US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights: Israeli army says struck senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut; strikes kill 7

Trump to address on Iran; White House announces primetime speech

US President Donald Trump will deliver an address to the nation on Iran on Wednesday at 9 PM ET, the White House announced.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the update on X, posting: “TUNE IN: Tomorrow night at 9PM ET, President Trump will give an address to the nation to provide an important update on Iran.” The primetime speech is expected to outline the administration’s next steps as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

Israeli strikes hit South Beirut, killing seven, says Lebanon health ministry

Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut and a nearby area killed at least seven people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

An attack on the Jnah area of Beirut left five people dead and 21 others injured, while a separate strike on a vehicle in Khaldeh, just south of the capital, killed two people and wounded three more, the ministry said in initial reports.

'There are 15 ways we could come at them': US sends more troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions

Thousands of additional US troops are being deployed to the Middle East as the Trump administration signals progress in talks with Iran while warning of escalation if no deal is reached.

The aircraft carrier USS George H W Bush, along with three destroyers and over 6,000 sailors, is heading to the region, while troops from the 82nd Airborne Division and additional Marines have begun arriving. Although many deployments were pre-planned, some are part of a recent surge ordered by the administration.

Defence secretary Pete Hegseth declined to rule out ground operations, saying, “You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do,” adding, “Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them… And guess what? There are.”

US-Iran news: 'Not for us' - Trump warns allies about Hormuz; hints US may end Iran attacks in weeks

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said securing the Strait of Hormuz is “not for us,” insisting that responsibility should fall on countries that rely on the crucial waterway.

He also indicated that US military operations against Iran could conclude within two to three weeks.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said there was “no reason for us to do this,” adding that nations like France and others using the strait should take the lead.

Earlier in the day, he also criticised US allies for not doing enough to support American efforts in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

'Very Soon': Trump says US could end Iran operations within weeks

US President Donald Trump said American forces could wind down operations in Iran “very soon,” suggesting a timeline of two to three weeks as Washington continues talks with Tehran while maintaining its aerial campaign.

Speaking at a White House event, Trump said that once the US leaves, “they’ll come tumbling down,” adding that forces are “finishing the job” and could withdraw within “maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer.”

Iran-Israel war: 'Go get your own oil' - Trump tells nations as Iran tightens grip on Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said countries concerned about rising fuel prices should “go get your own oil,” as Iran continues to exert control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran has disrupted global supplies of oil and natural gas, triggering volatility in international energy markets and raising concerns over further price spikes. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait could become a “peaceful waterway” after the war, adding that its future would be decided by Iran and Oman, even as tensions remain high over the vital shipping route.

Iran War News: US aware of Baghdad kidnapping of American journalist, says it issued prior warning

The United States is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq, a state department official said, noting that the individual had previously been warned about threats to their safety.

In a post on X, assistant secretary for global public affairs, Dylan Johnson, said the department had fulfilled its duty to alert the journalist and is now coordinating with the FBI to secure their release as quickly as possible.

'Trust level is zero’: Araghchi says Iran has no faith in talks with US

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said that Tehran has no trust in negotiations with the United States, stating that past engagements have yielded negative outcomes.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said Iran has “never had a good experience” dealing with Washington, citing the US withdrawal from a previous agreement and alleging that recent talks were followed by attacks.

"The reality is we have never had a good experience from negotiations with the US. One time, years ago, we negotiated, and we even got a deal, and then the US withdrew without any explanation. And twice last year and now this year, we negotiated with the US, and the result was an attack by them," he said.

“The trust level is at zero,” Araghchi said, adding, "We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield any results. We don’t see honesty.”

'Iran, Oman to decide fate of Strait of Hormuz': Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz could become a “peaceful waterway” once the war ends, emphasising that its future would be decided by Iran and Oman.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said, "What will happen after the war, that’s something that will be for Iran and Oman to decide."

He added that regional and international partners would also be taken into account, expressing hope that the strategic passage could be used peacefully by vessels from countries around the world.

He said, "And we will take into consideration our friends in the region and beyond the region”, he continued. “In our opinion, the Strait of Hormuz can be a peaceful waterway for peaceful use by vessels from countries around the world."

Israel-Iran war news: Netanyahu says Israel forging new alliances to counter 'Iranian threat'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Israel is building new alliances with “important” countries in the region to counter what he described as the “Iranian threat.”

Speaking in an address, Netanyahu did not name the countries involved or provide further details about the nature of these partnerships.

Iran war news: Offices will be ‘annihilated’: IRGC threatens US firms; White House says military ready to curb any Iran attack

The United States has said its military is prepared to counter any potential Iranian attacks after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued threats against 18 major American corporations, warning their regional infrastructure could be targeted.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC accused companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Boeing and JP Morgan of aiding “US-Israeli terror operations” through espionage and technology support, and claimed reprisals could begin from April 1.

The group warned that offices in the region would be “annihilated” and urged employees and nearby residents to evacuate. Responding to the escalating rhetoric, a White House official said the US military stands ready to curtail any such attacks, as tensions spike following Iran’s allegations of ongoing US-Israeli operations and recent targeted strikes.

Israel-Iran war news: 'Sooner or later, it will fall' - Netanyahu escalates rhetoric on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement released on X, said that Israel would continue its military campaign against Iran, declaring that the effort to weaken Tehran’s leadership was far from over.

In the televised address, he asserted that Israel had already “shaken the regime” and would keep working to “crush Iran’s terror regime.”

"The campaign is not over," he said in a televised statement. "We will continue to crush the terror regime."

His remarks came shortly after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signalled openness to ending the conflict with Israel and the United States, while insisting that Iran would require firm guarantees to prevent future hostilities.

Iran war news: Qatar says Iran’s attacks on neighbours crossed ‘many red lines’

Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Iran had crossed “many red lines” through its ongoing attacks on neighbouring countries, stressing the urgent need for de-escalation as the US-Israel war with Iran continues with no clear end in sight, as cited by Al Jazeera.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, al-Ansari added that Iranian attacks on Qatar were having a “catastrophic effect on the relationship between the two countries”.

Iran has 'necessary will' to end war, but seeking guarantees

Iran war news: EAM Jaishankar discusses West Asia situation with Portuguese counterpart Rangel

External affairs minister on Tuesday S Jaishankar held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel, discussing the ongoing West Asia conflict and exploring ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Israel Iran war news: 2 Israeli air strikes hit Shamshtar in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

Two Israeli airstrikes struck the town of Shamshtar in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, as cited by Al Jazeera.

Separately, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee reported that Israeli forces killed militants in southern Lebanon following a drone attack.

Adraee said the drone strike had injured Israeli soldiers during a ground operation involving the 226th Brigade. He added that troops from the 146th Division launched a rapid response, targeting and eliminating those responsible within minutes.

Israel Iran war news: Air France extends suspension of routes to Israel through April 19

Air France has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport through April 19, citing both the security situation and the ongoing closure of Israel’s airspace.

Air France said it is “monitoring the evolving situation in the region in real-time.” The airline added, “The resumption of our operations will remain subject to an assessment of the local situation, which is highly evolutive," as cited by the Times of Israel.

Israel Iran war news: Series of blasts heard in central Tehran, AFP reported

A series of explosions rocked central Tehran on Tuesday as US-Israeli strikes continued into their fifth week, as reported by AFP.

Air defences were reportedly also activated over the capital, including in the northern parts of the city.

Israel Iran war news: Masoud Pezeshkian says US does not believe in diplomacy after attacks

Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was attacked twice during negotiations, arguing that the incidents showed the United States does not believe in diplomacy, according to Al Jazeera.

In remarks released by the Iranian presidency, Pezeshkian also said tensions in the Strait of Hormuz were the result of what he described as American-Zionist hostile actions against Iran.

He further criticised what he called biased European positions toward Iran during a call with the president of the European Council.

Israel Iran war news: Applying Israel's death penalty law would be a 'war crime', says UN

The United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday condemned the Israeli parliament’s approval of a “deeply discriminatory” new death penalty bill, warning that applying it in occupied Palestinian territory “would constitute a war crime.”

The legislation would make the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank who are found guilty by an Israeli military court of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks deemed “acts of terrorism,” as cited by AFP.

Volker Türk said in a statement that the law “is patently inconsistent with Israel’s international law obligations.”

"Its application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime," he said.

Iran war news: Hezbollah says it launched attacks on Israeli positions near border

Hezbollah said its fighters carried out a series of attacks targeting Israeli forces and positions along the border on Tuesday.

In separate statements, the group said it fired artillery shells at Israeli soldiers and vehicles near the town of Ainata at around 11.00 am (local time), followed by a rocket barrage at the same location later in the afternoon, as cited by Al Jazeera.

Hezbollah also reported launching rocket attacks on Israeli troops in Avivim in northern Israel.

Iran war news: Strait of Hormuz will 'automatically open,' says Trump

US president Donald Trump suggested that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen automatically once the conflict with Iran subsides.

“Well, I think it’ll automatically open, but my attitude is, I’ve obliterated the country. They have no strength left, and let the countries that are using the strait, let them go and open it… because I would imagine whoever’s controlling the oil will be very happy to open the strait,” he said, as cited by NY Post.

Iran war news: ‘We’re not going to be there too much longer’ Trump says on US presence in Iran

US president Donald Trump said the United States would not remain involved in the conflict with Iran for much longer, while claiming US operations had severely weakened the country’s capabilities.

“We’re not going to be there too much longer. We’re obliterating the s–t out of them right now, it’s a total obliteration,” the US president told the New York Post.

“But we won’t have to be there much longer, but we have more work to do in terms of killing their offensive, whatever offensive capability they have left," he added.

Iran war news: Israel strikes building in Beirut

Israel Iran war news: IRGC names Apple, Google, Microsoft among firms it says could be targets

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned 18 American technology companies, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Intel and Boeing, that they could be considered legitimate targets in response to what it described as “terrorist operations” carried out by the United States and Israel, as cited by Iran's Press TV.

In a statement, the IRGC alleged that American ICT and AI firms play a central role in the design and execution of assassinations, and said that for every act of terror in Iran, corresponding facilities linked to these companies would be targeted.

Israel Iran war news: Iran condemns Israel for targeting pharmaceutical companies

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned Israel for carrying out strikes on pharmaceutical companies in the country.

“The war criminals in Israel are now openly and unashamedly bombing pharmaceutical companies. Their intentions are clear,” Araghchi said through a post on X. “What they’ve gotten wrong is that they’re not dealing with defenseless Palestinian civilians. Our Powerful Armed Forces will severely punish aggressors.”

Israeli strike hits apartment north of Beirut, reports state media

Israel Iran war news: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warn of attacks on US companies from April 1

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they will target US companies in the region from April 1 in retaliation for attacks on Iran, state media reports.

Khamenei in Iran but refraining from making public appearances, RIA cites Russian envoy

Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in Iran but avoiding public appearances, according to Russian state media, citing an official.

Israel Iran war news: China and Pakistan outline 5 point plan to end Mideast war

China and Pakistan on Tuesday called for an immediate end to the war in the Middle East and urged the start of peace talks as soon as possible, while agreeing to strengthen cooperation on Iran.

The two countries outlined a joint initiative "for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region" following a visit by senior Pakistani officials to Beijing, as cited by AFP.

Both nations have sought to mediate in the conflict to prevent further escalation, with Islamabad saying it is ready to host "meaningful talks" between the United States and Iran.

Strike hits building near Beirut airport road after Israeli warning, reports AFP

Iran will play World Cup games at US venues as scheduled, says FIFA's Gianni Infantino

'We know exactly what they are doing': US says 'confronting' Russia, China where necessary

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the United States is confronting efforts by Russia and China to support Iran where necessary.

“As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they’re doing... where necessary, we’re addressing it, we’re mitigating it or we’re confronting it head on,” Hegseth told a briefing.

Israel Iran war news: US defence secretary says rivals aiding Iran with intelligence

The US is aware that rival countries are providing intelligence on American assets to Iran, defence secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters, as cited by CNN.

He added that the “primary” focus for the United States remains pursuing a deal that would bring an end to the war with Iran.

Israel Iran war news: Italy denied use of its base to some US aircraft headed to Middle East

Italy recently denied authorization for some US aircraft headed to the Middle East on a combat mission to land at the Sigonella base, according to an Italian defence ministry source and local media reports.

Under agreements with the United States, certain Italian bases can be used by US military aircraft for logistical purposes. However, any use of these bases for combat missions requires approval from the Italian government, which must in turn obtain authorization from parliament.

“They asked for permission to land… They were already in flight and there was not enough time to consult parliament so it was refused,” a defence ministry source told AFP.

Iran war news: War will end only on Trump’s terms, says Pete Hegseth

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the conflict would end only on terms set by Washington and President Donald Trump.

“The US remains committed to a conflict that ends on its terms and Trump’s terms,” he said, adding that other countries should be prepared to take responsibility for securing key waterways. “There are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well.”

Hegseth also criticised Nato allies, saying they did not assist the United States when asked and instead attacked Washington for “asking questions.”

Iran war news: 'Our troops are out there'- Top US general Caine urges Iran to consider diplomacy

Iran war news: Hegseth says talks to end Iran war 'gaining strength’

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that talks aimed at ending the war with Iran were making progress, even as the more than month-long US-Israeli military campaign against the Islamic republic continued.

Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said the negotiations were "very real" and remained active.

"They are very real. They are ongoing, they are active, and I think, gaining strength," he said.

Iran war news: Iran rejects reports of missile launch at Turkey as ‘completely baseless’

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed as "completely baseless" reports that Iran had fired missiles at Turkey, and proposed a joint investigation into the matter.

During a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Araghchi warned against "false-flag operations by enemies" and said Iran was "ready for joint technical cooperation to examine any possible claim", according to a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry.

The remarks came a day after Turkey’s defence ministry said Nato forces had intercepted another missile allegedly launched from Iran, the fourth such incident since the start of the Middle East war.

Israel Iran war news: Strike in western Iraq kills two Hashed al-Shaabi fighters

Two members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces were killed in a strike in western Iraq, the group said, accusing the US and Israel of carrying out the attack.

Referring to the strike on a checkpoint in Anbar province, the alliance said, "This heinous attack resulted in the martyrdom of two fighters and the wounding of four others."

Iran war news: 'Strait of Hormuz will be open,' says US secretary of state Marco Rubio

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the United States would ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and warned that Nato may need to be reassessed after some allies refused airspace and basing access.

“The Strait of Hormuz will be open. When this operation is over, it will be open, and it’ll be open one way or another,” Rubio said as cited by Al Jazeera.

“It will be open because Iran agrees to abide by international law... Or a coalition of nations... will make sure that it’s open. One way or the other, it’s going to be open,” he added.

Explosions heard in Saudi capital Riyadh, reports AFP

Iran war news: Hegseth encourages Trump’s base to support ‘boots on the ground’

Responding to a question about the prospect of a ground invasion of Iran, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said he did not “understand why the base … wouldn’t have faith in (Trump’s) ability to execute on this.”

“If we needed to, we could execute those options … or maybe we don’t have to use them at all,” adding that "the point is to be unpredictable in that.”

Iran war news: US claims to have struck more than 11,000 targets

US General Dan Caine said American forces have struck more than 11,000 targets over the past month as part of the ongoing campaign against Iran.

He added that US operations are focused not only on destroying Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial system (UAS) capabilities but also on “intercepting supply chains,” targeting manufacturing facilities, research nodes and uranium sites.

Iran war news: US general Caine says operations will continue to target Iran’s capabilities

Top US general Dan Caine says operations will continue to "degrade and destroy" Iran’s capabilities.

Iran war news: 'If Iran is wise, they will cut a deal. President Trump doesn't bluff and he does not back down,' says Hegseth

Iran war news: Next days in Iran war will be 'decisive', says Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the coming days will be decisive in the ongoing conflict with Iran

Israel Iran war news: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth visited Middle East on Saturday, met US troops

Israel Iran war news: UAE says it intercepted 12 missiles, 32 drones launched from Iran

The UAE said its air forces intercepted eight ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 36 drones launched from Iran on Tuesday.

The country also provided an updated toll from the conflict, saying that since the start of Iran’s attacks it has intercepted 433 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 1,977 drones, as cited by Al Jazeera.

According to the UAE, the attacks have killed two members of the armed forces, a Moroccan civilian contractor working with the military, and eight civilians of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian origin. A total of 188 people have also been injured.

Israel Iran war news: Trump says US will ‘remember’ France blocking Israel-bound military flights

US President Donald Trump criticised France for refusing to allow aircraft carrying military supplies to Israel to fly over its territory.

"The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the “Butcher of Iran,” who has been successfully eliminated! The USA will REMEMBER!!!" Trump said through a post on Truth Social.