- Tasnim news agency, which is close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has suggested that “simultaneous damage to several major cables — whether through accidents or deliberate action — could trigger severe outages across the Persian Gulf.”
- Dubai’s main share index fell 1.1%, with most stocks ending in negative territory. Blue-chip developer Emaar Properties declined 2.2%, while Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest lender, dropped 1.8%. In Abu Dhabi, the index lost 0.8%, weighed down by broad-based declines led by real estate stocks.
- A senior official at the Iranian president’s office has rejected talk of divisions among the Iranian leadership. Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications, reacted a day after the US president said he was extending a ceasefire to enable a “fractured” Iran to come up with a unified proposal.
- In a social media post, Trump said he decided to extend the cease-fire after receiving a request from Pakistan, which has been trying to mediate an end to the conflict.
- Tehran has not issued any official response to President Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire.
- Trump said the US naval blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports would continue. Iran has demanded unrestricted access for its vessels, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling the blockade “an act of war.”
- Pakistan said it would keep working toward a negotiated settlement and expressed hope that both sides would respect the ceasefire
- The announcement came after Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks was delayed. A US official said the trip was put on hold because Tehran had not responded to key American proposals.
- Oil prices neared $100 a barrel on Tuesday, while stock markets weakened as uncertainty over peace talks continued.
- A separate 10-day cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon has largely held since last week. However, Israel accused Hezbollah of firing rockets at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
| Asset | Price / Level | Change (%) | Asset | Price / Level | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WTI Crude | $92.13 | 0.00% | Brent Crude | $99.33 | +4.03% |
| Natural Gas | $2.71 | +0.48% | S&P 500 | 7,064.01 | -0.63% |
| Nasdaq | 24,259.96 | -0.59% | Dow Jones | 49,149.38 | -0.59% |
Trump claims Iran halts execution of 8 women protesters after his request
US President Donald Trump said he received “very good news” that eight women protesters in Iran, who were set to be executed, will no longer be killed after his request. “Four will be released immediately, and four will be sentenced to one month in prison,” he wrote on Truth Social. Trump added he “very much appreciate[s] that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request… and terminated the planned execution.”
Iran Parliament speaker says reopening Strait of Hormuz ‘impossible’ after ceasefire breach
Iran’s top negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said reopening the Strait of Hormuz is “impossible” following what he described as violations of a ceasefire. In a post on X, Ghalibaf accused opposing forces of enforcing a “maritime blockade” and holding the global economy “hostage.” He said a complete ceasefire would only be meaningful if such actions stop and hostilities across all fronts are halted. Ghalibaf added that Iran’s adversaries failed to achieve their goals through military aggression and would not succeed through pressure tactics.
Iran foreign ministry thanks Pakistan for its 'peace efforts'
Iran on Wednesday said it appreciates Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, even as it stopped short of endorsing a US-backed truce extension. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran values Pakistan’s role in pushing for peace and de-escalation in the region.
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced he had approved an extension of the ceasefire following a request from Pakistani mediators. Iran, however, did not directly comment on the US announcement or confirm its position on the extension.
Baqaei said that Iran remains focused on protecting its national interests and security amid the continuing tensions. State broadcaster IRIB reported that Tehran is taking “necessary measures” in response to the evolving situation.
Iran presidency spokesperson slams talk of divisions as ‘lies’
A senior official at the Iranian president’s office has rejected talk of divisions among the Iranian leadership. Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications, reacted a day after the US president said he was extending a ceasefire to enable a “fractured” Iran to come up with a unified proposal.
No timeline for extension of ceasefire with Iran, says report
US President Donald Trump has not set a timeline for the extension of a ceasefire with Iran, Times of Israel reported quoting a source.
Iran slams ‘fractured’ claim, calls division talk ‘lies’
Iran has dismissed claims of internal divisions within its leadership, calling such assertions “lies” amid ongoing tensions with the United States.
Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications at the Iranian president’s office, rejected remarks suggesting disunity, a day after the US president described Iran as “fractured” while announcing an extension of a ceasefire to allow time for a unified proposal.
Without directly naming the US leader, Tabatabaei accused the “enemy” of engaging in “political propaganda” and insisted that cohesion within Iran’s leadership was “unprecedented and exemplary”.
“Instead of weaving lies, they should cease their breach of promise, bullying, and deceit; the door to negotiations based on fairness, dignity, and rationality remains open,” he wrote on X.
Second Israeli strike hits south Lebanon town of At-Tiri: Reports
Israeli forces have reportedly carried out a second air strike in southern Lebanon, targeting the town of At-Tiri, according to the country’s National News Agency.
The strike comes shortly after an earlier attack in the same area that reportedly killed two people, further escalating tensions along the border.
Local media and ground reports indicate that two journalists are present at the site of the latest strike. However, emergency responders, including the Red Cross and the Lebanese Army, are reportedly being prevented from reaching the location as Israeli forces have surrounded the area.
Trump says 'it's possible' talks with Iran could resume in next “36 to 72 hours,” says report
The second round of negotiations between the US and Iran could take place in Pakistan within the next “36 to 72 hours”, the New York Post reports, citing US President Donald Trump and unnamed Pakistani sources.
Crude imports slump to 5-year low, exports drop 24% as supply shocks hit India’s oil chain
India’s oil supply chain showed clear signs of stress in March, with crude imports falling to their lowest level for the month in five years, exports contracting sharply and prices surging, as disruptions to key global energy routes tightened availability and forced refiners to recalibrate sourcing strategies.
Undersea cables vulnerable in Hormuz, says report
Tasnim news agency, which is close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has suggested that “simultaneous damage to several major cables — whether through accidents or deliberate action — could trigger severe outages across the Persian Gulf.”
Iran says it may return to diplomacy when ‘reasonable conditions exist’
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has said the regime in Tehran will give the go-ahead for talks when "necessary and reasonable conditions exist". Baghaei did not specifically say Tehran is ready to attend a new round of talks with the United States in Islamabad.
“Diplomacy is a tool for securing national interests and security, and whenever we reach the conclusion that the necessary and reasonable conditions exist to use this tool to achieve national interests and to consolidate the achievements of the Iranian nation in thwarting the enemies’ malicious objectives, we will take action,” he reportedly says.
India-bound ship among two vessels seized by IRGC
The two vessels seized by Iran have been identified as MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINONDAS. According to Marinetraffic website, EPAMINONDAS – a container ship sailing under the flag of Liberia – was headed to Gujarat from Jebel Ali in Dubai.
IRGC cites ‘red line’ on maritime security
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said it seized two vessels in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, amid rising tensions in the region.
The IRGC Navy stated that the ships were taken into custody and moved towards Iran’s coast, warning that “disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is considered a red line for Iran”.
The development follows earlier incidents reported in nearby waters. One vessel was allegedly fired upon off Iran’s coast, while another sustained damage after coming under attack near Oman, further underlining the fragile security situation in the area.
Pakistan’s PM meets Iran’s ambassador as ceasefire extended
Pakistan’s PM Sharif has met Iran’s ambassador to the country and discussed “ongoing regional situation and peace efforts”.
Third ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends Iran ceasefire
Iran attacked a third ship in Strait of Hormuz amid uncertainty over the second round of ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) "gun boat" fired on a Greek-flagged container ship.
UK, France gather global military planners to discuss Hormuz mission
Britain and France are organising two-day meeting of military planners from about 30 countries to flesh out details of a mission to provide security in the Strait of Hormuz — if and when the key shipping route reopens. The meeting in London aims to “turn diplomatic consensus into a detailed military plan.”
Islamabad under tight security as US–Iran peace talks loom
Pakistan has placed Islamabad under strict security as it prepares to host a second round of US–Iran peace
Over 1,300 schools hit in Iran war, more than half now repaired
Iran’s Education Minister Alireza Kazemi said that 775 out of 1,300 damaged schools have been repaired after US-Israeli strikes. Around 20 schools were completely destroyed, with the worst impact reported in Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Hormozgan.
Two ships came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to the British military, in an incident that is further complicating already fragile diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran.
The attacks come at a sensitive moment, as behind-the-scenes efforts continue to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table, with Pakistan reportedly playing a mediating role in attempts to end the wider conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, has once again become a flashpoint, raising concerns over maritime security and global energy stability.
Officials said Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was involved in an earlier attack on a container vessel in the same waters.
India flags global risks of Hormuz blockade, pushes energy security strategy
Rajnath Singh highlights inflation, supply shocks and energy concerns amid rising geopolitical tensions.
‘Not distant events’: Rajnath Singh warns Hormuz crisis has direct impact on India
Defence Minister says disruption in Strait of Hormuz is not a far-off issue but a real-time threat to India’s energy security and economy.
Iran questions Pakistan’s mediation role in peace talks
Iranian media has raised doubts over Pakistan’s role in ongoing mediation efforts, suggesting that Islamabad’s channel has failed to produce any clear response from the United States, even as diplomatic tensions continue.
Iran sets precondition for US talks, demands end to naval blockade
Iran has laid down a clear condition for resuming talks with the United States, insisting that negotiations will not restart unless Washington ends its naval blockade.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Tehran remains open to dialogue but accused the US of violating the ceasefire through continued maritime restrictions. Speaking to Rudlaw News Network at the UN headquarters, he said lifting the blockade is essential before any fresh round of negotiations can begin.
“The naval blockade of the United States is a violation of the ceasefire… as soon as they break this blockade, the next round of negotiation will take place,” Iravani said, while adding that Iran is still open to a political settlement but prepared for escalation if needed.
Israeli drone strike kills one in Western Bekaa
Lebanon’s National News Agency reports that an Israeli drone strike on the outskirts of Jabbour in western Bekaa has killed one person and injured two others. Details of the target were not immediately confirmed.
UK maritime agency reports incident near Oman
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of an incident involving a container ship 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The vessel was reportedly approached and fired upon by an IRGC gunboat, causing heavy damage to the bridge, though all crew members are safe.
Lebanon’s PM says he won’t be intimidated by Hezbollah amid Israel talks push
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in Paris alongside President Emmanuel Macron that his government is not seeking confrontation with Hezbollah, but will not be pressured or intimidated as it engages in direct talks with Israel. He added that international backing is essential for any peace process to succeed.
Israeli forces demolish homes in Southern Lebanon amid fragile ceasefire
Reports from Lebanon say Israeli forces have demolished several homes in the town of al-Bayyadah in southern Lebanon, with powerful explosions also heard in nearby Tyre.
The National News Agency said the demolitions took place early in the morning. Despite a fragile ceasefire, tensions remain high along the border.
A second round of indirect talks between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled in Washington on Thursday, aimed at maintaining the ceasefire and exploring a broader agreement.
US Democrats rally behind Rep. Yassamin Ansari after Iran War backlash
More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for US Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari after she faced threats and doxxing over her criticism of the US and Israel’s war on Iran.
Congressman Gregory Meeks condemned the attacks on Ansari, her family, and staff, calling them “enraging” in a post on X. He said President Donald Trump’s war on Iran is “deeply unpopular and unjustified,” adding that Americans have the right to speak out against it.
Other Democratic lawmakers, including Greg Casar and Mark Pocan, also voiced support. Groups such as the Democratic Women’s Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus joined in backing Ansari, who is one of only two Iranian Americans in Congress.
Trump claims, 'Iran is collapsing financially!'
US President Donald Trump continued his series of social media posts targeting Iran, claiming the country is facing severe financial distress amid the ongoing conflict and sanctions pressure.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that “Iran is collapsing financially” and said Tehran wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened “immediately.” He also claimed Iran is “starving for cash” and “losing 500 million dollars a day.”
Trump further alleged that Iran’s military and police are not being paid, adding in his post: “SOS!!!
UN Chief welcomes Iran–US ceasefire extension,
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the extension of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, calling it a key step toward reducing tensions. In a statement, he said the move creates “critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building” between the two sides. Guterres urged all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the truce and to engage constructively in talks aimed at achieving a lasting and sustainable resolution.