US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights: Missile intercepted in Abu Dhabi; Hezbollah claims drone, rocket attacks on Israel

US Iran News: US Embassy in Baghdad warns of possible attacks in 24–48 hours, urges Americans to leave Iraq

The US Embassy in Baghdad has warned that Iran-aligned militia groups may carry out attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours, and urged US citizens to leave Iraq.

Israel Iran war: Israel responds to fourth Iranian missile attack in six Hours

Israel’s military on Thursday said its air defence systems were responding to a fresh wave of Iranian missile fire, marking the fourth such attack within six hours.

In a statement, the military said it had “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” adding that “defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.”

Iran War News: Iran fires fresh missiles at Israel after Trump claims Iranian military ‘destroyed'

Iran launched fresh missile attacks on Israel, even as US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had largely destroyed Iran’s military capabilities and was close to achieving its war objectives.

Iran War News: Hezbollah claims drone, rocket attacks on northern Israel

The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Thursday said it launched drones and rockets at northern Israel, as cross-border tensions continued to escalate, AFP reported.

In separate statements, Hezbollah claimed rocket fire targeting Israeli troops in border areas and a drone strike aimed at a village.

Israel’s military said air raid sirens were activated across northern regions following the attacks, according to the Home Front Command.

Missile intercepted near Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD, minor damage reported

Authorities in Abu Dhabi on Thursday said air defence systems intercepted a missile near Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), with minor damage reported and no injuries, Reuters reported.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, which occurred in the vicinity of the key industrial and logistics hub.

Officials confirmed that there were no casualties and that the situation was under control following the interception.

US Iran News: Oil jumps, Asian stocks fall after Trump vows ‘extremely hard’ strikes on Iran

Oil prices surged more than 4% while Asian stock markets fell on Thursday after US President Donald Trump said the United States would continue to hit Iran “extremely hard” and “finish the job” in the ongoing war.

In his first national address since the conflict began, Trump said US military operations were nearing completion, adding that “core strategic objectives are nearing completion” and the campaign could wrap up soon.

“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” he said, warning that Iran would be brought “back to the Stone Ages.”

Markets reacted sharply to the escalation in rhetoric, with concerns rising over potential disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for oil and gas shipments.

Iran War News: ‘Regime change was never our goal’: Trump says new Iran leadership ‘less radical’

US President Donald Trump said regime change in Iran was never an official objective of the United States, but claimed that a leadership shift has taken place following the deaths of top figures in Tehran.

Speaking in an address from the White House, Trump said, “Regime change was not our goal. We never said regime change, but regime change has occurred,” attributing the change to the death of Iran’s leadership.

He added that the “new group is less radical and much more reasonable,” suggesting there could be an opening for potential negotiations.

Iran War News: Trump says victory near, vows ‘extremely hard’ strikes on Iran for 2–3 weeks

US President Donald Trump said the United States was nearing victory in the Iran war, even as he pledged to continue “extremely hard” military strikes over the next two to three weeks.

In an evening address from the White House, Trump said US forces were “getting very close” to achieving their objectives more than a month into the conflict. “We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” he said.

Iran War News: ‘They want it to end’: Trump hints at pressure from Americans to wrap up Iran war, questions public ‘patience’

US President Donald Trump has said he is not sure the American public has the “patience” for the Iran war to continue, pointing to growing domestic pressure to bring the conflict to a close.

Speaking at an Easter lunch at the White House, Trump said Americans “want to see it end".

He added that the US could “very easily” take Iran’s oil, but described it as “unfortunate” that there did not appear to be sufficient public support for such a move.

“Just win. You’re winning so big. Just win. Come home,” Trump said, describing what he said was the mood among Americans, adding that he was “OK with that too.”

Israel Iran war: Israel reports three Iranian missile attacks within hours

Israel’s military said air defence systems intercepted three waves of Iranian missile fire early Thursday, with reports of several light injuries in the Tel Aviv area following the first barrage, AFP reported.

According to the military, multiple missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory in quick succession, triggering air raid sirens across central and northern parts of the country.

Police said officers were dispatched to several impact sites in central Israel after the initial attack, with local media reporting around nine locations affected. Four people were lightly wounded.

Israeli media said the widespread nature of the damage suggested the possible use of cluster munitions — weapons that detonate mid-air and disperse smaller bomblets over a large area.

The second and third waves of missiles were detected within hours of the first, with the Israeli military confirming fresh launches and renewed sirens across multiple regions.

The third reported salvo came shortly after US President Donald Trump addressed the American public on the ongoing Middle East war.

US Iran war: Trump says Iran to be hit ‘extremely hard’ over next 2–3 weeks

US President Donald Trump said the United States would intensify its military offensive against Iran over the next two to three weeks, asserting that American forces were close to achieving their objectives.

In a key address to the nation, Trump stated that US operations would “bring them back to the Stone Ages,” signaling a sharp escalation in rhetoric and military intent.

He added that US forces were nearing completion of their campaign goals and would meet all battlefield targets “very, very shortly.”

The remarks come amid ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran, with tensions continuing to rise in the region, AFP reported.

US Iran news: 'My first preference was always the path of diplomacy,' says Trump on Iran war

"My first preference was always the path of diplomacy, yet the regime continued its relentless quest for nuclear weapons and rejected every attempt at an agreement. For this reason, in June, I ordered a strike on Iran's key nuclear facilities in Operation Midnight Hammer... Those beautiful B-2 bombers performed magnificently. We totally obliterated those nuclear sites. The regime then sought to rebuild its nuclear program at a totally different location, making clear they had no intention of abandoning their pursuit of nuclear weapons. They were also rapidly building a vast stockpile of conventional ballistic missiles and would soon have had missiles that could reach the American homeland, Europe, and virtually any other place on Earth," he said.

US Iran war news: 'Vowed that I would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,' says Trump in key address

“From the very first day I announced my campaign for president in 2015, I vowed that I would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. This regime has been chanting ‘death to America, death to Israel’ for decades. Their proxies were behind the murder of 241 Americans in the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, the killing of US service members with roadside bombs, the attack on the USS Cole, and other heinous acts, including the October 7 attacks in Israel. This regime has also killed thousands of its own people protesting in Iran. For such a regime to have nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat, the most violent regime would be free to carry out terror, coercion, conquest and mass murder from behind,” he said.

US Iran war: 'Go to the Strait and take it,' Trump's suggestion to countries facing fuel crisis due to Iran war

This comes as oil prices shot up after Iran blocked Hormuz.

US Iran war news: Iran's Navy is gone, their Air Force is in ruins, and their leaders—most of them—and the terrorist regime they led are now dead, says Trump

"As we speak this evening, it's been just one month since the United States military began Operation Epic Fury, targeting the world's number one state sponsor of terror, Iran. In these past 4 weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield—victories like few people have ever seen before," he said.

He added, "Tonight, Iran's Navy is gone, their Air Force is in ruins, and their leaders—most of them—and the terrorist regime they led are now dead. Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated as we speak. Their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, with very few of them left. Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating large-scale losses in a matter of weeks."

US Iran War: 'Going to finish the job fast': Trump signals Iran war to end soon

However, he did not provide any details on the timeline.

US Iran war news: We are eliminating Iran's navy, says Trump in key address

He said that US forces have crushed Iran's ability to support terrorists.

Iran War: 'Iran suffered devastating loss': Trump speaks on Middle East war

Israel Iran war: UAE says air defences responding to missiles, drones

The United Arab Emirates ministry of defence said that the country’s air defences were responding to missile and drone threats.

In a post on X, it said its systems were actively intercepting missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, but did not specify where they came from.

Since the conflict began in late February, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations have faced repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran in response to the US-Israeli campaign.

US Iran war news: Iran calls US demands 'irrational' ahead of Trump war speech

Iran said that the US demands were “extreme and unreasonable” and denied that any ceasefire talks were taking place, as Donald Trump prepared to address the nation on the conflict.

Trump had earlier claimed that Iran’s president sought a ceasefire, but insisted Tehran must first reopen the Strait of Hormuz, drawing global attention to his televised White House speech.

"Messages have been received through intermediaries, including Pakistan, but there is no direct negotiation with the US," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, quoted by the ISNA news agency.

Israel Iran war: Israeli military says air defences responding to Iranian missiles

Israel’s military said that its air defence systems were intercepting missiles launched from Iran.

"A short while ago, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the Israeli military said on its official Telegram account.

US Iran war news: Donald Trump set for key address on Iran war shortly

Facing a war-weary public and falling approval ratings, Donald Trump is expected to say the US military has achieved its goals, according to a White House official. He will also repeat his plan to end the conflict within two to three weeks.

With the war now in its fifth week, Trump and his team have given mixed timelines. Officials hope that convincing Americans the war is nearing its end will ease concerns, as many oppose the conflict and are worried about rising fuel prices.

Trump is also expected to claim that the US has destroyed Iran’s navy and missile capabilities, and ensured that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

In an earlier interview, he said he would criticise Nato for not fully supporting US goals in Iran.

Israel Iran War: Iran insists on permanent ceasefire, rejects temporary truce talks

A senior Iranian source told that Tehran demands a guaranteed ceasefire to permanently end the war, with no talks having taken place via mediators for a temporary truce, Reuters reported.

They said intermediaries contacted Iran on Tuesday, but discussions focused solely on continuing diplomacy rather than any interim halt to hostilities. The stance comes amid fragile mediation efforts, where Iran has previously sought assurances against future U.S. and Israeli attacks while reviewing proposals through backchannels.

Australia eyes gas security measure amid east coast supply warning

Australia may activate its domestic gas security mechanism (ADGSM) to protect energy supplies after a watchdog flagged a potential shortfall on the east coast in Q3 2026, driven by Middle East conflict disruptions in global markets.

Australian resources minister Madeleine King said Thursday she will consult major gas producers on domestic market supplies and decide by mid-May whether to trigger the policy. "The notice does not place any limits on gas exports. Currently, Australia's domestic market is well supplied with Australian gas," King stated.

US Iran War: Trump says he is ‘absolutely’ considering pulling US out of NATO

Tensions between the United States and its NATO allies escalated after President Donald Trump said he is “absolutely” considering withdrawing from the military alliance, citing frustration over European members’ refusal to send ships to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said he would raise the issue in a national address, adding, “I’ll be discussing my disgust with NATO.” When asked directly about a possible exit, he replied, “Oh, absolutely without question. Wouldn’t you do that if you were me?” Reuters reported.

His remarks came hours after defence secretary Pete Hegseth declined to reaffirm the US commitment to NATO’s collective defence principle, a cornerstone of the alliance formed in 1949 to counter Soviet threats.

Experts, however, say it remains unclear whether a US president can unilaterally withdraw from the 77-year-old alliance, as such a move could face legal and congressional challenges.

US Iran War: UAE president, Trump discuss regional developments, maritime security concerns

UAE President and US President Donald Trump discussed the evolving situation in the region and its broader implications, according to the Emirati state news agency.

The talks focused on the impact of ongoing developments on maritime security and the global economy, underscoring rising concerns over stability in key trade routes.

US Iran News: Trump to give ‘operational update’ on Iran campaign, says mission meeting goals

US President Donald Trump is set to deliver a national address at 9 PM Wednesday (US local time), where he will provide an “operational update” on ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ according to a White House officials. The official said the military campaign is “meeting or exceeding all of its benchmarks” as it enters a critical phase.

During the address, Trump is expected to highlight the success of US forces, stating that the operation has been effective in “achieving all of its stated goals.” He is also likely to reiterate the previously outlined two-to-three-week timeline for the mission.

The administration is expected to outline key objectives of the campaign, including the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and production facilities, as well as efforts to “annihilate” the Iranian Navy and neutralise regional proxy groups accused of destabilising the Middle East.

Officials have also stressed the broader goal of ensuring that Iran is never able to develop a nuclear weapon. The briefing is expected to present a comprehensive update on progress across these fronts.

The address comes after Trump indicated that US forces could begin withdrawing from Iran within “two or three weeks,” suggesting the operation may be nearing its conclusion.

Israel Iran War: Pezeshkian accuses US of acting as ‘proxy for Israel’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his open letter to the American people, accused Washington of acting as a “proxy for Israel,” questioning whether US policy is being shaped by Israeli interests. “Is it not also the case that America has entered this aggression as a proxy for Israel, influenced and manipulated by that regime?” he wrote.

He further alleged that Israel is “manufacturing an Iranian threat” to divert global attention from the Palestinian issue, and warned that it seeks to make Iran “fight to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar,” shifting the burden of conflict onto the United States.

Israel Iran War: Portraying Iran as a threat not based on reality, says Pezeshkian; questions US motives

Rejecting prevailing narratives, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in his open letter to the American people that “portraying Iran as a threat is neither consistent with historical reality nor with present-day observable facts,” arguing that such perceptions are “the product of political and economic whims of the powerful.” He said the need “to manufacture an enemy” is used to “justify pressure, maintain military dominance, sustain the arms industry, and control strategic markets.”

Pezeshkian urged Americans to look beyond what he called “manufactured narratives,” adding, “if a threat does not exist, it is invented.”

He questioned whether US actions truly serve national interests, pointing to Washington’s military presence around Iran and asking what Americans stand to gain from continued confrontation.

Iran says strikes on infrastructure ‘target the Iranian people’

Pezeshkian said recent military actions go beyond strategic targets, stating that “attacking Iran’s vital infrastructure targets the Iranian people.”

He warned that such actions “carry consequences that extend far beyond Iran’s borders,” citing the risk of regional instability and long-term fallout. The remarks directly link US actions to civilian harm and signal that escalation will not remain contained.

Israel Iran War: Pezeshkian in open letter to Americans: ‘Iran harbours no enmity toward ordinary citizens’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an open letter to the American people, said Iran “harbors no enmity toward ordinary Americans,” stressing a clear distinction between governments and citizens.

He said this principle is deeply embedded in Iranian political culture and has guided the country’s approach despite decades of tensions with Washington. The message frames the conflict as political, not civilisational, and rejects the idea of inherent hostility between the two populations.

Israel Iran War: Pezeshkian to address american public amid rising US-Iran tensions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to deliver an “important” message to the American people, according to his deputy communications director Mehdi Tabatabaei.

In a post on X, Tabatabaei said the text of a significant letter from Pezeshkian addressed to the US public would be released within hours. The announcement comes just ahead of US President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated address to the nation later in the day, where he is expected to outline developments in the ongoing conflict with Iran, signalling a critical moment in the escalating tensions between the two countries.

Israel Iran war: Vance told intermediaries that Trump is impatient

US vice president JD Vance in conversation with intermediaries also conveyed a firm warning that Trump’s patience was wearing thin and that pressure on Iranian infrastructure would intensify if Tehran did not agree to a deal.

US Iran war news: Iran’s FM Araghchi says no ceasefire proposal issued

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that the country has made no ceasefire proposal, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran’s IRIB broadcaster has reported that Aragachi described the five-point plan allegedly proposed by Iran as media “speculation”.

He is also reported to have said the war will continue until “the aggressor is punished and full compensation is paid to Iran”.

US Iran war news: Trump, Saudi crown prince discuss Iran war, ceasefire talks

US President Donald Trump discussed the war with Iran with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and briefed him on talks over a possible ceasefire, Axios reported.

US Iran war news: Isfahan airport targeted by US-Israeli strikes

The deputy governor of Isfahan said Kashan Passenger Airport came under attack this evening by US-Israeli forces, according to Mehr news agency

According to the official, parts of the airport sustained damage in the strike.

Israel Iran war : Mojtaba Khamenei vows to continue resistance against 'Zionist-US' enemy

Iran's supreme leader Mojataba Khamenei on Wednesday in post on X said that Iran would continue to follow the path of it martyred leaders and vows to continue resistance against what he called 'Zionist-US' enemy.

He wrote, "I emphatically declare that the consistent policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following on the path of Imam Khomeini and the martyred Leader, is to continue supporting the Resistance against the Zionist-US enemy."

Israel Iran war: Sirens blare in Bahrain amid Iranian attacks

Bahrain sounded sirens urging citizens to seek safety as it continues to deal with Iranian attacks.

Israel Iran war: Fire at Bahrain facility after suspected Iranian strike; AWS operations impacted

Bahrain’s interior ministry said civil defence teams were working to extinguish a fire at a company facility following what authorities described as an Iranian attack earlier in the day, according to Reuters.

The ministry did not provide details on the company involved, casualties or the extent of damage. The reported strike comes a day after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they could target US-linked firms in the region, naming Microsoft, Google and Apple.

Separately, Amazon’s cloud division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), has been affected by the conflict. The company said last week that its Bahrain region had been “disrupted,” marking the second such impact on its operations in a month.

AWS is a key infrastructure provider supporting major websites and government systems, and remains a critical part of Amazon’s business.

Iran war news: Iran jibes Trump with 'April fool' retort

Iran war news: Iran mocks Trump with 'April fool', says 'president don't change with tweet'

Iran war news: Multiple rounds of sirens within minutes heard across Israel

Sirens sounded across central Israel in multiple rounds within minutes Wednesday afternoon. AP reporters heard loud booms in Tel Aviv as the windows of buildings shook from the reverberations.

Iran war news: US VP JD Vance engages intermediaries on Middle East conflict; ceasefire signals emerge

JD Vance has been in contact with “intermediaries” regarding the ongoing Iran conflict as recently as Tuesday, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

According to the source, Donald Trump has directed Vance to privately convey that Washington is open to a ceasefire, provided certain conditions are met. These include the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route disrupted amid the conflict.

The backchannel outreach signals potential diplomatic movement even as tensions remain high in the region.

US Iran war: Iran calls Trump's remarks on ceasefire 'false, baseless'

Iran foreign ministry spokesman has called Trump’s remarks on Tehran allegedly asking for a ceasefire ‘false and baseless’.

US Iran war: Iranian minister calls US-Israeli attacks on monuments ‘permanent scar’

Iran’s minister for culture and tourism, Reza Salehi Amiri, described the destruction of the country as a “deliberate and conscious attack” on Iranian identity, as cited by Al Jazeera.

“We are not talking about stone and mortar,” Amiri said, gesturing to a mangled chandelier. “We are talking about the memory and history of a people. This stone represents who we are.”

US Iran war: Five people killed in attack on Mianeh, northwestern Iran

At least five people were killed in a US-Israeli strike on a residential area in Mianeh in northwestern Iran, according to Iranian media reports, as cited by Al Jazeera.

The extent of the damage and further details about the attack were not immediately clear.

Israel Iran war news: Huge explosions heard in west of Tehra

Several large explosions were heard in western parts of the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Wednesday afternoon, though the target of the blasts was not immediately clear, as cited by AFP.

Earlier in the day, Israel said it had carried out strikes on multiple targets in Tehran.

Israel Iran war: Five people in attack on Mianeh, northwestern Iran

At least five people have been killed by a US-Israeli attack on a residential area in Mianeh, northwestern Iran, reports Aljazeera.

Israel Iran war: IRGC asserts Hormuz 'will not be opened to enemies'

Iran's Revolutionary Guards insisted on Wednesday that the strategic strait of Hormuz will remain closed to the country's "enemies" as US president Donald Trump said he would only consider a ceasefire if it was reopened.

"The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is also firmly and dominantly under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' naval forces," the Guards said in a statement carried on state TV, adding that it "will not be opened to the enemies of this nation".

Israel Iran war: IRGC say oil tanker they hit in Gulf belongs to Israel

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed on Wednesday that they had struck an oil tanker in the Gulf, saying it belonged to Israel.

"An oil tanker belonging to the illegitimate and child-killing Zionist regime with the trade name 'Aqua 1' in the central region of the Persian Gulf was precisely targeted in the valiant missile battle of the IRGC naval forces, and is burning," the Guards said in a statement carried by state television.

Qatar had earlier said the tanker was hit in its territorial waters.