Iran’s elusive supreme leader issued a chilling new threat to the United States on Thursday as Donald Trump weighed options to reopen the paused conflict with no clear end in sight.
A statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen since the start of the war amid reports he was seriously injured in an attack, said “foreigners who commit evil” have no place but in the “depths of water”.
In comments aired on State TV, he said Tehran would secure the Gulf region and eliminate “the enemy’s abuses of the waterway”, as the US military maintains its blockade on Iranian trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
The supreme leader added that new management of the Strait of Hormuz would bring calm, progress and economic benefits to all Gulf nations.
The comments followed reports Trump will receive a briefing later today on options to re-escalate the conflict in the Middle East in a push to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
Fresh strikes, the deployment of a limited ground force and the use of special forces to seize enriched uranium were all under consideration, according to an Axios report published on Wednesday.
Key Points
- Oil prices soar past $123 a barrel
- US war in Iran has cost $25bn so far
- Briefing: What we know on 62nd day of Iran war
- Pete Hegseth to face second day of grilling from Democrats
- Commanders expected to brief Trump on new military options, including ground forces
- Khamenei statement says US has 'no place except in depths of the waters'
Iran will ensure future free from US interference, says parliament speaker
13:55 , James ReynoldsIran’s parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf writes on social media to mark Persian Gulf Day that Iran, through management of the Strait of Hormuz, will ensure a future free from US interference.
Iran has floated controlling the Strait after the war ends. Under international law, neither Iran nor the US can limit passage through the strait.
در سال ۱۶۲۲ میلادی، پس از ۱۱۵ سال اشغال، استعمارگران اروپایی را از خلیج فارس بیرون انداختیم و روز خلیج فارس را به افتخار این پیروزی جشن میگیریم.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 30, 2026
امروز نیز ایران با اعمال مدیریت بر تنگهٔ هرمز، خود و همسایگان را از نعمت ارزشمند آیندهای بدون حضور و دخالت آمریکا برخوردار خواهد کرد.
Watch: Trump says Iran will 'cry uncle' to open 'genius' blockade of Strait of Hormuz
13:30 , James ReynoldsHow Iran’s mosquito fleet is skirting Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade
13:00 , James ReynoldsSkirting around the vast oil tankers anchored patiently in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s so-called ‘mosquito fleet’ is locking down the critical waterway stuck under a double-blockade.
Tehran’s ‘second navy‘ remains a serious concern for vessels seeking transit through the waterway.
Here’s how the fleet is causing havoc in the Strait of Hormuz:
How Iran’s mosquito fleet is skirting Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade
Iranian diaspora split over US intervention in the Middle East
12:30 , James ReynoldsWith fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran at a fragile standstill, Iran's large North American diaspora is divided over what should come next.
Demonstrators at a rally in Toronto on Sunday said they hope Donald Trump will continue with military intervention aimed at regime change in Tehran. Others, while opposed to the Islamic Republic, said the war has only deepened suffering in Iran without delivering democracy.
The split highlights a long-running debate among Iran's diaspora over whether foreign military pressure can and should help dismantle Iran’s decades-old clerical leadership given the potential costs to friends and family still in Iran, or whether political change must come from within.
Up to 5 million Iranians live abroad, the majority of them in North America and Western Europe, according to Iranian government data. Iranian media has put their numbers closer to 10 million. People who have fled Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution are overwhelmingly opposed to its clerical rulers, but opinions over foreign military involvement diverge.
“The Islamic regime is our main enemy. We want countries like the U.S. and Israel to help us bring this regime down,” said Ali Daneshfar, an operations coordinator with Cyrus the Great, a Toronto-based Iranian group. Daneshfar said repeated protests inside Iran had been violently crushed, leaving Iranians with few options.
Nasser Sharif, president of the California Society for Democracy in Iran, expressed a sharply different view, saying: “We believe that bombing the regime is not going to bring democratic change in Iran. The regime is using the war to suppress more, execute more people and terrorise the population inside the country.”
Khamenei statement says US has 'no place except in depths of the waters'
12:19 , James ReynoldsA statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei - who has not been seen since the start of the war - and published on National Persian Gulf Day threatens the US and insists Iranian management of the Strait of Hormuz will be to the benefit of the region.
“Today, with two months having passed since the world's tyrants' largest military mobilisation and aggression in the region and America's humiliating defeat in its own scheme, a new chapter for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is taking shape,” the statement reads.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, through the practical gratitude of managing the Strait of Hormuz, will secure the Persian Gulf region and dismantle the enemies' exploitative schemes in this waterway. The legal frameworks and implementation of new management for the Strait will bring peace and progress to the benefit of all the region's nations, and its economic benefits will gladden the hearts of the people.”
Iran has floated future control of the waterway, which legal experts have warned could breach international law.
The statement continues: “Those foreigners who, from thousands of kilometers away, greedily sow mischief in that [expanse of the blue waters of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman], have no place there except in the depths of its waters.”
Recap: IDF chief says there is no ceasefire in southern Lebanon
12:00 , James ReynoldsThe IDF’s chief of staff said during a visit to troops in southern Lebanon on Wednesday that there “is no ceasefire”, amid continued clashes between Israel and Hezbollah despite a truce.
Speaking in the southern town of Taybeh, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told soldiers that the Israeli military “will not tolerate” Hezbollah’s attacks, according to the Times of Israel.
“On the combat front, there is no ceasefire; you continue to fight, to remove direct and indirect threats from the northern communities, to thwart terror infrastructure, to locate and kill terrorists,” he said.
Gulf will have 'bright future' without US presence, says Iranian supreme leader
11:40 , James ReynoldsIran’s supreme leader said the Gulf region will have a “bright future” without the presence of the US, according to State TV.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen since the start of the war amid reports he was seriously injured in a strike, said in a statement that Tehran shares a common fate with its neighbours, and that “foreigners who commit evil” have no place but in the “depths of water”.
He insists Tehran will secure the Gulf region and eliminate “the enemy’s abuses of the waterway”, referring to the continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
New management of the channel “will bring calm and progress” as well as “economic benefits” to all Gulf nations, he was reported to have said.
The moments when Hegseth lost his nerve during Congress questions on the Iran war
11:32 , James ReynoldsUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from furious Democrats on Wednesday during his first congressional appearance since the Trump administration initiated military action against Iran.
Lawmakers grilled Hegseth over the costly conflict, which has proceeded without congressional approval and has already amounted to $25 billion, according to Pentagon figures presented to the House Armed Services Committee.
The contentious hearing, ostensibly focused on the administration’s proposed 2027 military budget of a historic $1.5 trillion, saw Republicans largely supporting the Iran operation and focusing on financial details.
The moments Hegseth lost his nerve during Congress questions on the Iran war
Inside the power struggle reshaping Iran as talks stall
11:01 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran wants to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as it “figures out its leadership situation”.
The regime lost its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a strike on the first day of the conflict, on 28 February.
Since its creation in 1979, the Islamic Republic has revolved around a supreme leader with final authority on key state matters. But insiders say Khamenei’s death and the elevation of his wounded son have enabled a new order dominated by leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
What is the IRGC?
The elite guards were set up shortly after the 1979 revolution to protect the clerical ruling system and provide a counterweight to the regular armed forces.
The IRGC also commands the Basij religious militia used to crack down on anti-government protests. Its Quds Force influences allied militias across the Middle East, handling relations with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, among others.
How is the IRGC vying for power?
Filling the vacuum left by Khamanei, Iranian officials and analysts told Reuters that the IRGC now dominates both military strategy and key political decisions.
People familiar with the internal deliberations say that Mojtaba Khamenei’s role has been reduced to mostly signing off on decisions made by his generals. A senior Pakistani government official said there is “apparently no one decision-making command structure”, with responses sometimes taking three days.
Iran International, with reported links to Saudi Arabia, reported earlier this month that the IRGC had taken “de facto control” of the Iranian government amid a deepening power struggle.
Unnamed ‘informed sources’ told the outlet that a ‘military council’ of IRGC officers now exercises full control over the core decision-making structure, blocking government reports on the country’s situation from reaching Khamenei. The government has been “effecively sidelined” from executive control, they said.
Already strengthened by war, the Guards’ growing dominance signals a more aggressive foreign policy and tighter domestic repression, sources familiar with the country's inner policy-making circles told Reuters.
Recap: Trump posts extraordinary picture holding assault rifle in new threat to Iran
10:28 , James ReynoldsPresident Donald Trump has issued an astonishing new threat against Iran, posting a mocked-up picture of himself brandishing an assault rifle with the strapline: “No more Mr Nice Guy!”
“Iran can’t get their act together,” the President wrote on Truth Social early Wednesday morning. “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”
The threat was accompanied by a meme of Trump, stood against a Middle Eastern backdrop of explosions devastating a hillside, wearing a dark suit and sunglasses and holding the firearm.
Gun-toting Trump posts extraordinary new threat to Iran: ‘No more Mr Nice Guy!’
Commanders expected to brief Trump on new military options, including ground forces
10:00 , James ReynoldsPresident Trump is expected to be briefed on new military options for his war in Iran on Thursday, according to a report.
US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper will present plans to the president aimed at breaking the deadlock, sources told Axios.
Centcom is said to have mocked up options including a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure, sources said.
Another plan could see the deployment of ground forces in a bid to take over part of the Strait of Hormuz and reopen it to commercial shipping, one source told the US outlet.
A third option reportedly under consideration was using special forces to seize the stockpile of highly enriched uranium inside Iran.
Trump told Axios yesterday that he still sees the naval blockade on Iran as “somewhat more effective than bombing”.
Iran has enough enriched uranium for ten nuclear bombs, says United Nations watchdog
09:30 , James ReynoldsThe majority of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is believed to remain at its Isfahan nuclear complex, a site that has endured airstrikes last year and further attacks during this year's U.S.-Israeli conflict, according to the head of the U.N. nuclear agency.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated in an interview on Tuesday that the agency possesses satellite images illustrating the impact of the recent U.S.-Israeli airstrikes against Iran, and that "we continue to get information."
Recap: IDF chief says there is no ceasefire in southern Lebanon
09:10 , James ReynoldsThe IDF’s chief of staff said during a visit to troops in southern Lebanon on Wednesday that there “is no ceasefire”, amid continued clashes between Israel and Hezbollah despite a truce.
Speaking in the southern town of Taybeh, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told soldiers that the Israeli military “will not tolerate” Hezbollah’s attacks, according to the Times of Israel.
“On the combat front, there is no ceasefire; you continue to fight, to remove direct and indirect threats from the northern communities, to thwart terror infrastructure, to locate and kill terrorists,” he said.
In pictures: Destruction at a Lebanese village amid Israeli military campaign
08:45 , James Reynolds
Recap: Tehran mocks rising oil price
08:23 , James ReynoldsIran’s parliament speaker mocked rising global oil prices on Wednesday as the regime maintains its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
“3 days in, no well exploded,” wrote Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf on social media yesterday.
“We could extend to 30 and livestream the well here. That was the kind of junk advice the US admin gets from people like [Scott] Bessent who also push the blockade theory and cranked oil up to $120+. Next stop:140.
“The issue isn't the theory, it's the mindset.”
Watch: Trump says Iran 'will cry uncle' to open 'genius' blockade of Strait of Hormuz
08:20 , James ReynoldsNew: Commanders expected to brief Trump on new military options, including ground forces
07:50 , James ReynoldsPresident Trump is expected to be briefed on new military options for his war in Iran on Thursday, according to a report.
US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper will present plans to the president aimed at breaking the deadlock, sources told Axios.
Centcom is said to have mocked up options including a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure, sources said.
Another plan could see the deployment of ground forces in a bid to take over part of the Strait of Hormuz and reopen it to commercial shipping, one source told the US outlet.
A third option reportedly under consideration was using special forces to seize the stockpile of highly enriched uranium inside Iran.
Trump told Axios yesterday that he still sees the naval blockade on Iran as “somewhat more effective than bombing”.
Trump says Putin offered to help US handle Iran’s enriched uranium
07:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump has claimed that Russia's Vladimir Putin renewed his offer for Moscow to serve as a third country that could deal with Iran’s 970 pounds of enriched uranium that the US leader is demanding Tehran must surrender.
“He told me he’d like to be involved with the enrichment – if he can help us get it,” Trump said Putin told him over the call yesterday.
“I said, ‘I’d much rather have you be involved with ending the war with Ukraine.’ To me, that would be more important."
Oil prices top $125 as US considers military options
07:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe price of Brent crude oil surged past $125 a barrel early this morning as stalled US-Iran talks raised doubts over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a permanent end to the Iran war.
Brent crude to be delivered in June jumped 6.2 per cent to $125.36 early Wednesday. Brent to be delivered in July rose 3.1 per cent to $113.85.
Before the start of the war in late February, Brent crude was trading around $70 per barrel.
More here.
Oil prices top $125 as US considers military options to break Iran deadlock
US seeks new coalition to get ships moving again in Hormuz
07:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump's administration is seeking the participation of other countries to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department cable.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio approved the creation of the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), the cable dated 28 April said, which it described as a joint initiative by the state department and the Pentagon.
"The MFC constitutes a critical first step in the establishment of a post-conflict maritime security architecture for the Middle East. This framework is essential to ensuring long-term energy security, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and maintaining navigational rights and freedoms in vital sea lanes," the cable said.
The component of the initiative led by the state department would serve as the diplomatic hub between partner countries and the shipping industry, while the Pentagon component operating out of CENTCOM headquarters in Florida would coordinate real-time maritime traffic and communicate directly with vessels transiting the Strait, the cable said.
US aircraft carrier to depart Middle East region
06:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUSS Ford aircraft carrier to leave Middle East after a record-breaking deployment.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier had been at sea for more than 300 days, including participating in the war against Iran and capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.
The Ford will be leaving the Middle East in the coming days and returning to its home port in Virginia in mid-May, according to two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military movements.
The ship broke the US record this month for the longest post-Vietnam War deployment, a nearly 10-month span after leaving Naval Station Norfolk in June.
Pete Hegseth to face second day of grilling from Democrats
06:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDefence secretary Pete Hegseth will face a second day of grilling from Democrats on Capitol Hill, with senators getting their first opportunity today to confront or praise the Pentagon chief over his handling of the Iran war.
Hegseth battled with Democrats – and some Republicans – a day earlier during a nearly six-hour House Armed Services Committee hearing, where he faced sharp questioning over the war's costs in dollars, lives and the diminishing stockpiles of critical weapons.
The Senate Armed Services Committee will hear a similar presentation on the Trump administration's 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost defence spending to a historic $1.5 trillion.
Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine, will again stress the need for more drones, missile defence systems and warships.
They are now also likely to face tough questions about American troop levels in Europe after President Donald Trump on Wednesday levelled a new threat against Nato ally Germany, suggesting he could soon reduce the US military presence in the country as he feuds with chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war.
Trump reshares post that says 'storm is coming'
06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump has reshared an image on Truth Social bearing the message “The Storm is Coming,” alongside the phrase “Nothing can stop what is coming".
In a separate post, he cited a Harvard Harris poll, which allegedly claimed that a strong majority of Americans supported his stance on stopping Iran’s nuclear program.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116491457397348713
Oil prices soar past $123 a barrel
05:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices rose today on a report the US is considering potential military action against Iran to break the deadlock in negotiations to end the war, increasing concerns of more supply disruptions to already curtailed Middle East exports.
Brent crude futures for June rose $5.27, or 4.5 per cent, to $123.30 a barrel after gaining 6.1 per cent in the previous session.
The June contract, which has increased for a ninth day, expires today and the more active July contract was at $113.10, up $2.66, or 2.4 per cent, after gaining 5.8 per cent in the previous session.
Trump summoned oil and gas execs to White House as Americans pay the highest price at the pump in four years
05:28 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump and his top officials met with oil and gas executives, including Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, at the White House on Tuesday.
The meeting, reported by Axios on Wednesday, addressed the energy fallout of the Iran war and other topics.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were among the officials present.
More here.
Trump threatens to reduce US troop numbers in Germany after clash with Merz
US war in Iran has cost $25bn so far
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump's war in Iran has cost the US military $25bn so far, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday, providing the first official estimate of the price tag for the conflict.
Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.
Hurst did not detail what that cost estimate included and whether it took into account the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing base infrastructure in the Middle East damaged in the conflict.
Defence secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that the cost was justified given the US goal of ensuring Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
"What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?" Hegseth asked.
Iran's highly enriched uranium 'likely still at Isfahan site'
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe majority of Iran's highly enriched uranium is likely still at its Isfahan nuclear complex, which was bombarded by airstrikes last year and faced less intense attacks in this year's US-Israeli war, the UN nuclear agency's leader said.
Rafael Grossi said that the International Atomic Energy Agency has satellite images showing the effects of the latest US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran and that "we continue to get information.
"IAEA inspections ended at Isfahan when Israel last June launched a 12-day war that saw the US bomb three Iranian nuclear sites.
The UN nuclear watchdog believes a large percentage of Iran's highly enriched uranium "was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since," Grossi said.
"We haven't been able to inspect or to reject that the material is there and that the seals — the IAEA seals — remain there," he said. "I hope we'll be able to do that, so what I tell you is our best estimate."
US central command leader to brief Trump on new Iran military options
04:14 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS president Donald Trump is slated to receive a briefing on new plans for potential military action in Iran on Thursday from the leader of the US Central Command, Brad Cooper, Axios reported.
On Wednesday, Trump discussed how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long US blockade of Iran's ports with oil companies, as he urged Tehran to "get smart soon" and sign a deal.
Iranian parliamentary speaker mocks Trump admin as oil prices soar
03:50 , Rachel DobkinIranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has mocked the Trump administration as oil prices soar.
Ghalibaf wrote in an X post early Thursday morning, local time, that US President Donald Trump was getting “junk advice” from people like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who pushes the “blockade theory and cranked oil up to $120+”.
After the US and Israel began striking Iran about two months ago, Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, and the US subsequently imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Ghalibaf suggested oil prices will reach $140 in the conflict, writing, “Next stop:140. The issue isn't the theory, it's the mindset.”
'Strait of Trump' image shared by president
03:20 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump has shared an image on social media, depicting a map of the Strait of Hormuz with the words, “Strait of Trump” across the vital oil passageway.
Trump posted the image on Truth Social Wednesday night, local time, as Washington and Tehran remain at an impasse in negotiations.
After the US and Israel began striking Iran about two months ago, Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, and the US subsequently imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
US military shares promo-style video of its naval blockade against Iran
02:50 , Rachel DobkinFor 2+weeks, U.S. forces have successfully enforced the blockade, cutting off economic trade going into and out of Iran. pic.twitter.com/enCwgN4moo
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 29, 2026
US aircraft carrier to return home after deployment in Middle East: report
02:20 , Rachel DobkinThe USS Ford aircraft carrier will return home after it was deployed in the Middle East, helping with President Donald Trump’s war against Iran, according to a new report.
The aircraft carrier, which is the largest in the world, will leave the Middle East in the next few days and return to its home port in Virginia by mid-May, two US officials told the Associated Press.
US military says it has redirected over 40 ships trying to pass its naval blockade
01:50 , Rachel DobkinThe US military has announced it has redirected 42 ships trying to pass its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
“Right now there are 41 tankers with 69 million barrels of oil that the Iranian regime can’t sell”, US Central Command said in a statement. “That’s an estimated $6 billion-plus from which Iran’s leadership cannot financially benefit”.
Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander on the success of the U.S. blockade against Iran: pic.twitter.com/78OL04k5cZ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 29, 2026
Briefing: What we know on 62nd day of Iran war
01:26 , Rachel Dobkin- A surveillance drone flying near the US Embassy in Baghdad was reportedly shot down early Thursday, local time.
- US President Donald Trump urged Tehran on Wednesday to "get smart soon" and sign a peace deal as his military announced it has redirected 42 ships since its naval blockade of Iranian ports was put into effect.
- Oil prices rose more than 6 per cent Wednesday as Washington and Tehran continue their impasse in negotiations
Trump says US is considering reducing troops in Germany
01:20 , Rachel DobkinTrump has announced that the US is considering reducing troops in Germany amid growing tensions between the two countries over the Iran war.
“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time”, Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that Iran was “humiliating” the US by “letting the Americans travel to Islamabad [for peace talks] and then leave again without any result”.
“I hope that this ends as quickly as possible”, the chancellor said about the Iran war while speaking with students in Marsberg.
Watch: Trump claims King Charles would have probably helped with military strikes against Iran
Thursday 30 April 2026 00:52 , Rachel DobkinMajor revelation from Hegseth testimony was price tag of Iran war
Thursday 30 April 2026 00:00 , Rhian LubinOne of the biggest revelations to emerge from Wednesday’s congressional hearing was that the war in Iran has so far cost an estimated $25 billion.
“Approximately, of this day, we're spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury,” Jules Hurst, a Pentagon budget official, told the hearing.
Most of that has been spent on munitions, he said.
ICYMI: Trump posts extraordinary picture holding assault rifle in new threat to Iran
Wednesday 29 April 2026 22:45 , Rhian LubinPresident Donald Trump issued an astonishing new threat against Iran Wednesday, posting a mocked-up picture of himself brandishing an assault rifle with the strapline: “No more Mr Nice Guy!”
“Iran can’t get their act together,” the President wrote on Truth Social. “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”
The threat was accompanied by a meme of Trump, stood against a Middle Eastern backdrop of explosions devastating a hillside, wearing a dark suit and sunglasses and holding the heavy-duty firearm.
Trump claims King Charles 'probably would've helped' US with Iran
Wednesday 29 April 2026 22:00 , Rhian LubinPresident Donald Trump has claimed that King Charles “probably would have helped us” in Iran as he launched another attack on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO.
Speaking during the King’s state visit, the president said the royal was a “phenomenal representative for his country” and suggested he would have differed in his approach to the conflict from the prime minister.
“The King loves his country, and he's a great king, and he's a great friend of mine. And I think if that it were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran,” Trump said.
Read more...
Trump claims King Charles ‘would probably have helped us with Iran’
Pictured: Hegseth grilled by lawmakers for six 6
Wednesday 29 April 2026 21:15 , Rhian LubinDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth was grilled by lawmakers for six hours, mostly about the war in Iran.
Hearing is adjoured
Wednesday 29 April 2026 20:54 , Rhian LubinThe hearing is now adjourned after nearly six hours.
Trump gives rambling answer on whether Ukraine or Iran war will end first
Wednesday 29 April 2026 20:37 , Rhian Lubin, Andrew FeinbergOver in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump couldn’t say whether the 60-day-old war he launched against Iran in February would end before the four-year-old Russian war against Ukraine.
As Hegseth was testifying, Trump appeared to confuse the two countries as he turned an Oval Office meeting to honor the Artemis II lunar mission crew into a wide-ranging media session with reporters.
After four minutes of remarks to honor the NASA crew that traveled to the Moon for the first time since the Nixon administration, the president immediately launched into a question-and-answer session in which he told reporters a recent conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin had focused on the Ukraine and Iran wars.
“I talked about Ukraine, and I talked a little bit about Iran. I talked about few different subjects, mostly about Ukraine, and we had a very good conversation. I think we're going to come up with a solution relatively quickly,” he said Wednesday.
Read more:
Trump rambles on whether Ukraine or Iran war will end first — confusing the countries
