Iranian authorities have safely neutralized an unexploded bunker-buster bomb found buried about 13 meters underground in a residential area of Yazd Province. The powerful bomb, dropped during wartime, had struck its target but failed to detonate. The operation was carried out jointly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and local bomb disposal units, who completed the task without any accidents.

According to officials, the unexploded ordnance had remained embedded in the ground since the conflict period, posing a potential threat to nearby residents. The coordinated effort between military and local teams ensured the safe removal and neutralization of the device.

The successful disposal of the bomb has eliminated a long-standing safety risk in the area, though details about the exact origin and timing of the wartime strike were not disclosed in the report.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained around 240 people in security operations across Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency. The IRGC reported that 11 individuals were arrested in Kurdistan, where one member of a Kurdish armed group was killed and a large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized. In a separate operation, about 70 more people were detained.

In Kermanshah province, the IRGC detained 155 people, claiming they were members of anti-revolutionary groups. Among those arrested, four are suspected of being spies linked to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. Separately, police in Tehran arrested one person accused of collecting information on missile targets and supplying it to a hostile network.

Authorities stated that these operations were part of broader efforts to strengthen national security across various regions of Iran.

Iran’s Ministry of Defense has stated that a significant portion of the country’s missile capability remains unused. The ministry also reported that more than one thousand types of weapons are currently being produced domestically using Iranian technology.

According to ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik, despite recent conflicts involving the United States and Israel, Iran continues to maintain a high level of defensive and counterattack readiness. He added that thousands of institutions across the country are contributing to weapons production, and that manufacturing will not stop even if some facilities are damaged.

Talaei-Nik further described the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic tool under Iran’s control, underscoring its importance in the country’s defense posture.

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik stated that the United States is looking for an 'honorable' way to exit the ongoing war. His remarks came as U.S. representatives prepared to visit Pakistan for peace discussions, while an Iranian delegation was also in the country. However, Iran clarified that there is no possibility of direct talks between the two sides.

According to Talaei-Nik, Iran’s military has become a powerful force, and the opposing side is now trapped in the quicksand of war, seeking a respectable way to withdraw. The statement coincides with the planned arrival of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Islamabad for the peace mission.

The timing of these parallel visits underscores the complex diplomatic environment surrounding the conflict, though the source did not specify whether any formal engagement between the U.S. and Iranian delegations is expected.

The United States has claimed to have seized an Iran-flagged vessel. According to the US Central Command, the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted the ship as it was heading toward an Iranian port. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, though further details about the vessel or the circumstances of the seizure were not disclosed.

At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Pakistan, a trip viewed as a significant step toward potential second-round talks between Iran and the United States. The visit coincides with preparations by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who are expected to travel to Pakistan on Saturday to participate in discussions aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.

The developments suggest renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan emerging as a possible venue for dialogue following the reported maritime incident.

United States President Donald Trump announced that Iran is “collapsing financially” due to a US naval blockade of Iranian ports that began on April 13. The blockade includes the seizure of Iranian-flagged tankers and redirection of vessels trading with Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to foreign shipping and captured several foreign vessels. Iranian leaders, including First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have said the blockade must end for any ceasefire to take effect.

Analysts cited in the report say the blockade is straining Iran’s economy but that the country retains significant oil reserves and export capacity. Iran continues to earn billions from oil already in transit and has imposed tolls on ships passing through the Strait. Experts note that Iran’s floating oil reserves could sustain revenues until August, while the US faces domestic political limits on maintaining the blockade beyond May 1. China’s opposition to disruptions of its trade with Iran adds further pressure on Washington.

The standoff has driven up global oil prices and heightened regional instability. Both sides appear entrenched, with Iran signaling patience and unity, and the US facing growing political and logistical challenges to sustain the blockade.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that there are no plans for a meeting with the United States during the Iranian delegation’s visit to Islamabad. In a post on social media platform X, he confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in the Pakistani capital and will hold talks with senior Pakistani officials.

Baghaei explained that the visit aims to convey Iran’s position and message to Pakistan as part of ongoing mediation efforts to end what he described as a U.S.-imposed war and to restore peace in the region. The statement came after earlier reports from the U.S. side suggested a possible meeting between Iranian representatives and American officials in Islamabad.

Iran’s clarification underscores a clear difference in positions between Tehran and Washington regarding any direct engagement during this diplomatic visit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that he will visit Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, describing the trip as a timely initiative. In a message posted on social media platform X, Araghchi said the purpose of the visits is to strengthen coordination with partner countries on bilateral issues and to discuss the regional situation. He emphasized that Iran’s neighbors remain its top priority.

Reports indicate that his planned visit to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, is being viewed as a significant step that could help pave the way for renewed direct discussions between Tehran and Washington. The trip underscores Iran’s ongoing diplomatic outreach amid evolving regional dynamics.

The visits are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation and addressing shared regional concerns, though specific agendas or outcomes have not yet been detailed in the available reports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may visit Pakistan for talks, according to state media reports, though Tehran’s Foreign Ministry has not yet confirmed the trip. The visit could be part of a broader tour including Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, scheduled to begin Friday evening.

The development comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently declared that the country is “locked and loaded,” signaling readiness for military action. In response, Iran warned that its “finger is on the trigger.” Both nations have reportedly adopted a policy of seizing each other’s ships, described by analysts as a “blockade-for-blockade” strategy. The US military has claimed to disrupt Iranian-linked vessels, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it seized at least two ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Conflicting claims of battlefield success have further deepened the standoff. Observers now await whether diplomacy through Araghchi’s potential visit can ease tensions or if the conflict will escalate further.

Analysts believe Iran’s economy will not collapse immediately despite the ongoing US naval blockade on its ports, imposed after Tehran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict. The blockade, in effect since April 12, aims to pressure Iran into peace negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is financially breaking down, but Iranian economist Saeed Laylaz told AFP that only a blockade lasting two to three months could cause serious harm, while Gulf states might suffer even more.

Energy experts warned that Iran’s main oil export terminal at Kharg Island could soon reach full storage capacity. Data from Kpler indicated that Iran’s crude oil production has already dropped by about 200,000 barrels per day and could fall by another 420,000 barrels in April. However, Jamie Ingram of the Middle East Economic Survey noted that Iran has previously endured long-term sanctions without major concessions.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group added that while ordinary Iranians face growing pressure, the country’s leadership has shown resilience under severe economic strain, using control over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to the Associated Press, he called such a proposal completely unacceptable. The issue has become central to ongoing discussions between the two sides as they explore possible peace negotiations.

According to U.S. officials, Iran currently holds about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20 percent, and 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6 percent. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that if further enriched, this material could be sufficient for up to ten nuclear bombs. However, the agency also confirmed it has found no evidence of an active weapons program. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.

Experts note that while Iran possesses the technical capacity to reach weapons-grade enrichment, developing a functional nuclear weapon would require additional complex steps such as warhead design and delivery systems, which remain unverified.

Iran has announced the waiver of transit fees for ships from countries it considers 'friendly' when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was reported by Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti on April 24, 2026. Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali stated that the exemption currently applies to certain nations and highlighted that the future of this policy remains uncertain.

According to Jalali, Iran’s Foreign Ministry is presently ensuring that these exceptional privileges are extended to friendly countries such as Russia. The move reflects Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with selected partners amid ongoing regional and global tensions.

The report did not specify how long the waiver will remain in effect or which other nations are included in the 'friendly' category.

Iran has waived transit fees for Russian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that the exemption applies to Russia and other 'friendly' countries. He noted that Iran’s foreign ministry is currently granting such concessions, though future policy remains uncertain.

The decision follows Tehran’s earlier announcement of imposing tariffs on shipping through the strategic waterway in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran. The fee waiver for select nations signals Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with allies while maintaining pressure on adversaries through economic measures.

It remains unclear how long the exemptions will last or whether additional countries will be included under the 'friendly' category in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s government is deeply divided, suggesting internal conflict between moderates and hardliners in Tehran. Iranian officials, however, have firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing that the country remains united. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all issued statements dismissing Trump’s remarks. They jointly declared through social media that there are no extremists or moderates in Iran, only Iranians and revolutionaries loyal to the Supreme Leader.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref echoed this sentiment, describing Iran as a fortress of unity rather than division. He said that despite political diversity, the nation stands under one flag in times of crisis to defend its land and dignity. Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times cited unnamed Iranian officials saying that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded as Supreme Leader, was seriously injured but remains mentally alert after an attack that killed his father.

According to Al Jazeera, Trump’s remarks about alleged divisions could serve as justification for extending a ceasefire and blaming Iran for stalled negotiations.

Iran activated its air defense systems in Tehran and several other cities after detecting small drones in its airspace. The incident occurred on Thursday, according to local media reports. Fars News Agency reported that multiple locations across the country detected small drones, prompting the activation of air defense systems. The state news agency IRNA said sounds from the defense systems were heard in both the western and eastern parts of the capital.

No immediate further details were available following the activation. Later, Iranian media clarified that the activation of the air defense systems in Tehran was part of a test. Meanwhile, an Israeli military source denied any involvement in the incident, according to reports.

The reports did not specify the origin of the drones or the nature of the test, leaving the broader context of the activation unclear.