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.