New York City Mayor Zohra Mamdani has criticized the United States and Israel’s war against Iran, saying it should be opposed from every perspective. In an interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, she stated that the conflict has already cost 23 billion dollars, despite Americans facing a crisis of affordable living costs.

Mamdani, who campaigned on a promise to reduce living expenses in New York City, argued that such a vast amount of money could have transformed the lives of working-class Americans if invested in Medicare, education, or student debt relief. She said that by pursuing another regime-change war, the government has thrown away opportunities to improve domestic welfare.

Her remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, highlight growing concerns about the financial and social costs of foreign military engagements amid economic challenges at home.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent briefings on the ‘Epic Fury’ strategy toward Iran reflect ideas similar to those proposed by Italian General Giulio Douhet more than a century ago. Douhet, in his 1921 book ‘The Command of the Air,’ argued that future wars would be decided by large-scale aerial bombardment targeting not only military forces but also civilians, infrastructure, and supply systems. Hegseth’s emphasis on destroying Iran through airstrikes echoes this early 20th-century doctrine.

Although Hegseth has described his approach as a new American strategy, the resemblance to Douhet’s concepts suggests it is not an innovative war policy. The US official has also spoken about breaking civilian morale, stating that their mission involves killing enemies and undermining their will to fight. He expressed hope that the Iranian people would seize what he called an extraordinary opportunity, aligning with President Donald Trump’s message that “now is your time.”

The report highlights that the belief in easy victory through air power may be a misconception, as history shows the limits of such strategies.

A Mexican immigrant died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Los Angeles, bringing the total number of deaths in ICE detention to 14 during the first three months of 2026. ICE confirmed the death on Monday, stating that security staff at the Adelanto Detention Center found José Guadalupe Ramos unconscious in his bunk. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

ICE reported that Ramos had been arrested on February 23 in Torrance, California. He had prior convictions in 2025 for drug possession and theft. Medical examinations at the time of his detention revealed diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. In 2025, at least 31 people died in ICE custody, the highest number in two decades, and the figure continues to rise. Critics have described the detention policy as deadly for detainees.

Mexico’s foreign minister said the government will raise the issue of migrant detainee deaths with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

A Russian military transport aircraft crashed in Crimea, killing 29 people, according to the country’s defense ministry. The incident occurred on the evening of March 31 near a mountain peak close to the Black Sea. The ministry confirmed that the victims included six crew members and 23 civilian passengers. The aircraft, identified as an AN-26, disappeared from radar around 8 p.m. Moscow time while on a scheduled flight within Crimea.

Russian authorities have not clarified the total number of people on board, but no survivors have been reported. State news agencies TASS and RIA cited defense officials as saying that preliminary investigations suggest a technical malfunction caused the crash.

The AN-26 model has been in service since the 1960s and is primarily used for cargo transport. Several previous accidents involving this aircraft type have been recorded, according to the report.

A new Reuters and Ipsos poll reveals that about two-thirds of Americans believe the United States should quickly end the Iran war, even if its stated goals have not yet been achieved. The survey, conducted from Friday to Sunday, found that 66 percent of respondents favored a rapid conclusion to the conflict, while 27 percent supported continuing the war until objectives are met. Six percent did not respond to the question.

The poll also highlights divisions among supporters of former President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. Around 40 percent of Republican respondents favored ending the war soon, whereas 57 percent believed the U.S. should remain engaged until its goals are fulfilled. The survey, which included 1,021 participants, indicates that public support for the war is steadily declining among the general population.

According to the report, the findings suggest growing war fatigue among Americans and increasing pressure on policymakers to reconsider the duration and objectives of U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address on the ongoing war against Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. In a post on the microblogging platform X, Levitt said Trump will speak to the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday to share important information about Iran.

Earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House Oval Office that U.S. attacks in Iran would conclude within two to three weeks and suggested a possible agreement with Iranian authorities. However, the conflict has continued beyond that timeframe, with the situation becoming increasingly complex.

The war began after a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The upcoming address is expected to clarify Washington’s current stance and next steps in the conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will need to reconsider its relationship with NATO once the Iran war ends. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio questioned the value of decades of heavy spending and troop deployments if the US is denied access to allied bases when needed.

He argued that it is time to assess whether the alliance still serves American interests or has become one-sided. Rubio noted that while the US continues to defend Europe, some allies refuse to allow the use of their bases and airspace during critical moments. He described these as legitimate questions that Washington must now confront.

NATO, formed in 1949, currently has 32 member states and is tasked with ensuring the political and military security of its members, according to the report sourced from The Guardian.

The Australian government has cancelled the visa of Bangladeshi religious preacher Mizanur Rahman Azhari and ordered him to leave the country. According to a report published by the Daily Mail on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Azhari was touring Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra as part of his ‘Legacy of Faith’ series when the decision was made. His visa was revoked on Tuesday, and he is currently awaiting departure from Australia.

The report noted that Azhari had previously faced restrictions on entering the United Kingdom and delivering public sermons in Bangladesh. Australian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam told the Senate that several groups, including the Australia-based Federation for Ethnic and Religious Minorities, had warned lawmakers about Azhari’s visit. The Daily Mail also cited a 2023 event in the United States where Azhari allegedly made antisemitic remarks, praising Hitler and describing Jews in derogatory terms.

Duniam stated in the Senate that Azhari has been accused of spreading ethnic hatred globally, referencing the UK’s 2021 decision to bar his entry over alleged anti-Hindu rhetoric.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington is beginning to see the 'final line' of the ongoing Iran war, which has entered its fifth week. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio said the end is approaching, though not immediately. When asked about the possibility of negotiations with Iran, he noted that direct talks could occur at some point but emphasized that former President Trump would not allow discussions to be used as a delaying tactic.

Rubio rejected claims that the United States lacks a clear strategy on Iran, asserting that the objectives are well-defined. He said the US has already destroyed Iran’s air force and largely neutralized its navy. He added that the US is targeting factories producing missiles and drones, as well as missile launchers, to prevent further attacks. Rubio also mentioned that after the war, the US would need to reconsider its relationship with NATO.

The remarks were reported by The Guardian and reflect Washington’s current stance on the conflict’s trajectory and its strategic goals.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes the war with Iran could end soon and that other countries may reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump claimed that U.S. forces have destroyed Iran’s military capability, reducing the need for a prolonged American presence in the region.

Trump stated that only limited work remains to eliminate Iran’s remaining military strength. He expressed hope that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon and suggested that nations dependent on this vital waterway could take the initiative themselves. According to him, those controlling oil exports would likely be pleased to see the strait reopened.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and come amid ongoing tensions in the region, including missile attacks and military losses linked to the Iran conflict.

The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump may ask Gulf countries to contribute financially to cover the costs of the ongoing US-Israel war surrounding Iran. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would bear a large share of the expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea financed much of the war effort under a US-led coalition. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to participate, fearing economic fallout from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing significant revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that over the past four weeks, the United States has carried out strikes on more than 11,000 targets in Iran, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States seeks a negotiated agreement with Iran but remains prepared to continue the conflict if talks fail. He emphasized that the ongoing Iran war would end only under the conditions set by President Donald Trump, underscoring Washington’s firm stance on the matter.

Hegseth also mentioned that the United States is continuing discussions with Iran and called on other nations to help ensure the openness of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera, reflecting the administration’s dual approach of diplomacy backed by military readiness.

The statement comes amid reports of rising fuel prices worldwide and significant casualties linked to the Iran war, including claims by Iran’s Red Crescent that 234 students have been killed and 1,268 deaths reported in Lebanon.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States and Israel of deliberately avoiding efforts to normalize relations and reduce tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to Reuters, Lavrov said Washington and Tel Aviv show no genuine interest in improving ties between Iran and its neighbors, instead pursuing policies that prolong conflicts and sustain regional unrest.

Lavrov further claimed that the ongoing crises in the Middle East reflect a clear trend of regime change aimed at securing control over oil and gas resources. He argued that such actions not only weaken regional stability but also intensify competition among global powers.

The Russian diplomat warned that if the current situation remains unchecked, it could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He cautioned that the expanding scope of the Middle East crisis risks upsetting the balance of power and could pose a threat to global security.

The White House indicated that President Donald Trump may request financial assistance from Gulf countries to help cover the costs of the ongoing Iran-US-Israel war. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would contribute a major share of the war expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea bore significant portions of the war costs. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to get involved, fearing economic repercussions from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing major revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that the United States has carried out more than 11,000 strikes on Iranian targets in the past four weeks, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that Iran still possesses the ability to launch missile strikes despite a month of joint US-Israeli attacks. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, he said the decision on when the war will end ultimately rests with President Trump. Hegseth stated that Iran retains retaliatory capacity but claimed its military strength has been significantly weakened.

This was the first official Pentagon briefing on the war situation in about two weeks, following the last one on March 19. Hegseth also revealed that he made an unannounced visit to US troops stationed in the Middle East, where he observed their morale and urgency to conclude operations quickly. He asserted that the United States is now closer to victory than ever before.

The ongoing conflict has already placed heavy pressure on the global economy, with energy markets becoming unstable and fuel prices rising in the United States. Analysts believe Iran’s limited yet effective missile capability and strategic position are prolonging the war, making a swift resolution uncertain without diplomatic efforts from the White House.