The European Union has extended its sanctions on Iran for another year over alleged human rights violations. According to a statement from the EU Council, the sanctions will now remain in effect until April 13, 2027. The measures include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on exporting equipment that could be used for internal repression or telecommunications surveillance.

The EU Council further stated that EU citizens and entities are prohibited from providing funds or economic resources to the individuals and organizations listed under the sanctions. The current list includes 262 individuals and 53 entities, with one deceased person recently removed from it.

The EU first imposed these sanctions in 2011 in response to serious human rights abuses in Iran and has renewed them annually since then.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheibani Rouf will not leave Beirut and will continue his duties there. The statement came after the Lebanese government ordered the ambassador to leave the country last week following his designation as persona non grata.

Baghaei said at a weekly press conference that Iran’s embassy in Beirut remains open and that, based on discussions with relevant parties, the ambassador will continue his work from his residence. Multiple Lebanese sources told BBC Persian that the ambassador will not depart, and law enforcement cannot forcibly remove him because the embassy is considered Iranian territory under diplomatic norms.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry had accused Sheibani of making comments interfering in the country’s internal politics, marking an unprecedented move in the history of Tehran–Beirut relations.

Iran is preparing to implement a new parliamentary plan to regulate navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian parliament member Alaeddin Boroujerdi. He stated that the plan would be approved as soon as possible and would require all ships to obtain Iran’s permission before passing through the strait. The proposal also includes the introduction of a transit toll for vessels using the route.

Boroujerdi explained that maintaining security and providing services to ships in the area involve costs, which justify the creation of a toll collection framework. In addition to the maritime measures, he suggested that Iran should consider withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), arguing that the agreement has lost its relevance following attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States.

The proposed measures indicate a potential shift in Iran’s maritime and nuclear policies, reflecting heightened tensions in the region and Tehran’s intent to assert greater control over strategic waterways.

Iran’s military has accused Israel of carrying out an attack on a desalination plant in Kuwait, according to a statement published by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The statement claimed that the assault was conducted by what it described as the “Zionist regime” as a pretext to blame the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Iranian military characterized the attack as evidence of Israel’s “malice and inferiority.” It further warned that U.S. bases, military personnel, and interests in the region, along with Israel’s military, security, and economic infrastructure, would be considered legitimate targets by Iran. The statement emphasized that this position would remain unchanged.

The report did not include any response from Israel or Kuwait, and no details were provided about the scale of the attack or possible casualties.

Iran has declared the residences of US and Israeli officials in the Middle East as legitimate targets. The announcement was made by Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zulfaqari, who said the move was a response to attacks on residential areas in several Iranian cities.

In a message posted on social media platform X, Zulfaqari stated that Iran would strike the homes of US and Israeli officials in retaliation for assaults on civilian and residential sites within Iran. In a separate video message, he described the planned response as an answer to what he called terrorist acts by the United States and Israel.

According to Iranian claims, recent conflicts have targeted residential buildings in major Iranian cities. As a result, the country’s armed forces now consider the residences of military and political figures from opposing sides as potential targets.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran’s civilian energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil fields, and the strategic Kharg Island. According to Al Jazeera, Trump issued the warning in a social media post on March 30, 2026, stating that if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz quickly and reach an agreement, the United States will take tougher measures.

In his message, Trump claimed that significant progress had been made but warned that if a deal was not finalized soon and the Strait of Hormuz was not immediately opened for business, the U.S. would destroy Iran’s power generation centers, oil wells, and Kharg Island completely. The post reflects escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over control of the vital maritime route.

The report did not include any official response from Iran or other international actors, leaving the potential diplomatic and security consequences of Trump’s threat uncertain.

Iran has sharply criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for what it described as an indifferent stance toward recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the assaults should be considered crimes and accused the IAEA of failing to respond appropriately.

Baghaei told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had taken a very wrong position. He claimed that instead of condemning the attackers, Grossi used language in interviews that further complicated the issue. Baghaei also questioned Grossi’s neutrality, saying the IAEA chief lacked firmness and impartiality.

The criticism reflects Tehran’s growing frustration with international institutions over what it perceives as bias in handling incidents involving its nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has carried out attacks on nearly 13,000 targets in Iran, with several thousand more still remaining. He made the remarks in an interview with the British daily Financial Times, according to a report published on March 30, 2026.

During the interview, Trump reiterated his threat to seize Iran’s oil production centers but also said that indirect discussions between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistani envoys, were progressing positively. When asked whether a ceasefire agreement might soon be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump declined to provide specific details.

He added that about 3,000 targets were still left and suggested that a deal could be reached fairly quickly. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s chief geopolitical analyst has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is likely to continue at least until June. According to the analyst, former U.S. President Donald Trump cannot unilaterally withdraw from the war against Iran, even if he wishes to do so.

Analyst Madison Cartwright explained that while tariff policy falls under the president’s special authority, the timeline for ending a war with Iran cannot be determined by one person alone. He cautioned against expecting Trump to back down at the last moment, as he sometimes did with trade policies.

The comments, reported by The Guardian, highlight the complexity of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and the constraints on unilateral decision-making in wartime situations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to address domestic unrest instead of continuing the war against Iran alongside Israel. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday evening, Pezeshkian referred to the recent 'No Kings' protests held across the United States, saying they reflect growing anger over Trump’s pro-Israel policies.

Pezeshkian described the demonstrations as a sign of deep dissatisfaction within American society and urged U.S. artificial intelligence experts to inform Trump about the public’s frustration. He said many Americans are tired of what he called the 'Israeli kings' dominating U.S. democracy and are increasingly opposed to policies that prioritize Israel.

The remarks come as the U.S. and Israel have been engaged in a month-long conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 with joint attacks that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. Despite mediation efforts by Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, Iran has expressed distrust toward the United States regarding peace talks.

The Israeli military announced that it carried out airstrikes on several Iranian weapons manufacturing facilities on Sunday night. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), more than 80 bombs were dropped on the targeted sites. The attacks reportedly included a long-range anti-aircraft missile factory, a facility producing components for tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and a complex involved in ballistic missile engine production, research, and development.

The IDF stated that it has intensified its operations against Iran’s weapons production industries. Over the past two days, approximately 40 factories have been attacked as part of this campaign. The report, sourced from the Times of Israel, did not provide details on casualties or damage assessments.

The escalation underscores Israel’s continued focus on disrupting Iran’s defense manufacturing capabilities, though the immediate impact of the strikes remains unclear.

Iran has officially confirmed the death of its naval commander Alireza Tangsiri, four days after Israel claimed responsibility for his killing. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement through the Tasnim news agency acknowledging that Tangsiri died from the severity of an attack while organizing his forces and strengthening coastal defenses.

The IRGC statement added that despite Tangsiri’s absence, its naval units continue to deliver strong blows and maintain full control over the Strait of Hormuz. The force vowed not to rest until its enemies are completely destroyed. Tangsiri had been overseeing vessel movements through the strategic waterway and had previously declared that ships linked to aggressors against Iran had no right to pass through it.

Known for his outspoken stance against the United States and Israel, Tangsiri was among senior IRGC commanders sanctioned by Washington in 2019 after Iran shot down a U.S. surveillance drone near the strait.

Iran has denied holding any direct talks with the United States, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. Speaking to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Baghaei said Tehran has so far not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington but has received messages through intermediaries indicating that the U.S. is interested in dialogue.

Baghaei questioned the consistency of U.S. diplomatic positions, saying Iran’s stance remains clear while the other side keeps changing its position. He described the messages from Washington as containing excessive and unreasonable demands. The spokesperson also clarified that Iran did not participate in meetings organized under Pakistan’s initiative, describing them as part of an independent framework.

The statement comes amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with observers noting that such remarks could further widen the diplomatic gap between the two nations.

The US President issued a stern warning on Sunday, stating that Iran would not survive as a nation if it continues efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions, surrender everything to the United States, and comply fully. He added that Iran could rebuild itself as a great country if it complies, but otherwise, it would face total destruction.

When asked about reports that Iran might impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the President said he would verify the claim. He asserted that if such a move occurred, the United States could halt it within minutes. The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

The warning came amid heightened tensions in the region, with related developments including alleged Iranian attacks on infrastructure in Kuwait and claims of progress in US-Iran talks through Pakistan.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s governing system has already changed. In an interview with The Financial Times, he said that the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials during the early days of the war resulted in a ‘regime change’ in Iran. Trump described the current Iranian leadership as a completely different and highly professional group.

He reiterated his claim that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, who had succeeded his father as Iran’s Supreme Leader, is either dead or critically injured. Trump stated that there has been no information about Mojtaba’s condition and asserted that he believes Mojtaba is dead.

Trump further expressed his belief that Iran may eventually reach an agreement with the United States. The interview was reported by BBC and published by Amar Desh Online on March 30, 2026.