercises include offensive strategies, reflecting what she described as NATO’s aggressive stance. Zakharova rejected NATO’s labeling of Russia as the main threat to the Euro-Atlantic region and questioned accusations of airspace violations, sabotage, and cyberattacks. Analysts believe these remarks could heighten existing NATO-Russia tensions.

According to a report cited by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the United States and Israel have ultimately failed to achieve their objectives in the war against Iran. The conclusion comes from an analysis by the Center for Strategic Studies, which reviewed reports from 80 leading think tanks worldwide over the past month.

The research found that while the US and Israel managed limited tactical strikes due to their advanced military technology, they failed strategically to bring down Iran’s political system, destroy its defense capabilities, or force social and political surrender. The report credits Iran’s “exceptional and intelligent warfare tactics” for giving it dominance in the conflict, including maintaining control of the Strait of Hormuz and preventing the US-Israel alliance from regaining it militarily.

The analysis describes the war as gradually turning into a war of attrition, favoring Iran over time. It concludes that the US and its allies now face two options: to withdraw while claiming a “propaganda victory” or to end the conflict quickly without any form of victory.

China has joined Pakistan in a joint mediation effort to stop the ongoing war in Iran, which has entered its second month. The conflict has severely disrupted global energy supplies and driven up oil prices. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American military operations in Iran could continue for another two to three weeks, though the end of the war remains uncertain.

According to reports, China and Pakistan have proposed a five-point plan aimed at achieving a ceasefire and reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz. China’s foreign ministry said both countries are working toward peace and view dialogue and diplomacy as the only effective solutions. As the world’s largest crude oil importer, China faces significant economic risks from prolonged energy instability, which could slow global growth and harm its export-driven economy.

China’s growing economic ties with Middle Eastern nations and its previous mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023 highlight its broader diplomatic ambitions. However, analysts note that China seeks economic stability rather than direct involvement in regional conflicts, and its military influence in the region remains limited.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the ongoing war will continue for at least several more weeks, reaffirming earlier statements during a televised address to the nation. Speaking at 9 p.m. local time, he said the United States had already achieved rapid and significant victories and was close to final success. Trump stated that American forces would continue bombing operations in the coming weeks.

He warned that if Iran refused to reach an agreement, its energy and power infrastructure would become targets. Trump also mentioned that allied nations were taking steps to secure control of the Strait of Hormuz, though he did not directly reference NATO. He emphasized that many strategic objectives had already been achieved and that the campaign would persist.

Trump thanked U.S. allies involved in the Iran conflict, particularly Israel and Gulf countries, for their contributions, saying they had performed exceptionally and would not be allowed to fail.