Day 38: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

This live blog covered developments on Day 38 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 37, go here, and for Day 39 updates, click here.

• Sri Lanka raises cooking gas prices by 23%
• Japan-owned tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz
• Iran deputy FM says Trump threats to hit civilian sites could be war crimes
• Falling debris injures one after attack intercepted in UAE
• Iranian missiles hit several areas in Haifa: Media 

Drone 'from Iran' crashes into Iraqi Kurdistan home, kills two: authorities

Published: April 6, 2026 | 23:13 GMT | By AFP

A drone "coming from Iran" killed a couple in Iraqi Kurdistan after crashing into their home, local authorities reported.

The autonomous region's Counter-Terrorism Service said in a statement that the incident took place "when a bomb-laden drone coming from Iran crashed into a civilian home in...the Dara Shakran subdistrict within Erbil Province."

In call with Iranian FM, Qatar’s PM says targeting civilian infrastructure ‘unacceptable’ 

Published: April 6, 2026 | 22:30 GMT | By AFP

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, has said that “targeting civilian infrastructure and the resources of people” was unacceptable, condemning any such behavior “from any party and under any circumstances.” 

In a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Qatar’s premier urged all parties to respect international law and spare the people from the consequences of the conflict. 

The prime minister also condemned Iran's continued targeting of Qatar and the countries of the region, stressing that this escalation represents “tampering with the security of the region and disregard for its stability.”

According to a post on X on Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Jassim Al-Thani emphasized that a “comprehensive and lasting diplomatic solution remains the only option for resolving the crisis, in a way that achieves security and stability and spares the region further tension and escalation.”

Iran army dismisses Trump's 'rude, arrogant rhetoric'

Published: April 6, 2026 | 21:26 GMT | By AFP

Donald Trump's "arrogant rhetoric" on the war on the Middle East is not hindering Iran's soldiers, Tehran's army said, after the US president threatened to raze Iran's infrastructure.

"The rude, arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats of the delusional US president... have no effect on the continuation of the offensive and crushing operations of the warriors of Islam against the American and Zionist enemies," said a spokesman for the army's Khatam Al-Anbiya central command cited by the national broadcaster.

Iran’s FM says US, Israel carrying out ‘blind assassinations’ to compensate for ‘failure’

Published: April 6, 2026 | 20:27 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s FM Araghchi has accused the US and Israel of carrying out “blind assassinations” to compensate for “their failure” to achieve their war objectives.

According to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said such assassinations “not only do not weaken the will of the Iranian nation but strengthen its determination to continue the path of resistance.”

Escalation will not achieve ceasefire and peace: EC President Costa

Published: April 6, 2026 | 20:16 GMT | By Web Desk

European Council President Antonio Costa has warned against attacks on civilian infrastructure, saying diplomacy — and not escalation — is the only way to achieve peace, Al Jazeera reports.

“Only negotiations will, namely, the ongoing efforts led by regional partners,” he said in a social media post.

Costa also warned that the Iranian population would be the primary victims of any widening of the war.

Trump says will destroy all Iran bridges, power plants in 'four hours' if no deal

Published: April 6, 2026 | 18:58 GMT | By AFP

 US President Donald Trump said Monday that the military had war plans to destroy all bridges and power plants in Iran over a four-hour period if his peace deal deadline is not met.

"We have a plan -- because of the power of our military -- where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again," Trump said at a press conference. "I mean complete demolition by 12 o'clock (midnight), and it'll happen over a period of four hours - if we wanted to."

Trump previously set 8:00 pm Washington time on Tuesday (midnight GMT) for Iran to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar PM condemns targeting of civilian infrastructure 'by any party' in call with Iran FM

Published: April 6, 2026 | 18:51 GMT | By AFP

Qatar's prime minister on Monday said he rejected attacks on civilian infrastructure during a call with Iran's foreign minister, as Tehran presses its campaign against Gulf states and Israel said it struck Iran's largest petrochemical complex.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "emphasized that targeting civilian infrastructure... is a rejected and condemned behavior by any party under any circumstances", Qatar's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi.

The Qatari prime minister also criticized Iran's "reckless disregard for the region's security" through its attacks on its neighbors and urged a "comprehensive and permanent diplomatic solution" to end the war.

CIA ran deception operation to confuse Iran over airman: director

Published: April 6, 2026 | 18:49 GMT | By AFP

 The US foreign intelligence service ran a deception effort to misdirect Iranian authorities looking for the crew of the fighter plane downed in the country, CIA director John Ratcliffe told reporters Monday.

"The CIA executed a deception campaign to confuse the Iranians who were desperately hunting for our airmen," Ratcliffe said, adding one airman hid in a mountain crevice until he was rescued.

More than 170 US aircraft used in Iran fighter crew rescue: Trump

Published: April 6, 2026 | 17:43 GMT | By AFP

President Donald Trump said Monday that more than 170 US military aircraft were used in the rescue of the crew of a fighter plane downed in Iran.

Trump told reporters at a White House briefing that 21 aircraft were used in the operation to recover the first crew member and another 155 in the second rescue mission. Two transport planes got stuck in sand and had to be blown up, he added.

Trump says 'entire' Iran could be 'taken out' Tuesday

Published: April 6, 2026 | 17:27 GMT | By AFP

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that all of Iran could be "taken out" Tuesday at the expiry of a deadline he issued for the Islamic republic to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz waterway.

"The entire country could be taken out in one night and that night might be tomorrow night," Trump told a news conference on Monday.

Trump 'not worried' that bombing Iran power plants could be war crime

Published: April 6, 2026 | 16:22 GMT | By AFP

US President Donald Trump brushed off concerns on Monday that hitting Iran's power facilities as he has threatened after a deadline expires this week would be a war crime.

"I'm not worried about it," Trump told reporters at an Easter egg roll at the White House when asked what he would say to those who allege that striking power plants would breach the laws of war.

"You know the war crime? The war crime is allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon," the president said.

Iran Guards vow to avenge slain intel chief

Published: April 6, 2026 | 16:22 GMT | By AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed on Monday to avenge the death of their intelligence chief, Major General Majid Khademi, killed earlier in the day in an Israeli strike.

"The malicious and desperate enemy should know that a major retaliatory strike by the IRGC Intelligence Organization, under Operation 'Crushing Revenge,' awaits the planners and perpetrators of this crime," Khademi's agency said in a statement on the Guards' official site Sepah News.

Trump says Iran ceasefire proposal 'very significant step'

Published: April 6, 2026 | 15:42 GMT | By AFP

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has studied a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in the Iran war, a move he called a "very significant step" in the conflict.

"It's a significant proposal, it's a significant step. It's not good enough, but it's a very significant step," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that intermediaries "are negotiating now."

Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, insisting "on the need for a definitive end to the conflict," state news agency IRNA reported Monday.

Iran ‘rejects’ ceasefire proposal, insist definitive end to the conflict: state media

Published: April 6, 2026 | 15:25 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, state media reported Monday, despite the stark threat by US President Donald Trump to destroy its vital infrastructure.

"Iran has conveyed to Pakistan its response to the American proposal to end the war," the news agency IRNA said, without revealing what the offer contained.

"In this response set out in ten points, Iran has rejected a ceasefire and insists on the need for a definitive end to the conflict."

Iran to pursue war while 'political authorities deem fit': army spokesman

Published: April 6, 2026 | 14:53 GMT | By AFP

Iran will continue the war with the United States and Israel for as long as its political leaders deem necessary, the army spokesman said Monday.

"We can continue the war as long as the political authorities see fit," Mohammad Akraminia told ISNA news agency, adding that "the enemy must definitely regret it because, after this war, we need to reach a point of security and not witness another war".

Trump yet to sign off on Iran ceasefire deal: White House

Published: April 6, 2026 | 14:05 GMT | By AFP

The White House on Monday confirmed there was a deal under consideration for a 45-day ceasefire with Iran, but that President Donald Trump had "not signed off" on the proposal and is continuing the war.

US media have reported that a proposal by mediators for a 45-day ceasefire in the Middle East war has been received by Washington.

"This is one of many ideas, and POTUS (Trump) has not signed off on it. Operation Epic Fury continues," a White House official told AFP, adding that the president will speak more on the conflict at a press conference scheduled for 1:00 pm (1700 GMT).

Strikes target second Iran petrochemical plant near Shiraz: authorities

Published: April 6, 2026 | 13:30 GMT | By AFP

Strikes hit a petrochemical complex near the Iranian city of Shiraz on Monday, local authorities said, shortly after an attack on another facility further south.

"Following the attack on the petrochemical complex in Marvdasht... the fire has been contained," authorities said in a statement carried by the Fars news agency, which reported "minor damage".

Situation 'under control', damage being assessed after Iran petrochemical site hit: company

Published: April 6, 2026 | 13:07 GMT | By AFP

The operator of Iran's largest petrochemical complex said the situation was "under control" after Israel on Monday bombed the facility, with the extent of the damage being assessed.

"A fire has been brought under control. The situation is currently under control, and technical aspects, as well as the extent of the damage, are under investigation," state news agency IRNA cited the National Petrochemical Company as saying, adding that no injuries had been reported.

Israel claimed responsibility for the strikes on the South Pars petrochemical complex in Asaluyeh, a key site for Iran's energy sector, both for production of petroleum by-products and for joint work with Qatar on the world's largest natural gas field.

Several explosions hit Iran's largest gas complex: local media

Published: April 6, 2026 | 12:01 GMT | By AFP

Several explosions were heard on Monday afternoon coming from Iran's largest gas complex, the country's Fars news agency reported, without offering details.

The blasts were reported at the South Pars petrochemical complex at Asaluyeh in Iran's south, the agency said.

Israel defense minister says struck Iran's largest petrochemical facility

Published: April 6, 2026 | 11:57 GMT | By AFP

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel had conducted a "powerful strike" on Iran's largest petrochemical facility in Assaluyeh, after Iranian media reported multiple explosions at the site.

"The Israel Defense Forces have just carried out a powerful strike on Iran's largest petrochemical facility, located in Assaluyeh -- a central target responsible for about 50 percent of the country's petrochemical production," Katz said in a video statement.

At least 251 women killed in US, Israeli strikes: Iranian media

Published: April 6, 2026 | 10:38 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran's Ministry of Health has announced that "251 women and 17 children under the age of five have been martyred during the course of US and Israeli strikes on the country", Iranian state-run Mehr News Agency reported.

Israel rescuers say bodies of all four missing people recovered from Iran strike site

Published: April 6, 2026 | 10:19 GMT | By AFP

Israeli rescue services said Monday that the bodies of all four missing people had been recovered from the rubble of a residential building in the northern city of Haifa after it was struck by an Iranian missile the previous day.

"In summary, all four missing persons have been located... All were found without signs of life, and MDA paramedics declared them deceased," Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, said in a statement.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli firefighters reported locating the bodies of two of the four missing individuals.

Israeli cruise missile shot down in western Iran: State media

Published: April 6, 2026 | 09:18 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s advanced air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed an Israeli AGM/58B cruise missile over the western province, targeting the Goltapeh-Bijar road, state-run Tasnim News Agency reported.

South Korea to send ships to Saudi Red Sea port to avoid Hormuz

Published: April 6, 2026 | 09:18 GMT | By AFP

South Korea will send five Korean-flagged ships to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea port of Yanbu to help establish alternative oil supply routes to avoid the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a ruling MP said Monday.

Oil prices have surged amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, raising growth and inflation risks for South Korea, which relies on Middle Eastern crude for around 70% of its imports.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation has prompted Seoul to prepare emergency measures, including a fuel price cap -- the first such step since 1997.

"Korean-flagged vessels need to be dispatched to alternative routes" to secure crude supplies using export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, lawmaker Ahn Do-geol told reporters after a meeting with relevant agencies, including the energy ministry.

"We are pushing to deploy five South Korean-flagged vessels to Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia, in the Red Sea region," he said, without giving details.

He said special envoys would also be sent to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Algeria to help secure additional crude supplies.

Gas supply restored in Tehran after attack on infrastructure: State TV

Published: April 6, 2026 | 09:18 GMT | By AFP

Gas supply was restored on Monday after being cut in parts of Tehran following an attack on the city's gas infrastructure at a university, state television reported.

The strike, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, targeted a gas pressure-reduction station and metering facilities at Sharif University of Technology, causing a leak.

"The attack did not result in a fire, and in less than half an hour, the gas leak was completely fixed," state broadcaster IRIB said.

It said the problem had been "resolved" and the gas supply had resumed for residents in affected parts of Tehran.

The attack also hit the university's data center, which houses an artificial intelligence facility, according to the Fars news agency.

Iranian military spokesperson warns against repeat of attack on civilian targets 

Published: April 6, 2026 | 08:55 GMT | By Web Desk

An Iranian military spokesperson has warned the US and Israel against a repeat of an attack on civilian targets, state-run IRNA News Agency reported.  

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari, stated: "If the attack on civilian targets is repeated, our retaliatory response will be carried out much more decisively and extensively."

Strike hits Beirut's southern suburbs after Israeli army warning: AFPTV

Published: April 6, 2026 | 08:43 GMT | By AFP

A strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday, AFPTV footage showed.

AFPTV live footage showed smoke billowing from the area.

Another Turkish-owned ship has crossed Hormuz strait: Minister

Published: April 6, 2026 | 08:41 GMT | By AFP

A third Turkish-owned ship has crossed the war-torn Strait of Hormuz, Turkey's Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Monday.

"The Turkish-owned vessel 'Ocean Thunder', which was en route carrying crude oil loaded from Iraq to Malaysia, safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz last night," Uraloglu said on X.

According to the global ship-tracking intelligence provider Marine Traffic, it was coming from the port of Basra in Iraq.

Kuwait says six injured after Iranian attack on residential area

Published: April 6, 2026 | 08:20 GMT | By AFP

An Iranian attack on a residential area in northern Kuwait injured six people on Monday, the Gulf country's health ministry said.

It followed a post on X by Kuwait's army earlier in the day, saying the nation's air defenses were intercepting incoming missiles and drones.

"Falling projectiles and debris in a residential area in the north of the country after an Iranian aggression," the ministry said.

"The total number of injuries rose to six, with varying degrees of wounds."

Indonesia raises aviation fuel surcharge, flight ticket prices

Published: April 6, 2026 | 08:15 GMT | By AFP

Indonesia on Monday announced a 28-percentage-point rise in the surcharge on aviation fuel and said it would allow airlines to raise the domestic ticket price, which the government caps, by up to 13%.

As global oil prices soar on the back of the US-Israel war on Iran, Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto told reporters the fuel surcharge would rise from 10% to 38%, and the base ticket price from 9% to 13%.

US-Israeli strikes kill Iran Guards intelligence chief: Guards

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:52 GMT | By AFP/Web Desk

US-Israeli strikes killed on Monday the intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the organization said.

"Major General Majid Khademi, the powerful and educated head of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was martyred in the criminal terrorist attack by the American-Zionist enemy ... at dawn today," said the Guards in a post on their Telegram channel, AFP reported.

State-run Tasnim News Agency also shared the news of the death of the intelligence chief.

Iranian, French FMs exchange views on economic, security consequences of war 

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:43 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, in a phone call, exchanged views regarding regional developments and the security and economic consequences of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, Iranian state-run IRNA News Agency reported.

Christians observe Easter in Tehran amid ongoing war: State media

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:43 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian Christians attended Easter service at Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran on Sunday, maintaining religious traditions despite ongoing US-Israeli terror threats and airstrikes targeting the capital, state-run Tasnim News Agency reported on Monday.

Iran launches 'Hadid 110' drones against US-Israeli targets: State media  

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:43 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s "stealthy, super-fast" drones were launched against US-Israeli targets, state-run Tasnim News Agency reported on Monday.

Iranian forces launched the domestically developed, advanced “Hadid 110” drones against US-Israeli targets, the report said.

AirAsia X to raise fares, cut capacity over Mideast war

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:28 GMT | By AFP

Southeast Asia's largest low‑cost carrier, AirAsia X, said Monday it was raising ticket prices and cutting routes to cushion the impact of the war in Iran, but stressed demand for flights remained high.

The Malaysia‑based no‑frills airline said about 10% of its overall flights had been cut so far.

However, it said its planned services to Bahrain, the airline's first Middle East hub, and a move to expand its network beyond Southeast Asia, were still set to launch in June.

AirAsia X founder Tony Fernandes said higher prices were "unavoidable" and that capacity would be cut on routes "where we don't believe we can cover the cost of the fuel."

Sri Lanka raises cooking gas prices by 23%

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:13 GMT | By AFP

Sri Lanka on Monday raised the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by nearly a quarter, blaming higher global prices triggered by the war in Iran.

In addition to gas, Sri Lanka imports all of its oil and buys coal for electricity generation.

Colombo has warned that a prolonged war in the Middle East could seriously undermine efforts to emerge from its economic meltdown of 2022.

The increase in cooking gas prices on Monday is on top of an 8% hike last month.

A private company, which accounts for about a quarter of the domestic LPG market, raised its retail price by 23% to 5,700 rupees ($18.08), up from 4,630 rupees ($14.69).

The state-owned Litro Gas, the main supplier of LPG used in cooking stoves, increased the price of a 12.5-kilogram refill to 4,765 rupees ($15.62), up from 3,990 rupees -- an increase of 19.42%.

"We have supplies for the entire month of April," a Litro spokesman said, adding that higher global LPG prices and shipping costs had forced the latest revision.

Last month, Sri Lanka raised both fuel and electricity prices by more than a third.

Japan-owned tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:13 GMT | By AFP

A Japanese shipping firm said on Monday that an Indian-flagged tanker owned by its subsidiary had passed through the Strait of Hormuz and was en route to the South Asian country.

A spokeswoman of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines told AFP the LPG tanker Green Asha had crossed the strait.

"Both the crew and the cargo are safe," she said.

It was the third Japan-linked ship to transit the strait.

Iran deputy FM says Trump threats to hit civilian sites could be war crimes

Published: April 6, 2026 | 07:13 GMT | By AFP

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Monday that US President Donald Trump's threats to strike power plants and bridges in Iran could amount to war crimes.

"The American president, as the highest official of his country, has publicly threatened to commit war crimes," Gharibabadi said in a post on X, citing provisions of international law that could be breached.

"The threat to attack power plants and bridges (civilian infrastructure) is a war crime under Article 8(2)(b) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," he added.

Falling debris injures one after attack intercepted in UAE

Published: April 6, 2026 | 06:01 GMT | By AFP

Falling debris from an intercepted attack injured one person in an industrial area of Abu Dhabi, authorities in the United Arab Emirates said Monday.

"Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident of falling debris on the Raneen Systems company in ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi) in the Musaffah area, following a successful interception by air defense systems," the Abu Dhabi government's media office posted on X.

"The incident resulted in moderate injuries to a Ghanaian national."

Iranian missiles hit several areas in Haifa: Media 

Published: April 6, 2026 | 05:47 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian missile strikes have been reported in multiple areas of occupied Haifa, with widespread damage and fires confirmed.

According to the Iranian state-run Tasnim News Agency, citing Hebrew media reports, several areas in occupied Haifa were hit, causing extensive fires and significant destruction across the city.

US, Israel strike destroys parts of university in Tehran: State media 

Published: April 6, 2026 | 05:20 GMT | By Web Desk

The Iranian state media has reported that US and Israeli strikes have resulted in the destruction of parts of a university in Tehran. 

"In yet another war crime early on Monday, the US and the Israeli regime attacked Sharif University of Technology in Tehran and destroyed parts of it," state-run IRNA News Agency reported.

Trump says 'we're blowing up the whole country' if no deal is reached in 48 hrs

Published: April 6, 2026 | 05:10 GMT | By Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that if no peace deal is reached with Iran in the next 48 hours, "we're blowing up the entire country."

The US president made the remarks while speaking with ABC News, in response to a question about whether his previously stated timeline of two to three weeks for a deal was still accurate.

"It should be days, not weeks," Trump said, adding that Iran "has been decimated, decimated. And every day is going to get worse."

"Every day they're gonna have to build more bridges, and they're gonna have to build more power plants and more everything else," the president said. "There's been no country that's ever taken a pounding like that."

Israeli rescuers search for missing in building strike, two dead

Published: April 6, 2026 | 04:49 GMT | By AFP

Israeli firefighters were searching for two missing people in the rubble of a building in the northern city of Haifa after it was struck by an Iranian missile that killed two others, authorities said Monday.

The direct hit on a seven-story building tore through sections of the structure, which had partially collapsed, the military and rescue services said.

Defiant Iran ramps up attacks after Trump warning

Published: April 6, 2026 | 04:34 GMT | By AFP

Iran launched fresh attacks across the Middle East on Monday and threatened "devastating" retaliation, after US President Donald Trump's expletive-laced warning that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a barrage of missile and drone strikes early Monday.

The attacks came as Tehran ramped up rhetoric against Trump, with Tehran's central military command warning of "much more devastating" retaliation if its adversaries hit civilian targets.

The warning came hours after Trump threatened to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, demanding Tehran bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping.

Iranian media reports 90% decrease in traffic through Strait of Hormuz

Published: April 6, 2026 | 04:20 GMT | By Web Desk

The most recent data on ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz indicates that in the last 24 hours, 15 ships have crossed after receiving Iran's consent, according to Iranian state-run IRNA News Agency.

“This level of traffic represents a 90% decrease compared to the period when the US-Israeli attacks on Iran first began,” the report said.

Era of foreign hegemony over Strait of Hormuz 'over': IRGC Navy

Published: April 6, 2026 | 04:20 GMT | By Web Desk

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy says that the Strait of Hormuz has undergone irreversible strategic changes and will never revert to its former status, particularly for the United States and the Israeli regime, as Iranian forces finalize operational preparations for a new security order in the Persian Gulf, state-run Press TV reported.

In an official statement on Sunday night on social media, X account, the IRGC Navy Command stated that the era of foreign hegemony over this critical international waterway is definitively over.

Iran mediators make last-ditch push for 45-day ceasefire

Published: April 6, 2026 | 03:50 GMT | By Web Desk

The US, Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war, Axios reported, citing four US, Israeli and regional sources with knowledge of the talks.

Citing sources, the news website said the chances for reaching a partial deal over the next 48 hours are slim. 

But this last-ditch effort is the only chance to prevent a dramatic escalation in the war that will include massive strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure and a retaliation against energy and water facilities in the Gulf states, the Axios report stated.

Israeli army says struck 'regime targets' in Tehran

Published: April 6, 2026 | 03:17 GMT | By AFP

Israel's army said it carried out a wave of strikes against "regime targets" in Tehran.

"A short while ago, the IDF completed a wave of strikes on Iranian terror regime targets in Tehran," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.

It came after Iranian media reported attacks on residential areas in Tehran.

US-Israeli attack kills 13 in Iran’s Baharestan

Published: April 6, 2026 | 02:50 GMT | By Web Desk

The Fars news agency says US and Israeli forces have bombed two residential units in the town of Qaleh Mir in the county of Baharestan, killing at least 13 people.

The county is a densely populated area in the province of Tehran.

According to Al Jazeera, the governor of Baharestan told Fars that debris removal and search operations to rescue anyone potentially trapped in the rubble are continuing.

Gas outages hit parts of Tehran after strike on university: Report

Published: April 6, 2026 | 02:07 GMT | By AFP

Gas outages hit parts of Tehran after a strike on a university, Iran's state broadcaster reported.

The attack "hit the Sharif University gas station and we are facing a temporary gas outage in the Sharif neighborhood," state broadcaster IRIB quoted the head of Tehran's District 9 neighborhood as saying.

Iran threatens 'much more devastating' retaliation if civilian targets hit

Published: April 6, 2026 | 02:07 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran's central military command warned on Monday of "much more devastating" retaliation if its adversaries hit civilian targets.

"If attacks on civilian targets are repeated, the next stages of our offensive and retaliatory operations will be much more devastating and widespread," a spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement posted by state broadcaster IRIB on Telegram.

The warning came after US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, demanding Tehran bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping.

Rescue effort underway in Tehran following US-Israeli air attack

Published: April 6, 2026 | 02:03 GMT | By Web Desk

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says its aid workers have been deployed in the Iranian capital after another US-Israeli air strike.

In a post on X, the IRCS said that a residential area was hit and that aid workers are “attempting to rescue their fellow citizens.”

Kuwait army says air defenses responding to missile, drone attack

Published: April 6, 2026 | 01:39 GMT | By AFP

Kuwait's army said its air defenses were working to intercept missiles and drones fired towards the Gulf nation's territory.

"Kuwaiti Air Defenses are currently responding to hostile missile and drone threats," the army posted on X.

The country previously said it was responding to similar attacks overnight from Sunday to Monday.

Israel strikes on Lebanon kill at least 15 

Published: April 6, 2026 | 01:13 GMT | By AFP

Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 15 people and wounded 39, Lebanese officials said.

One of Israel's strikes in Beirut on Sunday killed at least five people and wounded 52 in the Jnah neighborhood, according to the Lebanese health ministry, while a strike targeting an apartment building in Ain Saadeh town east of Beirut killed three people and injured three others.

A strike in the southern town of Kfar Hatta, far from the border with Israel, killed seven people, including a four-year-old girl, the ministry added.

Iran says dozens of universities, research centers damaged by US-Israeli attacks

Published: April 6, 2026 | 01:01 GMT | By Web Desk

Dozens of universities, schools and research facilities have been damaged by US-Israeli air attacks, an Iranian government spokesperson said, according to Al Jazeera.

Iran’s English-language news channel Press TV quoted Fatemeh Mohajerani as saying that overall, more than 100,000 civilian sites have been affected nationwide since the war began on February 28.

“The enemy cannot tolerate Iran’s achievements,” Press TV quoted Mohajerani as saying.

US-Israeli attack on residential building in Iran’s Qom kills at least 5

Published: April 6, 2026 | 01:00 GMT | By Web Desk

At least five people have been killed in a US-Israeli attack on a residential building in the Iranian city of Qom, a local official said, according to Al Jazeera.

Morteza Heydari, the political and security deputy of the governor of Qom, said rescue efforts are ongoing as teams work to remove the debris following the attack.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional escalation as oil prices continue to rise

Published: April 5, 2026 | 23:36 GMT | By Web Desk/AFP

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and reviewed the latest regional developments, a statement issued by Pakistan's foreign ministry said. 

Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation to ensure peace and stability, and agreed to remain in close contact.

Separately, crude oil prices opened higher with the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate up 1.86% to $113.62 a barrel, as the war in the Middle East continues to squeeze global energy supplies.

North Sea Brent crude was also higher at the week's market opening, climbing 1.16% to $110.30 barrel.