President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has asked for a ceasefire but threatened to “blast them into oblivion or the Stone Ages” until the Strait of Hormuz is opened.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president claimed that the “new regime president” who was “much less radicalized” than his predecessor had requested both sides stop hostilities to strike a peace agreement.
It is unclear which senior Iranian official was referring to. Tehran has not commented on the claims and continues to deny that negotiations are taking place.
His statement comes after Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that no negotiations were ongoing with Washington despite direct and indirect exchanges of messages.
Trump told reporters that “Iran doesn’t have to make a deal” to end the conflict, adding that “we'll be leaving very soon”. He gave a timeline for the US withdrawing from the conflict as “within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three.”
Winding down the operation would depend on Iran being "put into the Stone Age," without the ability to acquire a nuclear weapon, he said.
He told The Telegraph that the military alliance was a “paper tiger” and that taking the US out of the bloc was now “beyond reconsideration”.
The key shipping route under Houthi threat that could have a seismic impact on global economy
Four million people across the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by war in Iran, UN warns
Trump will ‘negotiate with bombs’ and lead the free world — whether it likes it or not, Hegseth vows
This ‘US invasion’ video in the Middle East is fake | Debunked
Key Points
- Kuwait airport on fire after drone attack
- War will be over in 'two or three weeks' Trump says
- Oil prices at $104 a barrel
- Starmer to update on cost of living after Trump asks UK to 'get its own oil'
- UAE bars Iranian passport holders from entry and transit
- Tanker hit by two projectiles off Qatar
Trump reiterates 'disgust' with Nato and doubles down on claims he is considering withdrawing US from the alliance
14:35 , Maira ButtDonald Trump has doubled down on comments that the US will consider withdrawing from Nato following a lack of support over Iran.
The American president is due to address the nation in a scheduled speech this evening.
He promised he would “express my disgust” with Nato in his speech and said he is “absolutely” considering withdrawing the US from the alliance.
US will 'come back' to do 'spot hits' in Iran if they have to, says Trump
14:26 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has said that the United States will be returning to Iran to do “spot hits” if they need to after the conflict ends in new comments to Reuters on Wednesday.
“We have some more targets left,” he said.
“They won't have a nuclear weapon because they are incapable of that now, and then I'll leave, and I'll take everybody with me, and if we have to we'll come back to do spot hits.”
He added that he “does not care about nuclear material” and that the US would be out of Iran “pretty quickly” signalling that the country would be wrapping up its military operations in the region soon, contrary to reports of a ground invasion.
Trump claimed that “we’ve had full regime change in Iran”.
Nato 'not designed' to carry out operations in Strait of Hormuz, says junior French minister
14:05 , Maira ButtNato is not militarily prepared for an operation in the Strait of Hormuz, France’s junior army minister Alice Rufo said on Wednesday.
“Let me remind you what Nato is. It is a military alliance concerned with the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. It is not designed to carry out operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which would be a breach of international law,” Rufo said at the War and Peace conference in Paris.
President Donald Trump has said he is seriously considering withdrawing from the alliance following a perceived lack of support in America’s war against Iran.
Oil prices have surged as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively stalled commercial shipments from traversing the waterway.
Breaking: Trump says Iran has asked US for a ceasefire
13:54 , James ReynoldsTrump writes on social media that Iran has asked the US for a ceasefire.
In full, he says:
“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!
“We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!! President DJT”
Watch: Starmer hits out at Trump as he says he won't bow to US 'pressure' to join Iran war
13:45 , Maira ButtExplosions heard in Syrian capital
13:32 , James ReynoldsExplosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus and its surrounding areas, state TV al Ekhbariyah reported on Wednesday, adding that the blasts were likely caused by Israeli air defences intercepting Iranian missiles.
French peacekeeping troops in Lebanon subject to 'unacceptable intimidation', says junior minister
13:25 , Maira ButtFrench peacekeeping troops have been subject to “absolutely unacceptable intimidation”, France’s junior army minister said on Wednesday.
Indonesia has also called on the United Nations to investigate the deaths of three of its UNIFIL peacekeepers after an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon.
“We expressed our solidarity with the Indonesians. I want to send out a message of solidarity to our soldiers, who have been the subject of completely unacceptable intimidation,” Alice Rufo said at the War & Peace conference in Paris following a visit to Lebanon.
Diplomats said that three incidents took place on 28 March between French forces and Israel’s military.
Germany hits out at Trump over Nato withdrawal comments: 'It's not the first time he's done this'
13:05 , Maira ButtGermany has doubled down on its commitment to Nato after President Donald Trump said the US was considering withdrawing support from the alliance.
“This isn't the first time he's done this, and since it's a recurring phenomenon, you can probably judge the consequences for yourself,” a government spokesperson told reporters on Wednesday.
“It's not my place here to comment on the American president's words. I simply want to state on behalf of the German government that we are, of course, committed to Nato.”
The country that could be the first to run out of fuel due to US-Iran war
12:55 , Maira ButtMajid Ali, who commutes 22km every day for work, has to stand in a queue for two hours to get the fuel he needs for his bike. He is one of millions of people in Bangladesh who have been lining up outside petrol stations day and night amid concerns over the country’s declining fuel reserves triggered by Donald Trump's month-long war on Iran.
“This motorcycle is the only convenient way for me to commute, but without the octane, how will I continue,” the 33-year-old private sector employee tells The Independent.
"I was lucky, I got the fuel. Dozens of motorists behind me were forced to return as the station ran out of fuel," he adds. These days there are fewer vehicles spotted on the capital Dhaka’s otherwise overcrowded streets.
The country that could be the first to run out of fuel due to US-Iran war
In pictures: Jet black smoke billows in Iraq amid Iran war
12:35 , Maira ButtIraq has been drawn into the broader Middle East war, which began with US-Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February.
Erbil, capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, is home to a major US consulate complex while the airport houses military advisers. Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups have usually been intercepted by air defences. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
A suspected drone strike on Wednesday 1 April is reported to have hit an oil warehouse in the Kani Qirzhala area on the outskirts of Erbil.
Switzerland denies US requests to use airspace for Iran operations
12:15 , Maira ButtThe Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) of Switzerland has denied requests by the US to pass through its airspace in order to conduct military operations in Iran, according to Swissinfo.
Only a third of applications have been approved from countries attempting to fly aircraft over the country en route to the Middle East.
According to FOCA, approvals are only issued if flights are “clearly not related to the conflict” and only if they are restricted to medical and humanitarian purposes including transporting injured people.
The Federal Council said in mid-March that the country’s law of neutrality applies in relation to the states of US, Israel and Iran.
Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei praises Hezbollah in Telegram statement
11:56 , Maira ButtIran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has praised Hezbollah in a new post on Telegram.
The son the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not been seen in public since the attack that killed his father, mother and wife.
Since then, Iranian state media and other channels have circulated written messages by Mojtaba Khamenei in his absence.
In the latest statement, he is reported to have praised Hezbollah in a message to the Lebanese group’s chief and vowed his continued support.
Israel has continued to attack Lebanon and said it is expanding its “buffer zone” in what it says is an operation against Hezbollah.
Middle East supply disruptions to hit Europe in April, says IEA chief
11:48 , Maira ButtThe oil supply crisis that has caused global oil disruptions will impact Europe in April, the International Agency has warned on Wednesday.
“The loss of oil in April will be twice of oil loss in March, on top of the loss of liquefied natural gas (LNG),” Fatih Birol told a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, head of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
“The biggest problem today is the lack of jet fuel and diesel. We are seeing that in Asia, but soon, I think, in April or May, it would come to Europe.”
Hezbollah's southern front commander killed, says Israel
11:28 , Maira ButtIsrael has killed Hezbollah’s southern front commander Haj Youssef Ismail Hashem in strikes on Beirut, the Israeli military said on Wednesday.
The military said Hashem was “a commander with over 40 years of experience and one of the pillars of the terror organization.”
South Korea president says Iran war shows the need to ditch ‘extremely risky’ fossil fuels
11:08 , Maira ButtSouth Korean president Lee Jae Myung said the global energy crisis caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran was keeping him up at night as he called for a rapid transition to renewable energy.
The situation was “worse than you think” and could deteriorate further, he said and urged his nation to move “quickly” away from fossil fuels.
“The whole world is in chaos because of the energy issue and it’s so serious I can't fall asleep either,” Mr Lee said during a town hall meeting on the southern island of Jeju on Monday, Yonhap reported.
"We do not even produce fossil fuels ourselves and now even importing them is becoming like this.”
Stuti Mishra reports:
South Korea president says Iran war shows the need to ditch ‘risky’ fossil fuels
Starmer reiterates that UK 'will not be drawn in' to Iran war
10:48 , Maira ButtPolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated that the British government will “not be drawn in” to the Iran war, saying officials are using diplomatic channels to push for deescalation.
The PM told a Downing Street press conference: "Let me say once again, this is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict that is not in our national interests.
“The most effective way we can support the cost of living in Britain is to push for de-escalation in the Middle East and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is such a vital route for energy.”
He continued: “To that end, we're exploring each and every diplomatic avenue that is available to us.
“The foreign secretary and the chancellor have met their counterparts in the G7. The defense secretary has been in the Middle East, speaking to our partners, and the UK has now brought together 35 nations around our statement of intent to push as one for maritime security across the Gulf.
“And today, I can announce that later this week, the foreign secretary will host a meeting that brings those nations together for the first time, where we will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation”.
Trump says US strongly considering exit from 'paper tiger' Nato
10:28 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has said the United States is considering pulling out of Nato after a lack of support from allies amid the ongoing Iran war, according to the Telegraph.
Earlier, we reported comments by secretary of state Marco Rubio that America would reconsider its relationship to the alliance after the conflict had ended.
“Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration,” he told the paper when asked if he would reconsider membership.
“I was never swayed by Nato. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
First sea lord admits Royal Navy is not ready for war
10:08 , Maira ButtThe Royal Navy is not yet ready for war, the first sea lord has admitted.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has said that the Royal Navy has “work to do” to be ready for war, amid criticism from the United States for not sending ships in support of its war in Iran.
Speaking to Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet on Monday, he said: “According to the defence investigation that was completed last year, I will be ready for war by the end of this decade.”
Bryony Gooch reports:
In pictures: Smoke rises after Kuwait International Airport hit
09:45 , Maira Butt
US to reconsider Nato relationship after Iran war, says Rubio
09:25 , Maira ButtThe United States is to reconsider its relationship with Nato once the Iran war is over, secretary of state Marco Rubio has said.
“We’re going to have to reexamine the value of Nato and that alliance for our country,” Rubio told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Tuesday.
“If Nato is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement. That’s a hard one to stay engaged in.”
President Donald Trump has repeatedly hit out at Nato throughout the war for what he has perceived as a lack of support during the conflict. Countries in the alliance have largely declined to enter the fighting.
Watch: Former US Embassy building in Tehran targeted in attack, Iranian media report
09:05 , Maira ButtIranian ambassador suggests Tehran could strike British bases
08:45 , Maira ButtTehran is “considering” whether British bases are legitimate targets in the unfolding Middle East conflict, the Iranian ambassador to the UK has warned.
The UK has been allowing the United States to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to launch operations against Iran - something Seyed Ali Mousavi described as being “very unfortunate”.
Speaking to Times Radio, he said: “The initial position made by prime minister Starmer is very good.
“We do appreciate [it], we do welcome the non-involvement in this criminal act of the American side and the Israeli regime.
“But unfortunately, now we have realised that the British Fairford military base has been serving for the B2 and B1, you know, jets of the American side to be equipped by the different weapons to use against the Iranian people. It’s very unfortunate.”
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Iranian ambassador suggests Tehran could strike British bases
Oil prices fall as Trump declares war will end 'very soon'
08:25 , Maira ButtOil prices have dropped after President Donald Trump announced that the US-Israeli war against Iran would end “very soon”, and suggested it could be as soon as two or three weeks.
Prices have fallen 3 per cent to just above $100 a barrel, but remain 39 per cent higher than before the war.
Qatar 'targeted by Iranian missiles'
08:02 , James ReynoldsQatar has also claimed it was targeted by three Iranian missiles on Wednesday.
A statement from the defence ministry on X says two cruise missiles were intercepted but a third struck an oil tanker in its waters.
The tanker, carrying a crew of 21, was evacuated without any casualties reported.
In pictures: Chaos in Israel amid Iranian bombardment
07:58 , James Reynolds
Houthis claim attack on Israel with Iran and Hezbollah
07:35 , James ReynoldsYemen’s Houthis have claimed a joint attack on Israel with missiles they say was carried out in conjunction with Iran and Hezbollah.
This ‘US invasion’ video in the Middle East is fake | Debunked
07:29 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThis viral video claiming to show US military deployment to the Middle East is completely fake.
It’s not troops preparing for a ground invasion of Iran – instead, it is AI-generated footage. The clip has been shared as “proof” that thousands of troops are preparing for a ground invasion.
While the US has repositioned assets, officials deny any decision on ground forces. Analysis flagged the video as synthetic, and its creator labeled it a “realistic simulation.”
More here.
This ‘US Invasion’ video in the Middle East is fake | Debunked
Israel strikes building near Beirut's international airport
07:10 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Asian stocks rally as Trump says US will leave Iran
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAsian stock markets jumped sharply Wednesday after Donald Trump said the U.S. would exit the war with Iran within two to three weeks, with or without a deal, raising hopes that the month-long conflict that has roiled global energy markets may be nearing its end.
South Korea's Kospi surged 6.4 percent in early trading, while Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 4 percent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.9 percent, and Taiwan's Taiex was up 4.3 percent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.7 percent. India's BSE Sensex jumped more than 1,800 points in early trade, with broad-based buying across banking, financials and technology stocks.
Both the Nikkei and Kospi, however, remain below the levels at which they were trading before the war began on February 28. A survey by Japan's central bank released Wednesday showed business sentiment among major manufacturers had improved despite war-related concerns.
More here.
Asian stocks rally as Trump says US will leave Iran war in ‘two to three weeks’
Bangladeshi national killed in UAE by projectile debris
06:52 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA Bangladeshi national was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted drone at a farm in the UAE's Fujairah.
"The competent authorities in Fujairah are dealing with an incident that occurred in a farm in the Al Riffa area as a result of shrapnel falling from the interception of a drone, which resulted in the killing of a person of Bangladeshi nationality," state news agency Wam said on X.
Tanker hit by two projectiles off Qatar
06:44 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA tanker struck off Qatar was hit by two projectiles, one causing a fire that has since been extinguished and another remaining unexploded in the vessel's engine room, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said this morning.
The vessel was struck about 17 nautical miles north of Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial hub, causing damage above the waterline, with the crew safe and no environmental impact reported.
UKMTO said it was unable to confirm the source of the projectiles and that investigations were ongoing. Maritime authorities have reported multiple security incidents affecting vessels in Gulf waters in recent days.
Starmer to update on cost of living after Trump asks UK to 'get its own oil'
06:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSir Keir Starmer is expected to provide an update on the cost of living amid concerns over the amount energy bills could rise as a result of the Middle East conflict.
The prime minister is due to speak at a press conference later on Wednesday morning after he vowed to "protect the British people at home and abroad".It is thought Sir Keir's Downing Street press conference will cover both the conflict and Government support for households as rising prices bite.
Since fighting began in Iran, oil prices have soared in response to Tehran's block on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Families with a 55-litre diesel car face paying more than £100 at the pump for the first time since December 2022.
It comes as Donald Trump alleged on his Truth Social platform that the UK was among several countries which "can't get jet fuel" ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend - a claim which industry body Airlines UK has refuted.
The US president said the UK and other countries that did not take part in strikes against Iran should secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves.
Four million people across the Gulf could be 'pushed into poverty by war in Iran'
06:35 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFour million people in the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by the war in Iran, says the UN, as the conflict enters its second month.
A report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the economic and social repercussions of the war found that Arab nations stand to lose between $120 billion and $194 billion from gross domestic product as a result of disruptions to energy supply chains.
“The number of poor people will increase by about four million people in our region in one month,” said Abdullah Al-Dardari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States.
More here.
UN: 4 million people in the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by war in Iran
Iran’s foreign minister acknowledges receiving messages from US envoy
06:11 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran’s foreign minister has acknowledged receiving direct messages from US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
He told Al Jazeera that the messages didn’t constitute negotiations.
US president Donald Trump has repeatedly described Iran and America as having talks over the war, while Pakistan has been a key intermediary along with Egypt and Turkey during the conflict.“I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.
He added: “We do not have any faith that negotiations with the U.S. will yield any results. The trust level is at zero.”Asked about a possible ground offensive by the U.S., Araghchi said “we are waiting for them.”
“We know very well how to defend ourselves,” Araghchi reportedly told the Qatar-based broadcaster.
“In a ground war, we can do it even better. We are completely ready to confront any sort of ground attack. We hope they do not make such a mistake.”
India hikes jet fuel and commercial LPG prices
06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Indian Oil Corporation this morning said it will raise jet fuel and commercial LPG prices in metropolitan cities across the country, including the capital New Delhi, effective from 1 April.
In the capital, the price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 195 (£1.5) to Rs 2,078.50 (£16.7).
Aviation Turbine Fuel prices have also been revised upward to cost Rs207,341 (£1,672) per kilolitre — a 114.5 per cent hike from Rs 96,638 (£779.2) last month.
First responders rush to the site of Israeli airstrike in Beirut
05:51 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
UAE bars Iranian passport holders from entry and transit
05:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe United Arab Emirates has reportedly barred all Iranian passport holders from entering or transiting through Dubai, including individuals holding valid residency and visas.
According to a Flydubai notice, the restriction took effect on 31 March and applied to all Iranian nationals.
Iranians with a UAE "golden visa" will still be permitted to enter and transit through the country, it said.
Israel says missile launched from Yemen
05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Israeli military said this morning that it had identified the launch of a missile from Yemen towards Israel, adding that air defence systems were operating to intercept the threat.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis joined the regional war in recent days, launching missiles at Israel in support of Tehran.
Trump tells UK ‘go get your own oil’
05:22 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump has lashed out at Britain, saying the US “won’t be there to help you any more, just like you weren’t there for us” in an extraordinary rant against his allies over the Iran war.
The president told countries that did not take part in strikes against Iran to “get your own oil”, saying they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves now that the US had “done the hard part”.
He also reignited his row with Sir Keir Starmer, saying Britain had “refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran” and needed to “start learning how to fight for yourself”.
More here.
Trump tells UK ‘go get your own oil’ in latest extraordinary tirade over Iran war
Rubio says US can see 'finish line' on Iran war
05:05 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington could see the "finish line" in the Iran war, which is now in its fifth week, and the US will have to reexamine ties with Nato after the conflict.
"We can see the finish line. It's not today, it's not tomorrow, but it is coming," Rubio told Fox News.
The war began on 28 February when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Tehran responded by launching its own attacks on Israel and Gulf states with US bases.
Joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. The war has also raised oil prices and shaken global markets.
Rubio said there were messages being exchanged between Iran and the US and there is the potential to have a "direct meeting at some point" between the two sides.
"There are messages being exchanged, there are talks going on. There is the potential for direct meeting at some point," Rubio said.
Bahrain says fire breaks out at company facility
04:55 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBahrain's Interior Ministry said today that civil defence teams were extinguishing a fire at a company facility following what authorities described as an Iranian attack, adding that relevant authorities were taking necessary measures at the site.No immediate details were provided on the company, casualties or the extent of damage.
CENTCOM denies reports of US attacking sports hall and residential area in Iran
04:45 , Rachel DobkinUS Central Command has denied reports of the military attacking a sports hall and residential area in Lamerd, Iran, at the start of the war.
“After looking into the reports, U.S. Central Command has confirmed the accusations are false”, US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, wrote in a statement.
Hawkins continued: “U.S. forces did not launch any strikes at any time into the city of Lamerd or anywhere within 30 miles during the opening day of Operation Epic Fury”.
“U.S. forces do not target civilians, unlike the Iranian regime which has attacked civilian locations in neighboring countries more than 300 times”, the spokesperson added.
US energy secretary says Trump's 'energy dominance' is working as US gas prices soar
04:30 , Rachel DobkinUS Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Tuesday night local time that Donald Trump's “energy dominance” is working, as US gas prices soar.
“ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy’s Golden Pass LNG export facility now has LNG flowing with exports coming soon”, the secretary wrote on X. “This represents a huge milestone in efforts to grow access to affordable, reliable and secure American energy”.
President Trump’s American Energy Dominance agenda is working.
— Secretary Chris Wright (@SecretaryWright) April 1, 2026
ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy’s Golden Pass LNG export facility now has LNG flowing with exports coming soon.
This represents a huge milestone in efforts to grow access to affordable, reliable and secure American…
Wright’s announcement comes as the national average price of regular gas in the US jumped to more than $4 a gallon.
The growing conflict in the Middle East has increased oil prices as Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil.
Oil prices at $104 a barrel
04:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices ticked up in early trade today, with Brent front-month futures extending a record March rally as Middle East volatility kept markets jittery, despite reports that the US and Iran may be edging closer to a negotiated end to the war.
The front-month Brent contract for June delivery rose 66 cents or 0.63 per cent to $104.63 per barrel. Front-month Brent futures hit a record monthly gain of 64 per cent in March, according to LSEG data dating back to June 1988.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for May rose 96 cents or 0.95 per cent to $102.34 per barrel , while WTI futures for June rose 46 cents or 0.49 per cent to $93.62 per barrel.
Kuwait airport on fire after drone attack
04:19 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAn Iranian drone attack struck fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport this morning, sparking a massive fire but causing no casualties, Kuwait's state news agency KUNA said.
The latest of several attacks on the airport and fuel storage there came as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran broadens with Tehran's strikes on Israel and Gulf Arab states that host US military installations.
Today's attack caused significant damage to airport fuel tanks belonging to the Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company, the agency cited a spokesperson for the civil aviation authority as saying.
Marco Rubio says Iran's not going to 'string along' Trump with 'fake negotiations'
04:15 , Rachel DobkinUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Iran's not going to “string along” US President Donald Trump with “fake negotiations”.
Rubio said on Fox News Tuesday night local time that Trump would always prefer negotiations over war, but diplomacy has proved “fruitless”.
Trump is “not going to allow fake negotiations to be used as a delay tactic,” Rubio said, adding Iran is “not going to string along President Trump. He’s not going to fall for their games”.
“We'll always be prepared to talk — but we're not going to allow that, or the failure of talks, to impede our ability to defend this country and protect this country from a real threat”, the secretary said.
CNN’s data guru says Trump’s approval rating is ‘as low as Death Valley’
04:00 , Graig GraziosiCNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten said US President Donald Trump’s approval rating had fallen into "Death Valley" and warned that the commander-in-chief is so unpopular it might hurt a potential 2028 presidential run by US Vice President JD Vance.
On Tuesday morning, Enten discussed Trump's approval ratings, claiming they had fallen "into the abyss" and show "no sign of rising”.
"He's now at a term 2 low: -18 pts”, Enten wrote on X. "Big reason why: Independents. Trump's at -45 pts. The worst for any prez at this point in term 2. Worse than Nixon (-36 pts) at the height of Watergate!"
Enten said that Trump's cratering approval among voters is not only the result of his unpopular war in Iran, but a "slew of events" that have "continuously" dragged his popularity lower and lower.
“He was at plus six points [in January], then minus three points a year ago [in April], minus seven points nine months ago, minus ten points in October 2025. January 2026, -13 points. And now all the way down to -18 points. A term two low”, he said.
Read on...
CNN’s data guru says Trump’s approval rating is ‘as low as Death Valley’
Israeli strikes hits major Iranian pharmaceutical company: report
03:30 , Rachel DobkinThe Israeli military has confirmed it hit a major Iranian pharmaceutical company Tuesday.
Israel said it struck the Tofigh Daru factory in Tehran and claimed the company was secretly supplying fentanyl to the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research of Iran in a statement shared by The New York Times. The organization develops chemical weapons, Israel claims.
Iran said Tofigh Daru only supplied “hospital drugs,” per the Associated Press.
IRNA, Iran’s state news agency, said the strike demolished the factory’s raw material production units and its research and development unit, per the NYT.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lambasted the strike on social media, saying Israel is now “openly and unashamedly bombing pharmaceutical companies”.
CENTCOM shares video of US forces striking targets 'deep inside Iran'
03:15 , Rachel DobkinU.S. forces drop precision munitions on underground military targets deep inside Iran to further degrade the Iranian regime's ability to project power in meaningful ways beyond its borders. pic.twitter.com/ciQRbE0KFM
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 1, 2026
UAE bans Iranian travelers: report
03:00 , Rachel DobkinThe United Arab Emirates has banned Iranians from entering or traveling through the country amid the ongoing war, according to three major UAE airlines.
Emirates, Etihad and FlyDubai announced the travel ban on their websites, the Associated Press reported. There is an exception for travelers with a 10-year Golden Visa residency permit, per the AP.
Tanker struck by 'unknown projectile' off Qatar: UKMTO
02:30 , Rachel DobkinThe UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre announced early Wednesday morning local time that it received a report of a tanker being struck by an “unknown projectile” 17 nautical miles north of Doha, Qatar.
UKMTO said the tanker was reportedly hit on the port side, “causing damage to the hull above water line”.
Crew members aboard the vessel were reported as safe, and there is no environmental impact from the strike, according to UKMTO.
In pictures: Aftermath of strike launched against Iran
02:00 , Rachel Dobkin
Businesses start to add fuel surcharges to deliver products as oil price increases from Iran war hit home
01:30 , Rachel DobkinBusinesses are starting to add fuel surcharges to deliver products as the price of oil increases amid the Iran war.
High oil prices have caused gas prices to skyrocket. Grocery prices will also go up since it takes fuel to grow produce, raise livestock and drive food to stores and restaurants.
The Independent Grocers Alliance said last week fuel-related costs can account for about 15 to 30 percent of the total cost of some food products.
The group said that for every 10 percent rise in fuel costs, food prices can increase 2 to 3 percent, based on historical averages.
Read on...
Businesses start to add fuel surcharges as oil prices increase amid Iran war
Israeli military says it killed Hezbollah commander in Lebanon strikes: report
01:15 , Rachel DobkinThe Israeli military has said it killed a senior commander for the Lebanese Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, in strikes in the Beirut area, the Associated Press reported.
The military said another senior leader was also killed, according to the AP.
Trump to give national address about an 'important update on Iran'
Wednesday 1 April 2026 00:53 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump will give a national address Wednesday night local time about an “important update on Iran,” the White House has announced.
TUNE IN: Tomorrow night at 9PM ET, President Trump will give an Address to the Nation to provide an important update on Iran.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 31, 2026
Trump tells UK ‘go get your own oil’ and warns that the US ‘won’t help you any more’ in latest tirade over Iran war
Wednesday 1 April 2026 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDonald Trump has lashed out at Britain, saying the US “won’t be there to help you any more, just like you weren’t there for us” in an extraordinary rant against his allies over the Iran war.
The president told countries that did not take part in strikes against Iran to “get your own oil”, saying they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves now that the US had “done the hard part”.
He also reignited his row with Sir Keir Starmer, saying Britain had “refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran” and needed to “start learning how to fight for yourself”.
Read more by Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin here:
Trump tells UK ‘go get your own oil’ in latest extraordinary tirade over Iran war
Trump wants to see Iran 'put into the stone ages'
Tuesday 31 March 2026 23:46 , Rebecca WhittakerPresident Donald Trump said Tehran does not have to make a “deal” with Washington to end the conflict.
But, he does want to see Iran "put into the stone ages," without the ability to soon acquire a nuclear weapon before the was comes to an end.
"Then we'll leave," he said.
Watch: Trump says Iran military action will end in 'two to three weeks'
Tuesday 31 March 2026 23:38 , Rebecca WhittakerAmerican journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Iraq sparking urgent hunt
Tuesday 31 March 2026 23:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAn American journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors.
The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the outlets she worked for. The Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped, without giving more details about the person's identity.
War will be over in 'two or three weeks' Trump says
Tuesday 31 March 2026 23:18 , Rebecca WhittakerUS president Donald Trump claimed the war will be over in “two to three weeks”.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office he said the price of oil will also come “tumbling down” when he leaves Iran.
“All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll become tumbling down,” he insisted.
He added: “Stock prices were up today, almost to a record, because they know two things. Number one, we have a safe country. We had to take a little detour because we had a madman named Khomeini, who, sadly, is no longer with us. And we had regime change already.
“We've knocked out one regime, then we knocked out the second regime. Now we have a group of people that's very that are very different. They're much more reasonable, I think, much more much less radicalized.
“It's a we've had regime change, we're dealing with people that are much more rational, and it's very, it's amazing what we've done, we had to make a little detour.”
Rights group says more than 3,400 people have been killed since start of Iran war
Tuesday 31 March 2026 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThousands of people have been killed across the Middle East in the Iran war, which began when the US and Israel struck Iran on February 28.
According to US-based rights group HRANA 3,492 people have been killed since the war erupted. It said 1,574 of those were civilians, including at least 236 children.
The group says its data comes from field reports, local contacts, medical and emergency sources, civil society networks, open-source materials and official statements.
'This was the final, best chance to wipe out Iran’s threat for good,' says Rubio
Tuesday 31 March 2026 22:46 , Rebecca WhittakerUS president Donald Trump made the “right decision” to “wipe it out”, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said defending the reasons why the US went to war.
In a video posted to X by The White House he explained it was the “last best chance” the US had at eliminating the “threat” of nuclear weapons in Iran.
Explaining why the US attacked Iran he said: “Iran wants to have nuclear weapons, of that there is zero doubt.
“If what they truly wanted, which is what they claim, is nuclear energy, they could have nuclear energy like all the other countries in the world have it and that is you import the fuel and you build reactors above ground. That’s not what Iran has done.
“They built their facilities and the reactors deep in mountains away from the public glare,” he added.
He said Iran was “on the verge” of having “so many missiles and so many drones” that would have stopped future intervention.
Mr Rubio said :“Under no circumstances can a country run by radicle Shia clerics with an apocalyptic vision of the future ever possess nuclear weapons.”
From Day One, the mission was crystal clear: This was the final, best chance to wipe out Iran’s threat for good - so they can never have a nuclear weapon.@SecRubio breaks it down ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/eChlkRPzyb
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 31, 2026
Watch: Trump warns UK ‘US won’t be there to help you any more’
Tuesday 31 March 2026 22:30 , Rebecca WhittakerUS military has started flying B-52 bombers over Iran
Tuesday 31 March 2026 22:26 , Rebecca WhittakerThe US military has started flying B-52 bombers over Iran, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
General Dan Caine said the warplanes were focused on destroying supply chains that fed Iran’s missile, drone and ship building facilities, to stop Iran replacing the munitions, The New York Times reported.
However, despite the ongoing US-Israeli bombing, Tehran is still able to retaliate, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters.
“They will shoot some missiles; we will shoot them down,” Mr Hegseth said at the Pentagon.
Military action is 'coming to an end' in Iran, Trump insists
Tuesday 31 March 2026 22:10 , Rebecca WhittakerPresident Donald Trump said US military action against Iran is "coming to an end,” in an interview with NBC News.
"We're doing great," Trump said. "And it's coming to an end."
Trump’s approval rating dips to new second-term low as top pollster warns of ‘profound problems’ emerging with his base
Tuesday 31 March 2026 22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPresident Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a second-term low, a sign of “profound problems” in the Republican’s coalition, a top pollster argues.
As of Monday, President Trump had an average of 39.9 percent approval, and a net approval rating of -16.7, according to composite measures from polling expert Nate Silver. The share of Americans who strongly disapprove of Trump also hit a second-term high, at 46.7 percent, Silver found.
The pollster attributed the president’s dismal approval rating, which has fallen by nearly 5 percent this month, to the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting spike in gas prices.
Read more here:
Trump approval dips to second-term low as pollster warns of ‘profound problems’
Watch: Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war
Tuesday 31 March 2026 21:40 , Rebecca WhittakerUS warns citizens in Saudi Arabia hotels, businesses and schools may be targeted
Tuesday 31 March 2026 21:20 , Rebecca WhittakerUS citizens in Saudi Arabia have been warned by the embassy in Riyadh, that targets may include hotels, businesses and schools, Sky News reported.
Saudi Arabia is one of Washington's allies and has been targeted by Iranian strikes.
Previously the embassy told citizens to "shelter in place" until further notice.
US journalist kidnapped in Baghdad
Tuesday 31 March 2026 21:11 , Rebecca WhittakerAn American journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said.
The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the outlets she worked for.
The Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped, without giving more details about the person's identity.
A State Department official said the US was aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, adding that Washington had previously issued a warning.
"The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible," Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said on X. He did not name Kittleson.
Johnson reiterated that Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason. The police officials said Kittleson was seized by four men in civilian clothes and taken in a vehicle.
Syrian President says country will stay out of war with Iran
Tuesday 31 March 2026 21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSyrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said he will stay out of the US-Israeli war against Iran unless Syria is subject to aggression and has no diplomatic solutions.
"Unless Syria is targeted by any party, Syria will remain outside any conflict," the Syrian president said in a speech at an event hosted by think tank Chatham House in London.
The month-long conflict has spread across the region, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies, and threatening to send the global economy into a tailspin.
