US-Israel-Iran War Highlights: Iran's April Fool's Day dig at Trump after 'truce with new regime' claim

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Daily operations and training continue for the 3,500 sailors and marines aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) as they remain deployed in the United States Central Command area of responsibility, the US military said. According to the update, personnel onboard are continuing drills and operational routines to stay sharp and maintain peak warfighting readiness amid ongoing regional tensions.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that a powerful, low-cost attack drone deployed by the United States in its war with Iran was not developed by private startups but designed in-house by the US military using reverse-engineered Iranian technology.

The report highlights a shift in US military strategy, with the Pentagon rapidly developing inexpensive drones modelled on Iranian designs and deploying them effectively in combat, marking a move away from reliance on costly, venture-backed defence systems.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine unless European nations join a proposed coalition in the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported, signalling mounting pressure on allies amid escalating global tensions.

The report comes hours after Trump said the United States could end its war with Iran “fairly soon” and may carry out “spot hits” if required. In remarks ahead of a primetime address, he also indicated he was considering withdrawing the US from NATO, adding that Washington would move quickly to wind down the conflict while retaining the option for targeted strikes.

The US has offered a $3 million reward for information linked to recent attacks on its facilities in Iraq, including the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme said it is seeking details on Iran-aligned groups and others believed to be responsible for the incidents.

Iranian official Mehdi Tabatabai said President Masoud Pezeshkian will soon release an “important” letter addressed to the American people, signalling a direct message from Tehran as tensions with the United States continue to escalate.

Fifteen European foreign ministers said they are “appalled” by the escalating conflict in Lebanon and its growing humanitarian impact, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities. In a joint statement, they criticised Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel and urged the group to cease all military action and disarm in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

Russia’s Rosatom will evacuate more than 200 staff from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant this week, its chief Alexei Likhachev said, as security concerns grow amid recent Israeli strikes. Around 50 personnel will remain at the facility on a voluntary basis, he added, even as attacks on nuclear sites in Iran continue to raise risks.

The International Energy Agency, IMF and World Bank will set up a coordination group to tackle the energy and economic impact of the Iran war, the organisations said in a joint statement. The group will assess the scale of disruption across countries, coordinate response efforts and mobilise support to assist nations facing the brunt of the crisis.

Oil prices have surged sharply since the Iran war began, with Brent crude up 68 per cent and WTI rising 71 per cent, while gasoline prices have jumped 85 per cent. In contrast, natural gas has dropped 21 per cent. The spike reflects growing supply fears as the conflict disrupts key energy routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

A major fire that broke out at fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike has now been brought under control, according to BBC. Firefighters extinguished the blaze with no casualties reported, though damage was recorded. The strike was part of Iran’s wider retaliation across the Gulf, targeting key infrastructure.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to review India’s response to the ongoing West Asia conflict, with a focus on safeguarding essential supplies and controlling prices. The government assessed fuel diversification, fertiliser availability for upcoming crop seasons, and logistics across sectors including agriculture, shipping and aviation. Measures to curb hoarding, ensure stable commodity prices, maintain adequate coal stocks and support MSMEs were also discussed, along with the need for clear communication to prevent misinformation.

US President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb discussed Nato, Ukraine and the Iran conflict in a “constructive” phone call, Stubb said. The conversation comes as Trump has voiced frustration with allies over their limited role in the Iran war, particularly around securing the Strait of Hormuz, and has again raised the prospect of the US leaving Nato.

US President Donald Trump is expected to repeat his claim that the Iran war could end within two to three weeks during his primetime address, a White House official said.

Kuwait said its air defences intercepted three Iranian cruise missiles and 15 drones in the past 24 hours, as regional tensions continue to escalate. The defence ministry added that since the start of what it called Iranian “aggression”, it has engaged 312 ballistic missiles, five cruise missiles and 651 drones.
 

With the whereabouts of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei not clear, the powerful IRGC has further consolidated its grip over Iran. It has even sidelined the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, taking vital and sensitive leadership calls. READ MORE HERE

A crude oil tanker is headed for India with oil from Iran, a first since May 2019. The war has allowed India to buy oil and gas from Russia and Iran, both sanctioned by the US. READ MORE HERE

The Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai took a swipe at US President Donald Trump, dismissing his remarks on Iran’s leadership as inaccurate in a sharply worded post on X.

“On April Fools’ Day, it’s almost poetic that Donald Trump still manages to outdo the jokes—talking about a ‘new’ Iran President when Dr #Pezeshkian has been in office all along,” the consulate said, referring to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The response followed Trump’s claim that Iran had a “new regime president” who was seeking a ceasefire.

The ripples of the escalating conflict in West Asia have reached Indian bedrooms. India’s Rs 8,170 crore condom manufacturing industry is currently grappling with a severe supply chain crisis, leading to widespread shortages and an anticipated 50 per cent surge in retail prices. READ HERE

The Israeli military said it is carrying out an “extensive” wave of strikes across Tehran, targeting dozens of Iranian government infrastructure sites. It added that air force units are simultaneously working to intercept incoming threats across multiple regions, as fighting intensifies between the two sides.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in the Middle East during a visit to Japan, urging calm and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, both leaders stressed the need to de-escalate tensions, uphold international law and ensure stable global supply chains amid a worsening security environment.

Speaking to an Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei claimed that Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in perfect health and that he had not appeared in public due to the ongoing war.
 

Iran said the US entered the conflict due to an Israeli “miscalculation”, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei accusing Washington of using diplomacy as a cover for force. Speaking to an Egyptian newspaper, Al-Masry Al-Youm, he said trust in US diplomacy has eroded, claiming negotiations are often used to impose demands rather than resolve disputes.
 

Iran’s Consulate General in Mumbai took a sharp dig at Donald Trump on April Fools’ Day, mocking his claim about a "new" Iranian President. In a post on X, it said presidents are chosen through elections, not statements, stressing that Masoud Pezeshkian has been in office all along and dismissing Trump’s remark as detached from reality.

Explosions and sirens were heard across parts of Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, after what appeared to be a fresh volley of Iranian ballistic missiles, reported Associated Press. The booms were likely from interceptions or impacts in open areas, with no casualties reported so far.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says at least 1,318 people have been killed and 3,935 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2, as the conflict continues to take a heavy toll on civilians across the country.

The UK will host talks with 35 countries to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as efforts intensify to secure the key oil and gas route. The meeting, part of a joint UK-France initiative, will take place on Thursday without US participation, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper joining international leaders.

US Vice President JD Vance has been in touch with intermediaries over the Iran conflict as recently as Tuesday, according to a Reuters. He conveyed a “stern” message that President Donald Trump is growing impatient and warned of increased pressure on Iranian infrastructure unless a deal is reached, while signalling openness to a ceasefire if US conditions, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, are met.
 

Iran has signalled it would welcome Russia as a mediator in its conflict with the United States and Israel, with envoy Kazem Jalali saying Tehran supports “constructive” efforts to restore stability and security in the region.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran has made no ceasefire proposal, dismissing reports of a five-point plan as "media speculation". He said the war will continue until the aggressor is punished and full compensation is paid, underlining Iran’s stance against a temporary truce.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said no such request was made, according to Iranian state television.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security is underway at the Prime Minister’s residence, with senior ministers including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and S. Jaishankar in attendance. The West Asia crisis is on the agenda, along with a review of earlier decisions, fuel supply concerns such as PNG and LPG, fertiliser availability, and broader strategy discussions.
 

US President Donald Trump said he is considering withdrawing the US from Nato, raising fresh concerns about Washington’s commitment to the alliance. He also said he would express his disgust with Nato for alliance's lack of support for US objectives in Iran. 
 

US President Donald Trump told Reuters that American forces would be “out of Iran pretty quickly” but could return for “spot hits” if required.

Donald Trump said on Truth Social that Iran’s new leadership has sought a ceasefire, which the US would consider only if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. He warned that until then, American forces would continue intense strikes, escalating rhetoric as the conflict deepens.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared for “at least six months” of war with the US and Israel, pushing back against claims it is seeking a quick deal. He said Iran is ready to sustain a prolonged conflict and defend itself against any escalation.

Iranian Army Ground Forces commander General Ali Jahan Shahi urged US military families to contact deployed personnel in West Asia within 24 hours, alleging CENTCOM is censoring casualty figures. In a post on X, he suggested American troop losses are being underreported, without providing evidence.

US Central Command said on X that American forces are carrying out precision strikes on underground military targets inside Iran. The campaign aims to weaken Tehran’s capacity to project power beyond its borders.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons criticised Donald Trump’s Iran policy, calling it a “war of choice” that has pushed up costs across the US. In a post on X, Coons said the impact goes beyond fuel, driving up grocery prices, utility bills and mortgage costs, adding that American families are now “paying the price” for the escalating conflict.

Iran held a funeral in Tehran for Revolutionary Guard navy chief Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri, killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, with state television showing mourners waving flags as officials publicly acknowledged his death days later.

An Israeli air raid destroyed a home in Houmine El Tahta in southern Lebanon, killing four members of the same family -- a husband, wife and their two daughters -- according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Iran warned Nato member Bulgaria last month against allowing US aircraft to use its airports for operations linked to Iran, saying it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security under international law.

An Indian national was injured in a drone attack in the UAE on Wednesday after shrapnel fell near an industrial area in Umm Al Thoub during an interception, according to state news agency WAM citing officials in Umm Al Quwain.
 

Iran’s army says it struck a US refuelling aircraft location at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport in morning attacks, while also targeting drone interception and electronic warfare sites in the UAE.

France’s junior army minister Alice Rufo condemned the "unacceptable intimidation" faced by French troops in Lebanon after blasts killed three Indonesian UN peacekeepers, expressing solidarity at a Paris conference, Al Jazeera reported.

United Arab Emirates air defences intercepted five ballistic missiles and 35 drones, highlighting heightened regional tensions and the country’s readiness against evolving aerial threats.

-Gulf News

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei reiterated Tehran’s support for Hezbollah, praising its commitment and leadership under Naim Qassem. He invoked figures like Qasem Soleimani, framing resistance against the US and Israel as central. He described the current situation as pivotal in shaping the region’s ongoing geopolitical struggle.

-Reuters

According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s IRGC said its latest assault involved over 100 missiles and drones plus 200 rockets, targeting sites in Israel and US positions in the Gulf, including Bahrain and Kuwait. The group warned attacks would persist with full intensity, citing coordinated action with allied forces.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye’s priority is to navigate the crisis without harm and stay out of the conflict. He pledged continued efforts to promote regional peace, while warning that ongoing bloodshed from US-Israeli attacks on Iran would only prolong Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political survival, Reuters reported.

The Kuwait airport was struck on Wednesday for the seventh time since the war began, heightening fears of escalating damage. Recent attacks have also hit refineries, ports, and power facilities, while authorities, including the national bank, have taken precautionary closures amid growing security concerns, an Al Jazeera report said.

Qatar Airways is steadily increasing flights to and from Doha, aiming to serve over 120 destinations by mid-May, Al Jazeera reported. Operations had resumed in mid-March after disruptions caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, which initially stranded thousands of travellers.

IEA chief Fatih Birol said the war has cut about 12 million barrels of oil supply per day and damaged key energy assets, Al Jazeera reported. He warned disruptions could worsen in April, with shortages of jet fuel and diesel currently seen in Asia likely to soon impact Europe as well.

Tthe Russian Embassy in Iran condemned an airstrike near Tehran’s former US Embassy that damaged St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, breaking doors and windows. A nearby Russian nursing home also suffered damage, including a partially collapsed roof, prompting criticism of ongoing strikes.

-Associated Press

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cautioned that the economic impact of the war will continue to strain Australians for months, with rising fuel costs already affecting households and businesses. In a rare national address, he urged citizens to use public transport to ease pressure, noting that while Australia is not directly involved in the conflict, its economic consequences are being widely felt across the country.

A missile attack caused a partial collapse of a four-storey building south of Tel Aviv, leaving at least one person injured, according to Israeli media reports.

US President Donald Trump said he is seriously considering pulling the United States out of Nato, calling the alliance a "paper tiger", Al Jazeera reported. In remarks to The Telegraph, he criticised allies for lacking support, particularly over conflicts involving Iran, and argued their backing for US actions should be automatic.

US-Israeli strikes targeted major steel complexes in central and southwestern Iran, damaging production units at Mobarakeh Steel in Isfahan and Sefid Dasht Steel, Gulf News reported. Iranian media described the attacks as massive, with earlier strikes also hitting Khuzestan Steel facilities, causing significant industrial losses.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the United Kingdom will host an international diplomatic conference this week on ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Starmer says 35 countries have signed a statement committing to work together on restoring maritime security to the key oil transport route.

He said on Wednesday that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will lead a conference on the issue, and military planners are also working on plans for security once the Iran war ends.

Starmer said “a united front of military strength and diplomatic activity” is needed to restore stability.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his government would work to secure the national interest of the country and would not join the war directly, regardless of pressure.

In his address, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said that to secure the national interest, the United Kingdom needs to work closely with its allies in Europe.

The President further announced to host a summit in the upcoming week with several European countries.

The United Kingdom PM Keir Starmer addresses the nation amid the deepening crisis in the Middle East. 

He is likely to talk about the energy crisis and several other things in his address.

The European Union has asked citizens of its member countries to switch to working from home and driving or flying less amid the hike in the price of global oil due to the Middle East war.

A massive fire erupted at the Sardar Group’s Castrol oil warehouses on the Erbil–Mosul road this Wednesday after a drone strike targeted the facility. According to a company source, the drone crashed inside the warehouse complex, instantly igniting a blaze that rapidly consumed vast quantities of oil and logistical supplies. Civil defence teams were dispatched immediately to the site and are currently working to contain the inferno.

While the damage to the facility and its inventory is described as extensive due to the highly flammable nature of the stored lubricants, no casualties have been reported among the site's staff. Authorities are currently investigating the origin of the drone strike as emergency responders remain on the scene to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent structures.

(Inputs from Shafaq News)

Sergey Naryshkin, the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia, has said that Moscow is holding talks with the CIA over Iran war. 

(Inputs from RIA)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned the economic shocks of the war in the Middle East would be felt for months and encouraged citizens to take public transport in a rare address to the nation on Wednesday.

The address was broadcast simultaneously across major television and radio networks at 7 pm (0800 GMT). Similar addresses were made by previous prime ministers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 global financial crisis.

Australia, which imports about 90% of its fuel, has seen petrol prices surge and experienced localised shortages as a result of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

(Reuters input)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level cabinet meeting to review the Iran war situation today. 

The meeting is expected to start at 7 pm.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken de facto control of the Iranian government amid the deepening crisis in Iran. The development came after US-Israeli military actions killed several government officials in the country.

(Inputs from Iran International)

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has attended a late night public gathering amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. 

(Source: IRIB News)

An airstrike in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Wednesday morning appears to have struck inside of the former U.S. Embassy compound there.

The embassy has been controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard since the 1979 hostage crisis.

Its all-volunteer Basij force operates the compound, running an anti-American museum inside the embassy and having different operations on its grounds in newer buildings.

Witnesses saw blown-out windows surrounding the massive compound on Tehran’s Taleghani Street. However, there was no missile strike visible around the compound, with witnesses saying they believe the strike happened inside the compound.

The 444-day hostage crisis saw American diplomats held until President Ronald Reagan took office from President Jimmy Carter in 1981. 

(Inputs from AP)

Iran launched three cruise missiles targeting Qatar, and one of them hit an oil tanker off the Qatar coast, Al-Jazeera reported, citing sources from the Defence Ministry. 

However, no injuries has been reported as the tanker was already vacated.

The total number of injured people in Israel has risen to 6,286 in the ongoing Middle East conflict, an Al-Jazeera report said, citing sources from the country's Health Ministry. 

In the last 24 hours, nearly 104 people were injured and hospitalised in Iranian attacks. 

Yemen's Houthis claimed to have fired ballistic missiles against several targets in southern Israel in a joint operation with Iran and Hezbollah. 

(Inputs from Al-Jazeera)

Iran launched fresh attacks targeting several parts of central Israel and the United Arab Emirates. 

The attacks in Israel left six people, including a 11-year-old girl injured. In UAE, one person died.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani slammed Donald Trump for allegedly spending billions to change the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran at a time when the US is going through an affordability crisis. 

He added that the money that is being spent on Iran war could uplift the lives of thousands of US working class people.

The Israeli Military on Wednesday said that one of its drones was drowned in a southern Lebanon river, after it was hit by a surface-to-air missile, which was deployed to prevent the Israeli troops in Lebanon.

Sirens were heard in northern Israel's city of Kiryat Shmona after the infiltration of drones, Al-Jazeera reported, citing sources from Channel 12 broadcaster. 

Explosions are heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, after Israeli strikes hit several parts of the city, an Al-Jazeera report said, citing sources from the IRIB broadcaster.

Israel has intercepted incoming missiles that were launched from Yemen, Al-Jazeera reported.

The joint airstrikes by the US-Israeli forces hit a pharmaceutical facility in Iran, Al-Jazeera reported, citing sources from Iran’s IRNA news agency. 

The facility has been identified as Tofigh Daru Pharmaceutical. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted a picture of the factory in Tehran, writing on X: “The war criminals in Israel are now openly and unashamedly bombing pharmaceutical companies.”

(With inputs from AP)

The US military has claimed to have hit underground military targets in Iran during the early hours of Wednesday (as per IST).

"US forces drop precision munitions on underground military targets deep inside Iran to further degrade the Iranian regime's ability to project power in meaningful ways beyond its borders," the US Central Command wrote on X.

 

Thousands of additional US troops are heading to the Middle East as the Trump administration has insisted that progress has been made in talks with Iran and has threatened to escalate the war if a deal is not reached soon.

The aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush deployed Tuesday and is slated to go to the Middle East along with three destroyers, two U.S. officials said. The carrier strike group consists of more than 6,000 sailors.

It comes as thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have also begun arriving in the Middle East, according to two other U.S. officials, who, like the others, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.

While the majority of those troops are part of a rotation of forces planned before the war, some are among roughly 1,500 paratroopers the Trump administration decided to surge into the region last week.

The Trump administration has not said what those troops will be doing, but the 82nd Airborne is trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields. The AUS Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines recently arrived in the Middle East, and another 2,500 Marines are also being deployed from California.

(AP inputs)

A drone attack by Iran and its allies hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire, authorities said.

The state-run KUNA news agency said the attack early Wednesday sparked a “large fire” at the airport.

It said there were no immediate injuries from the attack and firefighters were working to control the blaze.

Kuwait International Airport has been attacked before by Iran during the war. The KUNA report suggested the attack may have been launched by Iranian-supported militias in Iraq with Tehran’s support.

In another strike, Bahrain said early on Wednesday morning that it was working to extinguish a fire at a business facility that resulted from an Iranian attack.

(Inputs from AP)
 

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched a fresh strike targeting Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon's Beirut on Wednesday. 

"IDF Strikes Senior Hezbollah Operatives in Two Separate Attacks in Beirut Area. The IDF struck moments ago a senior commander in the Hezbollah terror organisation and another senior operative, in two separate attacks in the Beirut area," the organisation wrote on X.

The sounds of fresh explosions were heard in Tehran on Wednesday, news outlet Al-Jazeera reported.

The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is set to address the nation amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. 

The development came after the Prime Minister said that he wanted more clarity from US President Donald Trump on the prevailing West Asia conflict.

(Inputs from Al-Jazeera)

Major airlines in United Arab Emirates say the country is barring Iranian travellers

The White House later said Trump would address the nation at 9 pm on Wednesday (6.30 am Thursday IST) to provide what it called an important update on Iran.

Trump said a diplomatic agreement with Tehran was not necessary for the US to end the conflict. "Iran doesn't have to make a deal, no," he said, adding, "No, they don't have to make a deal with me." US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington could end its military campaign against Iran within the next two to three weeks

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington could end its military campaign against Iran within the next two to three weeks, signalling a possible end to the month-long conflict that has roiled the Middle East and disrupted global energy markets.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said, "We'll be leaving very soon," adding that the withdrawal could happen "within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three."

Israel's military said on Wednesday it carried out two separate strikes in the Beirut area a short while ago targeting a senior Hezbollah commander and another senior member of the group.

The military did not provide further details on their identities or the outcome of the strikes.

Australia Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday that small businesses hit by the ongoing Iran war would get easier access to credit.

“We know the fallout is affecting everyone, but we believe that by working together, if everybody does their bit, we can get through this difficult period,” Chalmers told a news conference in Canberra.

Syrian state TV reported that explosions heard across Damascus were caused by Israeli air defences intercepting Iranian missiles.

Mobarakeh Steel plant in Iran’s central city of Isfahan has been targeted for the second time in a week, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is quietly building new regional alliances to counter Iran, signalling a shift toward broader cooperation as the conflict reshapes the Middle East.
In an address on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Israel is forging ties with “important countries in the region” to confront what he called the “Iranian threat.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said he is receiving direct messages from the United States, but insisted they do not amount to negotiations, as Tehran hardens its stance on ending the war.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said communications have taken place with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, though often indirectly.

“I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will not accept a temporary ceasefire, insisting instead on a complete end to the war across the region.

A foreign journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq’s interior ministry confirmed, saying the victim is a woman and that investigations are under way.

Local media identified the journalist as American reporter Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted on Tuesday evening in the Iraqi capital. Authorities have not officially confirmed her identity. The ministry said one person has been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are ongoing to locate the journalist and secure her release.