Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Tehran no longer has the capability to produce missiles. According to a report by Al Jazeera, an IRGC spokesperson stated that Iran is still manufacturing missiles at full capacity and facing no difficulties in storing them.

The spokesperson emphasized that Iran’s missile industry remains strong, describing its performance as “20 out of 20.” He added that despite the ongoing state of war, production continues without interruption. The IRGC representative also declared that the war will continue.

Earlier, during a press conference in Israel, Netanyahu had asserted that Iran’s ballistic missile production capability had been destroyed, claiming that “we are winning, and Iran is collapsing.”

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that if sanctions on Iranian oil are lifted, shipments could begin reaching Asian markets within three to four days. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox Business Network, noting that rapid supply resumption could help stabilize global oil prices.

The statement comes amid volatility in global oil markets driven by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is reportedly considering various policy options to manage the situation. Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that sanctions on Iranian oil stored in tankers at sea might soon be lifted.

Experts cited in the report believe that easing sanctions would allow Iranian oil to flow quickly into global markets, potentially increasing supply and reducing price pressure.

The United States is reportedly considering a plan to seize or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital hub for the country’s oil exports, according to Axios. The move aims to break Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and compel Tehran to reopen the strategic waterway. Citing at least four sources, the report said Washington views this military pressure as essential to resolving the ongoing conflict with Iran. Nearly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil is processed and exported through Kharg Island.

The report warned that such an operation could expose US forces to significant risk due to the island’s proximity to Iran. The US military presence in the region has already been increased, with preparations underway for additional troop deployments. Plans reportedly include weeks of airstrikes to weaken Iran’s defenses before any attempt to seize the island, though no final decision has been made.

Military analysts and former US naval officers cautioned that the operation would be highly risky and might not guarantee Iran’s return to negotiations. The rising tension has already unsettled global energy markets, raising concerns about broader economic impacts.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Friday that its spokesman, General Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in a joint missile strike carried out by Israel and the United States. According to Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency, the attack took place early in the morning, and the news of Naini’s death was shared through the agency’s Telegram channel.

Before his death, Naini issued a statement asserting that despite repeated attacks by Israel and the United States, Tehran remained capable of producing missiles. He pledged to continue the fight, emphasizing that the Iranian people supported ongoing resistance until their enemies were completely defeated. He added that the conflict should only end once the “dark shadow of war” was fully removed from the country.

The Israeli military also confirmed Naini’s death, stating that he was killed overnight in an airstrike. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and its adversaries in the region.

Israeli military officials have reported that nearly 20 Israeli drones were shot down within Iranian airspace amid the continuing conflict between the two countries. According to the officials, the Israeli military described the losses as 'acceptable,' as reported by the Times of Israel. No Israeli fighter jets have been downed so far, though pilots have repeatedly encountered Iranian air defense missiles. In one instance, a fighter jet narrowly avoided being hit, according to military sources.

The report indicates that both sides continue their military operations, with aerial tensions escalating steadily. The situation underscores the intensifying hostilities in the region as air defense systems on both sides remain on high alert.

The source of the report is Al Jazeera, as cited by the publication.

In Iran, preparations for the ancient Nowruz festival continue despite widespread anxiety over possible conflict. Traditionally marking the first day of spring, Nowruz is celebrated with new clothes, sweets, and family gatherings. However, this year the usual festive atmosphere is subdued. Markets remain open, but many residents, especially in Tehran, are hesitant to return to the capital after it suffered heavy damage from recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.

A woman from Damavand, northeast of Tehran, described how the season once meant cleaning homes and buying new clothes and sweets, but now each day feels unusually long and uncertain. The 3,000-year-old festival, meaning “new day,” remains one of the world’s oldest cultural celebrations, symbolizing renewal and hope.

Despite fears of war and instability, many Iranians are maintaining the tradition in limited ways, balancing their cultural heritage with the realities of current tensions.

Iran has announced that it will not play its scheduled FIFA World Cup matches in the United States due to security concerns arising from the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The 2026 World Cup, set to begin in about three months, is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the fixture, Iran’s three group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt were to be held in Los Angeles and Seattle. However, the Iranian Football Federation has requested that these matches be moved to Mexico.

Federation president Mehdi Taj clarified that Iran is not boycotting the World Cup but will not set foot on US soil because of safety risks. He cited a statement by Donald Trump suggesting that the US could not guarantee the Iranian team’s security. FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected Iran’s request, stating that the schedule is final and that FIFA cannot intervene in political disputes but believes football can promote peace.

If Iran ultimately refuses to play in the US, it would mark one of the rarest political standoffs in modern football history since the post–World War II era.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for striking a US F-35 fighter jet in the skies over central Iran. The country’s state news agency IRNA reported that a video of the alleged attack has been released. The incident reportedly occurred amid ongoing hostilities, though the authenticity of the footage and the claim could not be independently verified.

According to the report, if confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of a US F-35 being hit and the first attack by Iran on an American aircraft since the start of the current conflict. The information was cited from Middle East Eye, and no official US response was mentioned in the report.

The development, if validated, could represent a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, but the lack of independent verification leaves the situation uncertain.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel. Speaking at a press conference, he said Iran’s missile and drone stockpiles had been severely weakened and that facilities producing related equipment were being destroyed. Netanyahu added that Israel was also targeting factories involved in nuclear weapons development.

However, Netanyahu did not provide evidence to support his claim that Iran’s uranium enrichment capability had been eliminated. The statement came weeks after Oman’s foreign minister said Iran had agreed not to stockpile enriched uranium during indirect talks with the United States, before the February 28 airstrikes. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and other Gulf countries and disrupted oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Netanyahu noted that the conflict has so far remained largely aerial but suggested that ground operations may be necessary, without giving details. He denied accusations that he had drawn the United States into the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy complex involved only a small portion of Iran’s military capability. In a post on social media platform X, he said Iran exercised restraint out of respect for requests to reduce tensions.

Araghchi indicated that if Iranian infrastructure is attacked again, the country will no longer maintain restraint. He also emphasized that any effort to end the ongoing conflict must include addressing the damage caused to Iran’s civilian facilities.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Gulf countries, with Iran signaling readiness to respond more forcefully if provoked further.

A US F-35 stealth fighter jet was damaged by Iranian defense fire while conducting an operation inside Iran’s airspace, according to a CNN report citing two sources. The aircraft made an emergency landing at a US airbase in the Middle East after being hit. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that the fifth-generation jet was on a wartime mission over Iran when it was struck and forced to land.

Hawkins stated that the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. The incident is currently under investigation. This marks the first reported instance of an Iranian strike damaging a US warplane since the conflict began in late February. Both the United States and Israel have been deploying F-35 jets in the ongoing war, each costing over 100 million dollars.

The emergency landing occurred as senior US officials were publicly claiming major progress in operations against Iran. Earlier on Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the US was achieving decisive victories and had neutralized Iran’s air defense systems.

Three unnamed Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field was carried out in coordination with the United States. They said the operation was pre-planned and conducted with Washington’s involvement, though they suggested that similar strikes were unlikely to happen again soon.

Their statements came after US President Donald Trump publicly denied any American knowledge of the specific strike. On Wednesday night, Trump wrote on social media that Washington had no prior awareness of the attack and that Israel would not strike the gas field again unless Iran launched another assault on Qatar.

The Israeli officials added that they were not surprised by Trump’s remarks, recalling a similar situation after previous Israeli strikes on Iranian energy depots when US Defense Chief Pete Hegseth had also denied American involvement.

Nearly three weeks after the start of the conflict, Iran still retains some ability to strike energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region, according to U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Kane said Iran entered the conflict with a large arsenal, prompting the United States to maintain an 'offensive and tough' stance in response.

Kane added that U.S. forces are continuously working to identify and destroy Iranian weapons, though he acknowledged that Iran still possesses 'some military capability.' The remarks came amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf, where energy infrastructure has been a key target in the fighting.

The situation underscores the continuing volatility in the region, with U.S. officials emphasizing sustained military vigilance as Iran’s remaining capabilities pose potential risks to regional energy assets.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported conducting more than 7,800 strikes on targets in Iran since the start of the conflict. The announcement came on Wednesday, marking the 20th day of US and Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. CENTCOM stated that the operations aim to dismantle Iran’s current security structure, prioritizing locations posing immediate threats. During the same period, over 120 Iranian ships have been damaged or destroyed.

The report also noted that Iran continues to launch counterattacks targeting US installations in the Gulf region. The conflict has escalated tensions across the Middle East, with both sides sustaining significant losses. CENTCOM’s update underscores the intensity of the ongoing military campaign and the scale of US involvement.

The situation has raised concerns about broader regional instability, with related reports warning of potential economic impacts, including rising oil prices and disruptions to energy infrastructure in neighboring countries.

Iranian lawmaker Somayeh Rafiei has said that the country's parliament is working on a proposal requiring ships to pay tolls and taxes for sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a public gathering in Tehran’s Vali Asr Square, Rafiei emphasized Iran’s authority over the waterway, describing it as essential for ensuring security and protecting national interests.

According to the ISNA news agency report cited by BBC Bangla, Rafiei stated that Iran has deprived its enemies of their previous comfort and that they are struggling to accept this new reality. She expressed confidence that the ongoing conflict would end with a decisive Iranian victory, after which passage through the Strait of Hormuz would remain challenging for Iran’s adversaries.

The proposal reflects Iran’s intent to assert greater control over one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes, though no details were provided on when or how such tolls might be implemented.